'92 K2500 Suburban Refurb...

[markhuntsville]

I've posted the beginings of this in the 'Introduction' area...

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/...-suburban.html

Since it's no longer an introduction, I decided it's time to start a thread on the refurb/buildup of our K2500 Subruban. Nick-named 'mater'. This will be primarily a tow vehicle only. Towing either my sons off-road-only Jeep or our boat.

To recap - we purchased this K2500 in E. Tenn and I drove (~100 miles) it home on 6-cylinders (really!), with no A/C, and a glued-shut drivers window... yes, that was a fun drive in August!

Here's what it looked like when we bought it home;
(sorry for the reposting of the pics from the 'intro')




We've corrected all of the above 'issues' including the A/C that is working great thanks to a good friend!

Removed the cargo area carpet and thoroughly cleaned it (4 times!)- looks pretty good now - definitely 'acceptable'.

Installed the Tekonsha P3 trailer brake controller.

Got the new window channel seal (to repair the glue-covered seal from PO), will install this weekend.

Also, we're installing new shocks (and steering stabilizer) and got the rears installed w/o much problem.

[begin long story]
We decided to remove the front wheels/tires to ease the shock swap (and inspect the front brakes)... well, we broke two wheel studs on the drivers side and subsequently discovered a gaping hole in the CV boot (thankfully) on the same drivers side shaft. So, after four hours of thrashing, we got the wheel studs replaced (thank god for the hydraulic press!) and the CV Half Shaft replaced. What a PITA the CV Half Shaft was! We had to remove the tie rod link completely and loosen the sway bar from the chassis to make enough clearance to get the old shaft out and the new one in...
[end long story]

Next is gutting the front area (seats, console, carpet, etc) and a thorough cleaning.

I've got new tires awaiting installation - trying to find some OEM late-model GM Aluminum 8-lug wheels to install at the same time. If you know someone selling a set, pm me.

The tires are Goodyear Dura-tracs - 265/75R16 Load Range E from discounttiredirect.com These are awesome tires and only slightly more expensive than Nitto Tera-grapplers, but with a much more aggressive tread. (a 'bargain' version of the MT/R) For a lightly driven tow vehicle, I have high hopes for them.

Future plans are an upgraded exhaust and TBI enhancements...more power!!!

Oh, and of course, a new front bumper and smoke tail lights!

[bartlett]

sounds like a good start.

[fastxcr]

How may miles on it? Did you get it for $1800?

[markhuntsville]

It has ~154K miles - the odometer doesn't appear to be working...so it may be a little higher.

The PO parked it over 6 months ago trying to sell it and kept lowering the price... it was priced at $1800 when I came across it, but I got it quite a bit lower... the PO was moving across multiple states the next day, so he wanted to get it gone...and we struck a deal.

It's a solid Suburban, not a bit of rot (rust) anywhere, the brakes are stout, transmission is good so far (knock-wood!). It was just running aweful, no a/c, glued-shut window, and really dirty, I mean REALLY dirty... any potential buyer had to be able to look beyond these 'warts' to see the solid foundation that existed....

[bhookxen]

on saving an obs burban, as i am kind of partial to them

[darren250r]

So, how much $$$ was it?

[markhuntsville]

Well - I don't really like to disclose the price, but for us FSC guys (and girls if they are out there..)

I got it for $1300.

[darren250r]

Don't really see why its a big deal to say the price, but thats a pretty good deal. What motor?

[markhuntsville]

I'm just kinda private about finances in public forum...no big deal. I guess it actually helps others with future purchasing negoations. (knowing what other vehicles are selling for)

It has the 5.7L, TBI motor. It's been changed - but we don't know to what...we're planning on investigating the block casting codes and the numbers stamped on the front deck when we get a chance. It seems to have decent power, nothing exciting, but a good basis for a start.

The first thing I'm looking at is putting a Magnaflow muffler - 3" inlet, dual 2.5" outlets and possible 'modifying' the catalytic converter...

[markhuntsville]

Here's a few more pics after getting a wash...



Glue residue around the drivers window - man, this is a real job removing it...


Still haven't found a front bumper for a good price...






Next is the interior cleaning!

[markhuntsville]

We removed all the seats and console, (didn't get pics of this), and next came the carpet;

Drivers side;


Oh, here's where we mounted the Tekonsha P3 controller;


The worst arear is the rear passenger area, looks like a major grease spill! Note the outline of the seat mounts!


Cargo area has already been removed, cleaned and is now a storage area for the trim parts as they get cleaned and Armor-All'd.


Carpet out and on the driveway - NASTY!


Thankfully, the floorboards look great!


New drivers seat!


Here's where I put the carpet - over the fence where I used the strongest cleaner I could find, a scrub brush, and the garden hose on full-blast! The initial water coming out of the carpet looked like coffee! I kept going until it came out clear.

[burban2002]

That carpet was pretty nasty...are you going to replace it or keep the original?

[billywilly92]

The carpet seemed to get a lot cleaner than it was. I didn't think it would do that.

[WetPaintSierra]

Take it to a car wash and power wash it. Trust me!

[markhuntsville]

It's as clean as it will get - the stains are set into the fibers, so the discolorization is not going to get any better. I know it's clean from the point of view that I cleaned it 4 times with extremely strong cleaner (industrial de-greaser from Sam's) and rinsed it until the water came out clear.

We decided NOT to replace the carpet since this is primarily going to be a tow rig for off-roading - hence, we'll be getting muddy, and dirty, so I did't want to spend $200+ dollars on carpet and then get up-tight when we come back from off-roading and get it dirty.

This MAY change over time, but for now, we're happy that we don't have to worry too much about dirty boots. We may even remove the carpet again at some later date to try a different cleaning approach.

Once the Husky liners go in, and the seats, the carpet won't be that visible, I fell pretty good that it will be 'acceptable'.

We stripped the cargo area trim out completely today and thoroughly cleaned everything. Pics to come.

[markhuntsville]

Here's the pics of the cargo area trim cleanup;

All the trim removed;


Rear A/C & Heat before cleanup;


Some of the trim pieces after cleaning;


Passenger side cover;


Driver side cover;


Rear A/C & Heater after cleaning;


Drivers side;


Waiting on drying...

[markhuntsville]

With the glue residue on the drivers door window weatherstrip, I ordered replacement weatherstrip and outer wiper strip from LMC. We pulled the door panel off and got it replaced - not the easiest job, but well worth it.

Here's the door woth the new weatherstrip and outer wiper;


The glue residue is still being worked on the door frame...real PITA - hopefully the replacement Vent-visor will cover any glue that I can't get removed.

Here's a closeup of the old outer wiper on the passenger door;

(all the doors look about the same - not very confortable to rest your arm on when riding with the windows down)

And a closeup of the new on the drivers door (MUCH improved);


I only ordered the one, just to see how the quality was... I am happy the wuality and will be ordering the other 3 doors tomorrow.

We're now trying to figure out why the drivers rear door window only goes down about 5" and slams to a stop... We removed the door panel and discovered the door-side roller was out of the track. So I proceeded to drill out the window motor rivets and work the roller back into the track. Replaced the motor rivets and tested - but it still stops at 5" down;


Oh, and here's a shot of the front center Husky liner installed under the transfer case shifter. The balance of the Husky liners should be here this week.

[95tahoe95]

Scibed

[ROCK_KRAWLER]

its getting there... been alot of work but it will be worth it in the long run!
the jeep it will be towing...

[markhuntsville]

Quick update - worked on the drivers rear window slamming stop about 5" down - ends up it was the power lock solenoid. It had loosened up the rivets holding it to the door and 'laid' over where the window would hit it when going down...

After much thrashing on drilling out the rivets, and putting new rivets in, as well as adding a heavy zip-tie around the solenoid, it's clear of the window now and everything works great.

Now we start putting everything back together!