Author Topic: Midsummer Equipment Purchase, and it's BIG! (Read 3267 times)

Skipper · « **on:** Jul 27, 2013, 08:16 AM »

One of my pet peeves is always having to unload my gear so I can use my truck for other things, or bring it inside to protect it from weather and thieves. I use my pickup for lots of stuff, and I live in town. It really gets frustrating because my Voyager loaded with gear is a bit heavy. I thought about putting a topper on, but my pickup has a plow and I really don't like to push snow with reduced visibility. I always thought it would be awesome to have a Chevy Suburban for ice fishing, but they aren't known for being cheap, even in advanced state of rust rot.

Then I found this old lady!

$500!!! It is in good working order too!!!!

1988 Chevy Silverado Suburban V12. TBI fuel invected 350 that runs perfectly, 4spd auto trans that shifts perfectly, 4x4 with lockout hubs that works great. The inside is really not bad except for the headliner is all tacked up and looks like crud. My boys want to fix it all up and paint it camoflage..

Now my gear can be safe, dry, and remain loaded for convenience all winter. Also, my girlfriend will have a 4x4 to drive less than a mile to work when we get a snow storm.

da man cave shack · « **Reply #1 on:** Jul 27, 2013, 08:40 AM »

Nice!!

Rwolff · « **Reply #2 on:** Jul 27, 2013, 09:53 AM »

Awesome deal! I have thought about doing that myself.

Idahogator · « **Reply #3 on:** Jul 27, 2013, 11:13 AM »

Quote from: Skipper on Jul 27, 2013, 08:16 AM

1988 Chevy Silverado Suburban V12.

WOW !!! That's gotta be a smooth runner, Skipper. That's 50% more pistons than I've seen in Suburban.

Musta took a bit of modification to fit a big V 12 under the hood and still leave space fer yer feet.

chuckrudy · « **Reply #4 on:** Jul 27, 2013, 11:56 AM »

nice pick up

Raquettedacker · « **Reply #5 on:** Jul 27, 2013, 12:06 PM »

SWEET. ...Can't wait to see it all cammoed up....

Chris338378 · « **Reply #6 on:** Jul 27, 2013, 07:09 PM »

The body looks like it's in pretty good shape and would be easy to fix. The good thing about going with camo paint is it's cheap and you don't have to make your repairs perfect.

Skipper · « **Reply #7 on:** Jul 27, 2013, 07:25 PM »

Quote from: Idahogator on Jul 27, 2013, 11:13 AM

WOW !!! That's gotta be a smooth runner, Skipper. That's 50% more pistons than I've seen in Suburban.

Musta took a bit of modification to fit a big V 12 under the hood and still leave space fer yer feet.

Yeah, thats what I thought too! Thats what the title says the model is... I thought it was a V-10 but I guess not (V-10 was the half ton, V-20 was the 3/4).

I was thinking the same thing with the camo, there is no sense fixing something up pretty, then bashing through the woods with it.

da man cave shack · « **Reply #8 on:** Jul 27, 2013, 08:23 PM »

Hay skipper can you post a pic Of the motor. I am a big chevy car fan and I am pretty sure that chevy only offered a v12 in the larger model trucks and only from 1960-1966.

mr.clean · « **Reply #9 on:** Jul 28, 2013, 03:35 AM »

Good luck with the Suburban Skipper .
Steve

Rebelss · « **Reply #10 on:** Jul 28, 2013, 10:41 AM »

Biggest engine ever offered in any Suburban was a 454 V-8 with TBI. They also offered a 379 cid Diesel. Skipper stated his is a 350...so naturally it's the V-8. The good ol' been-around-forever-solid-engine easy to work on 350.

HIMO · « **Reply #11 on:** Jul 28, 2013, 01:01 PM »

Quote from: Rebelss on Jul 28, 2013, 10:41 AM

Biggest engine ever offered in any Suburban was a 454 V-8 with TBI. They also offered a 379 cid Diesel. Skipper stated his is a 350...so naturally it's the V-8. The good ol' been-around-forever-solid-engine easy to work on 350.

and all this info is from a Ford owner. LOL!!!

HIMO

Rebelss · « **Reply #12 on:** Jul 28, 2013, 01:10 PM »

Quote from: HIMO on Jul 28, 2013, 01:01 PM

and all this info is from a Ford owner. LOL!!!

HIMO

That's cuz when I got tired of working on Chebbies, I bought a Ford. Uh oh, here we go...

Just kidding. For 500 clams, sounds like a deal to me.

Trooper Bri · « **Reply #13 on:** Jul 28, 2013, 01:45 PM »

I believe I can clear up more confusion.

The V is likely the body code on that truck (4'th or 5'th digit in the VIN for GM trucks). For a while GM made both the C/K series and R/V series at the same time. R would be the 2WD version (like the C series), and V was the 4WD version (like the K series). The 12 is likely a 1/2 ton model.

It's been ages since I've slung parts for GM, so most of what I used to know is fading. Kick me if I'm wrong.

bart · « **Reply #14 on:** Jul 28, 2013, 01:57 PM »

Great purchase!

Idahogator · « **Reply #15 on:** Jul 28, 2013, 02:23 PM »

At least, with tongue in cheek, the V-12 comment got a few mechanics to speak up. Truth be known, the only 12 cylinder Chevrolet I've heard of, was the result of two old straight six 292 cid doin' a header out on the two-lane.

Many happy miles Skipper !!!

P Meyette · « **Reply #16 on:** Jul 28, 2013, 03:34 PM »

sorry bow tie

hesseltine32 · « **Reply #17 on:** Jul 28, 2013, 06:56 PM »

nice ride

Oldbear · « **Reply #18 on:** Jul 28, 2013, 08:56 PM »

I'm happy for ya and sounds like its got everything you need especially the 4x4.

Skipper · « **Reply #19 on:** Jul 31, 2013, 08:46 PM »

The only thing giving me fits about this truck is the tailgate. It has a power rear window that won't work, and you can't load anything in it without rolling it down. Off to the junkyard!!! I wish this thing had the base model cargo doors, much more practical and durable.

mr tip up · « **Reply #20 on:** Aug 01, 2013, 06:19 PM »

gas being 4 dollars a gallon are you going to be able to drive it lol

KDK · « **Reply #21 on:** Aug 01, 2013, 09:08 PM »

Your going to love that thing. Buddy of mine once bought an old Suburban for hunting, use to load it up with 5 guys and as many as 9 deer and go to the check station. Sure miss the old "Meat Wagon" days.

Skipper · « **Reply #22 on:** Aug 02, 2013, 08:10 PM »

Quote from: mr tip up on Aug 01, 2013, 06:19 PM

gas being 4 dollars a gallon are you going to be able to drive it lol

Nobody rides in style for cheap!!!

Quote from: KDK on Aug 01, 2013, 09:08 PM

Your going to love that thing. Buddy of mine once bought an old Suburban for hunting, use to load it up with 5 guys and as many as 9 deer and go to the check station. Sure miss the old "Meat Wagon" days.

This thing has NINE seat belts!! My boys already named it the MUD BUS!! It is kinda cool how you can haul a ton of people (literally) or fold the seats all down, throw a chunk of plywood in the back, and it works like a regular cab pickup with a topper on it to haul a fish house. I already do love it

My 95 GMC K-1500 ex cab, long box is gonna get jealous of this thing!

WYIfish · « **Reply #23 on:** Aug 04, 2013, 07:39 PM »

How you spell G-A-S ?

Skipper · « **Reply #24 on:** Aug 11, 2013, 06:00 PM »

Luckily all the waters I fish are close, Mille Lacs is only 20 min. Fuel economy becomes much less of an issue when water isn't so far away. Ive also found that its better to use a truck to do things that you need a truck for, like pulling snowmobiles and hauling gear. When you load down a midsize SUV or compact pickup, your fuel economy can be less than if you had a vehicle with the gears and power to do the work. Also, midsize and compact 4x4 vehicles have very expensive drivetrains to repair. The price of one burnt up transmission can buy a lotta gas!!! The convenience of having a large vehicle is worth something to me also....

When you add up all the positives and negatives, it works out for me.

Looks like the old mud bus gets 16-17 mpg with synthetic oil, 50psi in the tires, and a fresh tune up anyway. I don't think that is to bad for what it is.

Raquettedacker · « **Reply #25 on:** Aug 11, 2013, 08:30 PM »

That thing would make a good deer hauler..

You guys hunting this year?? Whitetail challenge sign ups on myhuntingforum....

Skipper · « **Reply #26 on:** Aug 11, 2013, 10:11 PM »

Yeah, we are planning on killing some deer!!!

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Author Topic: Midsummer Equipment Purchase, and it's BIG! (Read 3267 times)

Trooper Bri