Looking far nicer than the barn find it was claimed to be, this 1991 GMC Suburban is an understated survivor that’s had some modifications thrown at it since its extraction from the barn. I’ve learned to be OK with this, especially since my own barn find now benefits from a firmer suspension and triple Webers. This Suburban has been mildly tuned up; let us know if it’s to your liking by checking it out here on eBay.
In a way, it’s sort of hard to destroy a Suburban’s interior – they were that robust (this also makes them easier to rescue if they’ve been left standing). No fancy wood trim or leather; just cloth and plastic. The seller says after reviving the Suburban, it was modified to provide reliable and cool operation with some extra attitude dialed in thanks to a lowered suspension, removal of the whitewall tires and adding a custom exhaust.
The seller also made some tweaks under the hood, installing a “….Stroker 383 with Scat crank and rods,” along with an “…Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold and computer chip re-calibrated by Harris Performance.” The seller notes he took it on a long-term cruise as part of the 2017 Hot Rod Power Tour with no issues or overheating. On the temperature and comfort front, he also adds that the air conditioning does work.
It still looks a little too nice for a barn find to me. I’m all for not leaving a vehicle covered in rodent remains and dirt once it’s extracted, but at least one good photo showing it in the daylight for the first time after being exposed by the barn door swinging open is oh-so-helpful when selling a claimed barn find. Still, these older Suburbans are emerging as a new classics you can still afford, and this one seems reasonable with an $8,500 Buy-It-Now and the option to submit a best offer.
Love Suburbans, had a couple of them back in the day. They were and are purposeful vehicles. I personally believe they started the SUV market/craze.
I have a 90 4×4 it’s a little rusty but I paid $300 for it 17 years ago rebuilt motor,trans, new gas tank and hitch..have $1800 in it now with new tires and shocks the seats are the same as this one and they are the most comfortable I’ve ever had in any car I’ve owned.even better than Le sabre or caddy
G-van seat originally , the first ones were installed at the request of Bob Stempel as I heard the story.
Have to disagree with you about the SUV craze, the Ford Explorer was the reason all of soccer moms had to have a fou r door 4 wheel drive kid hauler instead of a mini-van or sedan. Easy to drive, better visability, and all the creature comforts are the reason the SUV market took off. The 3rd door F-150 was the same thing, convenience for the kiddies.
Hi all, I have a question, that I have been trying to get the answer to. I have a 2004 trailblazer that needs a transmission. I would like to change it to a manual trans. It has a vortec 4200 inline 6 and is 4×4. I am not current on transmissions these day but would like to make the change.
If anyone can help me with info on what clutch peddle to install or flywheel or any other component. I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
Kman
The vortec series of 6 cylinders are v6, being nothing more than the v8s GM has with 2 cylinders lopped off. A manual swap is a difficult task, requiring a new transmission, transmission mounts, flywheel, clutch, pedal assembly, slave cylinder, and possibly some screwing with the ECU, being as its a newer vehicle (yes 2004 is a bit old, but it’s still well into the computer era of cars)
I don’t recommend doing this swap. If you want a manual compact 4×4, hunt down a 1st Gen Blazer. You still have v6 power, and some came with a manual from the factory.
Pretty sure the 4.2 he has is a straight 6 not a V.
Maybe trans and pedal assembly from older Chevy truck would work.
Have to fab mounts,crossmember,driveshaft and ???.
It can be done if you have the time and money.
I have a 2002 trail blazer, yes it is an inline 6 DOHC variable valve time port injected coil on plug engine . I can’t speak to weather or not it’s a vortec but it’s no v6. I to say no to the swap you’d have to be crazy to try. I agree if you want something with a stick shift just go buy it. As for the blazer I had one of those too drove it for 13 year it was a good truck but it is much smaller inside. And only 5 passenger. The trail blazer is 7 passenger and as far as I’m concerned a much better handling truck. They have a wider body better suspension and rack & pinion steering. Any of these newer vehicles are far to electronically controlled to be messing around with such conversions. If you attempt to change over I think you will regret it and quite possibly ruin your SUV. The fact is there not worth much anymore I bought my 02 a year ago for $3k.
I think Suburbans are a great value, three or four cars in one, as long as you know that it’s not a sports car and needs to be driven differently with some awareness as to its bulk.
http://www.trailvoy.com/ is that way –> they might have the info you are looking for
Wow, nice truck and good price.
As the kids say, this is sweet AF.
A TBI motor will never run right with the stupid little air filter sucking in hot air. And the late model serpentine set up is a strange modification as they come with a perfectly good serpentine set up from the factory that locates the a.c. compressor on the correct side of the motor so as you don’t need that ridiculous a.c. line running all over the engine bay. Probably done due to vortec style heads on the motor rather than altering the stock accessory brackets to fit the heads. And the painted wheels and tire choice are of very poor taste. These poortly executed modifications make me question the quality of the vehicle and workmanship.
If it had the correct serpentine set up, factory air filter housing with cold air duct and white wall tires on factory rims it would be a much more desirable prospect and attract a higher price.
Never knew the ’91 Suburban kept the old body style while the pickup got a new one. And then the next year, Suburban caught up. But then, I was a Ford guy at the time.
Yes Fred. The new style C/K pick ups came out in March of 1987 but the old R/V style for the Suburban/Blazer/1 Ton Pick ups stayed around until 1991.
1992 everything was the new style.
It was an interesting time to have both of these styles on the lot at the same time.
Fred, I believe that was done again in ’99 as I bought a new ’99 GMC. I’ve had six since 1989 primarily to pull a two horse trailer. Used them a lot in “no road” and muddy situations. Once pulled out a tractor stuck in the mud ! Had a dealer once say I was among the 5% who used it for it’s designed purpose. Needless to say I love them, flaws and all.
This find doesn’t suit my taste,I’m sure somebody will like it.
GM has, and keeps, doing that with trucks – they’re never fully aligned in terms of redesigns. Even most recently the switches in 06/07 and 14/15 had overlap with 1/2 ton versus the 3/4 and 1-ton models.
Had a ‘89 with the smaller V-8. That set-up with the small rear end couldnt take towing a 4000 lb. trailer. The engine was fine, but the trans and rear end went out. It was one comfortable wagon, with those captain’s chairs.
I just sold an ’89, white with almost perfect blue interior. The 350 ran perfectly with 260,000 miles on it. If I wasn’t moving, I’d have kept it. Perfect rust free body as well. These were great trucks!