Daily-Friendly Diesel: 1991 Chevrolet Suburban

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Today, when the kids say “stance,” they’re most likely referring to the decision to lower their car so absurdly low to the ground that the wheels eventually flare out to such an angle where normal driving is all but impossible. However, stance can be a good thing, too, especially when referring to a classic SUV that sits high up on his wheels and looks perfectly suited to busting over a berm or boulder. This 1991 Chevrolet Suburban is offered here on eBay with a 6.2L diesel engine and no reserve, and just over 67K miles.

These classic Suburbans are handsome machines, and delightfully simple when compared to modern SUVs. What I always wonder is if when these trucks were new, did people like me roll their eyes and scoff at the suburbanites driving around in an overpriced beast of a truck that was never actually put through its paces? Yes, I’m projecting, but I see an awful lot of $100,000 SUVs in town that drive to the local coffee shop and back with nary a wheel off the pavement. Did the same thing happen in 1987 when this truck was new?

For one thing, I can’t imagine your local housewife opting for a diesel V8 engine, which suggests that GM’s marketing at the time didn’t show a direct connection between hulking SUV and a petite woman wearing Lululemon workout attire. No, I suspect in the late 80s there was more of an expectation that a truck like this would actually be used for truck-like duties, be it hitting the slopes or climbing an roughshod trail. Plus, that diesel engine would be there to provide decent gas mileage and Billy goat-like dependability.

With a third-row seat, crank windows, four wheel drive, and the diesel powerplant, I’m guessing the first owner of this truck wanted to spec a 4×4 that didn’t deviate from the SUV playbook. No leather, either, so by today’s standards, this Suburban is a stripper. The blue paintwork is in nice shape and, not surprisingly, it is two-tone in nature like most of GM’s trucks at the time. This is a honey of a vehicle options-wise, and at no reserve, a potential bargain, too.

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Comments

  1. Troy

    In the 80s when this was built Diesel fuel was cheaper then regular gas then the environmentalists convinced the EPA that diesel was a dirty fuel and the EPA started making them Chang it the the garbage they call diesel today

    Like 10
    • Fox Owner

      Diesel is not a dirty fuel? What do you call all the smoke and particulates coming out of the tail pipe?

      Like 6
      • Gary L Cooley Jr

        What the smoke is coming out of the tail pipe of a diesel is raw unburned diesel there are no particulates that come out

        Like 1
    • $ where mouth is

      im an environmetalist and i can say with absolute cetainty that the diesel engines of yester year were in FACT dirty.
      assuming your the demographic you come across as, i emplore you to ask yourself :
      do i like polluted air, polluted water, polloted food, cancer..
      profit drivin corperations compromising OUR Earth, OUR health, etc.

      Now, if your a cigarette smoker, soda pop drinker, a sausage and fast food eater, than sure you dont understand.
      But, when you get sick and need cure, and you have to chane your diet..
      if you do have any respect the land that sustains us and WE call America ?,
      thank an environmetalist, they are working and sacrificing for your benefit and all future genrations to come.

      My K25 Suburban with 300k and two cats and passes smog runs great an clean, made in USA and is plenty powerful.

      Id prefer a vortec 454, but this here Suburban is an amazing find, a way better truck than a new (foreign owned) Ram, than a new over priced underpowered Suburban and maybe just as nice as an Excursion.

      Like 3
  2. Stan StanMember

    Cool GM tank 😎

    Like 5
  3. Yblocker

    GM diesel. Junk. Enough said.

    Like 8
  4. Hot Wheels Carol

    Very nice looking square body Burb, y’all are right, these are tanks! To find one, 32 years out, that still looks this pristine and has this low mileage, is rare indeed. The 6.2 is an okay diesel. It’s not a Duramax or a Cummins but it will be adequate if you don’t abuse it. Being a ’91 this should have the overdrive. My ’90 didn’t, and that was one of the few things I didn’t like about it. That and I couldn’t keep it…..was a great Burb and it was a tank too.

    Like 8
    • Accidental FJ

      Although rare. GM offered the 700r4 overdrive transmission starting in 1982 and switched to the 4L80E in 1991. Even then however the 3 speed auto th400 was available as the base transmission

      Like 3
    • Joe Stockel

      Between gasoline and diesel, after combustion, which has more harmful contaminates being released into the air, water, and soil?

      Like 1
      • Mikebike

        Diesel per gallon produces more energy than a gallon of gasoline. When compared with that in mind, gas actually produces more pollution.

        Like 4
  5. Nelson C

    That Detroit wasn’t fast but would run all day long on level ground near sea level. Stay in the right lane and enjoy the scenery.

    Like 12
    • Stan StanMember

      10-4, roger that Nelson 🏕 ⛱️ ☀️ ⛰️

      Like 4
    • Car Nut Tacoma

      I’d prefer either the 6.5 Detroit or the 6.6 Duramax.

      Like 1
  6. Todd Zuercher

    Jeff – you mention “in 1987 when this truck was new”. This truck wasn’t built until 1991 so it wasn’t even around in 1987 – much less new 😀

    Like 6
  7. Accidental FJ

    I’m confused on the year, based on the mirrors. 1991 would have the one year only “euro” power mirrors. They were pretty unsightly, nonetheless correct for a 91.

    Like 3
    • The truth

      The euro mirrors were an opition. Not every 91 burb, blaze, v/r 1 ton came with them. Tbh I don’t feel like looking up the number on the build sheet to see if it originally cam with power mirrors.

      What I find odd is that it has power locks and manual windows. Because if I remember correctly the power lock and power windows were a single wiring harness ran through the door.

      Like 5
  8. Car Nut Tacoma

    Beautiful looking Suburban! I remember when they looked like this. If I bought one, I’d upgrade either to a 6.5 litre Turbo Diesel or a Duramax 6.6 litre Turbo Diesel engine.

    Like 2
  9. Ken Hillmsn

    Sorry I missed this auction!’
    I’d be on it for sure!
    Had 2 6.2’s in Suburbans, but they were K1500’s. The K2500 probably a lot taller rear end ratio, and that would affect mileage. At 67K, it ain’t even broke in!
    My daily is a 96 Suburban 6.5.
    Anyone talking down this ultra durable power plant absolutely doesn’t know what they are talking about!

    Like 8
    • Fred

      Had a1991 2500 4×4 350 cu auto. Rated tow capacity 7500lbs the desil was rated at 6500lbs. Go figure ?

      Like 0
  10. Mike L Gawith

    I had a Suburban with a 6.2 Diesel just like this one it lasted a little over 300.000 miles before I replaced it with a new one if you take care of them there great

    Like 2
  11. Car Nut Tacoma

    I’d like to breathe clean (non-polluting) air as much as anyone living on this planet. But I’ve always been skeptical about totally electric powered vehicles.

    Like 2

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