Three cheers for the longest-running domestic automobile model, the Chevrolet Suburban! Introduced in 1935 and built continuously (except for ’43, ’44, and ’45) it really came into its own in the early ’70s and it has been off to the races ever since. Regardless of gubmint regulations, fuel shortages, economic collapses (ours in 2008 and GM’s in 2009), and changing automobile trends, there is still the Suburban and its cousins GMC’s Yukon XL and Caddy’s Escalade. And unlike a lot of old GM passenger cars, 1990s vintage Suburbans, such as today’s 1992 series 2500 subject truck, are still a common sight on our highways and byways. This one looks great and seats eight! It’s located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $17,500.
Looking the part, this Suburban features a two-tone paint finish which is said to have undergone a hood and roof respray (probably sun damage to the clear coat) but the rest is claimed to be original. It still presents very well and the seller tells us, “This truck is in really good condition with zero body rust… the body looks to be original. All doors open & close really nice & rear glass hatch/release & gate all work“. The chrome and stainless bits look fine and I must admit, I like the original silver-painted steel wheel/stainless trim ring arrangement.
Being a 2500 model means this rig is a 3/4 ton, heavy duty unit and available with the Bowtie’s 230 net HP, 454 CI, big block V8 engine – which in this case is coupled to a 4L80 four-speed automatic transmission (think of it as GM’s excellent Turbo-Hydramatic 400 with an overdrive ratio added). The “rat” motor has been rebuilt and it appears to be sportin’ a Holley carburetor and an aluminum intake manifold as opposed to its original throttle-body fuel injection unit. As for eye appeal, an open-element air cleaner and finned aluminum valve covers have been added. In spite of a recorded 137K miles, the seller states, “This truck runs & drives great“.
If it’s GM and 1992, you can count on red velour upholstery! This baby’s got it and it looks marvelous – no mean feat as the fabric that GM used can get tired-looking pretty early in a vehicle’s life but that’s not the case here – it is surprisingly crisp considering this truck’s mileage and 32 years of experience. It is wearing a dash toupee so the dash pad may be a bit rough but that’s not surprising. Fortunately, the Montana sky-sized headliner is not gravity-bound and is claimed to be still tight. Good to know is the condition of the A/C – it has been converted to 134A and blows cold. We’re told, for all of you Cohiba fans, that even the lighter still lights.
Complaints or concerns! Nope, these things are eternal and the condition of this Suburban tells us that it has been well cared for, maintained, and not abused. A new Suburban’s base price starts (starts) at $59, 200; I’d say this one’s such a deal!, right?
Looks like it has the power to pass most full size SUV’s except the gas station. Personally I really like this body style and if I had a use for a Suburban it would be the 2500 and not the 1500 which was too light duty IMO. Rear differentials are weak and brakes and 4L60 are weak for anything other than light duty.
I had a ’93 GMC 3/4 ton,4WD,454,with every option available.
It was cool when you needed all that room,or needed to tow something.
I was disappointed at the lack of power,& the leather seat were slippery,
& was overjoyed when I got double-digit fuel mileage.Luckily it had the
all-important 42 gallon fuel tank.
I towed a Consul Capri to Denver with it,& a VW single cab pickup
some months later,& it did both jobs well.
Buy this beauty, and scare your greenie neighbors, with the Tesla and the electric Volvo. Every time you fire her up.
I just have all the fellas at the pub, singing,” drink, drink, drink”, in my mind. A new Wagoneer is just under a 100k gets 10 mpg so this unit is just fine. 137k for a cared for unit is nothing. drive and enjoy. You can buy a tanker of fuel with the depreciation savings along with the cheaper insurance aaaand the ease of whatever repairs that may arise.
I’ll own one of these till the day I die. Admitting the one now is the 1500, which is a bit light, but still does its job. If I were looking, I would snap this one up in a heartbeat.
Except for a dimple on the rear bumper, this one looks spotless…at least from 20ft. The 454 has me interested; this is the SUV version of the SS454 and as long as this thing continues to be properly maintained it’ll only appreciate in value.
I bought a new one in 92 or 93. 2500 with the 454. Every time I started it up it sounded like a coffee can full of rocks until the oil made it’s way to the heads. I kept hoping it would blow up so I could replace it with a 502 with real power. Never happened though. But I did tow quite a few people out of snow banks. It did that job quite well
Oh yeah, that’s nothin’! My dad’s ’94 2WD 2500 Sub had a 454, plus a Whipple Charger. He used to tow around a 10,000+ pound boat back and forth between the river and winter storage with that. My son drove it a little bit as a teenager, and I think he and his license would’ve soon been parted if he kept it up much longer…
It definitely has more power than a stock unit, the Gen 6 Vortec L21 was a really nice upgrade, I was impressed with the acceleration & how hard it pulls now!
Be nicer if it had 4 wheel drive!
I have a 89 K3500 regular cab flatbed farm truck roller with 108k miles I would include with a full price offer. My plan was to build a One Ton 4wd Suburban that GM never made, but the parts replaced & engine replacement broke my budget! Also have original engine & all TBI components I would include.
My 91 K2500 has the 454 and came with the identical valve covers. No noise at start up except the regular exhaust noise. Still going strong at 193k miles.
A lot of folks still drive these and Ford Excursions out here in AZ.
I had a ’78 with the 454. It belonged to a racer who rebuilt the engine. Knowledgeable people who drove it thought it was getting 300 HP. I am not a racer so I used it for basic transportation. I’m sure the neighbors were happy when I got rid of it. My dog loved it. I still have a photo of him, sitting backwards on a living room chair looking out the window for me to arrive after hearing it a block away. I still miss you Barney. The truck finally went to an amateur racer. No a/c, loud. Pull car, all gear, full crew, 8mpg. What’s not to love?
I have a 94 with the 6.5 diesel and is in just as good of shape as this one never part with it