1990 Suburban 4x4

[Mckenzie]

We *might* be getting a 1990 4x4 Suburban for around 2250. It has 140,000 miles and the interior is in remarkably good condition for being 20 years old. And it has street tires on it with no rust.

 

Can i get some background info on this year of vehicle?

 

Where they reliable, did they have any specific problems with them?

 

Are the replacement parts cheap?

 

If we get it were going to put a 6 inch suspension lift on it followed by either a 3 inch or a 4 inch body lift. What size tires will i be able to fit with this? 38's should clear with no problem ,but what about some 44's?

 

Also these suburbans were straight axles, right?

 

What is the gear ratio on this vehicle, is it a 4.10?

[ChevyTech77]

A 90 1/2 ton burb was sold mainly with 235/75R15" or 31x10.50R15" tires stock. Most gear ratio's were 3:08 or 3:42 unless ordered with 3:73 gears. Never seen a factory 4:10 geared truck, but it was an option.

 

It was a solid axle truck. 6" suspension with a 3-4" body will fit 38's but they will be tight.

Not to mention that the factory axles and trans were good for a maximum of a 33" tall tire.

Otherwise, some money would have to be dropped into them. Not to mention that the stock

350 K TBI engine was no huge powerhouse either. If 38's were to be run safely, It would need

a set of 4:88 gears (minimum), rear axle c-clip eliminators and some aftermarket front axle shafts

with Warn lockouts. I'd chuck the factory rear locking differential too, if so equipped, for a heavier

duty diff. The factory Eaton locking diff's in those trucks were known to scatter easy and were

warrantied, from Eaton, for no bigger than 33's.

 

Check all of the rear underbody panels and floor pans for rust through. That was a huge issue on these

trucks.

 

Other than that, they were very mod friendly and considering the length of that body style being in

production, there is still plenty of support for them in the aftermarket.

[JDerstine]

My previous Suburban was a '90 1500 4WD Suburban that I purchased in '97 with 85K on it with a brand new engine. ( dealership got "snookered" on the trade and I ended up w/ a brand new engine) I sold it in '05 with just over 190K on it and I still see it every so often running around town.

 

Mine was 350 with 3.42 gears. At 125K and 160K, I had the trans flushed and new filter/fluid added. Never a problem. I also added the biggest trans cooler I could find when I got it since we vacationed in Ontario Canada and towed 350 miles each way three times a year. NEVER EVER tow in overdrive, it'll destroy the trans by overheating it.

 

Tires were Pirelli Scorpion ATR in 31X10.5R15 and I got about 45K out of each set. Great in the snow and wet, slimy boat ramps.

 

Body "issues" were as following. The rear gate needed the sheetmetal "rolled pan" under it replaced. I had an issue with the key working sometimes with the rear window in the back.( I used the up/down button on the lower dash) When I had the rear panel replaced, I also had the roof repainted since it was faded.

 

I replaced the window motor on the front driver door, one starter and two alternators. Brakes were purchased at Auto Zone when they had lifetime replacements ( not sure if they still offer that ) and rotors replaced once.

 

Great vehicle, very reliable and always drove great. My wife still wishes we would have kept it.

 

Jeff

[uh6tdrvr]

I have an 94 suburban, obviously not the solid axle but still going strong. If i had not sucked some water into the original engine i think it would still be ticking at 267K. No the TB FI isnt the most powerful but they are still reliable. They make about 300ft lbs of tq but around 200HP. Id get in it right now and drive it anywhere (minus needing some new tires)! I primarily use mine for hunting and fishing. Hard to beat for dry secure storage!

[Mckenzie]

This Burb has auto locking hubs(correct me if im wrong), and i was wondering if it would be hard to convert them to Warn premium manual locking hubs?

[JDerstine]

This Burb has auto locking hubs(correct me if im wrong), and i was wondering if it would be hard to convert them to Warn premium manual locking hubs?

 

Yes, it does have the auto locking hubs. I never had any problems with my auto hubs but I made sure to engage my 4WD at least once a month all year long to keep them moving freely. ( that was a suggestion from my mechanic and he never had to do anything to them )

[Mckenzie]

Alright thanks, how cheaply can 4.88 gears be bought for a 90 burb?