86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Hey everybody!

I've been on this board a long time with many different trucks over the years. But I've never owned a square burb before this weekend. And I love it!

This suburban lived it's entire life at a summer home in northern Michigan. Never used in winter and only accrued 56k miles over it's life. It's only had about 3k miles put on it since 2006.

This weekend I picked it up in Traverse city, filled the tank, and drove over 300 miles home without a hitch! I even averaged 15 MPG. Just a super quiet comfortable ride!

The only plans I have for it right now are to rebuild carb, figure out why lock-up converter kicks in too soon, fix a leaking axle shaft seal, and just finish the little details. Most maintenance has been completed. It runs very well.

Anyways, here are some pictures with more to come!

Thanks for reading!

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Dang, that is a very nice example. I love the color.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

I'm jelly, that thing is amazing! Awesome score!

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Thank you!

Here are some more pics. I ended up replacing the power steering pump today...it was making a god awful noise. I guess as I wake this girl back up to daily driving duties, she's gonna make me replace some things....

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

And more yet! I can't believe there isn't any wear on this floor mat! Driver had a little wear.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Sweet ride, that's a keeper

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Got some more pictures of goodies here as I go through everything. Looks like I got the factory warranty card, window sticker, and even key chain with customer # on it!

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Well the first big repair is underway here. Got the carb off last night and started going through everything. It was all gunked up as expected from so much sitting. We'll get her shined up and dialed in as soon as that damn kit arrives....

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Got the carb back on today. All adjusted up, got the idle set perfect. This is probably the smoothest 350 I have ever owned! I know it's got all the emissions crap on it and probably only makes 165 hp, but I do love how quiet and smooth it is.

I've always been a fan of Quadrajets, but this particular quadrajet has the APT adjustment and dual capacity pump. I haven't rebuilt one of these before or really even driven one. I'm pretty impressed with it's responsiveness and smoothness.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Finished waxing the roof and the passenger side...holy smokes. That's a lot of sheet metal!

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Do you all think I should pull these old man step/runners off or leave them? I've never really liked the look of them on these trucks. And this Suburban is so low, they are totally not necessary. But I can't decide.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

My opinion - please remove! I bought an 87 with the same running boards. Once I pulled them off, I had a big smile on.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Boy, just a beautiful example and the last year before TBI was introduced I believe. You can really haul lots of band equipment in those.

The color scheme and the rally's really make it pop! I vote to remove the steps.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Very nice! :)

We had a couple different Squareburbans - a 2wd and a 4wd. The 4wd had the running boards and I finally took them off and wondered why I didn't do it sooner.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Alright, you guys win. I'm taking them off tomorrow!

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Hey glad to see you're still hanging around here buddy! I hope you've been well.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

bye-bye running boards! Anyone want them? They're in fantastic shape.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Hi Cort; Yeah I'm still hanging here and doing well, thanks for asking.

Well it's looking even better with the aluminum steps off now. I just noticed the barn doors in the back that I really like to see.

The dealer keychain and all the goodies are such a find and I'm glad the owner kept those to pass on to you.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Is there any chance that running boards would prolong the life of the rocker panels?

I've never had my hands on a set, but depending on how they're mounted, it seems they could be beneficial.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

I actually think they’d be worse for the rockers, unless you’re in a place that does not use salt. The running boards are aluminum, the body is steel. You throw in an electrolyte like salt/water mush from the roads and you’ve got a battery. Bad things start happening.

Now if you were in a dry climate like Arizona or Texas, I think they’d be great for keeping rocks and dirt from dinging and chipping paint on the rockers.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Well, I did a couple "Fancy" additions this weekend. 10 years ago I would've never thought about adding modern conveniences to my classic trucks because I am such a purist. But, as I get older, some conveniences are very nice to have.

So I put in a remote lock unit that ties in with the factory lock system. So now I can remote lock/unlock like a modern car and it also blinks the running lights.

I also put in a back up camera. After 20 years of hooking up trailers the hard way, I figured it was time to make my life a little easier. And this is a remote camera set-up, so I didn't have to butcher up wiring or drill any holes. It's not bad for $80.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Not sure exactly what tires you have but my experience is these heavy vehicles do better with an LT tire instead of P-whatever especially if you get off pavement.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Oh those tires aren't staying, they are very old. They actually are LT's though. And this truck will never see more dirt than a gravel road. Hahaha.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

We could hardly keep LT235/75R15C together on our gravel road, but it was a 4wd and heavier.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

What backup cam is that?

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

It's a Yakry Y25. Some China manufacturer I assume. It's good enough and very easy to install. I think I was done in under 20 min. But I also knew exactly where the reverse light wire was because I had just fixed the 7-pin trailer connecter.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Well with a little help from the factory Custom Cruise III manual and a "new" VSS buffer from member Mathew21, I now have working cruise control! So excited about this!

Thanks again Mathew21 :metal:

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Wow, that thing is incredibly well-preserved. What a neat sled.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Super clean looking Burb. Missed when you got it. She sure is sweet. I love that color combo.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Thanks Bill! I am loving this thing.

I've been doing little maintenance things the past week or so. Nothing post worthy. Just trans service, brake hoses, detailing door sills. Not sure how much major stuff I'll complete before winter sets in. Although now I realize I have to buy a winter car.... My wife has her car and I have the 67 and the burb. But I just don't have the heart to drive either one in the salt around here. I guess it's back to Craigslist!

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

That is what I DON'T miss about the northern climate. Down here all I have to worry about during the winter is whether today is AC or no AC. :lol:

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Here's a sneak peak of the new meats...sorry the picture isn't good. It was dark out. But I am excited! the 255/70 tires fit great!

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

:metal: They look good!!

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

And the new meats are on!

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

She's a real beaut Cort.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Looks really nice. Now you just have keep somebody else liking it more than you do

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

That is super nice and well preserved!!
Makes me miss my 86, white w/ blue center, 4x4

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Thanks everyone! I think that'll about do it for this year. She's getting put away in the garage for winter. Unless I get some heat in the garage, it'll be too damn cold to work on her until spring.

Next on the project list is: install RV/towing cam, trans cooler, and rear brakes.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Well, the weather and my schedule lined up perfectly today so I took the opportunity to drag my Aloha camper to it's winter home in Michigan. The burb did great towing. Pulled at 65 MPH and averaged 8.5 MPG. Honestly, I thought I would get at least 10 MPG since the burb gets 15 MPG on the highway unloaded. But oh well. She didn't mind pulling the camper, but the RV cam I will be installing should help her out some.

Luna decided she would pose for the picture as well.

Re: 86 Suburban w/ 56k miles
 

Beautiful burb!