[Guest]

i recently purchased a 1986 3/4 ton chevy suburban. it is currently a 2 wheel drive and i am planning on doing a SFA conversion. at this point i am rebuilding the 454 that is in it. i am also wanting to lift this vehicle about 8 to 10 inches and run some pro comp xterrain 37X13.5r16 tires. the things i need to know is what i will need and what kind of gearing i should use as well what type of transfer case i should be looking for. i will listen to anyone that has useful info or has done this before. any help would be nice.

 

[889]

8-10 inches is pretty high....

Theres people running that size tire or bigger on as little as 4 or 6".

If you're really going to wheel this thing, 8 or 10 " is really gonna put your center of gravity higher than you want it.

 

[2110]

You would be better off getting a 4wd frame, and transfer the motor, trans, body, etc over to it. It can be done, but it is alot of work. If your running a 454, with those 37s, then you will need the full floater rear, and ideally D60, but think a 10 bolt or D44 will hold up front. Gearing is up to you, what you plan on doing with the truck. My 89 has stock 3:73s in for now, and with the 38s on it, it isn't that bad. With the 454 and 37s, 4:10s would work. For the t-case, run an NP205. They are the strongest case out there, and fairly common to get, depending on what trans you have.

 

[Guest]

i have read your replies and have considered them. i have just recently found a '78 3/4 suburban in a junk yard that have most of the undercarrage intact. i like the idea of a body swap. i htink this way i can make all my mods to the frame and suspension. and then swap the body and install the engine after it has been built. my next question is this: would it be cheaper to have my current transmission modified to fit a transfer case or just find one in a junk yard and have it reconditioned?

 

[Guest]

i have put in some thought to what you have said and i have decided to go with a 6inch suspension lift and i should be able to run 36x12.50 tires. do you think i can get away with a 1 inch body lift and go up to 37's?

 

[gottagofast]

all depends on what you will tolerate and what you're gonna do with it> I've put 42's on with a 4" lift and LOTS of trimming front and rear. I have 38's on my stepside with a 8" (sagged to apr. to 6") though and they rub when I get crazy offroad but fine on the street.

 

[1375]

if you trim the fenders i think that shouldnt be a problem at all . like they already said it depoends how much triming you want to do the more triming =less rubbing. a freind of mine has a jeep cherokee with 35's on it and its got no liftkit im gona try and get some pics.its all in how much you want to cut off your sheet metal

Stuby