I recently took my dad wheeling with me and now hes hooked.
he has an 87 suburban TBI 350 and a 400 trans.
i plan on searching around to find out what the rest of the running gear is, but if you do, let me know

the question is: compatibility

the body is shot (damn the northeast) so i was thinking of doing a pickup cab, but i really want the room of an extended cab, any advice?

thanks guys, and take it easy on me :shaking:

I think the later model extended cabs frame may have more drop in it under the cowl than the 87. Also the front bed and rear cab mount are one piece. The 88 and up pickup frames have quite a cowbelly in them. I know the 92 and up IFS Suburbans have a different frame than the 88 and up IFS pickups. For some reason I think even the older pickups and Suburbans had different frames. I have one of each at home, I'll check for you. 73 Suburban and 76 Pickup, the 73 should have the same frame as your 87. There are guys on here that have put older crewcabs on standard pickup frames. Ended up with about a 5 foot some thing bed and had to cut through the floor for the cab to fit. However an older crewcab may fit better on a Suburban frame because I think the siderails are straighter on the Suburban and they kick up behind the cab in the pickup if I remember correctly.

i should just styop being a bitch and move the mounts or fab them if i have to, but thanks for looking. im still undecided on whether i should locate a 1 ton with a blown motor trans and fix that up, or continue working with the burb and its frame

yeh buck up and do some fab woot

i plan on searching around to find out what the rest of the running gear is, but if you do, let me know



Axles should be 10 bolts, unless it's a 3/4 then the rear is 14 bolt.

transfercase should be np208

maybe i can sell that junk to a local jeeper friend then :)

can anyone point me to a "what to look for when buying a late 70-early 80s chevy truck" thread?

i read fourwheeler and they had a problem areas article, like frame by the steering box etc...anything else to look at?

im going over this beast with a magnet, i hate rust and bondo:mad3:

thanks dudes

went and looked at a truck today, 14 bolt rear and a 350 chevelle race motor putting down 450 horses!! headers, brand new 38 TSL's they still have the little hairs on em lol

bad: rear blocks, no front driveshaft, 10 bolt front, and stock trans. interior in pieces and exhaust in the bed

what would you pay? the guy is goind through a divorce, chances are he just wants fast cash

Not much, it has probably been used hard. The parts are not gonna improve what you already have much (except for the 14 bolt). Don't be in a rush, take your time and look around, something will pop up. BTW both early and late Suburbans side rails are straight and the trucks kick up behind the cab. So a Suburban frame would be an easier swap. That being said the Suburban frames are not supposed to be as strong, but that is nothing that a couple extra crossmembers would'nt fix. It would be unique to put an 88 or newer cab on the older frame, with a little flatbed or home made pickup bed with some trailer fenders in the rear. Frame width on an 88 and newer is 45" at the front cab mounts and the bolt hole in the front cab mounts is another 4.75" out from that. The frame measurement is outside to outside. Your 87 Sub may be a little narrower, I am not home to measure mine.

wow thanks alot man.

i just saw a picture in the "big tires little lift" thread of the 80's bodystyle crew cab and a cut down bed, i think the direction has changed for this build :) mayne make a pickup out of the sub like people do with cherokees and comanches

450 horses and stock trans.:nuke:

yea im hoping that will serve as a large bargaining point, not to mention its the original trans :(