I just bought my mom's 89 suburban 1500 with the TBI 350 and plan on converting it for mud bogging and still be able to drive it down the highway. I am currently replaceing ball joints, wheel bearings, and seals on the front. It just had a brand new transmission put in it, but still kicks out of OD very easily, and I don't know anything about transmissions. Maybe the torque converter is bad? I'd like to just lift it for now and keep the front end and rear ends stock, or will it look stupid? I am wondering what lift kits are good to have somewhere in the 35-40 inch tire range or will that be too ugly for the stock wheels right now. What all needs to be changed besides longer brake lines and possibly a longer pitman arm with the lift kits? Do I also do a body lift or no? Which dana axles are good for what size tires(front and/or rear). Should I change gear ratios, front and or rear again? I don't know much about front and rear ends as you can tell. And are tranny coolers interchangeable if I switch to a different tranny down the road? And should I get one now? Also, this chevy model has the rear wheels set in from the fronts, narrower that is, which can't be very good for mudding since you won't track right. Is there any way to get around this without having to modify the rear wheel wells? Any input would be great. Also looking for some friends to go four wheeling with and/or help work on cars, since I love it. I live in Roanoke, VA and will travel four hours away to go four wheeling. I also go ATVing. Kawasaki 750 brute force

The first thing you need to do is loose those 10 bolt axles!!
You will destroy them with 35" or larger tires.
Try to find a 10.5" 14 bolt, And at least a Dana 44 (Really try to find a Dana 60)for the front.
As for lift, Go with a 6" or 8" Lift (don't put a Body lift on) And trim for wheel fitment.
Replace all of your Flexable brake lines with extended braided Stainless.
Throw a 6" steering arm on any your good.
I personlly hate the 700R4 that gm put in those things.

You should be able to find a TH400 and NP205 T case for half the cost of rebuilding a 700r4.

Just my .02

i had a 82 burb on 38s used mostly for mud. i kept the 10 bolts under it and they seeemd to hold up ok. i broke one axle shaft out in a swamp and youll be replacing ball joints about every year and bearings every 8 months if you drive it alot. if you go with a 6inch you dont HAVE to get longer brake lines you can just modify your brackets to make them hang down a bit, the rear driveshaft will be fine. the front i had to replace cause it pulled apart.

here the burb i had, i eventually got sick of the thing because of its size and got rid of it.

82 burb 6inch lift, had to trim the fenders a bit 38 12.50 15 tsls.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/abig84/suburbandirtybad3-2.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/abig84/suburbangoingthroughhole2-2.jpg