i have a chance to buy a 1991 chevy suburban 1500 series 4x4 loaded with only 33,000 miles, all there with tow package, im a ford guy but are these things any good? should i buy and sell it, looks and rides pretty good i took it for a spin today lady husband died and she needs to get rid of it, think she wants 3800 for it.

 

They are great trucks, solid drivetrain, Probably a 5.7 TBI, simple, easy to diagnose. And they ride great.

Just look out for rust.

 

i have 3 of them they are cool rides and ride nice

 

have you had to replace the intake manifold gasket yet?

 

What do you plan on doing with the truck. Im assuming for its size it isnt that good off road if thats what your looking for. Do you have a big family? Maybe itll be good for that. Otherwise i wouldnt buy a 3 mpg truck if i didnt need what its capable of...just my 2 cents

 

I am mainly a Ford guy too, but I have always liked Suburbans. I assume it's still the old body style, if so heck yeah I'd buy it. Suburbans if they are set up right can 4 wheel as good as anything else. I know they're heavy as heck, I'v pulled a few of them out of the 2-tracks that were stuck pretty bad. Had the ol 300 gruntin a bit gettin em out ! You can't go wrong with a throttle body injected 350, awesome motors they're strong and they run for a long time. My buddy's dad has an old Shivy 1/2 4wd with a TBI 350 that has nearly a half a million miles on it she's gettin pretty tired but still runs decent...on it's 3rd or 4th tranny though, damn 700R4s!

 

The beuty of the older GMs (72-91 for K-5s and Subs, and 72-88 For pickups i think) is the interchangeability. Anything will swap in whith anything else. Thats why they are probly the most popular off road vehicle. And yes a Suburban can be made into a great 4wheeler
I do agree whith the 700R4, they are not the best. But if you drive it much keep it in 3rd untill your over 65 mph, that and the biggest tranny cooler you can buy will make it decent.

 

I think that is a great deal. The milage like that she has ton of life in her. My buddy had one with over 200,000 miles so they will run for a while. He had no complaints so far and they are very easy to repair.

 

Door sag always seems to be an issue with those. Might budget for some time dealing with the driver-side hinges. And the the GM Cvs in the front end along with the control arm bushings can be expensive wear items. You might take a good look at the front end and budget accordingly for that as well.

-Mike

 

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I believe the 91 Subs, Blazers, Jimmys, 3/4 ton and up trucks were still straight axle with leaf spring front suspension. I always liked the older body style GM trucks better. BTW check the frame for cracks around the steering box and spring mounts. One of the biggest problems I have with the newer GM trucks is the frames hang down soo stinkin low on em. I call them "Rail Draggers" anytime some uneducated Shivy guy doesn't watch his mouth.

 

hey thanks guys i was thinking of buying it but i think she wants like 3800 for it? if i can get it for a song i would buy it and use it for a winter car only here in nj it would come in handy for sure otherwise i would buy sell and make a buck or two, not sure what im doing yet but she has to go, should i offer her like $1500.00 to feel her out? shes in her 70s but knows what its worth.

 

Depends on the truck- $3800 could be a steal, or it could be way too much. There's a following for the old, straight axle Suburbans, and the right truck will bring quite a bit of money. The wrong truck will be a money pit.

 

yea it sucks that i dont really need it but the condition of it is pretty good, sit in the front seat and look out the back seems like a mile its so big, oh boy.

 

Yeah, if Pkupman82 is correct about the solid axles and body- and it is rust free- score! The solid axle is a part of solid drivetrain. If that is the case, ignore my caution about CVs but still check the doors for sag. It is cheap to fix on the old body style.

-Mike

 

Being a Chevy guy, I will tell you this: If you don't buy it, I will buy it sight unseen, today!

That is a great rig at a great price. Because it has sat for quite a bit and probly a lot recently, I would figure on changing every fluid, belt and hose on the rig and really look at the tires to inspect for dry rot or cracking.

The 700R4 in that late of a model is in pretty good shape. They had the bugs worked out of them by then. NEVER tow or haul large, heavy loads in OD and you will be fine.

Probly has a GM Corp 10 bolt front and back and if you are lucky, maybe a 12 bolt in the rear. If it has automatic hubs, if it is 4x4, they are a weak point, but can be replaced with lockouts pretty cheap.

Sounds like a very good buy. I would get it if I were you.