1991 GMC Suburban Overland build Question(s),

[MartinWD]

I (just) bought a 1991 GMC 1500 Suburban 4x4. No rust.

1. Looking for steel wheels - somewhat larger, to look beefier, say 16" or 17" with an offset to fill the wheel well but not outside of the wheel well. Any advice on the offset and where I can find (silver or black) steel wheels?
2. Roof Rack. Where can I find a large roof rack (basket) that does not entail drilling holes in the roof?
3. 2" lift kit. What is the best option available?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Martin

 

[Italianwagon]

Got any photos? I’m installing a two inch lift now on my 87.

 

[Corvette Ed]

Welcome to the forum from East Tennessee.

 

[shiftpro]

2" lift springs..

Tuff Country Front Springs for '73-91 GM Trucks

Tuff Country front springs. Sold as a pair. Teflon inserts are used to help with ride characteristics as well as to reduce squeaking. Includes standard (non greasable) polyurethane bushings. Made in the USA, lifetime warranty.

www.offroaddesign.com

 

[RecklessWOT]

Rough Country lifts are the best bang for the buck. I have 2" RC lift kit on my '87 burb and couldn't be happier. They hold up for years, are durable and well made, and you can't beat the price. Only complaint you hear is that the springs are stiff producing a slightly harsher ride than some of the kits that cost more than twice as much. But let's be real it's a 30 year old lifted full size 4x4 utility wagon than sits on leaf springs front and rear, honestly who is expecting a smooth ride? Lol
Sure if you're made of money you can spend a few grand and buy something else, but for me a kit that was only a few hundred dollars that accomplished the exact same thing a more expensive kit would at the expense of feeling some bumps was worth it big time (also IME stiffer springs = less body roll so you can drive it normally without feeling like you're gonna tip over on offramps, with my stock suspension I had to slow way down for any curve in the road, now I can exceed the speed limit like a normal human being who has somewhere to be and not worry about it)

As far as the roof rack goes, how would one attach without drilling? I am unaware of such a thing besides the individual cross bar type that simply clamps onto the door opening. But a full basket seems like it just HAS to be drilled at least somewhere

 

[MartinWD]

I think that I have come to accept that I have to drill the roof - is there an off the shelf basket or rack available?

 

[Bextreme04]

2" is pretty minimal lift. Rought country would definitely be the cheapest... not the best by any means though. They are generally considered to be the stiffest springs you can get... but for $400 for a complete kit, it might be what you are looking for. https://www.roughcountry.com/gm-suspension-lift-kit-140-88-92-20.html

I would personally recommend a Tuff Country 4" kit. They are much better riding and not terribly expensive. A 4" lift will give you full deflection clearance on a 33" tire and clearance most of the time with some minor rubbing at full deflection on a 35" tire.
https://www.suspensionconnection.com/14732kn-chevy-suburban.html

People with Rough Country lifts always say things like "you can't expect these trucks to ride well anyways" but the reality is that the Tuff Country rides better than it did stock, and the Rough Country is ROUGH... I've been in a truck with a 4" Rough Country lift and it rode like a dump truck compared to my stock 3/4 ton pickup. YMMV

 

[RecklessWOT]

2" is pretty minimal lift. Rought country would definitely be the cheapest... not the best by any means though. They are generally considered to be the stiffest springs you can get... but for $400 for a complete kit, it might be what you are looking for. https://www.roughcountry.com/gm-suspension-lift-kit-140-88-92-20.html

I would personally recommend a Tuff Country 4" kit. They are much better riding and not terribly expensive. A 4" lift will give you full deflection clearance on a 33" tire and clearance most of the time with some minor rubbing at full deflection on a 35" tire.
https://www.suspensionconnection.com/14732kn-chevy-suburban.html

People with Rough Country lifts always say things like "you can't expect these trucks to ride well anyways" but the reality is that the Tuff Country rides better than it did stock, and the Rough Country is ROUGH... I've been in a truck with a 4" Rough Country lift and it rode like a dump truck compared to my stock 3/4 ton pickup. YMMV

Oh no, I agree, it rides really rough. I've been told by old dudes who were well familiar with cars and trucks when these things were brand new that my truck rides like a runaway lumber wagon that rolled down the mountain side. But I'm okay with it and basically embrace it

 

[Goldie Driver]

2" is pretty minimal lift. Rought country would definitely be the cheapest... not the best by any means though. They are generally considered to be the stiffest springs you can get... but for $400 for a complete kit, it might be what you are looking for. https://www.roughcountry.com/gm-suspension-lift-kit-140-88-92-20.html

I would personally recommend a Tuff Country 4" kit. They are much better riding and not terribly expensive. A 4" lift will give you full deflection clearance on a 33" tire and clearance most of the time with some minor rubbing at full deflection on a 35" tire.
https://www.suspensionconnection.com/14732kn-chevy-suburban.html

People with Rough Country lifts always say things like "you can't expect these trucks to ride well anyways" but the reality is that the Tuff Country rides better than it did stock, and the Rough Country is ROUGH... I've been in a truck with a 4" Rough Country lift and it rode like a dump truck compared to my stock 3/4 ton pickup. YMMV

Hah hah hah hah !

I have a 4" Rough Country lift and never thought of it as riding like a dump truck.



I like that. Funny thing, though, is that the 33s will rub going up steep inclines while turning, and the handling is not as good as the full time 77 I had at stock height.

No idea how old the lift is- maybe the springs have sagged.

At any rate, my take.

Plus, you cant expect these old trucks to ride well anyways...

 

[1973c10]

Welcome

 

[Bennyt]

It's been awhile but Confer used to be the rack that everyone used. They made them 2 different ways; 1 piece that was huge and difficult to ship, multiple pieces that broke down for shipping.

Depending on budget, usage, etc. I would look at ORD for the lift.

 

[MartinWD]

Got any photos? I’m installing a two inch lift now on my 87.

Despite the rough paintwork, the frame, underside has zero rust.

 

[rt66paul]

I considered putting on a roof rack on mine and in looking it over, I came to the conclusion that maybe to best mount point would be to drill holes through the side pillars near the shoulder harness mounts, bend some 3/16 stock and cut and/or weld to fit. If you want a big rack, there are 3 pillars on each side. Seal the plates and any wiring to the outside with rtv or some type of sealing putty. Make plenty of room for wires for off road lights, camp lights, outside plug and for future solar panel(s).
A rack that size could hold some extra tires, gas cans, a couple of storage boxes or a foldout tent. Bolting to the pillars would support as much weight as the truck could carry, but it would be a little top heavy. One hell of an Urban Assault Vehicle.
I saw one that was made to hold a film crew getting live action stunt shots, that is how it appeared they did it.

 

[RipTideTiger]

I (just) bought a 1991 GMC 1500 Suburban 4x4. No rust.

1. Looking for steel wheels - somewhat larger, to look beefier, say 16" or 17" with an offset to fill the wheel well but not outside of the wheel well. Any advice on the offset and where I can find (silver or black) steel wheels?
2. Roof Rack. Where can I find a large roof rack (basket) that does not entail drilling holes in the roof?
3. 2" lift kit. What is the best option available?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Martin

Welcome, I have a 1991 as well. I replaced the front leaf springs with new Ranchos for a about a 2.5" lift. I kept the original rear leaf springs and added a few leafs to add about another 3". Overall ride isn't too bad. I kept the original 15" wheels and mounted 35"x12.5" tires. I've gone back and forth with a full size roof rack and just decided to use a Yakima rack set up to carry surfboards/kayaks/rocket box etc.

 

[MartinWD]

Ripe Tide Tiger...please let me know which Yakima roof rack?