Just bought a 1989 GMC Suburban V1500

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

DuRolf

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2020
Posts
5
Reaction score
7
Location
Colorado USA
First Name
Rolf
Truck Year
1989
Truck Model
V1500
Engine Size
350 TBI
Hello folks
I just bought a 1989 GMC Suburban V1500. It is my second Chevy / GMC in my life... the first being a K1500 short bed single cab full time 4WD that was the first vehicle I ever owned. That was about 30 years ago. I have always admired the look of the squarebodys, and decided to take the plunge as a project.

Here's the deets
1989 GMC Suburban Silverado V1500
350 TBI
700R4
Not sure of the transfer case, I am pretty sure it is stock

I paid 1500 in Colorado.

The Good: Engine roars to life easily and sounds and feels smooth. Transmission fluid looked in good shape and did not smell burnt. Transmission shifts up and down like it should. Warn hubs work, as does the transfer case. Four new snow tires. Minimal rust on frame and underbody. All interior lights, and the engine compartment light that is on a long power cord, work. Interior in good shape but for ceiling over the 3rd row / rear.

The Bad: Crunchy front brakes. (now fixed, I'll post about that). Wandering steering. (Now better I'll post about that). Jumpy speedometer needle accompanied by, at random times, a maniacal squeal. (looking to fix, I think I'll start by removing the cable from the trans until I have time to take apart the dash). Rust on exterior fenders mainly down low. Doors on back of vehicle leak badly in a car wash.

Notes: The rear sags. It looks like it needs an inch or so lift just to level it out. I am thinking of a 2" lift all around, which threads on this forum have suggested is a nice mid point between not needing to adjust linkages and drivelines but getting some real lift.

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 

DuRolf

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2020
Posts
5
Reaction score
7
Location
Colorado USA
First Name
Rolf
Truck Year
1989
Truck Model
V1500
Engine Size
350 TBI
Noted is the bow tie on the front grill. I think the grill has been replaced, since the VIN brings up GMC.
 

Itali83

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2015
Posts
575
Reaction score
1,079
Location
Maine
First Name
Ben
Truck Year
1982, 1987, 1987
Truck Model
K10, 'burban C10, Jimmy
Engine Size
350, 6.2, 350
Yeah, that truck was probably in a front end wreck. It’s got an 85-88 front end off a Chevy. Love seeing another suburban thread.

Ben.
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
16,016
Reaction score
25,551
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Hello folks
I just bought a 1989 GMC Suburban V1500. It is my second Chevy / GMC in my life... the first being a K1500 short bed single cab full time 4WD that was the first vehicle I ever owned. That was about 30 years ago. I have always admired the look of the squarebodys, and decided to take the plunge as a project.

Here's the deets
1989 GMC Suburban Silverado V1500
350 TBI
700R4
Not sure of the transfer case, I am pretty sure it is stock

I paid 1500 in Colorado.

The Good: Engine roars to life easily and sounds and feels smooth. Transmission fluid looked in good shape and did not smell burnt. Transmission shifts up and down like it should. Warn hubs work, as does the transfer case. Four new snow tires. Minimal rust on frame and underbody. All interior lights, and the engine compartment light that is on a long power cord, work. Interior in good shape but for ceiling over the 3rd row / rear.

The Bad: Crunchy front brakes. (now fixed, I'll post about that). Wandering steering. (Now better I'll post about that). Jumpy speedometer needle accompanied by, at random times, a maniacal squeal. (looking to fix, I think I'll start by removing the cable from the trans until I have time to take apart the dash). Rust on exterior fenders mainly down low. Doors on back of vehicle leak badly in a car wash.

Notes: The rear sags. It looks like it needs an inch or so lift just to level it out. I am thinking of a 2" lift all around, which threads on this forum have suggested is a nice mid point between not needing to adjust linkages and drivelines but getting some real lift.

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
Good deal
 

animal

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
5,625
Reaction score
3,899
Location
Georgia
First Name
Lee
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
c10 silverado
Engine Size
350ish
:welcome:
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
9,108
Reaction score
15,456
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Welcome fellow burb owner. I have a 89 r1500 burb .
 

Snoots

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Posts
8,877
Reaction score
18,713
Location
Georgia
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
Jimmy Sierra
Engine Size
350 w/203
Sweet ride and deal!
Welcome to GMSB!
 

1973c10

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Posts
6,376
Reaction score
24,020
Location
Oregon
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
Welcome :boti:
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
9,108
Reaction score
15,456
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Yeah, that truck was probably in a front end wreck. It’s got an 85-88 front end off a Chevy. Love seeing another suburban thread.

Ben.


See the drivers door where it hit really bad on drivers fender? Theres some evidence . The drivers fender got jarred into the door and was interfering with it opening.
 

Babs

Full Access Member
Joined
May 10, 2020
Posts
1,954
Reaction score
9,651
Location
Ottawa Valley
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
Chevrolet CUCV
Engine Size
350
:welcome:
 

WFO

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Posts
3,713
Reaction score
5,102
Location
Texas Panhandle
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.
 

Raybo135

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2019
Posts
296
Reaction score
310
Location
Arvada, Colorado
First Name
Raymond
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
K10 Silverado
Engine Size
400
Welcome from Arvada Colorado! ! !:welcome::banana-mario:

Nice deal! ! For 1500, you can't beat that! ! !
 

Connor koehler

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2020
Posts
26
Reaction score
38
Location
Spokane wa
First Name
Connor
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K20 suburban
Engine Size
454
Looks good! I just did a two inch lift, really helped the front out
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,401
Posts
956,720
Members
36,711
Latest member
MTsquare
Top