Early 70s three-door suburbans??

[KaptKaos]

Anyone own one/used to own one? Thoughts?

I am considering a 350 engined one with auto trans. What can I reasonably expect for gas mileage? Not going to consider the 400 or 454 models that I have seen out there. Also, looking at 2WD.

What are the strengths/weaknesses of these?

FYI - I do all my own repair work, and know to look for rust.

Mostly use it for family trips/weekend stuff. Only looking 1975 and older (pre-smog). Not much towing, but a nice option.

TIA

[onewhippedpuppy]

Can't help but I'll be interested in replies. I've often had the thought that an early Suburban with a retrofitted EFI drivetrain and OD transmission would be an awesome driver and a fun project. I've seen some very nicely built ones, parts are everywhere and dirt cheap.

[vash]

weren't they called Travelalls back then?

maybe i went too far back.

edit:: that is an International product..sorry

[KaptKaos]

Not sure I would go modern drivetrain right away, but it's an option.

Also, want 3 row seating and AC.

[Laneco]

Surprisingly good suspension in the 2wd. Really.

They are a long control arm/coil spring setup (think NASCAR). In that vintage, you'll get discs up front already, still drums out back. The drums work fine in this type of vehicle. I dig 'em lowered and there is ALOT of good stuff out there to lower/upgrade brakes, whatever your fancy.

Every piece of metal can be bought aftermarket or made. Doors forward are a pickup truck. Worst cab areas are rocker/floor, watch the door sills.

Your gas mileage will vary from not good to pretty dan bad... These are heavy vehicles. Alot of the 2wd are 4.11. With a three speed auto you're running out of steam at freeway speed. A 3.73 with a swapped-in four-speed auto is a better choice for fuel economy. Even better if you put an FI engine in front of it. Much, much better in fact with a nice FI engine. Stock, carbureted small block, auto and 4.11, probably somewhere in the mid-teens or pushing 20 if you drive slow on the highway (like 50 or 55).

With the gear/trans swap and a well tuned small carb (e.g. 600 CFM) something in the high teens, MAYBE 20 on the highway is possible but that's about the end of it but now you can cruise at freeway speed.

Another optionin the gearing department that makes a BIG difference is a gear-vendor unit. Nice, nice, over-drive. Very strong and basically doubles your number of gears (3 speed becomes a 6 speed auto, etc).

These are some of my favorite vehicles. This is one of ours - the little brother - 72 two-wheel driver blazer. The 67 through 72 truck/blazer/suburban is a collectable appreciating vehicle. And they're freakin' cool.

angela

[onewhippedpuppy]

You can find used 2000+ 5.3L V8 drivetrains all day long for well under $1000. 300 HP and decent MPG, would probably be great in one of these. Any more pics Angela?

[KaptKaos]

Wow Angela! Thanks for sharing.

The nice part about looking at GM is that the parts are cheap and plentiful. So a 4-spd OD trans and taller rear are certainly options. If I can be close to 20 on the highway at ~70mph, I am a happy guy.

Oh, and post more Pix!!

[look 171]

I had an old 1 ton 72 GM pick up with a 350. Normally I can get about 11-12 mpg, completely stock. I went and install a 4 barrel carb and intake. it woke up the truck, but suffer in milage. 7-8 mpg. If I were to do it all over again, I look into a forth speed tranny like Angela said just to squeeze a few more miles out of a gallon.

[redstrosekNic]

My dad uses a '75 Blazer (350 with a 3 on the tree) to tow his race car. It only has a 2bbl carb, but does just fine towing, and probably manages around 7-8 mpg. It is only driven to tow the car and trailer, so I'm not sure what sort of fuel economy it can achieve only pulling it's own weight.

[Dantilla]

Lotsa good info here:

67-72chevytrucks.com

Front discs are from 1971 onward. This website has a link to another site dedicated to swapping in later LS-style Chevy engines into earlier trucks.

[pavulon]

Travelall was an IH product.

[Instrument 41]

I had a 72 jimmy (350), Cheyenne Truck with a 454, and a 71 Suburban(350) with 68K miles all at one time. Very easy to work on, cheap parts but gas mileage??? nope..regardless of what you do to these beast they aren't gonna be efficient. Check body corners low behind each wheel, fire walls in the engine bay close to where the hood contacts the back wall, look around the water channel above the A pillar. Edge of windshield at bottom and center top. You can make one really look nice for not a lot of money, unless rust is a big issue.

[RANDY P]

Dealing with vapor lock will be a problem. New oxygenated fuel is going to be an issue.

If you get your hands on one, at least swap it for a 90''s TBI setup out of a c1500.

rjp

[Jim Bremner]

I would add that they're pretty damn cool.

A former customer of mine had one that was blue and white. Grey treed cloth interior double ac and lowered on SS wheels.

I would ad a LS1 engine and 4-5spd auto.

He sold it and a few weeks later the new owner lost it due to thugs. ADD LOJACK!

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Laneco

Weld wheels?

[RANDY P]

Centerline telstars

[johnco]

almost bought this one a while back.. still might get it. 350/auto, a/c, all new patch panels to repair rust areas, new bumpers, etc.

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

You can find used 2000+ 5.3L V8 drivetrains all day long for well under $1000. 300 HP and decent MPG, would probably be great in one of these. Any more pics Angela?

The pics are scattered a bit, but here are a few more. Steve bought this for me as an anniversary present. He wanted to get me something really nice, and gave me a choice that included one of these 2wd Blazers or a diamond ring. I looked at him and said, "are you freakin' nuts? GIMME A BLAZER!!!" - LOL!

So here is "Rusty" named for the condition we got it in. Real bad floors/sills on this truck, all fixed now, body off frame re-do. Small block 383 that will later be fuel injected now that FAST, etc., has gotten so good and affordable, a nicely built 700R4, 3.73 posi out the back. The wheels are Centerline, and will go away when we're done with the build. Seats are from a 90's chevy blazer and include the "flip" function that blazer seats come with to let you get in the back. Rear seat is a mid 90's suburban with the feet pockets grafted into the bed. Seat is removable and "bed" area is flat so you could throw a mattress in and sleep in it. Full top convertible on this year. Factory a/c truck.

Front clip is backdated to a 67, side markers on the bed blanked out, steel roll pans front and rear - no bumpers. Steel cowl hood. Shaved door handles (remote/solenoid release), wing windows removed, one piece side glass with mirror installed where the wing window used to be. Sorry about the rusty looking seat mounts, we've since cleaned/refinished them after the final fitment was complete.

I really should shoot some decent pictures of this truck. It is just really neat and the only pictures I have are crowded cruddy shots...

My husband has MAD SKILLZ!!!!

angela

[azasadny]

The 1st car I ever drove was a '72 Checy Suburban (my grandfather's) and my wife's family had one, too. In MI, with the salt on the roads in the winter, the cars just rusted away and you don't see them here much any more...

[KaptKaos]

Nice Angela! Would love to see some more too!

Thanks.