2004 4x4 3 / 4 Ton 8.1 Suburban

[LaOrange]

Hi All
I have an opportunity to buy a 2004 3/4 ton Suburban 4x4 with 8.1, with 133000 Miles
Black with tan interior.

What do you'll think? I can do all repairs except the Body and Paint work.
Thanks in advance
Michael

First the Good

Price to Buy $3500.00 NADA book around $11000.00 as equipped

It is a loaded truck with the below options

8.1 Big block 4L80 Trans Motor runs very well
Auto Ride
Lt Package full leather
4 captains chairs
Duel AC and Heat
Sun roof
AM/FM /XM 6 disk CD
On star
Full power seats with heat
adjustable pedals
Power folding Mirrors with LED turn singles
Full Tow package Hitch, Oil cooler, Trans cooler
Transfer case rebuilt very recently
Push button Auto 4x4 control

The Bad, The truck needs some work.

It needs Complete brake job on both front and rear. Front are metal on Metal.
It also needs both front hub bearings.
It needs the dash actuators for duct control and temp control Rear AC works very well
Minor body damage on both quarter panels
Rear bumper
Has an oil leak not to bad most likely valve covers
Driver's side view mirror is cracked
Tires about 50%
It needs a serious Clean up inside and out.

[LaOrange]

Hi All
Should know something tomorrow. We were told it would be a few days.
Will let you'll know
Michael

[jerem0621]

Did you win?

[Bionic_Man]

I picked up a similarly equiped, but in better shape, 03 Burb earlier this year. That 8.1 is hard to find. If the body damage isn't too bad, I would say go for it (although looks like you already are in that process).

My Burb has been good to me in the short time I have owned it. They are thirsty beasts though.

[Crabbypatty]

We have a 2001 4x4 Burb with the 8.1 and 205,000 miles still going strong. Pulling a 30ft Sunnybrook Sunset Creek. Max 10,000lbs, though the burb is rated and designed for 12,000. Had it since 2004 and its still going strong. We use the 4x4 to pull the TT over the dunes for outerbeach camping. Air down to 15 lbs all around and it just walks over the sand.

I think that might just answer your question.....

[LaOrange]

Hi All
I put a bid in on the Suburban Monday Aug 17, I should here back soon
I will let you'll know
'Thanks in advance.
Michael

[BenK]

After reading the real situation...I'd jump at this one !!!!

Metal on metal takes on a new meaning after seeing this one...

First vehicle image

metalonmetal brakerotor brakemetalonmetal


One side of the disc was completely worn away and left the centrifugal fins
looking like this...different, second vehicle image





GMT400 but am hoping your GMT800 will be similar/same


This is what the front disc/hub assembly looks like

3/4tonSuburbanFrontRotor SubFrontRotor

The four bolts are a $$%$#% to get off and some has to be torched off
because of they rust solid




This is what one guy took time to capture while he tore his 3/4 ton
Suburban front rotor/hubs off.

GMT400 GMT400frontrotor frontrotorhub


{edit}....that single nut should be replaced with a new one. Some
shops will reuse, but they are just a couple bucks from any GM Parts
counter. IIRC something in the +200 ft/lb torque range, but best to
look that up

PPS....DO NOT loosen that nut with the full weight of the vehicle
on it...and WORST yet, to roll it...that is all that is holding the
hub/bearings together and the tapered roller will gouge their race...

PPPS...if going this, change the hub assembly too...they are in the $100-$150 per range

[krobbe]

I would add up the costs of repairs including the body work and purchase price and see if you come out ahead. It would be a great dedicated tower for a family. I love the torque and horsepower of the 496ci and durability of the 4L85 transmission. I'll not be getting rid of mine anytime soon.

[Sport45]

I'd probably do it. Sounds like it has a lot of promise to me.

The front brake business reminded me of a brake job I did for a friend of the family. Metal to metal was an understatement. The rotor had worn so much the cooling ribs were showing. The inside pad was on the verge of coming out of the caliper. This was on a '95 C2500 Pickup.

They swore it wasn't making any noise...

[LaOrange]

Hi All
Thanks for your input. There is a little more to the story. Fist I know the owner not well.
He has had the truck for 2 to maybe 3 years. A very good friend of mine has done the
mechanic and service work on this and other vehicles he has had. He also checked out
the truck before he bought it. The truck originally came out of North Carolina. The current
owner has had a lot of health troubles and some money problems in resent times.
The truck has been parked for several months not too long after the brakes went metal to
medal. As he needed to get the money together to fix the brakes. That did not happen
So he was going to give the truck back to the bank this coming week.
He called my friend on another matter and my friend asked about the Suburban.
That is when we found about what is going on. The pay off is $3499.00
The Truck has never been in a flood. But it needs TLC to bring it back to the way i take car
of my cars,
Thank You'll in advance.
Michael

[BenK]

I'd pass and I'm a big DIYer, wrench, gearhead...

Main thing for me is that it was allowed to metal to metal on the front disc...very
bad maintenance and indicative of the owner(s) and 1/3 book value says much...

Okay if you want a project vehicle, as this one would be GREAT once fixed up and
of course that flood warning...where was it titled first?

Where were the floods of late?

[jerem0621]

Sounds like a nice project.

If you are mechanically inclined...go for it.

Just ensure that its not flood as described above.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[donn0128]

Flood vehicle?