1986 Chevy Suburban | Retro Review

[@mark_warrior998]

I'm addicted to these vintage videos, especially if you're not familiar with American cars

[@superbird4351]

Mark_Warrior 998 I am addicted because I am very familiar with American cars.

[@ricardo_chile9351]

I live in the other end of the continent and I'm addicted too.

[@Poopsticle_256]

I am addicted because I love 80’s and 90’s shitboxes.

[@hippiebits2071]

It's cool to look back and appreciate how much things really have changed over the years.

[@tommytufguy3432]

@@Poopsticle_256 takes me back to when I was a car obbesed kid. I love them too.

[@wranglercody8422]

Two tone paint, loads of chrome, cab marker lights and a Detroit diesel . Yess!

[@criznitty]

cody k1500 the color scheme of his clothes matched the Suburban

[@GOBRADON502]

240 tq that's so weak and its ugly ass shit 😝

[@OhcoChildPlease]

That's not a Detroit diesel lol

[@justinstearns9723]

Like it or not, Detroit did in fact design the 6.2 Diesel. And for Christ’s sake they’re not a bad engine. They’re definitely not hot rods, but they’re good on fuel, and reliable. I’ve got on in a 1 ton 4x4 dually and it pulls it around just fine.

[@cajunguy8272]

@Mr Sunshines it was designed by Detroit diesel. GM had them convert a gasoline engine to a diesel in 1982 they had their answer to the up coming ford 6.9L International harvest engine in the ford until 1985 when dodge had entered the diesel market with the 5.9L bt Cummins. By the late 80s the diesel wars were In full swing. GM had grew from the Detroit diesel design in 1993 from a 6.2L to a turbocharged 6.5L but was still plagued with reliability problems. Ford had went to 7.3L idi in 1988 and a Direct injection in 1994 thus became the powerstroke. The 1st generation diesels didnt produce alot of horsepower but had good torque numbers and very high fuel mileage.

[@gglen2141]

The rear heater is one step above a pot belly stove.

[@Texassince1836]

It was extremely effective, but was also an uncommon option. And with the whole units generic nature it is easy to add to a Suburban that was not equipped with rear heat.

[@lowercherty]

The weak point was the coolant pipes to feed it. If you needed rear heat you also dealt with road salt that ate them away in short notice. Luckily I was near a hardware store when mine let loose. Two long nosed vise grips to pinch off the hose sections got me home. Replacement pipes were atrociously expensive so I replaced them with hoses. Overall they weren't that great mechanically.

[@incompetentdiplomat3716]

i thought it was a pot belly stove.

[@Jeymez]

you ain't kidding, this Suburban will bake you in the back if you turn that heater up lol. on the flipside, it takes forever to cool this thing down in the summertime. but in the winter months, that heater is overpowered lol.

[@mrsseasea]

We purchased ours in 1994, was 5 years old, and almost new, for 16,5 we still own it. We had 5 kids, and needed the room, it’s very dependable and still runs.

[@waverunner7063]

One of the few things GM got right. Way ahead of the game and still sells in huge numbers decades later.

[@fullerjohnson4169]

bought one new in 1984--2wd Scottsdale 6.2 diesel. Now, after 34 yrs. and 426000 miles it still runs great and a recent trip from our home n. of eugene, or. to klamath falls, or. we averaged 24mpg running air on part of the trip. Uses almost a quart of oil in 2500 miles which is when I change it. Delo 15-40 oil and Wix filters--regular maintenence and have only had to replace 2 alternators, 1 waterpump, 1 set of glow plugs and 2 starters. Burn Chevron diesel only ( it has a 41 gal. tank so I can always get to a Chevron station. Cost me $17000 or about $500 a year or $41 a month. The new subs at $60000 and up are nice but all electronic--Mine has NO electronics on it and I can work on it easily. Great, reliable, comfortable vehicle that has REAL bumpers/ no plastic. going for 1/2 million miles without overhaul--should do it without problems.

[@rustybrown1835]

Back when GM made a good suburban, my father bought his first new one in 74 and owned a suburban until the day he passed away in 2014. I've owned a few myself over the years.

[@TVHouseHistorian]

"What can you say about the Chevrolet Suburban? It has no competitor..." I remember when that was true. The term "SUV" wouldn't be coined for at least another 6 years. I remember in middle school and high school, this was the hauler you would see at games, hunting trips, and class field trips. Wow, times have changed. This generation of Suburban has always been my favorite, probably because it tells a story about what much of upper-middle class suburbia was like in those days. By the late 1980's it was nothing flashy, but it was luxurious, and quite the status symbol. Except Suburban owners back then weren't trying so hard to make themselves look upper-class. Some were upper-class, and others were middle-class, but they never seemed to make a big deal about it. The people driving the Suburbans and Escalades of today make themselves look like formal, flashy, stereotypical new-money bourgeoisie who are so far in debt (so they can look the part), there is actually nothing to admire. Actually, today's bourgeoisie look like they're are trying so hard, you kind of feel sorry for them. I miss the old money people. I miss the mid-to-late 1980s, and I really miss this generation of Chevy Suburban.

[@kingelvis7035]

The "Sport Utility" names goes way back to days of Blazer and Bronco.

[@johnj.baranski6553]

​@kingelvis7035 no one called them that name though...juat called them four by fours..

[@hitek9too255]

@@johnj.baranski6553 Or just trucks.

[@nimamojtahedzadeh1568]

Even SUVs were truly utility vehicles! Not a bunch of lifted hatchbacks with dummy roof racks. This is a cool vehicle.

[@melrose9252]

Nima Mojtahedzadeh The new Suburbans are so much better than these.

[@cedb7115]

Dude How the heck u pronounce ur last name?

[@workingcountry1776]

And this gets better MPGs than modern ones... although, 0-60 times are verging on dangerous

[@workingcountry1776]

@@melrose9252 they also literally cost more than an average, older small home

[@curtisslone7243]

@@workingcountry1776 Not really. According to a Car and Driver review that I have a modern Suburban gets around 20mpg. And it'll do 0-60 in about 6 seconds. I'd say that's a great improvement over this pos.

[@frankburns8871]

Holy crap, there was a lot going on in that "you're welcome, John." Or maybe I've just watched too many movies...nah, I think I was right the first time.

[@ItzOver9k]

0:16

[@DRNEGOLICIS]

@Howdy Justice I almost think she went down on him. at the least

[@commando8088]

Frank Burns they smashed. It didnt work out. Theyre still coworkers. Must be it😂

[@Itz_Al-Gud]

Had to immediately scan the comments to make sure I wasn't the only one thinking that!

[@bwxmoto]

LOL Nothing more than awkward on-screen presence, and possibly bad editing.

[@bendover8250]

Had one of these with the 350, 4wd, locking hubs, 3 inch lift and 39.5 swampers on it. Used it as a beach and off-road truck. Could not get that thing stuck. Pulled a backhoe out of a ditch with it. Sounded awesome with the Flowmasters on it too. Thanks for the memories

[@Chicagoguy1984]

I have a '01 1500 burban with 260K miles and it has NEVER let me down !!!

[@richardmcgrath61]

I live in New Zealand, and own a 1990 GMC Suburban with the 454 gasoline engine. These vehicles are cult classics. At the equivalent of $7 a gallon in USD for gas over here, I am not doing too many long runs in it at the moment.

[@scottyellis3442]

WOW, in 1985 I was 18 years old, how time flies by. My sister and her husband had one of these on the farm.

[@roadbossgarage7599]

I love the rear HVAC unit! Engineers probably got hot back there driving around one day and said we need to fix this, their solution was “ bolt that MFer right on the carpet!

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

I love Chevy Suburban square body 73-91, 85-88 is my favorites. Suburban is best SUV of every times

[@adamwilling2457]

My family had a powder blue 86 2wd with a 350. It was nice. Awesome for vacation travel. It was sold in 2001. 15 years with no major problems that I could remember.

[@SteveHolsten]

I wouldn't have a damned gas burner in a Suburban!

[@voided3]

We had an '85 C10 Suburban with the 350 that my parents sold for $800 a few weeks before I got my learners permit at 15 years old. It had plenty of rust but the drivetrain was excellent, including a rebuilt engine with only 40k on it. I wish I had bought it from them.

[@adamtrombino106]

My uncle who used to drive nothing but station wagons, 1st got a Suburban in 84 with the 350 and AOD in 2wd form. He drove that 1 200k before getting an 87 with the 350 and new TBI. That 1 was 2 toned grey and black. He drove that 1 300k before getting his 05 which he still has. These were/are all 3/4 ton trucks, so he could/can haul his boat w ease.

[@Dr.Westside]

@@SteveHolsten Did you hear the power stats for that diesel ? There's no way I would have it .

[@SteveHolsten]

@@Dr.Westside Not all us all power hungry. I've owned 9 diesel cars & pickups. I loved all of them.

[@nicholasspecialmusic]

We had a 1987 Scottsdale 3/4 ton Suburban RWD 350 V8 stick shift. Fire engine red, white wheels. No third row, just an ocean of perfectly vibrant red carpet throughout with beige seats and dash.

[@DoyleFuckinHargraves]

I had an '87 GMC 3/4 ton with a 350 & stick as well, only it was dark blue with blue interior. I absolutely LOVED that truck. Then it was stolen, stripped and burned. I wept.

[@juliogonzo2718]

I wish I could find an 80s 3/4 ton 4x4 suburban that has not completely rusted, and put a 12 valve Cummins in it. That would be tits!

[@spondal1]

I picked up a 1985 GMC K2500 for $640 as my high school/winter truck. 350 with 4-speed, sat in a field since 03 but only did simple maintenance and drive it all over and everyone in my town knows me, or at least the truck.

[@Suchayoutuber]

Now that's a rare bird don't see the many standard shifts around

[@deborahwood7089]

That outfit the woman had on was pure 80s! Pastel, shoulder pads... good times :)

[@ke228]

It was classic even when it was new.

[@JDMHaze]

Keith lmaoo yeappp

[@smokyrs9838]

هههههه 😂

[@n--r--s--7___9___6--bs]

👍

[@GamePlayWithNolan]

That body style started in the 1970s and ended in the 90s! Of course it was a classic when it was new

[@Victoria3232-j7o]

@@GamePlayWithNolan back when Truck designs lasted 20 years.

[@kingjack8998]

I got rid of my 2000 whatever and got me a 99 Suburban that 5.7 makes you feel like you're in heaven.

[@cavalierliberty6838]

@Biggest Richard Cranium you gotta understand. The ls vortecs are good engines, but as far as the v8 experience? It can't even come close to catching the bumper of even a 305, let alone a 350 or 454.

[@100percentSNAFU]

This vehicle was essentially the same forever. Gotta love it.

[@Bull3tBikes]

I love the paint scheme on that Burban that electric blue on blue with the grey , just spectacular

[@LoyalmoonieProductions]

5:54 "I'm taking the Suburban this weekend." "No, you're not!"

[@robs2765]

My neighbor has an 84 GMC 2500 Suburban in this exact color scheme. He is the original owner and it only has about 65k miles on it. Sadly rust has littered the drivers side after sitting on a busy NY road not being driven in over 20 years. Hoping to someday inherit it.

[@normanfillmore3490]

Relatively unchanged from 1973 all the way to 1991, I owned a 1973 1/2 ton 9 passenger Suburban with a 454 and a turbo400 trans, it was loaded with all options including front and rear air, and a factory installed tachometer in the dash. It was one of the very few vehicles I’ve ever driven that you could actually see the gas gauge move as you drove. Even in a perfect state of tune 8-10 MPG was normal.

[@danmcclure6670]

Just sold my '85 Burb, 6.2 4WD with 400k miles last year . An easy 23 mpg on the interstate. Never any mechanical problems but it did go through tires. Did two coast to coast trips, never let me down. It would pull the teeth right out of your mouth. Own a '96 turbo diesel now. 370K still going strong.

[@evjak94]

If I close my curtains and windows it can actually feel like I'm leaving in the 80's while watching MW Retro...Just love it!

[@earnedmystripes2382]

Just watching that thing bounce down the road makes me wonder how I survived my childhood. My grandmother owned a flower shop in the 80's and 90's and used one of these diesel Suburbans as a delivery vehicle. Very reliable.

[@candykid5135]

in my opinion " 350 v8 chevy is the greatest american engine ever made ", because i owned 1991 chevy suburban v1500 with barn doors

[@off-roadnpew2183]

candy kid yeah they were nice but the 5.3 still has more power, better mpg and more dependable

[@elpistolas4485]

I owned a 1989 suburban in its time and it was the most fucking great truck that you can buy

[@impalaSS65]

More dependable? 350s from 1968 are still running, the 5.3 is only 18years old. How do you reckon?

[@logdon17]

It is, you know how many people restore old fords and drop in that 350? Thing is bulletproof, powerful, and affordable.

[@gimmiesum4190]

Your right I had a 5.7 350 in my 91 police package, a beast of a engine

[@Shmey]

I drove one of these as a kid in high school. Well, 5.7l v8 version. I spent $80 a month on gas. I drove it like a maniac! It still amazes me that I survived my teen years. Even more amazing I never wrecked the thing! My parents were actually able to sell it before that happened.

[@TheM3csl]

Good 'ol 'burban

[@hanksgarage_]

@@bextar6365 our family bought one new as well and ours ate at least 2 transmissions thought we had a lemon at the time.

[@SteveHolsten]

@blackandgold51 Yes, the TH700R4 has to be calibrated right or they won't last!

[@aaronbehindbars]

I love these old Square-Burbans. My grandfather bought one in the late 80s. It was a Regency Conversions outfitted one with fancy exterior graphics, acres of wood inside, and overstuffed Flexsteel captains chairs in the first and 2nd row. I was like 6 when he got it and he only kept it about a year (traded it in on a Jeep Cherokee), but I loved that thing. A friend's parents had a 90-91 model that they owned for several years. I remember when they were selling it, asking my dad if we could get it. No dice! I wish I had been a little more ambitious in life and had the money to afford not only a few extra vehicles, but a place to store them. I guess watching old Retro Reviews will have to suffice.

[@51nw]

Omg! Thats my dream suburban right there. Absolutely beautiful. Been trying for years to find an 80's burb that isn't rotting or in shambles. No luck yet :(

[@uniquelines]

I loved watching Motor Week back then. Thanks for the memories.

[@dariog36th]

Spent a good part of my childhood in one of these. My dad had the Suburban Silverado with the trailer package. It was two tone brown with beige.

[@mzrzfxr]

I grew up with these things as a kid, we had a 79 with the 454, 83 an 85 and an 87. That third row was excellent for sleeping on road trips, aim the read Ac vent down or lots of blankets in the winter (ours did not have rear heat). They were trouble free, except for rust creeping in even after only a few years of regular washes and parking in a garage...

[@BlohmandBlohmer]

Steel chrome bumpers, clearance lights on the roof, and fold down tailgate were sweet features. Fast forward to 2019 and the bumpers are painted plastic and the tail gate lifts up spilling all of your stuff you have in the back all over the ground. Plus the 2019 is a house payment or more per month all the while GM says they make 50% profit on the new ones.

[@TactileCoder]

The plastic is for padestrian safety and energy absorption during crashes dumbass.

[@jewfishlover]

TactileCoder Actually, it’s main purpose is to save weight. Energy absorption is just a benefit.

[@TactileCoder]

@@jewfishlover no it's not. you're wrong and misinformed.

[@hajjdawood]

If you take this suburbans price and convert it to modern dollars you'll see the old one costed more.

[@Browningate]

I've gotta call BS on the price complaining though. In the video, he mentioned that a fully-loaded 1986 Suburban would set you back just under $25k. Adjusted for inflation, that'd be a cost of over $58k today. A 2019 Suburban Premier's MSRP is 66. That's less than a 14% increase in price for a dramatic increase in performance, luxury, and efficiency. Additionally, the rear HVAC system isn't at risk of setting fire to equipment that you set on top of the vent. All in all, you get way more for your money (brand new) today than you did back then, no matter how you slice it.

[@drawingablankesq]

My mom had a suburban when I was a kid. I think hers was a 92. Seeing this bright back a ton of memories. The interior was exactly the same.

[@imzjustplayin]

They changed it in '92 so it would have to be a '91 or earlier.

[@jippyflapthorp9486]

Grew up with an 84' 6.2 Deisel. Loved that diehard, spacious road boat. 30 mpg from California to Illinois.

[@bk_goatkim679]

THEY HAD CRUISE CONTROL BACK THEN? I can’t imagine not having iPhones and stuff back then my god. I love these videos.

[@battycowboy]

Gloves and duct tape nothing screams killer ( review)

[@jfloresX1]

The machete is still missing in this video 🤣

[@BurtSampson]

They're his tools! IT'S FETISH SHIT!

[@battycowboy]

Lol and it makes a killing on fuel saving so it can save you from stopping and somebody spotting you.

[@Ithinkiwill66]

At first I thought toilet papper....you know the cheap-ass rolls of the thin kind! 🤣🤣🤣

[@iandriggs5976]

I love MotorWeek! Their retro reviews bring a blast from the past. Also It is the Car magazine that I can trust.

[@positively_broad_st3780]

I remember watching this video on KZbin back in 1986 and being excited. Holy Throwback!

[@1ivannthegreat]

positively_broad_st You should really know that there wasn’t no KZbin back in 86 , or should I say ( KZbin wasn’t invented yet , nor it did not Existed Yet) .

[@cyberrednec]

@@1ivannthegreat u stupid or something?

[@steveespinola7652]

Ahhh, KZbin didn't exist in 1986 what's wrong with you????

[@jaime3452]

Tell that to kids. It will blow their minds,they can't believe it.. But then again bless their hearts.

[@rootsmanuva82]

Merry Christmas MotorWeek! Thanks for the Christmas present!

[@matts6551]

John hasn’t aged a day since this video...also his wardrobe hasn’t either...or his presentation style

[@carolinarailfanning]

I have been waiting forever! I love boxy suburbans! Especially the 89-91 model.

[@spondal1]

Opposite for me, I love the 73-86 models mostly because I can't stand the steering wheel and the grill in the later models

[@L30n4rdo6]

You and me both buddy. You and me both.

[@buoyant69]

Considering its massive size and diesel power plant, I'm actually a bit surprised that the 0-60 time was only 15 seconds. That was a respectable acceleration number for the time and probably not much worse than that of the 350 V8.

[@wildbill23c]

Add to that, the engine wasn't turbo-charged.

[@scdevon]

Try the 4X4 version 0-60 and see. 240 lb ft seems weak for a 6.2 liter diesel even if it is a net rating. A 1970 Ford 302 2-barrel gas V-8 makes 290 lb/ ft. gross.

[@lilsammywasapunkrock]

scdevon my 86 302 (same year as this suburban) had 150hp and 270ftlbs, so yeah, that was a pretty wimpy motor, even then.

[@Terminxman]

@@scdevon even an 80s 351w was making ~300 lb/ft of torque. The 6.2 was such a dog.

[@scdevon]

@@Terminxman You can work on a 1980s Ford 351 W or a Chevy 350 with one eye closed too and dirt cheap parts on top of it. A 6.2 Diesel will always get better fuel mileage, but maintaining them isn't cheap and you pay a a lot more for them initially and it takes a lifetime to get that money back in fuel savings (if ever).

[@100percentSNAFU]

My driver ed training was in an early 90's Suburban school bus. If you can parallel park that thing, you can handle anything.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Jay Leno releases a Plymouth Suburban video and MotorWeek counters with a Chevy Suburban.

[@cadsux]

Yep. Since 1935. Oldest automobile model name ever! Plymouth Suburban was 1949.

[@cadsux]

@blackandgold51 Yes. Isn't that what I said?

[@henrydehavilland5620]

They didn’t copy anything. At that time Suburban was a generic name. Like business coupe, or sedan.

[@TheRealZJE313]

Right I still have my 88suburban c20 right now in 2019.I just love it I love pulling up on people in these new suburban that cost 60,000 buck and laugh and say it must be nice Plus I'm sitting High just like they are and they look back like get that old ass suburban off the road

[@TheRealZJE313]

@blackandgold51 u right cause I have a heavy foot and have no problem passing up people in these new suburban that drive them like they have no power and get up and go.I would love to have the engine out of the new suburban and tahoe Yukon and Escalade but that's it the rest of the SUV is junk and to hi tec for me

[@Rubeless]

Good times these videos bring back. I can still pick out some of the roads; I left Baltimore 15 years ago.

[@Ward413]

I owned a 1983 with the 6.2 diesel and a 1989 with the gas 350. Loved them both.

[@wernerbloemwagen6878]

America started the World Wide SUV / 4X4 craze 30+ years ago, that nów sweeps the Globe to the extent that even Rolls Royce and Aston Martin joined thís action recently. Kudo's to the US of A!

[@KRRZ350]

I have a 96 Burb with the 6.5 turbo diesel. I love the 20+ mpg too

[@upeedinalamb5297]

This lamb loves the vintage shots of the old Owings Mills Mall.

[@cardo1111]

Love the rear HVAC system, we have come a long way.

[@Texassince1836]

All you saw was the rear heat. The rear AC is on the ceiling.

[@howtobebasic2122]

i can't believe this generation Suburban lasted from 1973 to 1991 a full 18 YEARS!!!!!

[@GP1138]

I love the guerilla-style road test review in this throwback - they didn't have it on the normal track so they did all their normal tests on the road and filmed it from across the way.

[@tuckerbrandstrom575]

That's the beauty of testing the diesel... You can race it on the street and still be impeding traffic.

[@chuckers40]

John Davis was subdued on MotorWeek in the early ears, JD has come a LONG WAY. Happy 38th season MotorWeek.

[@angelo24610]

would still rather have this than a new one

[@klasseact6663]

Really?

[@rolanddenardo9785]

Your kidding right? That was a junk pile

[@melrose9252]

Angelo Mcleod You obviously never drove one of these. These were pretty bad. They leaked, they were underpowered, and gas hogs to name a few.

[@klasseact6663]

@@rolanddenardo9785 PURE JUNK! Let's see, abs was available on the pick up truck it was based on but not here, dumb, REAL dumb.

[@superbird4351]

If want an old ‘Burban buy the 96-99 vortec models.

[@chocodiledundee1]

Beautiful vehicles.... I am a huge Suburban fan for sure ....

[@nateb9207]

“Huge suburban” pun intended? Haha I love these older gens

[@thegamingsquad9546]

Leandro Machado 🤮🤮🤮

[@Marathon13240]

That's pretty damn good mileage with that diesel. But obviously underpowered. Still not bad at all. Love the vintage videos

[@legostar55]

I would much rather have the diesel than the 350 or 454. They've gotten as high as 25 mpg. When they got the new suburban it only got 12. SERIOUSLY 12 MPG. That's down from 23!! Who cares if it's slow so long as it's economical. As they even said it had better torque response than the 350.

[@herbiehusker1889]

They need to offer a Duramax suburban.

[@crashdoctortv3198]

Herbie Husker Yes they do at this place on the east coast, they sell fleet suburbans with factory grade duramax swaps all done and ready to drive. They are on KZbin as well, I think it’s in Maryland or somewhere near

[@herbiehusker1889]

@@crashdoctortv3198 Do you speak English?

[@crashdoctortv3198]

Herbie Husker Yes I sure do, all my life. Why do you ask?

[@jeffanderson7256]

Crash Doctor TV duraburb

[@ibold1000]

That's a real possibility with the new 6 cyl Dramax.

[@gman8578]

The Great Grand Daddy of SUV's. I love Motor Week 👍

[@redrocker1055]

I grew up in this Suburban. My dads was red and grey with the diesel. So many road trips so much time sleeping on the floor in the back. Good memories.

[@manowar5516]

Is this Christmas footage? If so...Thank you.

[@steveespinola7652]

These old Suburbans are classics now you rarely see them on the street anymore.

[@MohamedAbdallahCherif]

A legendary vehicle, I wonder why GM doesn't put the Duramax diesel 6.6 V8 on the current generation of Suburbans, Yukons and Tahoe

[@JamesJones-eo8zw]

I'd be the first in line cash in hand for a 2 door Tahoe Duramax

[@matthewsteinert1002]

Good question. There is a company called duraburb that puts duramax motors in GM SUVs such as the suburban and Yukon.

[@MohamedAbdallahCherif]

@@matthewsteinert1002 Thanks for the info, it seems that GM doesn't believe in the commercial success of diesel Yukons XL and Suburband in North America and other foreign markets, in countries where diesel fuel is cheaper and easier to find in remote places than gasoline it would have been a huge success.

[@warrenny]

As a child I remember seeing that Suburban font everywhere. The font looked out of fashion, but somewhat comforting....like the passengers of the vehicle would be protected and comfortable.

[@silverxstar01]

The second I saw that Suburban logo in the intro, I thought, “1971 called, it wants its typography back!” A vestige of another time.

[@aaronbays4]

Love those old two tone color schemes. Also pretty impressive economy and acceleration figures for the time. I know 0-60 in 15 seconds is still slow, but consider a 240D Benz does it in like 23 seconds and the Suburban weights 5500lbs. Your average family car back then was equally as slow as this Suburban. I really wish GM had offered the Duramax diesel in the 2000's to current Suburban. IMO there is a huge market for that power-train combo and GM is really missing the boat. There is a company in Florida that does conversions(DuraBurb) that I'm sure is printing money hand over fist.

[@fnnnknorth]

My dad had one when we were kids. No seat belts. Hang out the back window. Was huge inside. The numbers are insane. Horsepower. Price.

[@dragon81heart]

Great Christmas present! Love the Retro reviews!! 🎄

[@RichiesHouse]

My uncle had this truck back then. He was a Vietnam vet and owned a electrical company and did bodyguard work. The image of him next to this truck in a suit with a 38 , ah the 80s

[@davidaubin3902]

4:01 John: BUT ONCE A TRUCK, MAYBE ALWAYS A TRUCK! LOL

[@wantahertzdonut]

Made in an era where we called these "trucks". My family had a 79, it was my first car when I turned 16 and I went on to have a lot of other firsts with it through the mid 90's. I miss it and would gladly have another one.

[@swathdiver489]

They called them wagons and station wagon trucks before "SUV" was invented. Still a truck!

[@joelvega9534]

Yes! I forgot about that. I rode one of these to school in the 80's (the bus version). After school when my friends asked which was my bus, I'd point to my "bus" and say "the station wagon at the end". After all these years your comment brought back that memory. Thanks.

[@michiganbathroom4808]

AMAZING how far these vehicles have came. Look inside a brand new one of these and it’s extremely futuristic compared to this 80’s model.

[@finecorinthianvideos]

When the Ford Excursion came out, the game was on

[@brandedmcgowan9414]

Especially with the powerstroke 7.3 and 6.0....... GM responded with.........6.6 dura........ Quadrasteer! Smh

[@punchy207]

then it died after 5 years

[@ICrane88]

Man between the static vcr noise and the intro and outro music I'm stuck in nostalgia and I love it

[@Howard1939]

In Texas, Suburban's roll off the same production lines in Arlington, TX as the GMC Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade, 2018 prices more than double that of 1986 & the diesel versions (If continued) now have added the expense of DEF in addition to fuel cost.

[@compaqdeskpro5770]

There are no diesel or big block Suburbans, you get 5.3L on most, 6.2L on Chevy RST, Yukon Denali, and Escalade. There is a 6.0L Suburban 3500, but it costs 80,000 and is more for armoured upfitters.

[@davidhbingham6812]

2018 models shorter, doubt towing an Airstream trailer as easy as in 1986 without a diesel. 😠

[@davidhbingham6812]

@Michael Rodriguez The Red Cross used 3/4 ton diesel Excursions as mobile Communications vehicles until 4-5 years ago, equipped with a 115 volt generator and telescoping communications masts similar to those used by TV stations. With advent of cell phones and improvement in Cellular Communications and satellite Communications, the Expeditions were returned to The FORD Motor Company which had donated them to many Red Cross Chapters. Radio equipment remained with Red Cross Chapters IIRC.

[@wildbill23c]

Either would be fine...both the Suburban and the Excursion would be acceptable. I thought Ford was talking about building the Excursions again but doesn't look like it...and if they did they'd probably try to put that stupid ecoboost junk in it like they did the new Expedition and attach a $70k+ price tag on a vehicle the size the real Ford Explorers used to be. Automakers have totally ruined vehicles.

[@jaskopeter813]

Arlington TX built the best cars on earth: the gm B body's. those days are long gone now 😪

[@javahedz]

We loved all six of our Burbs, four of which were diesels. Miss them even now ...

[@yungkidnf]

Man, take me back to the times when Saks Fifth Ave's parking lot was littered with suburban moms' station wagons

[@RADIUMGLASS]

LoL yeah.

[@fifthward1983]

most are walmart now

[@fifthward1983]

are at

[@logdon17]

similar now, just "crossovers" is what they call station wagons

[@johntravolto4058]

Awesome video! Nowadays my wifes 7 passenger ford flex does 0-60 in 6 seconds lol. Gotta get to those grocery's quick! Haha

[@briteidea08]

Gosh!! All those scenes of when Owings Mills was awesome!!

[@briteidea08]

P.s. I would love to see if there's any movie footage of Owings Mills of that era.

[@MaestroTJS]

@@briteidea08 If you look up some stuff on the Owings Mills Mall, the one they tore down somewhat recently, I think you will come across a little footage from when the mall opened to great fanfare in the '80's.

[@briteidea08]

@@MaestroTJS Yeah I have seen that already. Grew up in Owings Mills. It was quite the show when they opened the mall. Owings Mills was quite the place in general.

[@TomK-ti8kp]

25 mpg for something that big and un-aerodynamic is crazy good.

[@83jbbentley]

I bet she was thinking, “up yours John.” Is that to much like Kentucky Fried Movie.

[@fernandorocha6486]

I love Chevrolet Suburban 1986, my year favorite and 85, 87 and 88. This generation 73-91 is my favorite and dream car

[@workingcountry1776]

Merry Christmas MW crew! Just watched this with my kids. Told the kids this was going to be our next family vehicle..... only half kidding.

[@workingcountry1776]

@blackandgold51 id be okay with a TBI 350 700r4 and full bench seats

[@Rccrdawgs]

Love the front end float, and to think that's with new shocks.......

[@PrinceMoonbeam]

Well, it was faster than the Pontiac 1000 they tested...

[@joequillun7790]

That's not saying much. (LOL)

[@Ithinkiwill66]

Could of towed the 1000, and STILL be able to achieve good starting acceleration, and momentum.

[@guitarman1569]

@@Ithinkiwill66 Forget about gas mileage!

[@100percentSNAFU]

I was recently rear ended in a small hatchback while at a full stop by a modern Suburban going full speed in a 45 mile zone. Thank God it wasn't one of this generation featured here or I wouldn't be here to talk about it. 5700 lbs of mostly steel. Basically like getting hit by a 3 ton lead brick. The new one that hit me folded like an accordion, although I suppose it's supposed to do that to absorb the impact. Those old ones sure wouldn't have. They would just drive through a brick wall and keep going.

[@suspicioususer]

23 mpg for a mid 80s SUV is pretty damn good

[@legostar55]

Especially considering the fact that it weighs 5700 pounds!

[@davidgodat2153]

These old Suburbans are hard to find in good shape and can fetch a decent price. Most were driven in to the ground by large families.

[@ballathug8404]

This is what the Simpsons meant with CANYONERO

[@Trendyflute]

I lived with roommates who shared a 1990 Suburban, 5.7 (2WD I think...) with the rear doors, as their all-purpose "utility" vehicle. It was 25 years old and had over 250k miles, but was generally bulletproof (and got a real world 16-18 MPG! Not bad, frankly!) It had a small radiator leak at one point that the roommates fixed in the garage one afternoon, and we spent a day at a friend's house doing some servicing on it...the biggest thing it needed was the steering "rag joint". I remember taking it camping on dirt roads around Mount Rainier, and skiing on snowy roads around Mount Baker. In both cases, the darn thing was stupidly confidence inspiring for such a giant old boat, with a gentle oversteer balance; I just wanted to rally it everywhere!

[@Trendyflute]

LOL @ 5:54 ...good fighting acting, guys :)

[@wendyokoopa7048]

One of the first work/family vehicles I remember us owning was a grey Chevy suburban. Bought my first and only bike in that thing.

[@marcmeyers1080]

Back when motor trend talked about American cars

[@daviddomingo6658]

We used to watch these episodes during drivers-education class in high school!

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

You’re welcome John.

[@workingcountry1776]

23mpg and 25 on long trips. Slower speed than today but still fantastic. My 350 powered square body truck gets 16mpg at 55 mph and closer to 10 mpg loaded