20210912 Suburban Solid Axle Swap

Here's a basic overview of my suspension overhaul on my 1998 Chevy Suburban. I used a kit from WFO up front and parts from ORD in the back. Here I'm pulling a tape on important components before and after the work, while trying to address the questions I get in my InstaGram posts. @rocky_mtn_redneck I had a shop in Reno do the work, they don't have a serious presence on social media, but they do have a serious repertoire of quality projects.

[@homerepairguy1]

Dude. You NAILED it, with the time explanation. Real trucks, are built. Not bought.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Thanks for catching that bit of wisdom I attempt to pass on. 20 years ago we did a LOT of the work ourselves, because we had to. Now we make more, we can stimulate small businesses and trade our time for their time.

[@homerepairguy1]

@@rockymtnredneck4888 funny. When your young, time is free, because the money ain't there. As we get older... you'll make more money, but you cant replace time. Its then you realize, its invaluable. Fun one, to realize. The one commodity we cant get more of, off of Amazon..

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

@@homerepairguy1 when we were young our time was spent getting experience….if we were smart. If we are wise now, we still cherish experience as it is the only true commodity. We still seek learning and growth, if we are wise.

[@darkjoker3859]

Shoot I’m 22 about to start building my 97 Chevy suburban as well. Wish me luck I’m still thinking about doing videos on it don’t know yet

[@nathanbaker9521]

Beautiful ride, yes for sure it's a lot of money but still cheaper than buying a new truck made out of plastic. Great build, I have a factory 6.5 turbo 94 suburban with a 6" lift and it's a ton of fun. Enjoy it 👍

[@lifeonmars8703]

Nice 4th gen swap 👌

[@nathanjohnson676]

Other than Ford stamped on front hub selectior... Nice

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Parts are parts. There’s no real difference these days. All the equipment used to manufacture them come from two or three manufacturers themselves. Hind sight 20/20, I would go with Dodge axles if I had to do it all over again.

[@miketolson2915]

Your not crazy! I’m the same way. New trucks are Junk these days. I’m going to do the same thing to my OBS K3500 crew cab Dually. Can’t wait. Great build.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Just be aware and prepared for the fact that WFO's kit is NOT a ready to go kit. It is a Builders Kit. There are a lot of things you have to figure out on your own. Their steering in the kit is a minimal set up. No bumpstops or limiting straps. The Arms are best ordered uncut so you can ensure you Get them cut to your truck's specific needs. Their Hub Unit Bearing is only available from them if you want to retain GM 8x6.5. So many things I had to do after the installation, so many things I'm still working on. I'm not exactly 100% satisfied with the experience. It's been painful.

[@miketolson2915]

@@rockymtnredneck4888 Thank you for the information. I figured as much, it would be a builders kit more that anything. I’m very fortunate, I have to tools and abilities to handle a project like this. Again, thank you for sharing your experience with your truck.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

@@miketolson2915 You may also want to look at Tahoe Overlanding. He has a shop here in Salt Lake County. I wheel with him, good dude. He does kits that may interest you for swapping. You can find him both here on YT and on Instagram.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

@@miketolson2915 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHnbkmCXm7eYo8ksi=XQx2l_JELO7-H6v_

[@miketolson2915]

@@rockymtnredneck4888 👍Awesome. Thank you so much for all the info/helpful tips.

[@joset.garcia8714]

20k well spent!

[@grizzlymannor5540]

Did this same kit a few years ago on my 89 k1500 scsb... I also boxed in my frame, welded up some DOM front and rear crossmembers and eventually swapped a 12v cummins/47re/np241 in it and the lift, heims, and kings are still holding up great. I did have to bump it up to a 400/500lb spring combo.

[@mikek3890]

Looks great! Gonna perform even better for many many amazing memories with your family.

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

Nice work. I love WFO and ORD’s stuff.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

They are the leaders in full size truck accessories and parts.

[@rachelhall4808]

This was like watching someone explain calculus in Portuguese to me 😋 I enjoyed it anyway. I’ll show it to my hubby!

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

I’m a Combat / Construction Engineer. Buildings, vehicles, equipment have been my life. Heaven for me will have lots of mechanical & construction projects.

[@rachelhall4808]

@@rockymtnredneck4888 having those skills is like holding gold! I understood more than I let on. It’s still way over my head though. Side note: I love pronouncing catalytic converter wrong in front of guys. Asking “why would put a Cadillac converter on a Ford” gets the best reactions! All in good fun. Sending well wishes to you and your wife! Being sick sucks.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

@@rachelhall4808 I always call them Catholic Converters! The power of Chrysler compels you! Ha ha ha.

[@slurge21]

This upgrade looks bad ass! The burban is a beast.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Thanks, I’m liking it a lot! Check out the next vid to see it work off road.

[@IgobySensei]

Never thought I would spend over 14,000 for my sas. I am just over 21,000. Been doing 80% to 90% of the work myself. Adds up fast.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

It’s all the little stuff that adds up.

[@bryangardner5649]

Where did you get that rear bumper?

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Check out my playlists. All the answers you could want are in there.

[@rjordansr65]

Awesome!! Better than spending 80k on a new truck! You have exactly what you want for less and customized to your specs!!

[@jameshall4385]

Looks amazing.

[@miguelnunez4159]

Looks awesome!

[@joshuas10]

Are you selling the 4” rancho lift?

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

I will entertain reasonable offers for local pick up, yes.

[@RyanBassForLife]

Nice suburban

[@chrisgeorge54]

Hey man, great looking burban. I see you driving around the neighborhood occasionally and it looks better in person. Can you tell me what spring rates you went with on your coilovers?

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Thank you! I went with the springs WFO ordered, so I don’t know what rate they are, sorry.

[@sla052609]

Totally have more questions on the dodge swap …..I’m thinking about doing a frame/axle swap to a suburban

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

I always thought the body swap would be the easiest way to 12V a Suburban.

[@alfansomendoza8556]

What brand of spacer are you running?

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

No idea. Got it from my tire shop,

[@thrillbillyjp1]

20k oh my shit damn man thankfully im plenty savy and do all my own moch ups, i hate new rigs period they are plastic snap together tupperware with sheels. 2000 silver 1500 iim rollinmg around daily since 04 in this truck only 180k miles. rebuilt trans at 90k went stage 2 with large cooler and vett shift silinoids . 33-35" tires. im tossing a dana 44 snow plow h.d. type high pinion, 6 lugger. 410's minorly beefed 5.3 . im stuffing 1988 range rover 4" lift coils dual rate , with simple 2.0 resiviored smoothys, 2" air bumps front and 3.25 sponge bumps in ass end with 2.5 " coils same source . will start there all referbed parts and my fab in driveway skills and tools. show everybody how to countryboy fab up a hybrid craw;er/float med whoops/daily driver with luxury after market comfy interiro , sound sys, full dark as can legaly be tint, twin stick doubler junk yard geter done style. last sas swap truck made it 6 years as daily , pulled all kinds out, never even spuddered that i recall till i jumped so damn high at TDSi spilt front axel down middle of diff. that was maybe airborn # 135.... u can junk yard budget swap with luck and some know how and driver skill when in use on rock etc easy on the go peddle etc ul be just fineas long as stay 35" meats or so. this time im looking for mickey thompson baja ltz 2 in 36" tire. that will look fitting . il end up around 4`6 grand all said and done but will be driving to work with axel under it at 1 grand spent no prob.

[@thrillbillyjp1]

but btw im not fully new 3/4 ton quality stuff like ur awsome rig. i am in oc so will meet upsome point

[@adamtedder700]

What did you about the bolt pattern, front (8/170) rear (8/6.5)

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Bolt patterns are both 8x6.5. Pretty sure I mentioned that in the vid. New hubs and all part of WFO’s kit.

[@adamtedder700]

@@rockymtnredneck4888 sorry, I must have missed that. 05 and Ford Dana 60?

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

@@adamtedder700 Either you missed it or I didn’t explain it clearly enough, sorry. Yeah, it’s an 06 F350 axle. WFO sells all the stuff you need to convert it to 8x6.5, which I like because you get all new hubs and bearings.

[@t0mills]

You said this is around 8" of lift? And it only has ~2.5" of up travel? What would you say is the limiting factor for the up travel?

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

I don't remember saying it has 2.5" of up travel. Truth is I don't know what the measurement is. I do know it goes where I want to go on and off road now.

[@t0mills]

@@rockymtnredneck4888 @9:16 is where I came up with that number.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

@@t0mills and what exactly is your concern? Did you listen to what I said right after I took that measurement? What is the key purpose of a bumpstop? What is it preventing? I’m not sure how you still have a question? Are you about to SAS a truck? Perhaps you should call WFO or ORD and ask them for help with your concerns?

[@t0mills]

@@rockymtnredneck4888 no need to get defensive. If you look back thru my videos, you'll see that I put the same front axle under a chevy and wound up with ~3" lift and ~4" of up travel. But it took a ton of time to properly design that kit. Was simply hoping to buy something off-the-shelf like WFO for this rig, but I can't figure out why they limited the up travel so much. i'm sure it works fine for you, I just want less lift but still retain up travel. Take care.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

@@t0mills not being defensive. Just really don’t understand what you’re after. More so now that I know you have solid axle swapped before. This suburban is the second SAS I’ve ever done. As I said, my truck does what I need it to do. If you have different needs, talking to the maker of the kit is your best option.

[@lianahlove1113]

All ford that Happened Front Tires Death Wobble Ford is recall

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Can you put that in clearly understandable english, please?

[@benkanobe7500]

I don't do Insta gram, but I do follow you here on YT (for some time now...). You should be working for GM in the "Suburban advanced development Department"

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Yeah, thanks, but I don’t think I’m breaking any new ground here. Just taking parts I can scrounge and tweaking them to my needs and desires.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

That, and if you ever wonder where I go when I’m absent here in YouTub, InstaHam will usually have some smaller updates.

[@genoory5090]

Cool! How much it cost you about?

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Pretty sure I answered that very question in the video.

[@genoory5090]

@@rockymtnredneck4888 I wasnt sure if i heard it?

[@a807511]

Front axle is way too far back.. looks bad that way.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Ya don’t say? Why weren’t you there to help them fix that? Woulda saved me a ton of heartache.

[@benkanobe7500]

Off Topic, but important. I'm 64 and fully Vaccinated as is my wife. We are a bit paranoid about the WuFlu. Do you know how you guys got it? I think you said earlier you and your wife were both vaccinated. We only wear masks when it is required but practice being smart about what we touch and how we are around others (like no elevators). Any information would be helpful.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

I didn’t take the jab. My wife did. It did her no good whatsoever. This thing is not a standard disease. The vaccine so-called is not a standard inoculation. We have children that go to elementary school. I teach at a karate dojo. My wife works for the school district. We go to church. Coulda been from any one of those sources. The jab is also seemingly causing some people to grow the disease in their own bodies. Statistically speaking it makes sense to me that the jab IS the source of the Delta variant. However, I don’t have a lab in the basement where I can Will Smith it out, so no, I have no special advice other than good nutrition and plenty of sunshine. Supplement with Zinc, Magnesium and Vit D. And all of us over 40 seem to have a really rough time with it. All in all, Don’t be fearful. Yiu’ll live or you’ll die like hundreds of other things you face every week.

[@benkanobe7500]

@@rockymtnredneck4888 Thank you. I appreciate your words.

[@Terk131]

Just remember, one will still get and/or transmit the WuFlu regardless of vaccination status. Those that took the vax can be asymptomatic which means they can have it and transmit it with know symptoms. I would never tell someone to get or not get the vax but do your homework 1st. I personally will not take it and know many that did that regretted getting it. I also had the virus in September of 2019 and because I have leukemia I was hospitalized to make sure it wasn't double pneumonia again. I was isolated and had a few visits from the CDC and they knew what it was already without saying. Just be careful and live your life man.