Buried in the snow. How a massive winter storm almost stranded my Squarebody Suburban!

Deep snow and heavy trucks can be challenging. Got stuck a couple of times but was always able to dig out. 1300 mile road trip with the family averaging 17 mpg out of the Burb along with mountain passes and heavy snow.
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[@jeromeburrasca6710]

V BAR snow chains, there the secret is out. You’re welcome. 😅

[@alexward4569]

My thoughts exactly 💯

[@eduardg5619]

Cool vid, thank you James for sharing and happy new year 👍

[@MerricksGarage]

Happy new year!

[@scott3122]

Congratulations sir on the suburban, what an awesome and wonderful dream building inspirational truck. You deserve it sir awesome work can't wait to some day see you in the trail. 👍 Wishing you many blessings on your journeys.

[@MerricksGarage]

Thank you very much!

[@98LS1210]

I appreciate this video and the content. I just finished a 1994 2-door Tahoe. Your video inspired the vision again and why the build will never be a one-and-done. It's work to put the vehicle to the test and build the confidence through trial and error. Me and Phil thank you

[@cumminsnchevy]

I’ve got a simple thing to check if your engine is not warming up, it’s very easy to get the thermostat in backwards on the cummins make sure the flow of coolant pushes to close the thermostat cause if it’s backwards the coolant pressure will push through the spring on the t-stat letting coolant flow when you don’t want it to.

[@blackbeard308]

Self-taught self-made love this channel happy New Year y'all 🇺🇸🇺🇲🕺💃

[@taylorstanton5130]

still working on my 91 2500 burb build ended up turning into a whole body swap but excited to keep working on the overland build

[@jimmyjohnson4932]

What an awesome rig! You sir have built your own sherman tank. Rad truck love the content.

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@carlsandvik2893]

Looks like an awesome trip and fun time to test out the rig. Time with the kids sledding must have been a blast. Glad all worked well and travels were safe! We need more snow wheeling, just gotta get my junk running. LOL! Happy New Year Merrick Fam!

[@Squirrely429]

Dude you're awsome! Good stuff!

[@averagenobody.4832]

Great video, always love to see the wins and the struggles. Appreciate the encouragement. 82 K5 toy/daily driver. Somedays, im sure it fears for its life! 😊

[@MerricksGarage]

Yes but you are driving it and enjoying it. Keep on grinding!

[@copperpresstech]

I love the tortilla blanket behind you when you are sitting in your drivers seat, lol! =)

[@MerricksGarage]

lol, thats my oldest son. It was cracking me up. He LOVES that tortilla blanket. He was like that a lot of the drive ha ha

[@fishingunboxingsandreveiws7226]

Badasstruck I love it!

[@mattyancey28]

Great video sir. The honesty and inspiration at the end is invaluable! I'm sitting in my garage staring at a K5 that's about 70%....the last 30% is always the grind... Thanks for the inspiration and the videos of the great adventures that are possible if you Grind! Hopefully our paths will cross someday. 🤘

[@MerricksGarage]

thanks man. Glad it connected. There are no shortcuts unfortunately. Hard work is long work!

[@y5mgisi]

Pretty drive in a cool truck.

[@t.l.robinson2162]

You have built an awesome beast sir.

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

Musta just missed ya’ll down there. We spent that week in S UT as well, with our Suburban.

[@GDG184]

I've been binge watching your videos since I discovered your channel, I just got a 1985 Barndoor burb 6.2 detroit, 3/4 ton. Only sad thing is it's two wheel but my plan is to convert it to 4x4 then cummins swap it, convert it to a stick. You are doing exactly what I envision ill be doing with my suburban once i get it there. For now its gonna stay a 2wd payment princess, might swap a 2wd nv4500 in it because it will be one step closer

[@h.h.legacydiesel6724]

Lots if fun, way to go! Happy new year! ✌️. Love the video. I live in the snow belt in 🇨🇦, you will get better, air down your tires a bit, have actual snow tires! ❄️ not just chunky tires.snows are softer and have more grip, you will be amazed. I think you did great, out with the family! Thanks for sharing 👍🏻. Great build 👍. ✌🏻🧡👍🍁 🌬 ❄️🌧 ☃️🎄.

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks! You too!

[@christophersanders5007]

One thing to be aware of when in cold weather conditions below freezing with a diesel engine is fuel gelling, and adding ant-gel additives to your fuel.

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea that was a concern of mine. I totally spaced it. Got lucky!

[@SterlingBall]

Thata girl!!

[@rogerridder2903]

Does the Cummins have a grid heater for cold starting ? My 01 24 valve does it starts really well if you cycle it a couple times only once most of the time .

[@MerricksGarage]

It does but I removed mine as it rarely sees cold temps. Maybe once or twice a year on a trip like this

[@wadericker4795]

@ Merricks Garage what brand of dash instruments do you have in the Burb? Are they expensive? Sure do like how they look! Update I found your video on the Dakota Digital dash. I gave you a thumbs up!

[@victoryengineer]

Those tires are fine where you normally go, but as someone who lives in the far North can tell you, you would have been way better served with pizza cutter tires. Cool vid.

[@enforceOM]

First time on this channel. Thought it was Bill Burr for a second haha

[@MerricksGarage]

Not the first person to say that. What is it?

[@enforceOM]

@@MerricksGarage The beard and eyes lol.

[@mchl8]

Cummins diesel maybc12 valve . 17 isn't bad but I get like 16 to 20 with my 6,9 v 8 diesel. The NV u mentioned to the gearbox told me something but didn't click .

[@markriley141]

For the throttle, no red loc-tite?

[@calholli]

You can just zip tie a big piece of cardboard on the front of your grill, and that will work wonders for your heat. I had to do it in the past; It worked virtually immediately. Or you can just get a little tarp/ flag with some bungees like they do on the big semi's.

[@CavanalK5]

Do you do any mods on your wiper arms? Someone has changed my CUCV wiper armss to J-Hook style and I can’t seem to find any wipers to fit them properly. Looking for a change.

[@MerricksGarage]

I don’t sorry. They are stock

[@CavanalK5]

@@MerricksGarage all good. I’m sure I can scrounge up some info over on CK5. One last Q for ya. What Oakleys are those? Time for a new pair and I dig those. Keep up there great work buddy 🤘🏼

[@nikolatesla7836]

You’re going to redo your transfer case crossmember right?

[@corymollak2093]

I have an 80 GMC K25 w/ the factory 6.6L/400 gasoline sb. Your gauge cluster w/altimeter read-out is awesome and I need one in my life! Is there a link for this cluster so that I may find my plateau of enlightenment? ALSO.....military hmmv rim and tire install on a Burb......thoughts? I am not afraid of a split-rim. Thx in advance!

[@JaronWhelan]

here for the link as well

[@MerricksGarage]

its a Dakota digital aftermarket setup. Its rad.

[@nikolatesla7836]

Don’t do the military tires and wheels, they are junk , beadlocks if you really off-road, if not any wheels will do.

[@Carlo-_]

What psi did you have your tires at in that deep snow? Airing down really really helps in the snow.

[@MerricksGarage]

Both times I was about to air down I was able to get pulled out. I had multiple air fill sources so wasn’t too worried about airing dowm

[@Carlo-_]

@@MerricksGarage looks like a great trip. Love the ‘burb

[@raystanton238]

That front driveshaft angle seems severe. You could add a tapered shim between each spring pack and the top of the front axle to tilt the rear of the front differential up a little which can add longevity to that front driveshaft. They only cost a few dollars each.

[@MerricksGarage]

meh, I ran up to 50 mph all week long with it locked and I could feel it but it was harmonized. Plus it would change my castor

[@ethanslape8889]

sure does have a lot of leaks for all new parts

[@kc6581]

What year is your burb?I have a 1991/Kseries:1500(1/2 ton),4x4,350(5.7L),barn doors ,alternative oil cooler ,& I could really use some moral support on fixing my baby up!!I am 66yrs old disabled lady,down here in San Diego,CA.!!Love your videos!

[@MerricksGarage]

this is a 91! They are rad trucks!

[@maxvictory616]

Merrick, do you have a thermostat on the engine?

[@MerricksGarage]

I do

[@brianhamilton9392]

do you have axle lockers? Second if your going to run a diesel in the cold install a wabasto heater to keep it warm at night. Those big wide tires are not meant for deep snow, narrow tires lots of sipeing, lower air pressures. Great burb though wish i had never sold mine.

[@MerricksGarage]

Yes I do

[@campnoutdoors1621]

For the love of God Merrick!!! Why do you build everything awesome and than skimp on the simple schit my man. Make a video pointing out each corner that was taken and than spending one week finishing up the burb. Love you man and I hope this comment is not taken as unpositive criticism

[@MerricksGarage]

lol, I know. The problem is the temp fixes end up being more permanent as my more permanent solutions sometimes become more pressing

[@timothyshearer6538]

a set of chains would've been killer imo! I love my chains in deep snow (my transmission doesnt)

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea I honestly kinda got surprised by the amount of snow! I think with a set of maxtrax I wouldn’t have had any issues getting unstuck

[@adamward3941]

@@MerricksGarage I was going to ask if you had Maxtraxs. I was on a trail in Dec around that area in 2019 and was only able to really get out because of the Trax.

[@concernedcitizen1320]

Dude why would you hit the road with the throttle linkage like that? 😂😂😂😂

[@MerricksGarage]

because I like to live dangerously

[@nikolatesla7836]

You don’t have a winch? 😮

[@slingingsteel9744]

How is the TR-4050 doing for you?

[@MerricksGarage]

It’s fantastic. Shifts so smoothly it’s actually enjoyable. Very predictable and quiet with low heat generation too. Stoked on it

[@ojaiguru]

What's the latest on how much longer they're keeping Pismo open for 4wd vehicles? Keep up the great content and ingenuity.

[@MerricksGarage]

Oh its open, and they recently opened up more. The lawsuits that were involved by the local land owners (new residents and developments) are slowly being proven wrong and incorrect. Its also thanks to corva.org who are out there leading the fight.

[@ojaiguru]

@@MerricksGarage Thanks -- that's good to hear. Appreciate the response and your content. I'd be curious if you had any recommendations for a GMT400 Suburban other than a SAS to beef up the front end. The snow content was fun to watch -- I used to take my son to Brian Head to ski/snowboard.

[@Thomzombie303]

weld it lol

[@user-ep2tx2lr2r]

What’s type lockers are you running?

[@MerricksGarage]

Detroit rear and E-Locker from Eaton up front. I would have eventually worked my way out, but I had like five kids in the truck with me lol. I was glad for the tow!

[@user-ep2tx2lr2r]

@@MerricksGarage right on. What’s your opinion on your E-locker? And why a Detroit in the back opposed to E-locker in the front and rear? Thanks for the reply!

[@cowboynidaho]

Where did you get those gauges

[@MerricksGarage]

The dash is Dakota digital and the a pillar are Autometer.

[@cowboynidaho]

@@MerricksGarage thank you

[@nikolatesla7836]

You’re going to redo your transfer case crossmember right? 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@goodson77784]

Where did you get your gauges?

[@MerricksGarage]

The a pillar or the ones in the dash? Autometer and Dakota digital

[@nikolatesla7836]

It’s an easy install on the Dakota digital, it takes a real good squarebody enthusiast to get the original gauges to function like factory.

[@gilhernandez605]

I thought keeping the engine cool was a good thing.

[@Carlo-_]

There’s a happy medium. Ever see big rigs in the winter with their grills covered?

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea 90 degree is too cool

[@michaelconner204]

Loctite

[@fishingunboxingsandreveiws7226]

Jam nuts or Lock tite

[@lanceroark6386]

16MPG? TF!?!?!? My 2008 Yukon XL Gets 14.9 MPG. I’m getting ripped off. I need my 89’s back.

[@MerricksGarage]

Yup.

[@lanceroark6386]

@@MerricksGarage wait. That doesn’t make me feel good about the decisions I’ve made in life.

[@MerricksGarage]

Welcome to the club. I installed a cam and magnum box in the blazer and lost like 5 mpg.

[@lanceroark6386]

@@MerricksGarage sick! That Blazer is a truck of many mens’z dreams.

[@BlueCollarRiffs]

Sometimes the smaller and narrow tires do better in the snow. The big mud tires float ontop of the snow rather than bite into the snow. Cool truck, I like it

[@MerricksGarage]

Very true!

[@yesode4201]

Let’s go drive off the road because we need content and then pretend like we did something!

[@MerricksGarage]

That sounds like a terrible idea.

[@sethjohnson2358]

First

[@nikolatesla7836]

You’re going to redo your transfer case crossmember right?

[@MerricksGarage]

Uh huh

[@nikolatesla7836]

You’re going to redo your transfer case crossmember right? 🤦🏻‍♂️