Overlanding, Rock Crawling, Grocery Getting Square Body Suburban on 40s!

[@OldGriz708]

Suburbans are the most overlooked vehicle in off roading. This is a great build especially with the 6.2.

[@jaredkish8716]

Is the 6.2 any good? I’ve heard about head gasket problems? I know they’re slow but I want reliability

[@OldGriz708]

@Jared Kish They are a great engine when they are used for what they were built for. They were never a stump pulling torque engine but rather built for fuel economy and dependability.

[@cjjenson8212]

I learned to drive in a 69 3 door and graduated to an 85. Of all the suburbans I've looked at yours and mine are the only ones I've been able to find that are proportionately correct. Either they've gone dinky tyres with 12 inch lift or even worse, lowered!

[@WillometMotorFab]

Nate - you did such a great job creating this video. Thanks to both you and Matt for talking a little bit with me about the truck. The suburban has been in my life for a good long time, and I've learned a ton through the course of building it. More importantly, it's taken my family and friends and me all over, and I've had the chance to meet some great folks, including the whole Trail to SEMA crew. - David at WM&F

[@natebleepinjeep9564]

Thanks buddy! It was our pleasure!

[@xxRamD3yruxx]

Rad burb man!

[@saloram990]

amigo do you have youtube Chanel I need to learn from people like you

[@OldGriz708]

David,. You have a well thought out rig build there. I have always had a suburban of some sort since 1980. Some were to haul my demo derby cars ( 20~25 per year) to wheelers and now a dedicated overland rig.

[@badgerpa9]

Very nice burban, I have kept my 1987 to get it back the way it used to run. The only thing I liked more than my suburbans was my 1979 Blazer, it had a better turning radius and was a beast off road. Your truck is a labor of love and so glad you got to keep your fathers truck all this time.

[@LivinfreeinTennessee]

Yeah that is one badass suburban and I like his way of thinking . If you like it, keep it make it better. Don't fall into the crowd of cookie cutter jeeps or whatever ,build it better as your skills get better and take your time. Very nicely done.🤘

[@WillometMotorFab]

Thank you, and you captured my thinking exactly.

[@luvdacurvyones]

YEAH! WHAT TENNESSEE SAID!

[@demetriusalfred9310]

InstaBlaster...

[@jp2246]

Love the truck and love the build - I would take this burb over any new / modern vehicle. Just awesome!

[@WillometMotorFab]

Thanks man! I'm in the same boat, and will take old and workable everyday.

[@DavidSmith-fk8wm]

Dad's old 85 Suburban became a labor of love. Thanks for the video 👍

[@WillometMotorFab]

...shared with friends and family, and at the end of the Trail to SEMA, he flew out to Vegas and road tripped back to Dallas with me.

[@bryans3287]

I grew up in an 84 burb. the most comfortable seats best working heater . Squarebody burbs are the best-looking, amazing build on yours. I want to get one of my own and drop my modern hand built forged internal 525hp LS1 maybe a small turbo try to keep it under 550hp keep it a reliable daily driver

[@jasoncardoza6375]

It’s definitely a cool suburban! With that said there’s engineering, and over engineering . The core support is what I’m talking about. There’s twin electric fans out there that pull so much cfm you could have two radiators back to back and be fine. But that out of the box thinking is what makes vehicles unique to ones character and that creativity leading to pretty awesome stuff.Total respect

[@dannykyle738]

They make great trail rigs. Very simple and easy to find parts. Only issue is they get about 8 gallons per mile.

[@xxRamD3yruxx]

And that's not a typo

[@WillometMotorFab]

Danny Kyle It’s fun wheeling the full size, and you’re absolutely right about easily finding parts. Since it’s a diesel, it sips very little fuel on the trail. Highway economy was up to 16 mpg cruising on the Trail to SEMA. Not bad; not great.

[@stevenator117]

That is a very badass suburban I’m looking to buy my own someday in 3 months

[@301steady]

What I love about my Suburban is it not only has allowed me to "Go there", it's also allowed me to "Bring it".

[@WillometMotorFab]

301steady Right there with you. Crawl and haul.

[@duncdunc76]

Super Sweet Suburban for Sure!!! I've got a 1994 Suburban K2500 with the 6.5 and I'm hoping to set it up to overland as well. Although probably not as Hard Core as that Beast!

[@4151cooter]

Love it, I have an 87' Chev Sub that I'm in the process of building. Love the thing good family, camping off-road rig, can do almost anything with them.

[@rareearthfab5511]

That's one bad ass Suburban! Lot of custom and reliable engineering done there. Thanks for sharing! It must be something getting that down the trail. I've got a two-door JK and I feel that's too big at times!

[@natebleepinjeep9564]

It's a tank! It definitely takes a solid driver to navigate a vehicle this large through a trail.

[@WillometMotorFab]

Thanks, Rich. It's a lot of work hustling the truck through the trail, and it takes a lot of patience, strategy, and a really trusted spotter.

[@desert07576]

I've always wanted a blazer with those louvers on it like that old school 70 Baja shit!

[@bradywilliams2666]

Love the old Suburbans. We've had like 5 on the road over the yrs and a couple for parts. Hell I was wheeling a 77 K10 back in the 90's. I had the 350/465/205 combo. D44 front 12 bolt rear with 4:10 gears. I put a 4" lift and detroits in it. Daily drove it for yrs. My son bought our 87 3/4ton from us which we have had since 2007. It now rides on a 6" lift and 35"s and is daily driven about 100 miles round trip.

[@WillometMotorFab]

Brady Williams They’re a great multi-use platform to build and enjoy. The 456/205 is a fun and old school combo, and an excellent way to strengthen your left leg.

[@bradywilliams2666]

@@WillometMotorFab Yep. I like the 465/205 or 208 combo. My current CJ crawler has a FI 406/465 32 spline round pattern 205 clocked flat. My current truck is an 84 1 ton crew cab dually with a 4" lift. Has the 6.2 465/205 in it. My 86 K20 has a 465/208 and the son's 70 Jeepster has a 350/465/205. Yeah I like the simple manual trans.

[@explorationtoday2732]

I run an 09 subrban and I love it. Plan on building it all the way!

[@WillometMotorFab]

That would look cool. See you in Moab?

[@dafily1697]

this Surburban is the quintessence of oldschool american fourbies !! build for travelling all over you expect to go! whaooh love the louvers on the bonnet, il add some serious preps tone.

[@johnbehneman1546]

Great video and great fabrication skills. Thanks for sharing.

[@fsjeepin4644]

Hell yeah, kickass burb and kudos for keeping the ol GM diesel. Trucks are more interesting when stock pieces are modified to the needs of the user instead of boring swaps.

[@WillometMotorFab]

Some Guy Appreciate it, and that process you described has taught me a lot.

[@Ulfstigandr]

I may need to look up that cargo tray. My 71 T'all will end up very similar in build to this

[@stephenlamphier1141]

Luv the ole 6.2 diesel👍👍

[@AlexM-tx2vr]

The louvers look amazing. I would love to do the same to my Burban' but I don't know that I am willing to spend 80 hours on it. I can put it on list of things I would like to get to some day.

[@guaranteedj2942]

This rig is re-damn-diculous built!!🙌🏾 I need those sliders/step bars......I keep coming back to this video for ideas!! 💡

[@brianrocco4301]

AWESOME truck! Lots of Off road Design parts, they are synonymous with anything square body and off road performance fab and parts.

[@WillometMotorFab]

Brian Rocco Glad you liked it. Off the top of my head, the truck has their: - springs and shackles - Magnum-205 transfer case - front and rear bumpers - custom valved Bilsteins I’ve worked with Stephen at ORD for nearly 18 years, and he and I have very similar ways of looking at systems design and component selection.

[@kyhillbillys10]

Great rig perfect for over landing

[@WillometMotorFab]

Hillbilly Noma Thank you! We’re looking to do more overlanding in the future (we do a good bit of backcountry hiking and hunting), and it will definitely be something new.

[@kevinhornbuckle]

What a feast this is! This man's knowledge and passion are just perfectly combined. The Suburban is just way cool and built to its strengths. Very nice work here.

[@WillometMotorFab]

Kevin Hornbuckle Very kind words, and thank you. I’ve learned a ton through the build process.

[@dezfan]

The definition of GO BIG or go home! 🤘🏼

[@dandosreis1541]

That is what wheeling is all about .

[@WillometMotorFab]

Dan Dosreis Totally agree - good times with great friends.

[@MrThewildrider]

My, grandma, what a large jeep you have

[@WillometMotorFab]

The big blue JKU

[@LoudMercury]

Wow thats an inspiring truck thanks for sharing! Lots of hard work!!

[@WillometMotorFab]

LoudMercury I’m glad you like it. It’s been a great adventure building it these last 20 years.

[@MSTrishRN]

Very awesome build. Thank you for doing a walk around.

[@Keithridesbikes]

I was wondering if the transmission came out of the same donor Hummer? Otherwise, what transmission and transfer case is the bad boy running?

[@gurutrips9440]

Nice build ! I just got passed on my dad’s 94 suburban & looking forward to doing a build !

[@H20Toie]

Those rock sliders are way cool, would love to have some for my Suburban

[@WillometMotorFab]

H20Toie Happy to share the general details, lots of photos on the IG.

[@mhelms1644]

I'm so happy you made this video! I have an 88 burb and a 99 xj. Best of both worlds!!!! Like you said this guy's burb definitely stood apart from the crowd. Keep up the great work yall!

[@natebleepinjeep9564]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@WillometMotorFab]

Glad you liked the truck, and thanks for the kind words.

[@wk-2]

Nate, you are doing the best job in whole Bleepinjeep for this moment! Only you share builds and rig walkaround like in this movie is also a great idea. Keep it up!

[@OverlandTrax]

Nice video, keep the videos coming!

[@rjm7168]

I see it's also sporting some nice manzanita bush scratches just like mine.

[@christianb5110]

I don't have the best speakers at work so while David's talking i'm hunched close to the speakers with the volume maxed out trying to hear. *Cue Verizon Commerical* that blows my eardrums out. While fearing for my life I jump so bad I tip my chair over. Flailing like a fish I'm trying to turn off the speakers, that miraculously decided to start working perfectly. I trip over the chair again to only yank the tower off the desk to have the entire verizon commercial still playing full blast. I stand up, calmly unplug the speakers, place the tower and mouse back on the desk, plug in the speakers and watch the rest of the video like nothing happened. Sweet Burb.

[@WillometMotorFab]

Christian Barrera I now understand why the bleepin crew puts all those disclaimers in their video descriptions.

[@bleepinjeep]

Lololol, nice! 🤣🤣🤣👍

[@DrHavok1]

Such a nice build and I remember while watching the videos....man that burb it's actually holding it's own and going to make it....Matt, you really hit the jackpot by finding and adding Nate to your team....however that happened.....maybe you guys(all of you) can make a video and tell your stories how you met and such

[@bleepinjeep]

On the trail 😁

[@driftwood8613]

Beautiful truck! I want my 1997 k2500 to look just like that as far as lift and tires

[@thedobermangang3503]

nice video my brother...

[@Builttobeat]

I’m looking at either an old square body Suburban or a Jeep Grand Wagoneer for my next build

[@BikerTrashWolf]

I want a suburban, but most of the trail riding I do is in the woods. Dont know how well it would work in the woods.

[@thedobermangang3503]

hey got a question for you hoping you can help me out ..i got a 1990 k5 blazer with 3" body lift only and 35x12 15" tires on it..i wanted to no do you have to change the steering arm when you just do a 3" body lift...i would really appreciate your feed back thanks

[@velazquezjaime149]

Awesome rig !!! Thank you for share!!!! Good job guys

[@JEEPINJUSTIN]

Gives me hope for my J10 truck with an 8-foot bed to still make it down the trail whenever I get start fixing it up. I think they got about the same wheelbase. Looks like I need to save up for some fo tees.

[@WillometMotorFab]

I'd love to see the J10 on the trail. I'm at 131" static, and I think Matt's scorpion is about 123". The magic zone seems to be 110-115, and I think the ORD K30 is somewhere around the 110 mark.

[@CombatCognizant]

Basically why I Have a bullet Proofed excursion on 37"s, 8" lift. I wanted a Big SUV with Power

[@jrodthegreat1]

I LOVE SQUARE BODY SUBURBANS

[@joezombie99]

Ha! 😜👍 4:53 I see what you did there

[@tylerbrian5376]

I have a suburban like that but it has pozy and a 12 inch lift

[@sweenietodd187]

Aint Nobody like a Squarebody!

[@emuonwheels1990]

Dream Truck!

[@jamesmoore3346]

Absolutly perfect Surburban. Great build. I've been in love with surburbans for years. I'm currently working on getting an early 90's surburban from a freind. He was using it daily to pull his work trailer and it just quit running. He thinks its the spyder bad but I dont draw conclusions until I check em out. Early 90's 4WD, with the 350 and its the Extra long model, love it. Only thing that would make it better for me is a 454 under the hood but I can pull extra horses from the 350, it'll work just fine......

[@tom_olofsson]

Suburban owners thank you.

[@maroman556]

Fantastic burb man just wow.

[@bugout2422]

I had a louverd hood on my silverado back in the 80s. A truck company was selling them on a exchange basis

[@WillometMotorFab]

BUG OUT2 Very cool - no idea there was an exchange program way back in the day. If I had it to do over again, I’d cut the work space from the B side, punch through to the A side, and weld/finish the B side bracing back into place.

[@bugout2422]

@@WillometMotorFab they would cut out the inner structure and run 4 rows on each side then reweld the structure back on. It was about $200.

[@stevenator117]

How many miles to the gallon can he get on that suburban though

[@luisjonassk8]

Sick rig!

[@danhambrick6331]

What a beast!!

[@bghouse2853]

badass burban! Dig this video

[@WillometMotorFab]

Bghouse285 Thank you! Nate has the knack for filming and editing.

[@bghouse2853]

True but you have the sweet Burban that makes the video! All good things all good things. 👍👍

[@limservrobertojeronimo236]

Hola amigos soy de chile y me gustaria una camiooneta asi

[@brisonpalmer6730]

awesome Burban love it what a rig

[@WillometMotorFab]

brison palmer hey, thank you!

[@rogerbean6442]

My favorite!! Burb life🇺🇸

[@digibath89]

jesus fuck...thats nuts man lol hella of a Burban :O love the fact that its one owner and it has so much history behind it.

[@WillometMotorFab]

Ryan Moreno The history is my favorite part, too. It’s sort of a family heirloom.

[@talon7333]

Squares are the best.

[@davidsegerstrom9313]

The 80s GM square bodies are like the adult version of the old metal tonka toys or stompers. Back when things lasted longer.

[@suavehouse5150]

Freaking impressive to see a heavy Chevy Burban conquer these Jeep trails man!!! What suspension set up are you running???

[@WillometMotorFab]

Suave House Heavy is right. The truck weights in at a cool 8500 ready for the trail with me and my codriver in the seats. That’s roughly 3000 more than built JKs that are already heavy. The suspension is fully Off-road Design. Custom leaves and bilstein 7100s have worked out very well.

[@xmo552]

@@WillometMotorFab How does that ORD shackle flip do on the road? Do you tow with it ?

[@WillometMotorFab]

@@xmo552 it's worked very well, and is a very cost efficient way to get flatter springs without having to put in tons of lift. I prefer a tension shackle, but this setup has worked for several years, including towing.

[@xmo552]

@@WillometMotorFab Thanks for the response. I prefer a tension shackle also, but it's nice to know your set up works. The reason I asked is because I have an 80s chevy 2x4 one ton tow truck that I'm converting to 4x4 + a lift. I need to keep weight capacity and the build has to not raise questions at random/constant CHP inspections. I think my rear lift will include 4x4 spring hangers, more leaves, and maybe a small lift block. Rather than highly arced springs, large blocks, or fancy/flexy suspension. I know a guy that tows over 30k with a 2nd gen 4x4 Ram and he designed his own air ride specifically for towing. The rear uses big rig air springs and a watts link. It's super clean and I would love to have him build me one, but I think it's not the best for my needs. I'm not sure air bags and off road is bueno and I'm not sure if CHP would allow that "modification".

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

Where are the videos of the burb in action?

[@TORA-COMMANDO]

Awesome Burb!

[@SilverSurferSSSC]

What led parking lights/turn signals are those?

[@williamcordle]

Was definitely different seeing something this size hanging with the small Jeeps and holding its own

[@WillometMotorFab]

william cordle We did many of the same obstacles, but I gladly watched as Matt and Nate take the scorpion up the truly gnarly lines.

[@williamcordle]

Yeah the scorpion 🦂 it a bad machine and his Comancheep is amazing too

[@Mirandataylor869]

Love the truck bulid

[@shark180]

Nice rig! Looks like it could definitely crawl through some mall parking lots.

[@WillometMotorFab]

Brian Johnson It prefers double-low through the local organic market after getting a tall decaf non-fat latte. Fair trade; single origin.

[@firefighteruppy9121]

@@WillometMotorFab HAHAHAHA!!!

[@barrykehoe996]

Is it just me or do those tires look a little dry rotted? Badass truck either way.

[@lodysseederuben2838]

Félicitations ❤❤❤, on adore l’Amérique

[@getoutofthetimetrap5435]

Lucky that suburban is from Texas if it was from the east coast it would have died of cancerous rust like most of those older trucks which have gone the way of the crusher.

[@KJsProjects]

Great build, I don't even want to know how bad the mileage is, lol.

[@WillometMotorFab]

Depends on how far I put my foot into it. I topped out at 16 mpg during highway cruise on the Trail to SEMA with the truck fully loaded. Not bad; not great. 40s cost me.

[@damevid]

David at WM&F I’m replacing the stock 3 speed transmission in an old ‘81 search and rescue suburban, original warn winch, rear doors, big axles.. it’s new to me.... 305 V8; going dual propane/gas fuel, headers, dual exhaust.. My mechanic has all the parts.. one day I’d love to swap a diesel after the gas engine has had its day. I’m wondering your opinion: love your build style: there’s a 5 speed in my area my mechanic can put in; I noticed you said u have the 4L80-E - great tranny, which I Have in my gmc Yukon.. would this be your recommendation for the 80’s suburban platform for efficiency, or would a 5 speed get even better hwy miles... and what do you think for off road? Practicality, etc.. Thanks for any opinions! Great story, great truck and sweet video.

[@peterwatson8295]

that's super cool, especially the engine bay. were the tires dry rotted?

[@WillometMotorFab]

Peter Watson Glad you liked it. Lots of work in it. Tires were new, and worked very hard.

[@peterwatson8295]

@@WillometMotorFab ok makes sense. Diesels haha

[@kotaman232]

I would pay a lot for one of those.

[@WillometMotorFab]

Dakota Ortiz I’m a grown man, and I still spend my money on toys.

[@bspizzledizzle]

Sweet suburban - Gig’em!

[@WillometMotorFab]

Brian Spittell FTAC 2004!

[@mattmcdonough707]

So BADASS!

[@bldeagle10]

What kind of lift height is that thing at?

[@WillometMotorFab]

bldeagle10 They’re custom leaves from ORD/Alcan. Front is 5.5/6”, rear is a perky 6”.

[@joedirt5295]

How much lift is on the Burb????

[@xmo552]

Further up in the comments he said "front is 5.5/6 and rear is a perky 6"

[@EvanMoon]

YES!!

[@jessemarion3823]

What kind of leaf springs and shocks?

[@maughan6957]

Super stoked just got a deal locked down on one, going to get her home and smash a bunch of love steel plastic rubber and head lights and enjoy the beast

[@MrELIAN602]

❤❤❤. Please park it next to a golf sometime so us Europeans can get an idea how big it is 👍👍👍

[@WillometMotorFab]

Elian Hasanaga I ran my calculations through the google metric conversion processor, and the suburban is: - 2.6X heavier than a VW Golf - 129.5 cm longer - 30.5 cm wider - 106.7 cm taller In short, a big truck, but Texas is a big state.

[@MrELIAN602]

@@WillometMotorFab humongous 😂😂😂 hope you're going to enjoy it many years to come 👍👍

[@lucas3786]

How much did the build cost you? I'm trying to do this to my 88 suburban

[@REAPERofCali]

Dope

[@TheStreetking1984]

What's the lift on it?

[@cottageculture9263]

How bigs the lift?

[@corner_films7035]

What bumper does it have

[@almonjacob3496]

Do you sell the rock sliders and bumpers? They are exactly what I am looking for for my 91 Suburban.

[@WillometMotorFab]

I'm more of a one-off fab shop, so if you're in the Dallas area, I could fab you a set of sliders. The bumpers are ORD, and they're a straight up production business.

[@eddymatch1435]

Think it should be called the Moburban...at least when it’s in Moab. 🏜

[@hongmihnhahn7081]

Is it 4.58 gear ratio?

[@kotaman232]

Why stick with leaf springs?

[@WillometMotorFab]

Dakota Ortiz Right now - Simplicity. These custom packs give a full 14” of travel at each end, though a front coil over setup is on the long term list. It’s hard to beat links and coil overs for ride quality and steering control. Everything on the truck is at a revision level, and when I wear these springs out, it will be time for a Rev4 suspension.

[@samwalker113]

Hey man, so I just finished my last two weeks of work and was getting ready to head back to GA from CO. While staying at a hotel for my last night in town. Someone stole my Jeep XJ, with close too 4k worth of gear, tools and guns. I don't know if you could use your platform to help me get more eyes looking for it I just figured I would ask. Thanks!

[@rustybrowneye]

I dig the burban

[@WillometMotorFab]

fuzzy wuzzy Thanks!

[@indifferentuniverse3991]

Can you tell us what specific kind of Maxxis those are?

[@WillometMotorFab]

Dan Holden 40x13.50R17 Razr radials - quite happy with them