Click HERE for video of this Suburban.
The rear axle/suspension combination is simple, beefy, and effective. The full-float 14-bolt axle has a Detroit Locker to guarantee that torque is being split to both wheels for maximum traction. Gearing is 4.56:1 to compensate for the larger 37-inch tires. A stout Missouri Offroad Outfitters Rock Bruiser diff cover with built-in skidplate protection replaces the thin, easily damaged OEM cover. A pair of disc brakes pirated from the front of a 3/4-ton Chevy truck are mounted to the axle via a pair of custom 3/8-inch-thick brackets. The Sub's suspension consists of a pair of Superlift 5.5-inch-lift leaf springs mounted to an ORD shackle flip kit and a pair of Pro Comp MX6R 8-inch-travel remote-reservoir shocks. These shocks mount to a pair of unique Missouri Offroad Outfitters products; an Over the Top axle truss and a shock-mount crossmember. The neat thing about the Over the Top axle truss is that it moves the lower shock mounting location to the top of the axlehousing, allowing for less chance of trail damage as well as more suspension flex. A Missouri Offroad Outfitters Wrap Zapper is also bolted to the rear axle, and it helps alleviate axlewrap. Unrelated to either the rear axle or suspension, but noteworthy nonetheless, is the custom fuel-tank skidplate seen in the upper part of the photo. This massive unit is constructed from four solid pieces of 1.25-inch solid cold-rolled bar stock and 3/16-inch steel plate. Frisbie says that this unit is strong enough to hold the entire weight of the Suburban without flexing.
One of the many impressive things about this Suburban is the attention to mechanical detail. Take, for instance, the workings of the front end, which have been extensively modified to ensure function and durability. The front axle is a Dana 60, sourced from a Chevy dualie pickup, and it has been fitted with a Detroit Locker, 4.56:1 gears, and a Missouri Offroad Outfitters Rock Bruiser differential cover. The steering system has been engineered for extreme duty and features a crossover steering conversion using Off Road Design steering arms and Missouri Offroad Outfitters heavy-duty tie rod and drag link. A Missouri Offroad Outfitters engine crossmember has also been installed to eliminate the drag-link-to-crossmember contact commonly experienced when crossover steering is installed on these vehicles. A wide range of Performance Steering Components products have also been installed, including a pump, remote reservoir, steering gear, and hydraulic ram assist (the heavy-duty pump and remote reservoir come in handy for running the hydraulic MileMarker 12,000-pound-capacity winch too). The hydraulic ram assist is fastened to the vehicle via a Missouri Offroad Outfitters bolt-on mount. Further, Frisbie completed a variety of frame modifications to ensure that the steering box wouldn't tear from the frame. Finally, the flexy suspension consists of Superlift 6-inch-lift leaf springs and Pro Comp MX6R remote-reservoir shocks.
Frisbie ditched the stock 5.7L V-8 engine in favor of a more high-performance roller-rocker-equipped 5.7L out of a '93 Chevy Camaro. This engine was bored and stroked by the folks at Maschmeir Racing in Blue Springs, Missouri, and fitted with Keith Black pistons, an Isky camshaft, Dart heads, flow-matched injectors and riser plate, MSD ignition, and Jet-Hot-coated Doug Thorley Tri-Y headers. Other mods include a serpentine belt system from a '93 Chevy truck, custom four-core radiator, dual electric Flex-A-Lite fans, remote starter solenoid, hand throttle, Exide battery, high-flow catalytic converter, single 3-inch-diameter exhaust system, and Series 40 Flowmaster muffler. The engine power is sent downstream to an NV4500 five-speed transmission with Centerforce clutch that's controlled by a hydraulic clutch master cylinder from an '87 Chevy. This transmission has been fitted with a Dodge tailhousing and an Advance Adapters bracket so it will mate to the NP203 transfer case.
Specifications
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GENERAL
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Owner:
| Steve and Lisa Frisbie, Marshall, Missouri
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Vehicle/Model:
| '89 Chevrolet Suburban V2500
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Estimated value:
| $35,000
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ENGINE
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Type:
| 5.7L SOHC V-8
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Aspiration:
| TBI, flow-matched injectors, Doug Thorley Tri Y headers with Jet-Hot coating, high-flow catalytic converter, 3-inch- diameter custom exhaust, Series 40 Flowmaster muffler
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Output, hp/torque:
| 390/350
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DRIVETRAIN
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Transmission:
| NV4500 with Dodge tailhousing and Centerforce clutch
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Transfer case:
| NP203/NP205, ORD Doubler kit and modified ORD twin-stick conversion
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SUSPENSION
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Front:
| Superlift 6-inch-lift leaf springs, Pro Comp MX6R 10-inch travel remote-reservoir shocks
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Rear:
| Superlift 5.5-inch leaf springs, ORD shackle flip kit, Pro Comp MX6R 8-inch-travel remote-reservoir shocks mounted to Missouri Offroad Outfitters Over The Top axle truss and shock-mount crossmember
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AXLES/DIFFERENTIALS
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Front:
| Dana 60 with Missouri Offroad Outfitters Rock Bruiser differential cover; ORD steering arms; Ford F-150 drag link; Missouri Offroad Outfitters heavy-duty tie rod and drag link; PSC steering system including pump, remote reservoir, steering gear, and hydraulic ram assist; Missouri Offroad Outfitters ram-assist bolt-on mounts/Detroit Locker
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Rear:
| Full-float GM 14-bolt; Chevy 3/4-ton disc brakes; Missouri Offroad Outfitters Rock Bruiser differential cover, Over The Top axle truss and Wrap Zapper/Detroit Locker
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Ring and pinion:
| 4.56:1
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WHEELS/TIRES
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Wheels:
| 16.5x8.25 Humvee, Missouri Offroad Outfitters bolt-on rock rings
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Tires:
| 37x12.50-16.5 Interco Super Swamper TSL Radials
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