Chevrolet Suburban 3500 Questions

[Bigburb3500]

Another thought came to mind - and again I got this from the Duraburb video ( you might want to go search that out): If I remember correctly Duraburb said that the Suburban 3500 had the "new" style 8 lug circle of 180mm or whatever it is. The "old" lug circle was like 8x 6.5" or something like that. That *might* mean that the upper A-arms are indeed different than anything else because they're adapting from the holdover 2500 frame - to the spindles that work with hubs for the 8x180mm bolt circle or something like that. I don't know - I'm just guessing. But - again - that might not mean that the upper A-arms are actually any different than say A-arms from the earlier 2500 Suburban/Yukon/Sierra/Silverado - it could just be that the ball joint is different than the "old" ball joint - so the A-arm is the same - but the ball joint is different. Again - don't know - I'm just guessing.

What you probably need to do is take some measurements or match up your upper A-arms - with an A-arm from an older truck - and see if they're the same. I might have my old one's still hanging around somewhere - I'd have to go look. You might also be able to get some measurements from a place like Cognito - to see if they'd match up. Sometimes places like that are willing to work with you - just because it gives them info they can apply towards their product line.

So I have watched Duraburbs videos… a few too many times lol.

I will likely reach out to Cognito, but several places I have talked to already have admitted they have not had testing on the 3500 which keeps them from offering any sort of “guarantee” which is a little frustrating because if something doesn’t fit/work I’m stuck with an expensive paper weight.

 

[calsdad]

So I have watched Duraburbs videos… a few too many times lol.

I will likely reach out to Cognito, but several places I have talked to already have admitted they have not had testing on the 3500 which keeps them from offering any sort of “guarantee” which is a little frustrating because if something doesn’t fit/work I’m stuck with an expensive paper weight.

If I get a chance - I'll look around and see if I saved the old control arms off my Yukon when I changed them over to the Cognito upper arms. Sometimes I save stuff like that just in case I think I might need them later for a rebuild , sometimes I toss the stuff out because I've got too much junk hanging around already. I really don't remember if I saved them.

 

[Bigburb3500]

If I get a chance - I'll look around and see if I saved the old control arms off my Yukon when I changed them over to the Cognito upper arms. Sometimes I save stuff like that just in case I think I might need them later for a rebuild , sometimes I toss the stuff out because I've got too much junk hanging around already. I really don't remember if I saved them.

I get told I’m not allowed to keep spare parts after two years if I do not touch them… that’s why I move stuff each year… then can’t find it on yr 3 when I need it.

 

[Geotrash]

Alright, so to all of you watching this thread, I’m CONTEMPLATING doing a small lift and a few other things. One item that I think I should do with the lift is add new upper control arms. The issue here is these appear to be that the Suburban 3500 has specific control arms… I find that nearly impossible to believe given how GM loves parts sharing. Can someone help me cross reference this and see if there is an aftermarket control arm that would work?

https://g.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/gm-front-upper-control-arm-23324185

A tip I learned from a private conversation with another Suburban 3500 owner is that the leaf springs and front torsion bars from the older Suburban 2500's (e.g. GMT900 version) will fit the K2xx Suburban 3500's and offer a slightly more compliant ride. I'm not going to do that because I'm happy with the ride in mine, and because I really only use it fully loaded with people and gear while towing a camper. But it's an option to consider with yours being a daily driver.

 

[Geotrash]

Nice new video on the armored versions of these trucks, including the latest iteration, from Jay Leno's Garage:

 

[Geotrash]

For future readers of this thread (hopefully some more 3500 owners will come along, too!), the factory tire size is 265/70r17. But 275/65r18 fits great. They're a half inch bigger in both diameter and width, but they fit fine with no rubbing. The factory wheel offset is +44, which matches the factory offset for most newer GM pickups with the 8x180 bolt pattern. Lots of good deals out there on OEM 18" wheels in different styles. I've only had them on for a few days, but the ride is unchanged with the 18" tires, as far as I can tell.

 

[Bigburb3500]

A tip I learned from a private conversation with another Suburban 3500 owner is that the leaf springs and front torsion bars from the older Suburban 2500's (e.g. GMT900 version) will fit the K2xx Suburban 3500's and offer a slightly more compliant ride. I'm not going to do that because I'm happy with the ride in mine, and because I really only use it fully loaded with people and gear while towing a camper. But it's an option to consider with yours being a daily driver.

I will pass on this as well as the ride is more than compliant for me as well.