Thinking about buying a 96 Suburban...

[weezel66613]

I may be in need of purchasing a new family/ tow rig. Looking at a 96 Suburban. Its got almost 200k miles on it but the interior look nearly spotless and the out side has a few bumps and bruises. Nothing that couldn't be taken care of easily. They want $2000 for it.

What I need to know is what should I look for problem wise? I know about the intake gasket problems, so other than that. Would I be getting a great vehicle for that price? Or would it be a money pit?

 

[thumper_ehhhhh]

For $2000 I would be spending more time looking at the body and suspension. The motor can be rebuilt it's the body that can cause real problems. If it looks good and runs good, go for it keeping in mind the motor is old and tired and might need rebuilding. You can have a great truck for under $4000 after you have the motor rebuilt.

 

[Bad bow tie]

It all depends on how the previous owners(s) took care of it. Have you driven it yet? If so, how does it run/drive? Are there any leaks that are visible inside the engine bay or on the undercarriage? How do the fluids look? Was it regulary maintained and can they back it up with service records? Is it a half ton or three quarter ton? And like Thumper said, take a close look at the suspension and everything underneath. These are all questions to keep in mind when buying any used vehicle.

But if all checks out, I say for $2000 you can't go wrong. Suburbans are great. My dad has owned them ever since I can remember. His last two were 3/4 tons that were absolute tow beasts. I will actually be taking his 99 2500 on a 2000 mile voyage to Montana and I am not concerened about it all as this is the only vehicle that we (friends going) have that will seat 6 comfortably and that will actually make the trip with no problems. My 95 Tahoe has 190,000 miles on it and I would not hesitate at all to take it, but it won't fit all of us and our gear. These engines are awesome...if you take care of them, they will most certainly take care of you.

 

[weezel66613]

Thanks for the replies...

I understand that the motor may be tired. Nothing that couldn't be taken care of. I have rebuilt 350 motors before. Actually built a 400 chevy small block for an 86 Trans Am that was a screamer. What would be the weakest link? The trans or rearend. It is a 1/2 ton 2wd. If the condition of the interior has any indication of how the entire truck has been taken care of there are high hopes.

The body has zero rust. The only things that need work is a new bumper(been slightly bent), left front fender(corner bent by bumper), new grill(leftside grill near lights broken off from bumper), passenger door has butt side dent. Would plan on painting the whole deal anyway.(I dont particularly like white)

Any other comments would be appreciated.

 

[Bad bow tie]

Sounds like you know what you are doing. If you are fully capable of rebuilding an engine yourself, I say buy it. A 2wd isn't for me as I love my 4wd especially up here in the harsh Michigan winters, but it is fine for others. By the sounds of it, it was in a slight front end collision. Is the frame alright? As far as the weakest link in building a screamer, the 4L60E (tranny in the truck) can handle up to 500 horses built I believe. The rear end is a 10 bolt and is garbage. but if it blows, a 14 bolt semi float rear from a 88-98 light duty 3/4 ton silverado that is 2wd is a direct swap in. It has to be 2wd though, 4wd are longer by a couple inches. But, a 2wd 14 bolt semi floating rear end is a hell of a lot easier to come across than a 4wd. Been looking for a 14 bolt from a 4wd but all i come up with is ones from 2wd. That being said, what gears does it have? Check the RPO codes in the glove box.
GU6=3.42
GT4-3.73
GT5=4.10
G80=Factory locker

 

[PUGLIA]

...

 

[nitro_rat]

Almost everything is cheap/easy to fix on the 96-99's. cooling system issues are the #1 problem, not just intake leaks. The heater hose fittings on the intake are prone to leakage, as are radiator/heater cores. I wouldn't consider these deal breakers, just the nature of the beast when dealing with Dex-cool (change to green!).

The only deal breaker for me on these trucks is the rear a/c. The expansion valve, hoses, and rear evaporator fuse together forcing complete replacement of all components. This can bust the budget or at least put you upside down in the truck. Not a big deal if you plan on keeping it forever, but if you hope to get your money back don't buy one with no a/c or "front blows cold but rear doesn't" a/c.

Good luck!