FW_Z71Burb's 2002 Suburban Z71

[FW_Z71Burb]

Build thread engaged. More of a maintenance thread for a daily driven Suburban which hopefully becomes the family adventure rig long term (4 boys at home!)

Specs:
2002 Chevrolet Suburban Z71
L59 Vortec 5.3L
4L60E
3.73 LSD
4x4 truetrac
143k miles (purchased at 140k miles from a single owner)
2nd row captains
Summit White with Med gray / neutral leather trim

As purchased pics:











Original Window Sticker:



RPO Codes:


Interior Mods (previous owner):
- Weathertech floor mats throughout
- Bluetooth single-DIN Pioneer MVH-S320BT
- (I believe speakers were updated at the same time)
- fresh leather on all seats in 2023

TO DO List:
- Tachometer doesn't work (imagine its the common failed needle motor)
- AC Evap Core leak
- Oil Leak (3/4 quart leaked after 3000 miles)
- re-fresh suspension with Bilstein 5100's (at some point)
- needs brake work within the next 6-9 months
- clean wheels, refresh exterior trim, clay bar and wax

Updates / maintenance since acquisition to follow in posts

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

Day 1 (Sunday Father's Day 2025):
flew to Lubbock TX on one way ticket in the AM
found out A/C didn't work and negotiated down
drive from Lubbock TX to Fort Worth TX after finalizing sale.
CEL came on about 30 minutes into my drive after driving through my first dust storm... but she drove fine so kept on cruising
luckily it was a cool day in June and didn't need the A/C for the drive home, windows down and Bluetooth connected for great music and scenic drive home

before pulling up to the house I went through the car wash to get the west texas dust off... needed to make a good first impression with the Mrs. after my 93 Bronco debacle lol

cruise around the neighborhood with the boys and wife and then a grocery run that night - very happy feelings all around with the purchase and wife approved!

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

Day 2:
Tires were 10 years old but made the drive home fine.. but definitely needed replaced





Discount Tire next to my office mounted Pathfinder A/T 265/70 R17. Happy with them so far for the price!

 

[DateNight]

Good looking rig!

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

Day 2:
State Inspection (Emissions only) and Oil Change, engine / cabin air filters, and inspect why AC isn't working...
went with 10W-30 conventional
AC Freon measured within spec.
come to find out, the accessory tensioner pulley and belt were inop... replaced those, got AC just in time for TX summer



oil leak discovered, shop replaced the drain plug for me but the leak is a lot more than I'd like

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

after a few weeks of long cold cranks, i started to look into fuel delivery related issues... seemed to drive fine once started and no CEL. would turn over easily when warm

Measured fuel pressure at the rail and it was below spec fuel pump priming key on, engine off. (30-35PSI and dropped)

June 28
my mechanic replaced the fuel filter for me

July 6
taking a stab at this myself before getting to fuel pump, my mechanic advised I check the fuel pressure regulator.
I replaced the factory fuel pressure regulator with AC Delco P/N: 217-1582
don't have a pic of the replacement part but install was fairly easy. I wish I had bought a replacement clip as it was a little difficult to get back on securely

fuel pressure at idle







the long cold cranks got a little better but still not where I'd like it..

I measured fuel pressure again afterwards and it had not improved, in fact it was a few PSI lower at idle, so I felt like the pump was on its way out. drivability wasn't getting any better either.

July 24
my mechanic replaced the fuel pump for me, AC Delco P/N: MU2295

no more long cranks, quick turning over, drove like a new vehicle again!

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

thought this was pretty cool - from the 2002 Suburban Brochure

 

[DateNight]

See how happy there where in 2002. You know why? No smart phones, no social media.

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

See how happy there where in 2002. You know why? No smart phones, no social media.

yup!!
I did pack a small TV and gaming console on road trips to Colorado as a youngin, tho!

 

[__roger__]

She's beautiful! Glad you got the AC and starter issue fixed.

Thanks for starting this build/maintenance thread.

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

She's beautiful! Glad you got the AC and starter issue fixed.

Thanks for starting this build/maintenance thread.

Thanks! Yea glad they weren’t major.. the fuel pump job was not in the plan but overall happy with what I’ve gotten invested and don’t need to worry about the fuel pump for a long time now

 

[ORVietVet]

Day 2:
State Inspection (Emissions only) and Oil Change, engine / cabin air filters, and inspect why AC isn't working...
went with 10W-30 conventional
AC Freon measured within spec.
come to find out, the accessory tensioner pulley and belt were inop... replaced those, got AC just in time for TX summer

View attachment 4429

oil leak discovered, shop replaced the drain plug for me but the leak is a lot more than I'd like

View attachment 4433

Two things: New light assemblies would be on my list.

The least the tech could have done was put a fender cover down so the a/c machine hoses did not rub the paint. C'mon man!!!!!!!

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

Two things: New light assemblies would be on my list.

The least the tech could have done was put a fender cover down so the a/c machine hoses did not rub the paint. C'mon man!!!!!!!

I got some headlight restoration I am going to try first before getting new assemblies keep you and the forum posted

Yea nice catch… discount tire was even worse.. handed the truck back to me with grease on the drivers armrests.. bush league

 

[ORVietVet]

At the shop that I write service for, very part time for this 72 year old retiree, we had a beautiful 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser delivered to us in an enclosed trailer from southern Ca.

The shop owner friend of mine has a following for his Toyota 4.0 timing cover oil leak repair accomplishments. This rig was perfect and was going to get some engine work that required leaning in to the engine compartment. He has an elevated creeper for most of it. What we also did was lay on the blue tint non adhesive wrap that protected the paint. Peeled it off with no problems or marks.

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

At the shop that I write service for, very part time for this 72 year old retiree, we had a beautiful 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser delivered to us in an enclosed trailer from southern Ca.

The shop owner friend of mine has a following for his Toyota 4.0 timing cover oil leak repair accomplishments. This rig was perfect and was going to get some engine work that required leaning in to the engine compartment. He has an elevated creeper for most of it. What we also did was lay on the blue tint non adhesive wrap that protected the paint. Peeled it off with no problems or marks.

View attachment 4478View attachment 4479View attachment 4480View attachment 4481

Wow that’s a nice FJ, those have skyrocketed in value
The old Kwik Kar Lube and Discount Tire are a good fit for my tax bracket lol. Should have had my mechanic (owner mechanic type shop) do all the work but was in a hurry at Kwik Kar next to my office was more convenience factor than anything

Does your shop specialize in Yota?

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

I could also do my own oil changes on the Bronco with 2” lift and 33’s… very nice to be able to crawl under there and work. Don’t have steps or jack stands so getting help for now, plan to do more of my own maintenance in the future like I did with the Bronco

 

[ORVietVet]

Wow that’s a nice FJ, those have skyrocketed in value
The old Kwik Kar Lube and Discount Tire are a good fit for my tax bracket lol. Should have had my mechanic (owner mechanic type shop) do all the work but was in a hurry at Kwik Kar next to my office was more convenience factor than anything

Does your shop specialize in Yota?

He specializes in the 4.0 oil leak repairs and he does a lot of diesel work.

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

First “cold” night and walk out to the Burb in the morning and see this at the back of the vehicle.. immediately had nightmares of the fuel leak on my Bronco…



Whew. Just a leaky washer fluid line for the rear wiper… patch it or replace the line? Pretty sure there’s a clog in there I tried to use the wiper fluid on the rear window a couple days ago and didn’t work

 

[stutaeng]

Try a hose with some small hose clamps first? Easy enough vs replacing the line.

My 06 I think has a clog on the rear line. It keeps blowing out the line at the coupling near the battery. I removed and repainted the wiper arms, and didn't think to unhook the rear wiper hose (or the nozzle?) to see if the line could be flushed out. Maybe try that, in case you got some dirt or debris in that line?

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

Try a hose with some small hose clamps first? Easy enough vs replacing the line.

My 06 I think has a clog on the rear line. It keeps blowing out the line at the coupling near the battery. I removed and repainted the wiper arms, and didn't think to unhook the rear wiper hose (or the nozzle?) to see if the line could be flushed out. Maybe try that, in case you got some dirt or debris in that line?

I just crawled under there and there’s a quick disconnect at the rear bumper frame which is nice. Is there another one on the frame leading up to the reservoir or is it just one straight shot?

Splicing it is probably what I’ll end up doing