2006 Suburban 1500 Z71

__roger__

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Hey there, from Houston TX. I'm originally from the Oregon coast, but my wife is from Dallas. I don't post much on forums, but I love to learn from other people, and I'm hoping to fix my Suburban up and replace the 2006 Dodge Durango as our family vehicle.

Not sure how much I should post on this intro, but here is a brief rundown on the truck.

The Good:
The body looks pretty good, surface rust on the frame, and interior is clean.

I just replaced most of the front suspension components, except the lower control arms because I could not get the torsion bar out. The lowers have some life left in the bushings, but I did at least replace the lower ball joints.
Brake upgrade - ordered some GMT900 rotors, calipers, and brake pads from Rock Auto; will install soon.

The Bad:
The AC system needs some help. I found the lines running to the rear were corroded so I replaced them with the high pressure tubing. It still leaks after replacing the lines, so I got a block off kit. It sort of works. I might post some questions on the forum here when I get to working on the AC again. - OR - I might just replace all of the components in the rear since I bought them already. Then I will leave the inside panels off and take it to an AC shop to have them troubleshoot and repair it the rest of the way.

The Ugly:
Previous owner had work done on the engine before I bought it. He put in a high pressure oil pump which is probably good, but it makes me nervous when I see the needle all the way over to the right. I think its okay, I need to research some more about that.
Besides that, I am concerned about the transmission. It seems to be working, but there is fluid leaking out near the transfer case. I am going to take it to a transmission shop in TX City and see what they say about it. I want to get the tranny rebuilt by them, or have them install a reman.

Looking ahead:
- New tires, 275 70 17, or 285 70 17 (if not too big)
- 3" lift
- Remove the cladding
 

Tonimus

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Welcome! Sounds like you've got a decent project on your hands. I'm sure we'd all like to see pics. I've got a '06 Tahoe and '78 Suburban, so I'm sure I'm a little biased that the SUV GMT800s are the best.

High pressure oil pumps are no problem. Lots of people run them. As far as the pegged oil pressure gauge, does it display lower pressure at idle? If it's always pegged, it's likely a bad sensor. A PITA to replace, but it can be done without removing the intake.

Keep an eye on the trans fluid level. A simple leak isn't the end of the world. Not telling you to not replace the trans, just might be worth throwing a bottle of Lucas at it and see what happens.

As to the tires; I prefer 31" tires myself, but 33" are a close second. You should be able to pull off 285/70R17s with maybe some slight fender rub at lock. But as with everything YMMV.

Again, welcome!
 

__roger__

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Thanks for the welcome, Tony!
Glad to hear about the oil pressure gauge, its not always pegged, I just don't like seeing them read that high. It definitely fluctuates, but I haven't driven it enough yet to get a good familiarization with how it responds.
I'll put the Lucas in the transmission and see what that does. I want to start using this beast ASAP. I'm hoping the shop gives me some good news, but I'll still eventually replace it.
Also, thanks for the info about the tires, I don't want any chance of them rubbing. It would probably have better everyday performance with the 31" tires opposed to 33" anyways.
 

ORVietVet

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Welcome to the forum from Oregon. Where on the Oregon coast are you from.

Pics would be great and details of the Suburban. Year, engine, transmission, gearing, 1/2 or 3/4 ton....etc.
 

__roger__

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Thanks ORVietVet! Fellow Navy vet here, I served on the USS Rainier (AOE-7) and the USS Momsen (DDG-92) from 2001-2006.
I'm from Hammond. I went home to visit back in April, and it was so nice.
What parts of Oregon are you in?

I will have to get some pics of my truck, and will have to figure out how to make a signature with my vehicle info in there.
 

ORVietVet

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Thanks ORVietVet! Fellow Navy vet here, I served on the USS Rainier (AOE-7) and the USS Momsen (DDG-92) from 2001-2006.
I'm from Hammond. I went home to visit back in April, and it was so nice.
What parts of Oregon are you in?

I will have to get some pics of my truck, and will have to figure out how to make a signature with my vehicle info in there.
I am in Eugene, Oregon. I see you were way north on the coast. When you click on your screen name at the top right, the menu drops and you see Signature.
 

__roger__

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Welcome to the forum! That should be a great family vehicle and it sounds like a fun project also.
Thanks Cadillacmak! I'm already having fun looking through this site, and getting ideas. I don't want to deviate too much from stock. Mainly want a solid rig that will last me forever, and that is fun to drive.
 

FW_Z71Burb

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Howdy from Fort Worth! Love the burb, family rig growing up was a black one just like that

My AC is also leaking, have you been able to fix and do you have a separate thread or more updates?

Good plan on making her the family vehicle!

I wouldn’t lift it and just run factory tire size if it’s a family vehicle.
 

__roger__

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Howdy from Fort Worth! Love the burb, family rig growing up was a black one just like that

My AC is also leaking, have you been able to fix and do you have a separate thread or more updates?

Good plan on making her the family vehicle!

I wouldn’t lift it and just run factory tire size if it’s a family vehicle.
I agree about the stock suspension! I was looking at lift kits and bigger tires, but I came to the realization that it would be more reliable and perform better for me to just leave it alone.

Regrettably, I haven't been driving it yet. I replaced the rear AC lines that go from the front to the rear because the UV dye was showing a leak. However, after installing those and recharging the system, it all leaked out again. So I blocked off the rear AC lines, and it seemed to help. Unfortunately, I may have overcharged the system, so I'm a little weary of driving it until I bring it into the shop. When I'm ready to dump some more money into it I'll have it looked at by the professionals.

I do have all new components for the rear AC. I may or may not try and install that myself. Figure I will get a quote from the shop and go from there.
 

FW_Z71Burb

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I agree about the stock suspension! I was looking at lift kits and bigger tires, but I came to the realization that it would be more reliable and perform better for me to just leave it alone.

Regrettably, I haven't been driving it yet. I replaced the rear AC lines that go from the front to the rear because the UV dye was showing a leak. However, after installing those and recharging the system, it all leaked out again. So I blocked off the rear AC lines, and it seemed to help. Unfortunately, I may have overcharged the system, so I'm a little weary of driving it until I bring it into the shop. When I'm ready to dump some more money into it I'll have it looked at by the professionals.

I do have all new components for the rear AC. I may or may not try and install that myself. Figure I will get a quote from the shop and go from there.

Nice call on factory tires with no lift!

Thanks for the update on the AC. Seems to be a somewhat common and pretty painful and hard to locate the leak topic when it does pop up. Should be good to drive it without the AC on, but still have fan and heater functionality (cool weather is here finally!)
 

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