I am considering converting a suburban

[freejetz]

I've been looking around the forum and found a couple tid bits but does anyone have any advice for converting a suburban?  I have been looking at vans for a couple months but recently started thinking about a suburban camper.  If I did go the suburban route I would probably make a high top upgrade as a top priority.

 

[SoulRaven]

I owned and camped in a suburban for quite some time... Though it is doable for a few days, my experience with full timing is that there are times, due to the weather. that you are caught inside for days... The suburban is no van and will try you in such times... Best advise is a van...

 

[Guest]

There are only a few high tops ever actually made for the suburban, being that the conversion van popularity never really crossed over back when SUVs where still trucks. Anything you do is gonna have to be a custom job, which means it'll be pricey, time consuming or both.<br /><br />Why do you want to do a suburban in that manner anyway? Is it that you already own it?

 

[Unchained]

I briefly considered a suburban for vandwelling, but rejected it due to the limited space and gas mileage.

 

[Guest]

Once upon a time when there were many fewer choices, I remember them being a often used platform for conversions, the four wheel drive and high wheelbase of many of the older ones was way better than the vans of the day.<br /><br />These days I think I would go with Steve's experience and not do it unless that was all I had or there was some specific advantages that I don't know about.<br /><br />bri

 

[stude53]

Here's one with a hightop and three days left on auction. Go for it, as most of the work is done!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&amp;itemid=50&amp;acctid=2722">http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&amp;itemid=50&amp;acctid=2722</a><br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[Possum]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Good morning Freejets <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />,<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I often have wondered about a suburban and I think it would/could be a good conversion. I agree with others that have posted about the downsides too. If the purpose fitted your needs if could definetely be done. I considered it too as I like the platform/chassis set-up, being 4wd. I would make a collapsable hi-top of some kind when not in use. As for the gas consumption there are ways to improve that such as putting newer axles/gearing from a diesel 4wd that have good "highway gears" ie...3.55's or even 3.08's i've seen on some Fords, G.m's and Dodge's. adding o/d to the transmission helps greatly too. Lock-out hubs, fuel injection to pre-injected cars is night and day differences in economy!! I see a practical gas miliege of at least 15-18 or more on the highway , driven at a reason speed can be achieved. Having ground clearance and 4wd is a BIG plus in "boon docking", off - grid situation.&nbsp; I guess it all comes down to what priorities you would want!!!&nbsp;&nbsp; There are always a downside to everything, nothing is ideal/perfect. Creating your own ride is the "journey" to self reward/pleasure!! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Good luck!!<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Randy</span>

 

[Seraphim]

We loved our 89 Suburban, but woulda much prefer a van. &nbsp;If you alreadbehave the truck, that's another matter. A high top conversion doesn't n&eacute;ed to be pricy if you can trim something to fit and install yourself. &nbsp;The lines may not look pretty, but it's doable.

 

[stude53]

Anybody look at the Suburban&nbsp;hightop for auction I POSTED ABOVE?

 

[Guest]

That would be a pretty cool overnight truck if you had a trailer as a base camp.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Anybody look at the Suburban&nbsp;hightop for auction I POSTED ABOVE?

<br /><br />Yea, pretty tough looking truck <br /><br />"exterior is not painted, it has been rhino lined. You read that correctly. The exterior is completely rhino lined from top to rocker panels. "<br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/redface.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp; Can you paint over rhino liner?&nbsp; If not that is a lot of grinding...or a very hot truck.<br /><br />I think a suburban can work with a high top...without it might be a little rough and even with the high top you're probably just gonna have the same room as a van..

 

[Ballenxj]

I camped/lived in a 1987 Blazer for a few months while working out of town. I'm 6' 2". It can be done, but I'd rather do it in a van. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />-Bruce