Chevrolet Suburban 2500 Overland Build
- Thread starter Neon Paradise
- Start date
Trail Blazer II
- 4,723
- First Name
- Dave
- Last Name
- Snyder
- Member #
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30034
Enthusiast III
Enthusiast III
Went to South Carolina to pick up the Legend GS after getting a motor swap. From SC to MD averaged 8.8 MPG keeping up with the flow of traffic.
Influencer III
- 4,312
- First Name
- Rex
- Last Name
- Drake
- Member #
-
19540
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KI5GH
- Service Branch
- Air Force
Everyone was drafting on you, dragging your economy down.
Enthusiast III
Bought two Hella Black Magic spot beams for the ditch lights. I went back and forth between these and Rigid but decided to stick with Hella since I already had the brand on the brush guard.
Enthusiast III
Bought two ditch light brackets from Samman on Amazon. They fit perfectly and were finished in the same material as the Smittybilt Defender Rack.
Influencer III
- 4,312
- First Name
- Rex
- Last Name
- Drake
- Member #
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19540
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KI5GH
- Service Branch
- Air Force
Do you have a link? I’m going to need some for thethirdtwin at some point.
BTW, those look exactly like the ones I have on thecopcar.
Enthusiast III
Enthusiast III
For on-board power, I have a Xantrex Freedom HF1800. It's worked well for the past 2 years and I have nothing but good things to say. It's allows us to use various small appliances like a microwave etc. while out on trips. It also has a shore power plug too when that's nearby. It fits nicely under the second row of seats and the power strip is easy to access since it's in the the footwell area of the third row.
Even under heavy loads it doesn't get hot and the fans rarely come on even during the summer months.
Enthusiast III
Got a remote start system from Start-X on Amazon. It took about 30 minutes to install and works great! It uses my existing keyfob and starts after hitting the lock button 3x. Can't even tell its there after putting everything back together.
Enthusiast III
Enthusiast III
Enthusiast III
there was a burr on the line and I'm thankful that I always put the gloves on. That would have hurt!
Influencer III
- 4,312
- First Name
- Rex
- Last Name
- Drake
- Member #
-
19540
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KI5GH
- Service Branch
- Air Force
Great build. I have a 2008 2500 Suburban. I decided to make a hidden winch mount for mine. I have a 13K winch completely hidden bind the bumper. The hook/cable come out through a hole behind the license plate.
I have enjoyed seeing what you have done, and I ordered the ditch light brackets for mine. Thanks, I thought I was going to have to make my own, should have known.
I do not have the same size inverter, but I too have an inverter and dual batteries.
I chose the Suburban so I can sleep in the back with my wife. It is hard to find anything else that allows the same function and room in the back.
Rear tire carrier is next.
I have enjoyed seeing what you have done, and I ordered the ditch light brackets for mine. Thanks, I thought I was going to have to make my own, should have known.
I do not have the same size inverter, but I too have an inverter and dual batteries.
I chose the Suburban so I can sleep in the back with my wife. It is hard to find anything else that allows the same function and room in the back.
Rear tire carrier is next.
Enthusiast III
The hidden winch is really nice. I couldn't find an off the shelf hidden carrier for the winch. That whole front end setup really added a lot of weight. Did you go with synthetic line?
Once you get used to the versatility, space, and payload ability of a Suburban it's very hard to consider going to something smaller again. Unfortunately with my drawer setup, I have to sleep in the backseat. I've seen on the internet they make a blowup backseat mattress with inflatable support legs for the footwells. Will probably get one of those next as I've been enjoying not setting up a tent recently and sleeping in the car.
This is why I went with synthetic rope. I still wear gloves, but I don't like wire rope for this very reason.
I ordered a hidden winch mount for the Silverado 2500. I think I can make it work, but it did not fit out of the box. So, I used the frame brackets from it and used a center plate from a Jeep/universal mount. I had to cut it down and drill new holes, but it works. I also added HD 2500 tow hooks/loops.
I was concerned about the weight, the price and the invitation for theft of having the winch mounted out front. While my house is very remote and theft is not an issue there, I park my truck at the airport almost every week for the whole week. Hidden seemed better for me.
I have been looking at the used 2017-2020 Nissan Armadas. I love them, but there are trade offs. More power, less towing capability (8K). Very nice interiors and smooth on and off road, but shorter like a Tahoe. While very popular as the Y62 Patrol in OZ, here there is very little aftermarket support.
The Tahoe/Suburban of our era are well supported in the aftermarket. That is really nice.
Sleeping in the back, with room for a fridge and the dog too is hard to find in anything else. I have a ful size mattress in mine and still have room at the end for a large fridge/Cooler, cooking gear and my dog.
Enthusiast III
I was looking at the Armadas too since the suburban has been in the shop for 2 months. The dealership and several shops cannot find out why its running hot (not overheating but hot enough it shuts the AC off). Ultimately I've decided to keep the Suburban for now because I'd really like a 2021+ Armada for the face lift and better entertainment system but it's more than I want to spend now. So I bought an Acura mdx for a commuter car since for flight school I'll be doing 900 miles a week minimum for the next year or so and I don't want to put the miles on a new rig or on the Suburban.
