2001 Suburban Tow-Pig with 8.1

[D'Mann]

Just purchased a 2001 Burb with the 8.1 4L80E 4x4 for a price so low that if I have to replace the engine or tranny it was still worth it. (I can make my money back in scrap if I want to)
It has a little rust in the rockers and tailgate. The interior is missing the third row and rear headrests, and carpet is a little worn. But overall not bad.

Engine runs strong, transfer case is solid, Tranny is in limp mode, but should be sorted with a new ignition switch (it is known bad). Even if the Tranny needs addressed I still made out like a bandit.
has a small lift already installed, with aftermarket wheels and tires that will last a year or so. Also came with an adjustable hitch/ball that is worth almost what I paid for the pile. (Yes, that good of a deal, no not stolen)

Going to swap out the ignition switch, do basic services (oil, tranny, plugs, wires, diffs, etc.) when I get it back up to Raleigh Thursday.
Any thoughts on other things I might need to look at on it that is specific to this type of tow vehicle? My last tow pig was a 2006 F250 with the 6.0 that I owned since off the lot.

This is just a beater hunting/fishing/tow-pig, so I want to keep it as cheap as possible.

 

[Caver Dave]

Why the weighted tag, did NC finally change the laws regarding people hauling (SUV) vs. property hauling (trucks)?

 

[LBarr2002]

How many miles? Check front wheel bearings and everything steering related. If it needs parts, don't buy the cheap shit on Amazon.

Other than front end it should be good to go.

Monitor for oil consumption.

 

[CasterTroy]

Monitor for oil consumption.

1quart per 1000 miles is NOT unusual

Ball joints will be fubar so just go ahead and assume they need to be replaced

 

[D'Mann]

Why the weighted tag, did NC finally change the laws regarding people hauling (SUV) vs. property hauling (trucks)?

Tags the kid had on it. I didn't get weighted tags this time. Not planning on pulling anything "that" heavy.

 

[D'Mann]

How many miles? Check front wheel bearings and everything steering related. If it needs parts, don't buy the cheap shit on Amazon.

Other than front end it should be good to go.

Monitor for oil consumption.

It needs an alignment, and probably some joints. Will deal with that after the other little things I am taking care of this week.
Bearing appear to be fine.

 

[D'Mann]

1quart per 1000 miles is NOT unusual

Ball joints will be fubar so just go ahead and assume they need to be replaced

I know about the oil consumption. I have a v8 BMW, so I am familiar with that, LOL.
Ordering joints in the next couple days.

 

[Croatan_Kid]

For what it's worth...everything from a 2500HD truck will fit the front end of those. Just in case you were looking for upgrades. Upper control arms, steering box, ball joints, tie rods, idler/pitman, etc.

Oh...and the WFO solid axle kits

 

[D'Mann]

Keeping it cheap for now. I have a couple jobs to do with it, but might decide to keep it.

 

[D'Mann]

OK, finally got some time to deal with piggy.

The good:
1. Gauges/Transmission were cutting in an out simultaneously. Turned out to be corrosion in the OBD0 fuse slot.
2. Wheel bearings and ball joints appear to be good. It does need an alignment, but don't see anything that needs immediate attention in the front end other than that.
3. Front and Rear AC work great!!!!
4. The wrecked interior cleaned up pretty good. Doesn't look new, but the carpet in the seating area is near mint, and a workshop fatigue mat from Home Depot for $30 is almost a perfect mat for the back without the third row seat.
5. Drives a lot like the Tahoe I bought new in 2003, just a wider turn radius.

The bad:
1. Got to do driver's door pins, sags and have to slam it shut. ($15)
2. Gonna get the cheap recovers for the front seats on Amazon, then spend a day recovering those seats. ($150)
3. Rockers are rotted out, and the body has rust and dings in places. Also front passenger fender is a little funky from side swiping something. (Didn't buy it for it's looks though)
4. Oil pressure sending sensor is unplugged, and a PAIN IN THE ASS to get to. I have a new sensor, but am going to try to plug in the one that is there before I swap it out. ($40)
5. Air bag light is on. (I'll try not to wreck)
6. Fuel gauge doesn't work. (New front pump/sending unit will be here tomorrow) ($120 after discount at Autozone)

I have less than $2500 in it so far, so I can't complain. I'll probably have around $3.5k in it when all is said and done, and I'll have a nice cheap tow pig.

The kid I bought it from didn't know anything about vehicles, and thought it was going to take $10k to fix what needed fixed, so when I made him a low ball offer I thought he'd choke on he took it.

If I remember, I'll take some pics of the pig this weekend.

 

[D'Mann]

A couple things I am looking for, but aren't really necessary:

1. Steering wheel column cover, with tilt lever.
2. Front bumper (LT/LS w/fogs)
3. Tow mirrors

If anyone has any of these from a 2000-2006 Suburban/Tahoe laying around, hit me up. Otherwise I'll be hitting the pull it place nearby.

 

[Croatan_Kid]

The oil pressure sensor is very likely shot. Probably leaking through the diaphragm. I'd just go ahead and change it.

I may have items 1 and 2 on the list.

 

[D'Mann]

The oil pressure sensor is very likely shot. Probably leaking through the diaphragm. I'd just go ahead and change it.

I may have items 1 and 2 on the list.

I figure it's shot, but hoping just plugging it in works. On the 8.1 it is a pain in the A to get to.

If you have either of them I can swing by on my way to Morehead next time I head down. I figure I'm getting tow mirrors online.

 

[LBarr2002]

I figure it's shot, but hoping just plugging it in works. On the 8.1 it is a pain in the A to get to.

If you have either of them I can swing by on my way to Morehead next time I head down. I figure I'm getting tow mirrors online.

The boost auto mirrors are nice.

 

[Croatan_Kid]

The boost auto mirrors are nice.

They really are! I'm on my second set. My first ones got destroyed, unfortunately.

@D'Mann You're welcome to swing by and see what you can use. Maybe it'll motivate me to get to work swapping everything over to my "new" truck.

 

[D'Mann]

I won't be down that way for a couple weeks (maybe Memorial day weekend, but don't want to bug you then)

I'll send you a DM with my number, and you can let me know where and when you are available.

I appreciate it!

 

[BigClay]

The boost auto mirrors are nice.

Have them on mine, love them, don’t shake at all

 

[D'Mann]

OK, got the lock off the Harbor Freight adjustable hitch.

If you have a lock on a hitch with no key, take a piece of pipe that fits over the lock and just pull.
A six year old could have broken that lock and pulled it off.

To think I was contemplating unbolting the entire hitch mount in order to get a wheel on it, LOL.

 

[D'Mann]

Also got cheap headlight housings off Amazon, and LED bulbs. No pics with me, but the bulbs are as bright as the LEDs on my BMW, and do not blind oncoming traffic.

LED fog bulbs too. I'll get some pics tonight, if I remember. Makes a difference while driving the ol' bucket.

 

[D'Mann]

Crappy pic from last night, but you get the idea on how bright they are.

 

[D'Mann]

Didn't update this when it happened, but about a month ago the oil pressure sending unit died a violent death.
The top literally blew off, and it was spraying oil like it was P-Diddy tossing cash at a strip club.

Good news was that I knew it had plenty of oil pressure.

Bad news was that I now had to address it.

Ended up taking the intake off to get to it. Wasn't that bad a job, but did cost an extra $120 for new intake gaskets.

Oil pressure is showing around 45-50 hot driving, and 25ish hot at idle. Not unhappy with that.


Anyone bored and want to tackle a busted exhaust manifold bolt for me?
I'll buy beer and pizza

 

[BigSouth]

Anyone bored and want to tackle a busted exhaust manifold bolt for me?

I have 3 studs on my 8.1 broken off. If you don’t wanna deal with extracting them, there’s KRAL Auto Parts that sells these bolt on clamps that’ll stop the leak a hell of a lot cheaper and easier. Worked for mine. Highly recommend them.

Store – Made in the U.S.A. – Kral Auto Parts, LLC

kralautoparts.com

 

[D'Mann]

I have 3 studs on my 8.1 broken off. If you don’t wanna deal with extracting them, there’s KRAL Auto Parts that sells these bolt on clamps that’ll stop the leak a hell of a lot cheaper and easier. Worked for mine. Highly recommend them.

Store – Made in the U.S.A. – Kral Auto Parts, LLC

kralautoparts.com

Ordered the one for my broken bolt. It should ship today (they were out of office since last Thursday).
Looks like that might be the ticket, should take 5 minutes to implement. Doing plugs and wires too, so I'll already be in there.

I'll post a picture when I get it done.

 

[D'Mann]

Ordered the one for my broken bolt. It should ship today (they were out of office since last Thursday).
Looks like that might be the ticket, should take 5 minutes to implement. Doing plugs and wires too, so I'll already be in there.

I'll post a picture when I get it done.

They created the shipping label last Thursday, but it still hasn't reached the shipper. I can't wait to get rid of that leak.

 

[BigSouth]

They created the shipping label last Thursday, but it still hasn't reached the shipper. I can't wait to get rid of that leak.

The way I understand it, that man is a one man show with his wife helping out with the shipping side of things. I bet her job was easier…