Big Block SUV: 1984 Chevrolet Suburban
Once upon a time, the Suburban looked just like what it is: a pickup truck with a wagon back end on it. While the 2018 Suburban doesn’t share any sheetmetal with a 2018 Silverado, back in 1984 the Suburban and it’s contemporary pickup stablemate were virtually indistinguishable from the front doors forward. This truck, for sale here on eBay in Akron, New York, is a beautiful example of where the ‘u’ in ‘suv’ came from. I’m not sure it would have done much to put the ‘s’ in there, though.
Although the addition of a full-length roof and side windows are obvious differences between this truck and the pickup on which it is based, from the windows down, you would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between this and a pickup. While I think the modern-day Suburban is a great truck for hauling the family around in, there’s something about these more truck-like early Suburbans that really appeals to me. And I say that even after having used one as a daily driver for a number of years once.
The seller describes this truck as super clean, and the photos support that claim. The body has been repainted, and while it appears to be in excellent shape, I’d want to take a magnet to it and make sure it’s all still metal. These trucks commonly rust in the doors, rockers and tailgate, so I’d want to be sure nothing had been hastily repaired and painted over. However, the frame and interior are also nearly immaculate, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the body is in equally good condition. When is the last time you saw a GM dashboard from this era that didn’t have at least one crack in it?
Under the hood, this truck sports GM’s largest offering at the time, the tried-and-true 454 big block V8. Coupled to a Turbo 400 transmission, this truck should be capable of pulling any trailers or stumps you might encounter, but I suspect it wouldn’t pass by too many gas stations without stopping. Maybe it’s because they were everywhere when I was young, but I’ve always been very fond of this generation of GM’s trucks, and this one is a beautiful example of the breed.
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Comments
I had the TBI version, an ’88. 10mpg rain or shine, highway or in-town, it didn’t care what you did, the answer was always 10.
Thanks for making me feel better Lineswest. I have an 80 with a 454 and a swapped in Edelbrock carb and manifold and kept thinking “maybe with the tbi it would get better than 10 mpg”. You settled my doubts.
That was before GM got all “Fisher Price-y” with dash controls. Dig it. I also like the “S U B U R B A N” letter font. Very cool.
Junked one 17 years ago, put engine and trans into a 78 El-Camino, heavy front springs were used, as it sat low in the front, got 18 MPG, seems the engine liked the set-up, still running around, as I see it once in awhile…
Nicely equipped piece – In 84, I worked in a Chevy dealership in an affluent suburb, we sold a million of these in Silverado trim, but most were 1/2 ton 4WD. Cool vehicles either way…
I worked in a Chevy dealer in ’88, also in an affluent suburb & also saw what seemed like a million of them go out the door in 1/2t w/4wd. I always liked them and am always wondering what happened to them all.
I owned one of these back in the day and own a more current Yukon XL. They are no doubt the musk oxen of the SUV world. Big gas guzzlers. My old one hovered around 9-10 mpg all the time. My wife hates the size of the new one. But when I threaten to sell it, NOOO! What will we haul this or that or the other thing with? Therein in lies it usefulness. It’s hard to find anything that’s as rugged as these things things or can haul as much in an airtight manner (including people when needed). Purposeful vehicle without a doubt, just keep that gas card handy.
I love these too! My first memories of my Dad’s vehicles are his red 67 Ford Galaxie 4-door (red Fred as we still call it), and a two-tone yellow and white 1970 Chevy Suburban/Carryall, as they were referred to back then. That Chevy took us on many adventures, camping trips, and road trips. Of course the 350 was the only engine option back then. A 454 would be a blast! Probably wasn’t an option here in Cali. This does appear to be a really clean truck for being 35 years old or so, but I’d bring my magnet too, check out those rust prone areas. But what a blast that would be! With gas prices pushing 4 bucks again, it would certainly be a pricey thirsty beast.
Number one condition is only 10800. Where do these people come up with there prices? They need a role model or at least a buyers guide. At best a number 3 condition list for 4180. No way he will get 9 plus
Where do you come up with your prices? I sold one for $16k last year. Seen several pass $10k, especially 91 V2500’s with the 4l80e.
i owned a 1980 3/4 ton suburban 454 -4 barrel with a posi rear end
guys would kind of look me over when i arrived where they did with their 4×4’s
best old horse for towing anything . passing a gas station was not an option
Even today Much of the hidden sheet metal is the same as a pickup, the cab dash panel the front floor etc. The radiator support and inner front fenders are common too. The radiator support body mount and A pillar body mount location are common with the pick-up. Front fender to cab connection is common. The windshield is common. Going rearward nothing is common as seat mounting, and body mount locations change and of course the exterior sheet metal is different.
Utilities are now built in Arlington TX and pickups in Ft Wayne, Oshawa and Sailo MX. Oshawa does not build cabs, they are shipped in from Ft Wayne.
In high school I had an 89 1/2 ton 4×4 with a snowplow and 33 inch bias ply super swampers. Loved that truck, got 8 mpg and sounded like a helicopter once you got past 30 mph! Very loud mud tires
I had a six cylinder 1973 model that I drove all over in my younger years with my kids, an 83 with the 305 that lasted me another ten years and an 88 that I bought to repair too but eventually all three went to the scrap yard when I could no longer work on them. I still have an old 84 with a plow that is just a yard truck… keeping my yard company, lol. I too love Suburbans, always have but Physically I had to downsize. I prefer not to have a 454. My 83 with the 305 used to get 12 mines to the gallon, even with my supplies that I always had in the back. I Loved that truck.