Nov 25, 2023  •  For Sale  •  15 Comments

Former EMT Vehicle: 1991 Chevrolet Suburban

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This 1991 Chevrolet Suburban is a former EMT services vehicle for Washington State, and has been dressed up to look like a fire marshal’s vehicle for the Daytona 500. However, look past the window dressing and you have a claimed rust-free squarebody with a fuel-injected V8 under the hood. The combo of healthy 350 and 700 R4 automatic is pretty hard to beat, and this Suburban is listed with no reserve here on eBay in Tacoma, Washington.

The Suburban is pretty hard to beat as a usable, everyday classic that offers a ton of utility for the money. The dual barn doors make loading and unloading a breeze and the go-anywhere ride height ensures you won’t get stopped by thick groundcover or the occasional rock pile, should you venture off road. The faded paint on the rear is nothing to get worked up over, especially in light of the rust-free condition of the body. The Daytona 500 stickers are an interesting touch but easily removed by the next owner.

Inside, this is a very utilitarian example, a characteristic likely enhanced by its use as a municipal vehicle of sorts. Seeing a cabin like this in a Suburban always reminds me how much the SUV landscape has changed over the years, going from utilitarian interiors to rolling technology and luxury-laden showpieces, both of which serve to increase the MSRP significantly while making the vehicles more costly to repair in even simple collision scenarios. A stripped-down SUV for an EMT to use on a daily basis seems like a vehicle from another planet at this point.

The photos show a spotlight on the A-pillar and I’m curious if that’s a recent addition or a left-over artifact from the truck’s EMT days. Regardless, the engine bay looks like that of any other used truck, and the listing notes that the odometer shows 124,344 miles. The seller notes that the windshield is cracked as is the dash pad, and that the air conditioning doesn’t blow cold. Overall, those are minor grievances for a running, driving, and rust-free Suburban offered at no reserve.

Comments

  1. Rw
    Nov 25, 2023 at 6:52am

    Very cool, would love to own this.

    Like 6
  2. Jack Quantrill
    Nov 25, 2023 at 9:18am

    Those 1500 series with the 350 engine had a weak rear-end. The engine was willing, but trans, and rear-end went out towing a 4,000 lb trailer in our ‘89.

    Like 3
    • Mister Green
      Nov 25, 2023 at 12:45pm

      That’s a 2500.

      Like 2
      • Jack Quantrill
        Nov 25, 2023 at 1:23pm

        I think the 2500 had a 14 bolt rearend. My 1500 had 10.

        Like 1
    • Bill West
      Nov 25, 2023 at 2:26pm

      This is clearly a 3/4 ton. The rear axles are stout, but were no longer full floaters. I bought one new and it was the last in a very long line of new GM truck purchases. The quality was abysmal. Never bought another GM product after this!

      Like 5
    • Keith Jr Attle
      Nov 26, 2023 at 2:13pm

      Transmissions always go out with this kind of mileage, and now that it’s been replaced you can expect to do it again

      Like 0
  3. MGM
    Nov 25, 2023 at 10:03am

    A city owned utility vehicle was most likely regularly maintained, and 120k isn’t high miles. I’d like to bid, but Wash. way too far for me here in VA .

    Like 9
    • George Smith
      Nov 25, 2023 at 6:52pm

      Had a 96 Suburban with a 6.5 turbo diesel. 1500 with 3/4 ton frame and axles. Got nearly 20 mpg at a steady 70 mph. 42 gallon fuel tank would get me near 800 miles. Put 250 000 miles and sold it still running great. It was a great unit to haul a bunch of guys and golf clubs on trips.

      Like 0
  4. Mister Green
    Nov 25, 2023 at 12:50pm

    So… I know that it says “fuel-injected,” but is that a throttle body linkage on a carburetor I see under the air filter?

    Note the 80 gallon fuel tank. It’d cost about $420 to fill it up. And while that 5.7L gets about 10 mpg, it has an 800 mile range.

    Like 4
    • Rw
      Nov 25, 2023 at 1:15pm

      Thottle body uses two injectors best set up gm ever made

      Like 8
  5. angliagt angliagtMember
    Nov 25, 2023 at 6:12pm

    I’d lose all those decals – imagine happening upon a nasty
    car accident,& people see them & expect you to render first aid.

    Like 6
  6. James Ford
    Nov 25, 2023 at 9:12pm

    Very nice rig! Any square body that’s rust free is a keeper. I wouldn’t worry about fuel mileage if it was mine! I’ve bought several state and county owned vehicles. Some are good and some are bad and from the looks of this one it’s all good!

    Like 2
  7. Stan StanMember
    Nov 25, 2023 at 10:04pm

    Heavy chasis makes it. 👏 Free-wheeling hub front end, lever T-case. Ideal. De-decal, add a huge basket style roof rack. ⛷️ 🎣 🏕

    Like 3
  8. bull
    Nov 26, 2023 at 3:39pm

    The ad says 700R4. I suggest that is incorrect.

    1991 was the first year for a 4L80 automatic transmission in the 3/4 ton which makes the 91 model unique and more desirable.

    Like 2
  9. bull
    Nov 26, 2023 at 3:39pm

    The ad says 700R4. I suggest that is incorrect.

    1991 was the first year for a 4L80 automatic transmission in the 3/4 ton which makes the 91 model unique and more desirable.

    Like 0

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