My son has my old 1986 6.2L Suburban 4x4. The body is COMLETELY rusted out. Over the years I've done a lot of work to the truck.

Recently rebuilt heads, 3rd transmission, transfer case rebuilt, new exhaust system, a few starters, brakes, etc, etc. Engine has 250,000 miles on it now. Before it has sat idle for over a year, before then it ran really great.

So here's the question: To keep the truck or not? I'm thinking about finding a sound body from a dry climate and swapping bodies. How miserable of a job is that?

Or, does one start over with a more modern truck that will provide better cold weather starting and better performance at altitude up around 10,000 ft? The truck hauls between the midwest and the Colorado Rockies; including winter camping up in Colorado at altitude.

The truck is used for camping, pulling a 4000 lb trailer, mostly recreational stuff, long road trips, etc

So

1) How tough to swap bodies?
2) Is one better off with a more modern diesel?
3) If kept, should one upgrade the engine in time?
4) Is it possible to put a manual trans in the Suburban. I hate pulling a trailer in 3rd gear with the auto.

Now it needs a complete BODY, some front end work, a little electrical stuff, looks like another new starter.

Any ideas?

We really do like our old truck. It's seen a lot of trips. Also has a great classic look. And my son can't wait to "lift it", put big tires on etc...

Thanks everyone. Appreciate your ideas.

I've never done a body swap on a 'Burb, might need two hoists for a hunk that size!
A manual trans in that year is certainly possible... Maybe they're not common, but they're around. I recall looking at a mid-80's K25 Suburban with an SM465 4-speed... Regardless it'd be all the same parts as any manual-trans pickup from that era. Converting it will entail quite a list of odds and ends, but nothing really difficult to acquire.

Keep it. Run it until it either explodes or it simply disintegrates while driving down the road.

I dont think a 6.2 with 250k miles is worth keeping unless your ready for the rebuild thats coming....

anyhow i dont think id swap bodies if you did do this, i think id swap motor into better conidition vehicle.

And then if your doing that.....might as well be the NBS sub, like 94 or something....
and then put a turbo on it because its made to fit in that body style while retaining ac and all that.

It is not cost effective, I say buy a new one. Sell the old one to your kid and let him run it until it dies.

250,000 has plenty of miles left, keep her going!!

It might be easier to just swap the motors than to swap the bodies.
Do what my buddy and I did: he had a Burb with 230,000 on it, ran like a top, but the body was crap, so we found a '78 Firebird to drop it in. We just freshened the motor up a bit with some new injectors and new seals but other than that it is untouched, same with the 700R4, still turnin' tires!

I Agree With mattthebrat 250,000 It Still Has Alot Left In Her, I Got 625,000 Miles On Mine & Still Going Strong. Now As For the Body Swap I Think You Are Better Off Finding Another 86 Suburban 4X4 & Throw The 6.2L In The Better Condition 86 Surb 4X4 Its Easier & The Manual Trans Is Also Possible Aswell.

JL :cool:

I think it all has to do with how much you love the truck and what it's worth is. I love my truck because it's fuel effecient, parts are cheap and it's easy to work on. I also love the body style but there are lots of those truck still out there. For me putting lots of money into the truck isn't an option and defeats it's purpose but I also have no real sentimental attachement to it.
I think a body swap would be time consuming. If it were me I'd buy a truck as similar as possible and keep the other truck for parts.

, I Got 625,000 Miles On Mine & Still Going Strong.
JL :cool:

I have a hard time believing that. While there are some that made it over 300 or 350k miles, they are slim to none. Only if the truck was driven 50k miles a year or something.

Do you have any proof that your engine is all original? I thought my jeep motor was original at 68k miles, i pulled it apart and it was all stamped up. Theres no carfax or anything that told me this. Funny how a motor at 68k miles can be shot for the 2nd time, and usually they last 250 or 300k miles.

At the very rare chance yours lasts alot longer, thats that risk your going to have to take.

Ive had experience with 6.2's since the high school days, i believe i posted this before as what was all done to our 83 k20 bought new in 83. I believe it was something like 4 motors, 10 transmissions, 2 tcases, all new body panels at least twice if not 3 times, normal joints and such every 50k miles and all that. It was sold with 730k miles back in 1994

4 motors, 10 transmissions, 2 tcases, all new body panels at least twice if not 3 times,

Sounds like my grandfathers hammer. My dad replaced the handle and I replaced the head

I have a hard time believing that. While there are some that made it over 300 or 350k miles, they are slim to none. Only if the truck was driven 50k miles a year or something.

Do you have any proof that your engine is all original? I thought my jeep motor was original at 68k miles, i pulled it apart and it was all stamped up. Theres no carfax or anything that told me this. Funny how a motor at 68k miles can be shot for the 2nd time, and usually they last 250 or 300k miles.

At the very rare chance yours lasts alot longer, thats that risk your going to have to take.

Ive had experience with 6.2's since the high school days, i believe i posted this before as what was all done to our 83 k20 bought new in 83. I believe it was something like 4 motors, 10 transmissions, 2 tcases, all new body panels at least twice if not 3 times, normal joints and such every 50k miles and all that. It was sold with 730k miles back in 1994
I beg to differ.
Our 83' has over 1 million on her, bought new in 1983 and was a babied daily driver for over 20 years. Yes, stock engine. It now needs a rebuild after 1million. It's all about how the truck is treated and taken care of. These engines will last if treated right and ours is proof. :)

I beg to differ.
Our 83' has over 1 million on her, bought new in 1983 and was a babied daily driver for over 20 years. Yes, stock engine. It now needs a rebuild after 1million. It's all about how the truck is treated and taken care of. These engines will last if treated right and ours is proof. :)

beg to differ what?? that your not a one in hundred thousand that made it that far??

Thats what i stated already so why are you begging to differ?

I have a hard time believing that. While there are some that made it over 300 or 350k miles, they are slim to none. Only if the truck was driven 50k miles a year or something.

Do you have any proof that your engine is all original? I thought my jeep motor was original at 68k miles, i pulled it apart and it was all stamped up. Theres no carfax or anything that told me this. Funny how a motor at 68k miles can be shot for the 2nd time, and usually they last 250 or 300k miles.

At the very rare chance yours lasts alot longer, thats that risk your going to have to take.

Ive had experience with 6.2's since the high school days, i believe i posted this before as what was all done to our 83 k20 bought new in 83. I believe it was something like 4 motors, 10 transmissions, 2 tcases, all new body panels at least twice if not 3 times, normal joints and such every 50k miles and all that. It was sold with 730k miles back in 1994

I beg to differ.
Our 83' has over 1 million on her, bought new in 1983 and was a babied daily driver for over 20 years. Yes, stock engine. It now needs a rebuild after 1million. It's all about how the truck is treated and taken care of. These engines will last if treated right and ours is proof. :)

Like Mtjasper Said Ours are Proof, It Depends How They Are Treated. I Bought Mine Brand New in 91, Orginal Owner, & I Babied it For 18 yrs as a Daily Driver, And I Think It Will Need a Rebuild Soon But All The Mechanics That Heard My 6.2 With That Millage Could Not Belive How Great It Sounds, Runs & Preforms. This The Only Reason I Still Have The Diesel Truck. So If The Diesel Is Looked After You Should Have No Problems.

JL :cool:

I think its more luck than the taken care of part. Ive seen alot of well taken care of vehicles with all kinds of problems.