Suburban on Dunes

[Harrison542]

I have a 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 4x4

Its got 220k on it w/ rebuilt tranny and original engine (runs smooth, feels strong w/ slight exhaust leak)

Here in MI theres a place called silver lake sand dunes, i am hoping to take it up there this summer and see how it does on the sand dunes. other than obvious sand driving preparation, How can i make it so this 220k burban can drive on the dunes w/ lower chances of things going wrong? what should i invest in? am i crazy for driving a 220k burb on the dunes? any well known "issues" with burbs offroad? i know its a big heavy truck, im not planning on bashing around, just easy dune driving if thats considered a term.

Thanks

[Harrison542]

bump, i know there are not a lot of suburban forums around so im hoping u guys will reply

[Harrison542]

come on guys, let me know what u think!

[sprucegoose]

Originally Posted by Harrison542

Here in MI theres a place called silver lake sand dunes, i am hoping to take it up there this summer and see how it does on the sand dunes. other than obvious sand driving preparation, How can i make it so this 220k burban can drive on the dunes w/ lower chances of things going wrong?

Saw this post, and even though I don't drive a Burb I thought I'd reply. I don't have much experience in this, but I would at least say you would want skid plated on the motor/trans and transfer case. I can see those low points scooping at the sand and finding things burried that you don't like to find!

I would think the sand would really cling to, and be hard on your U-joints, brakes, etc. so make sure you wash it down good and grease the U-joints good before and after the event.

Out of curiosity, are you talking about the dunes up in the UP near Grand Marais? I have been there several times, but don't believe I ever saw an area where they permit you to drive on the dunes...

[Harrison542]

Originally Posted by sprucegoose

Saw this post, and even though I don't drive a Burb I thought I'd reply. I don't have much experience in this, but I would at least say you would want skid plated on the motor/trans and transfer case. I can see those low points scooping at the sand and finding things burried that you don't like to find!

I would think the sand would really cling to, and be hard on your U-joints, brakes, etc. so make sure you wash it down good and grease the U-joints good before and after the event.

Out of curiosity, are you talking about the dunes up in the UP near Grand Marais? I have been there several times, but don't believe I ever saw an area where they permit you to drive on the dunes...

Thanks for the reply, no its not in the UP. its in western michigan in the lower penninsula, its below traverse city a ways. they are pretty popular dunes for offroad recreation.

[burban boi]

hey wassup i have a 95' burban with the same mileage and i was wondering if yours is four wheel drive and lifted cause if it is go ahead and tear up those dunes. go check out my burban it is in this same forum i made my own thread.

[J-Ri]

You'll want wide tires with small tread lugs.... a street performance tire would do better than an off-road tire for sand. Sand has almost no shear strength, so diging in 1/8 of an inch or 1/2 an inch will provide similar propulsion, but you'll sit 'er down on the axles pretty quick with deep tread. Also, keep moving. If you can't make it up, circle around (so you drive down forward) if you can (but DON'T roll it). Take 1 shovel for everyone, and some lengths of 2-bys if you would get stuck. You may also want a jack other than the stock scissors type.

If you get stuck, put a piece of wood under the jack, and jack up the front. Fill in the holes, and put a 2-by under the tires. Same on the back. Once you get moving, keep moving. Leave the wood (unless you can stop further away and walk back for it).

Take plenty of water. Walking/working in sand is exhausting, even if it is fairly cool out.

[Harrison542]

thanks J-R for the info, i will use it.

Burban Boi, nice ride. My burb is 4x4 but not lifted, so if that answers your question.

[ihc6480]

Man, if you take a beast like a Burb onto sand dunes you will be asking for trouble. Because of it's wheelbase length and weight I guaranttee you will sink it up to the axles.
Wide tires will be the best thing for Sand. I build rockcrawlers-- love tackling obstacles normal 4 wheelers don't even think about.
Heres a pic of my 93 Burb 2500 that I pull my trailer with. It has 108,000 miles on it.


Bill

[BobM46128]

You also may want some 'landing matts to dig yourself out with. And plenty of buddies come in handy too!

[FCDGMC]

I don't have much experience in sand, but my experience this past summer on the outer banks of NC might be helpful. My suburban is a 2500 with a 454 and it's rated at 8600 pounds. I'm sure I didn't have the right tires, and it is heavier than your 1500, but man that thing was totally worthless in the sand and I got stuck pretty good. Just about every other 4 wheel drive vehicle down there (mostly mid-sized suvs and pickups) was doing fine. I'm gonna have to agree with Bill, I think Suburbans on average are just too heavy to be real good in the sand. I'm sure having bigger tires or ones better suited for sand would improve the performance, but I think you might still find trouble...

[SUBURBANATOR]

I've seen tons of pics of 'burbs offroad, just bought one as a matter of fact. If you just want to wheel it I wouldn't have bought one with ifs(indepent front suspension). Chevy made the solid front axle all the way to 91, they have the same engine configuration up to 95. I just bought my 91 this summer,so it has the same engine your 95 has. I have ABS, the newer style interior and NO AIRBAGS to go off. The solid axle is way stronger. Lifting the ifs costs about twice as much. But now that you have it.....you could do a solid front axle swap, the right tires would help, any type of locker. It depends entirely on how much money you want to spend.