68 suburban utility build

This is the beginning to current progress of my build. I'm modeling it close to fearlessfront's sears build, but with my own twist. It has a locked 633, 12.5 hp kohler command, pirelli mud wiser rear tires 25x10x12, carlisle 18x6.5x8 sno hogs on front, and I have a 3k lb winch for up front. I had to modify a bunch on the frame to fit the kohler, it is half again bigger than the original engine. I'll try to get some more pics and updates up when I get to working on it.

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Here are a few quick pics of my rig. The first one is of when it was bone stock, the second is as of late, and the 3rd is of my clutch setup. I'm gonna try to get more pics up of it, but haven't had much time to work on it lately. I'm actually thinking of going big with the build. Maybe thinking of putting the rears on the front and 28's or bigger on the back.  My logic is that I can still get decent speed and not have to pulley swap as much to keep things relaible. More pics will come as I get to work on it. Thanks for following along.

Cool Surburban man! Are you going to paint it?

I haven't decided whether to paint it or not. I was thinking of going factory colors (orange and white) but I was also thinking of keeping it rat rodish also. Right now I'd really like to get it moving under its own power for now. I am also building a bolens as more of a romper. (Kinda like fearlessfront's murray) the progress should hopefully puck up some here soon as I hope to get power to my barn to have lights and power for tools. I'll get pics up as soon as I get some done.

moparjim wrote:

I haven't decided whether to paint it or not. I was thinking of going factory colors (orange and white) but I was also thinking of keeping it rat rodish also.

Food for thought:
Orange and white will look sharp, but it's so hard to get an orange and white tractor clean (unless you like the dirty look)

I've seen a few of those Sears tractors painted blue with 'off-white' rims. They look pretty good tbh

As of right now, it might be camo colored. It's gonna be a bit longer of a build than I figured, don't have much time these days. My Bolens is getting priority right now, I need something to plow snow with. it even is going to be a bare minimum build, I will try to get a thread started for it here soon. The tire size has changed for the 'burban. its getting 21x10x8 fronts, and 27x12 or 28x12x12 rears. Its going to be a big burly beast of a thing when its done. It'll be similar to fearlessfronts 'burban but it will have my own touches.

Haven't updated in a while, so here's a quick update. Scored a pair of 27x12x12 power king mud cat tires for the back. Mounted them on an old pair of cub cadet wheels I had, man are they huge. A guy that has an orchard roughly a mile from my house had a full set for sale and thankfully was willing to split the set. Also decided to unlock the rear, turning and maneuverability being the main concern with the new big tires. Everything else is more than likely going to stay as I planned it, unless some drastic happens or I get some new awesome parts. That's all for now.

Here are some updated pics. The front wheels may or may not stay, haven't decides yet. They're just the diameter of tire I'm going to use.

Those rears look wild!!! I dig it! What are the dimensions of those suckers on the back?

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Those rears look wild!!! I dig it! What are the dimensions of those suckers on the back?

27x12-12, dont ask how I know lol

This is sweet man! Cant wait to see it hit some trails! What's the kid pointing at in the pic?

moparjim wrote:

Scored a pair of 27x12x12 power king mud cat tires for the back.

Oh, I must've missed this post hahaha! Whoops!

Yeah, they're big. That was my plan fromy the get go. I'm actually gonna unlock the rear so the thing will turn. If it gets stuck, it'll have a 3k lb winch to get it out. My boy is fascinated by anything and everything lately, so who knows what he was pointing at. Lmao.

Big tires with a locked rear does make for some turning issues. I remember almost flipping my Red Murray the first time I tried to turn around because I ran off into the ditch.

As does the weather, my build plans have changed yet again. I decided that it will stay locked, as it looks like it is going to be mostly a mud machine. I'm just going to get a 6 pinion 633 to swap instead of the current 4 pinion unit. It will have 23x8.50x12 Firestone ags for steer tires, custom fabbed seat/fender mount, and an ss style hood and grille. (fearlessfront style hood) My buddy had a parts tractor that was in pretty sad shape and he needed the older style hood/grille for one of his tractors, so we traded. I've always like the newer hood/grille better anyways, so it works better for everybody. Hopefully going to get back on this build soon, mudding yesterday got me itching to get this one done.

Ended up scoring a parts suburban from a buddy in trade for a Kohler from a craftsman. Took the 633 from it and swapped it into mine, kept the locked one for parts/future build. Hoping to get motivated on this soon, may end up being a winter romp for its first time. Hope to get some pics soon.

Nice! It'd be cool to see this beast tearing it up, haha.

You're telling me. I've been staring at it for the last 6 months and want to see it move on its own.

I love old suburbans. Can't wait to see it move too!

Update, took it to my dads to do some fabrication on it, haven't touched it in about 8 months. Will probably end up bringing it back home to do work to it. Its going to have a bunch of little trick things on it, not gonna spoil the surprise, I don't even know all what they are yet. It will be sweet none the less. Hoping to actually use it for a plow tractor when its all said and done too, my Bolens is too light to do any snow plowing. Later

Well, this build story has come to an end. I ended up trading it to a buddy for a vehicle that I needed, but no need to worry. He is going to finish it right and wheel the crap out of her. I wouldn't have let it go to just anybody. Tune in to my bolens build soon as I am going to be making some changes to it for this year and it will be wheeling the trails again.

Your buddy could join up and continue it's journey! 

He is on here. I believe his handle is yardape, he's already got a start on continuing it.