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Going back in time, 1998 Suburban

Patrick_B

Full Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2012
Messages
90
I use to own a same color as my Avalanche "Indigo Blue"  1997 Chevy Tahoe.  I miss the older box style of the trucks so I figured since I did the 02-06 EXT mod why not do my last mod for the truck and do the 98 Suburban.  Now I am just going to do the front clip and maybe the silver wheel well strips and door mirrors.  So just 3 modifications that is a simple hour to convert back like my EXT mod is.

1998 Chevy Suburban "not mine"  http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/668/2169/39168584001_original.jpg


My only concern is the fenders,  The hood looks about the same as my AV on the bolted spring holder, So it should bolt on.  If you look at our AV or any 99-06 GM truck the fender has the lip up once it gets to the doors.
 
This should be another interesting mod, from what I can tell there a differences between the 1998 and 1999 body. What they are I'm not sure.
 
There's a ton of GM800 trucks getting the older style front clips on them. Not sure that I've seen any go the other direction though. They all involve a lot of body work - not such a simple bolt on.

Maybe you can find someone with the same color and do an even trade, part for part. Interested to see how this works out.
 
I know their is a 199X Suburban in the JY last time I went.  Not sure if its still their but I may get 1 sample fender just to see how it lines up.  I know their was a lot of 2nd gen Escalade or first gen EXT front clips for the 90s Tahoes but they look cheesy to me.  Looks like a all one piece.  http://extremedimensions.com/images/T/88_chevytrucksuvescaladeconversionfront.jpg

I am also going to try to fit the cladded fender part on the 98 fender to make it fit in or it will look off with the doors.

The reason I did a EXT mod was because I like the first gen for one and I think the first Gen EXT looked more like a truck with the Cadillac name on it and felt it was a step up classy AV truck.  The 2nd gen EXT looks way too Cadillac then a truck if anyone understands.
 
Good luck with that, but nothing is impossible (y)
 
Found some images of a 96 Tahoe and a 2000 "same body setup as the Avalanche"  with fenders removed.

http://s237.photobucket.com/user/PushnFords/media/1996%20Tahoe%20LT/Tahoe018.jpg.html
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachments/chevy/619958d1315847558-suburban-ss-project-doors-1-.jpg

Look about the same next to the doors, wish they kept the doors on the 2000 so I can see a better view.

Link to the 2000 Tahoe,  looks like they put in Silverado / WBH AV fenders.  http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/chevy/1006007-suburban-ss-project.html
 
I went and did some looking on my AV and seen where the fender truly would stop off the 98 and should fit fine.  The AV goes in a slant out in the front with the bumper and the flat front of the 98 will line up in front of the radiator on the AV.    My main concern is where are crash sensors located on a Silverado/AV.  or will I not be around them.  I am not sure where they are.  That is why I like my old Cherokee,  it don't have airbags or all the sensors.  But I did do a complete swap from my old front Cherokee XJ to the new front XJ 97+.  Fenders and front clip.

10/31/2016

Well I got lots of side by side and measurements off a 1995 Tahoe and everything seems to be ok to fit.  The Tahoe doesn't have plastic front under wheel well covers nor does any of the Suburban / Tahoe up to 1999.  I am also going to try and make my own cap.  I measured the glass angles and will need to get the 2000-2006 quarter panel glass as the GMT800 has a softer angle on the glass then the GMT400 sharp edges.  This will require you to remove the plastic sails and 3rd brake light arch.  Their is a gap just enough room for the glass panel to fit in snug where the sails were to fit the body.  The rest I will have to make the roof on my own.  It would be easy to cut a suburban back off or just buy a burb, but don't have a junk one laying around.  I am even wanting to try to put barn doors on it using the 98 style ones.  I know their is 2 style caps for the Avalanche but they look ugly,  I think a complete Suburban back cap with the sail removable would look better plus having the Suburban full look.
 

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