Originally posted by Manuel:
I just wanted to know what a suburban is worth I'm currently looking at one with front seat and jump seat with clam shell rear doors has some rust in the usual places but it runs and drives ? He's asking $3800 obo is this too much ?
Manuel, is $3800.00 too much for you? I paid $2100.00 and $400.00 for shipping. I will have about $800.00 in patch panels and then I started restoring it!
How much rust in the "usual places" First of all define the usual places:
Floorboards - common
cowl - inner and outer - common
inside front fender well to inner body - common
between the door and the rear fenders - both sides - common
Rear wheel wells (look above the tire inside the wheel well where the fender attached to the body)- common
rear fenders - where it attached to the body - common
both rear cab corners - common
inside and above the fender well on the body panel
lower portion of the front doors
lower rear doors/clamshell
rear interior window frames - common
Does it have the complete interior rear window frames? Does it have good windows? How does it run? How are the brakes, the transmission/clutch and the tires? How well does it drive? Does the steering and front end feel tight? What shape is the body in? Rear fenders are difficult to find in good shape, check them out from the inside out. Does the rear lift gate close properly? They tend to stick and rip loose from the header. Have you looked at the wiring, is it six volts or has it been converted to 12 volts? Is the Suburban complete? Is it currently registered to the owner? Can you do your own bodywork and engine repair?
Recently, the Metalman has been custom making panels that work for the suburban otherwise sheet metal patch panels are non-existent for these.
I have seen the rise in cost of the Suburbans in the last few months. I know of a rusted suburban for $3800.00 and most of the Suburbans for sale are outside of California, so that means buying sight unseen and paying for transporting. I guess what I am saying is, it's a judgment call. You like it, it likes you ......buy it.
Here's a rough estimate on what to expect when trying to purchase used parts outside of ebay at dealers.
rear fender - $150 - 300 for a repairable fender
front fender - $100 - 300. for a good fender
Running board - $75 - 100
floor patch panels - $50-90. each side
cowl kick patch panel - $35 - 50 each side
Toe board patch panel - $90 - 160
rear fender well patch - $60 -120 each side
door to rear fender patch - $60. each side
rear cab corners - $125 each side
middle and rear seats -$600 -1500
Clamshell tailgate (if you can find one) $250. - 400
Lift gate w/window (if you can find one) $250 - 400
complete rear tail light (mounts on tailgate and swings down when the tailgate is open) - $150 -250
Interior rear window frames $75 - 150
headliner bows - $75 -150
This one sold recently and is good shape.
Suburban Suburban for sale - San Jose $4500. and it doesn't run.
I hope this info will help you in making a decision. Inspecting it thoroughly may help in the bartering. I am sure there will be more input from others who have gone this route. This is a hobby and for many of us a lot of enjoyment. Since you can drive this one, that's even better!
.........g
