Chevrolet Suburban
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The Chevrolet Suburban is a large sport utility vehicle from Chevrolet. It is one of the longest-lived automobile nameplates in the United States, dating from 1935 and is likely to be produced under this name for the forseeable future. For most of its recent history, the Suburban has been a passenger wagon bodied version of the Chevrolet pickup truck, including the Chevrolet C/K series of truck-based vehicles. It has been traditionally one of General Motors most profitable vehicles, with relatively high resale value for an American truck.
Many automotive companies in the United States used the "Suburban" name to indicate a windowed, station wagon type body on a commercial frame including Dodge, Plymouth, Studebaker, Chevrolet, and GMC. With the end of production of the Dodge Town Wagon in 1966, only General Motors continued to manufacture a vehicle branded as a "Suburban", and they were awarded an exclusive trademark on the name in 1988. The Suburban is one of the largest SUVs on the market. It has outlasted many competitive vehicles such as the International Harvester Travelall of the 1970s, and the Ford Excursion of the 2000s. The latest competitor is an extended Ford Expedition.
The Suburban of the 1990s and 2000s is a full-size SUV with three rows of seating, a full pickup truck frame, and V8 engine. The trucks are popular with large suburban families due to their "go anywhere, haul anything" nature, but have been criticized for their excessive bulk and poor fuel economy. The Suburban is one of the few station wagons available with all bench rows. Unlike smaller 3-row full-sized SUV's such as the Tahoe, the extra length provides a full-sized cargo area behind the up to 9 passengers to carry their luggage for an extended trip, and tow a sizeable trailer. This class of truck remains much more popular than full-sized vans which can carry even more passengers and tow trailers.
Chevrolet began production of its all steel "carryall-suburban" in 1935. GMC brought out its version in 1937. These vehicles were also known as the "Suburban Carryall" until rebranded simply as the "Suburban" in the 1980s with the arrival of the SUV craze.
General Motors has produced these large SUVs for both its GMC and Chevrolet marques, but in 2000 the GMC version was renamed the Yukon XL; today the name is limited to vehicles produced under the Chevrolet marque. In 2003 Cadillac introduced its version of the Suburban, calling it the Escalade ESV. Notably, the Escalade ESV seats a maximum of 8 people, as well as the Chevrolet and GMC models can also seat 8. Shorter versions of these vehicles are sold as the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade. Versions with a pickup bed in place of the rear cargo box are sold as the Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT.
In recent years, the Suburban has been popular as a police car, fire chief's vehicle, or EMS fly-car. Suburbans are also popular when converted for duty as a limousine. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV operates a fleet of purple Suburbans to serve VIP patrons and high rollers. On the HBO series The Sopranos Tony Soprano drives a GMT400 model Chevrolet Suburban.
In the late 1990s, GM also introduced a RHD version of the Suburban, badged as a Holden, for the Australian consumer. It proved to be a failure, however, and GM withdrew the Suburban in 2000 from Holden's lineup.
GMT800
The GMT800-based Suburbans were introduced in the 2000 model year. Chevrolet sold two models of Suburbans: 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. They came in either LS or LT trim packages. All models came in either 2wd or optional push button 4wd(w/ low range transfer case). A tow hitch with a trailer brake controller was standard.
2001: Both the LT now came with OnStar standard. The 6.0 liter put out 20 more horsepower, and an 8.1 liter was an option for the 3/4 ton.
2002: Many features from the options list were added to the standard equipment on the LS model, including A/C, Alloy wheels, Power Windows, Power Front seats, and Rear HVAC Controls. A Z71 off-road package was added for 2002, which included special body moldings and special 17 inch wheels with aggressive tread tires, the package was only available with four wheel drive.
2003: Responding to many crictics of GM's hard plastic and cold, unfriendly looking interiors, the Suburban and the rest of Chevrolet's line of full size trucks received reworked interiors, complete with RDS radio, tri-zone climate control(driver, passenger, and rear seats), new power window switches, a more egronomic steering wheel with audio controls, Power adjustable pedals, Stability Control, and many other entertainment options and creature comforts.
2004: Tire Pressure monitor now standard on all trim levels.
2005: Stability control becomes standard on the 1500(1/2 ton) models, and the Z71 was available with 2wd. A navigation system became an option.
2006: An LTZ package became available, coming with 20-inch wheels, all wheel drive, and the 6.0 was standard and also the first time available in the 1/2 ton model.
Engines
- Vortec 5300 V8 ((285hp 00-02) 295(03-06) hp at 5200 rpm and 335 ft·lbf of torque at 4000 rpm).
- Vortec 6000 V8 (335 hp at 5200 rpm and 375 ft·lbf of torque at 4000 rpm).
- Vortec 8100 V8 (325 hp at 4200 rpm and 447 ft·lbf of torque at 3200 rpm).
Trivia: The third row seats of the 00-02 models were vinyl even with the leather option for the first two rows. The optional sub-woofer was a first for full size SUV's (besides the Tahoe released a year earlier).[citation needed]
GMT900
The 2007 model year Suburban and Yukon XL were unveiled at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show in January. Production of the redesigned GMT900 Suburban and Yukon XL began at Janesville Assembly and Silao Assembly in March of 2006, with the vehicles arriving at dealerships in April.
The new models have been redesigned with more modern styling, which has been seen on the already released Tahoes and Yukons. The exterior features a more aerodynamic shape, made partly by a steeply raked windshield angle. The new design has less drag than previous models, making it more aerodymic.
The interior has a redesigned dashboard and improved seats. It still retains its 9-passenger seating availability, which is available on LS models. LT2, LT3, and LTZ models welcome leather seating and available 6, 7, and 8 passenger seating.
Towing is also the best of any other full-size SUV, with the ability to tow up to 9,700 pounds on three-quarter ton models.
Older Model Series
1933 - 1934
Chevrolet offered a station wagon body, built on the 1/2 ton truck frame. This model was specifically built for National Guard units and Civilian Conservation Corps units. Much of the body was constructed from wood, and could seat up to eight occupants.
1935 - 1940
Chevrolet offered the body style as a "Carryall Suburban". These share the front sheetmetal and frames of the 1/2 ton pickup models of the same year, but featured all-metal wagon bodies differing very little in shape from contemporary "woodie" wagons. Seating for up to eight occupants was provided, as was a rear tailgate/lift window for easy loading and unloading of luggage.
1941 - 1947 - "Art Deco"
1947 - 1955 - "Advance Design"
Beginning in 1954, the Hydra-Matic 4-forward-speed automatic transmission is available in the Chevrolet Suburban (GMC offered this transmission in 1953).
This was the last series to feature "Canopy Express" models.
1955 - 1959 - "Task Force"
Engines included I-6 and the small block V-8s. Chevrolet used its 265 V-8 engine, later evolving it to a 283 CID version. GMC based their V-8 on a Pontiac design.
1960 - 1966 - "The Forgotten Years"
The styling of the 1960 - 1961 model year took cues from the late 1950s Chevrolet cars and had large oval ports above the grille. The cab featured a "wrap around" windshield. Both tailgate and "barn door" rear openings were available. From 1962 onwards, the hood styling was 'toned down' a bit, with a more modern looking hood that eliminated the large ports. In 1964, the front glass area was updated to a flatter windshield, and larger door glass.
This model series introduced a factory-equipped 4WD ("K") option for the first time. The 2WD "C" models introduced a torsion bar-based independent front suspension and trailing arm and coil spring rear. But by 1963, returned to a more conventional coil-spring approach.
Engines included both I-6 and small-block V-8s. A 305 CID 60 degree V-6 was also available on GMC models. The 305 was actually 'brought down' from GMCs medium duty truck line. It featured huge torque numbers, but was also notable for poor fuel economy.
One ton(C-30), 10 foot panel truck models were no longer available after 1966.
1967 - 1972 - "Three doors"
The second generation C/K Suburbans are easily recognised by having only a single drivers side door and two passenger-side doors. They were available in both 2WD and 4WD models, and were equipped with the small-block V-8s of the current model year (e.g., 283, 307, 350 cubic inch V-8s.)
1971 saw the introduction of disc brakes on the front wheels, and 1972 was the last year for coil spring rear suspension on 2WD models.
This series would also be the last to offer C-10 & C-20 Panel truck models for commercial purposes.
1973 - 1991 - "9-passenger seating"
Starting with the third generation C/K models, the Suburban was finally a 4-door vehicle. The rounded corners 1970s body style remained largely unchanged for 18 model years - making this series the longest in production of any Suburban. Both 2WD and 4WD models, designated "C" and "K" were offered, as well as one-half ton and three-quarter ton ("10" and "20" on the Chevy, "1500" and "2500" for GMC) models. The one ton model designation was the C or K 30 for Chevrolet and 3500 for GMC.
The base engine was the small-block 350 cubic inch V-8. A 400 cubic inch V-8 was optional. The 454 cubic inch big-block V-8 was now available for the first time, but only in the 2WD three-quarter ton models. A 6.2 L Diesel V-8 was also available from 1982-onwards. The diesel later went to become the engine of choice for Suburbans imported to Europe from USA.
Three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmissions were initially provided. In the 1/2 ton models, the Turbo-Hydramatic 350 was used, and in the 3/4 ton models, the Turbo-Hydramatic 400 was used. Towing packages, offering gearing reduction and cooling additions for heavy loads, were available. A "positraction" limited slip differential was optional. Later vehicles came equipped with rear anti-lock brakes (only active in 2WD).
Trim options included base level, and upgraded Silverado versions. An optional 3rd row bench seat allowed for 9-passenger configurations. A rear heating system was optional, as well, to help heat the long vehicle's interior.
In 1986 and 1987, the engines were switched from carburetors to electronic fuel injection. The system that GM chose was called throttle body injection, or TBI. The change improved fuel economy, performance, and emissions. Overdrive-equipped 4-speed automatic transmission were also incorporated - in the form of the 700R4 (1/2 ton models) and 4L80 (3/4 ton models).
GM temporarily changed the usual "C/K" designation to "R" and "V" for the 1988 through 1991 model years. This was done to avoid confusion with the GMT400-based C/K pickup trucks, which were introduced in 1988, during the overlap period.
1992 - 1999 - GMT400
The GMT400-based Suburbans were introduced in the 1992 model year. This was actually quite late compared to their pickup truck brethren - which switched platforms in the 1988 model year. Both 2WD and 4WD models, again designated "C" and "K", were offered, as well as half ton and three-quarter ton ("1500" and "2500") models.
The base engine for all variants was the small-block 5.7 L (350 cubic inch) V-8. The big-block 7.4 L (454 cubic inch) V-8 was optional for the 2500 series. The optional 6.5 L Turbodiesel was available on all models - though rare on the 1500 series. Transmissions included the 4L60 4-speed automatic in the 1500 series, and the heavier duty 4L80 4-speed automatic in the 2500 series.
The GMT400 series introduced independent front suspension for a more comfortable ride compared to older models. The 2WD models used coil springs and 4WD models used torsion bars in the front suspension. All models used a live axle and leaf springs in the rear.
Trim options included a base-level version, the LS, and the LT. Interior seating arrangements allowed for either bucket or bench seating in the first row, and optional 3rd row bench. Thus it could be configured from 5- to 9-passenger seating.
There were a number of mid-life upgrades on the GMT400. These include:
- Revised interior in 1995 - including a driver-side air bag
- Vortec engines with increased horsepower and fuel efficiency in 1996
- OnStar and passenger-side air bags in 1997
- A new full-time 4WD option in 1998
In 1998, Holden premiered the right-hand-drive version of Suburban for local Australian and Kiwi markets with either petrol or diesel motors. However, the sheer size and poor quality material doomed its first foray into the RHD market. Interestingly, Interestingly, General Motors chose to engineer and build the right-hand drive conversion rather than relying on Quigley 4x4, one of the approved and most experienced conversion specialists. Quigley 4x4 had done the exceptional RHD conversion utilising the high quality material and mirror-image dashboard. General Motors instead utilised the modified dashboard from 1995-2005 RHD Chevrolet Blazer.
In pop culture
In The Hills Have Eyes (2006 film) the Carter family drives a 1991 Chevrolet Suburban V-2500 towing an '88 Airstream International and crashes into a rock after the tires are blown out.
In the TV-series Promised Land the family travelled around the country in a third-generation, and later (after an accident) a fourth-generation Suburban.
In the Harrison Ford actioner Clear and Present Danger a fleet of white 3/4 Ton 1994 models operated by the US Government in South America is destroyed in an ambush by drug cartel operatives.
And, in absolutely every movie and TV show about the FBI, the White House, or the Secret Service, there is always a fleet of black Suburbans equipped with armor plating and red & blue "police" lights.
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