Master cylinder failed at 62,000 miles.
Original rear brakes replaced at 182,000 miles.
Original transmission failed at 192,000 miles.
4 Radiators replaced, each lasted about 50,000 miles.
Engine rod failure at 217,000 miles.
The 1987 Suburban reliability is extremely high. With a working horse farm, 4H kids, and equine competition across the Northeast, the vehicle has more than earned it's keep. With the 454 engine you can tow anything that you can hook to the vehicle, or wrap a chain around. The throttle body injection fuel system always managed to get 12 miles per gallon, running with a six horse trailer in tow, or just the family in the truck.
The guy who got 34 MPG must be on a mo-pod, not a 1987 Suburban with a 454ci V8 that can tow anything and take 8 people along.
I have put over 80,000 miles on my 1987 Suburban 4 x 2 and basically, I love this truck. Mine has the 7.4 (454) engine, all the toys, and is equipped with the 4.10 rear.
The years have seen some repairs, like a new trans and 2 radiators, and the usual maintenance items, like brakes, batteries, and tires.
Other than the gas mileage (it gets around 10-11 in town and 12-14 on the road no matter if it's towing my trailer or I have the A/C on). But for a truck this heavy and with the engine, rear ratio combination, I wasn't expecting 25 mpg. She ain't a LUV truck, but a real SUV with a real man sized motor.
Overall, I am more than pleased with my Suburban and yes, it could have had a few things better designed from the factory (like my dash pad that cracked, as they all seem to do) and my headliner that is starting to sag, but this is in my opinion a great vehicle that does what it was designed to do. And it's a good looking truck that doesn't resemble today's plastic, egg shaped, and overpriced SUV's.
Hello everyone!
I am looking at an 87 Suburban with 122,000 on a fuel injected 454. The body and paint are perfect, and the interior is the same (for its age, at least), and it seats 9.
I will be using it to transport 9 people plus an 8000 pound travel trailer.
I have heard late 1980's Chevy fuel injectors were poorly designed. Has any one had problems with theirs? Do you know of any other possible problems to watch for?
Would $3200 be a reasonable price to pay for such a rig?
Thank you in advance.
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