Project MULE - Expedition build on a 1991 1500 4x4 Suburban

[PMA4x4 4]

Just got back Monday night from a 4 day trip just north of Flagstaff. We went along with the annual ORP Cinder Bash event. It was held near the Cinders OHV Park in Flagstaff, AZ.

 

Below are some shots from that event. This was probably the first time I had to really use 4wd and 4Lo. The LSD in the rear did great in the loose cinders we even got some strange looks from the ATVers thinking WTF is a Suburban doing up here! I am thoroughly satisfied with the performance of the Mule so far

 

We also got the Expedition XL bumper back from powder coating. It turned out beautiful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bumper with the Bull bar option

 

 

 

[PMA4x4 4]

Another day of wheelin' under the belt

 

[PMA4x4 4]

Is your gas mileage suffering? So was(is?) mine. This is a way overlooked fix and I suggest anyone to check it out if you have a high mileage vehicle with emissions.

 

So pretty much since the first day I added the 33s and so on I have averaged around 11.5 to 12.5 MPG. I was satisfied with these numbers. Lately I had been getting a old gas smell and could not figure it out at first. no leaks or nothing. It was not until I started working on the dual battery setup that I realized it was the charcoal canister. Before doing anything I researched it and found that aside from causing bad emission it can cause bad gas mileage. I talked with some other people and they concurred that mileage could suffer. I went down to the local O'reilly and picked up a BWD charcoal canister. I installed it and went my marry way. We drove up to an event 200 miles away which usually eats almost a 1/2 tank. this time it only used a 1/4 I didn't think much of it.

 

We had our fun and 4 days later we filled up before we left. We took the scenic route which was more stop n go and just as many hills and passes as the highway. We got back I topped it off to check mileage and I had to check it 3 more times.

 

15.1mpg!

 

Ok, this is with a fully loaded front bumper with winch and lights, a rear bumper a roof rack the size of Montana, accessories on the roof rack and a huge rubbermaid block shaped container for firewood. The interior was loaded for 4 days of remote camping, two dogs and two humans on the larger side of life. I now have that vacuum sucking sound when I open my gas cap, never ever had that before. that means the purge valve in the canister is working.

 

I will be doing two more trips to see if this is consistent. But math dont lie and this was mileage from the GPS not the speedo.

[91AzXJ 2]

That is useful information for sure. I have 217k on my 4.0L and have had a new canister for about three years sitting in a drawer in the garage. My milage is getting worse lately and I figure the O2 sensor is ready for a replacement. I think I will change out the canister at the same time. Thanks

[PMA4x4 4]

I am finally getting around to building the sliders.

 

[PMA4x4 4]

More work on the sliders today. I have them fully welded up. I had the tubes bent to far apart so they go right to the end. I was planning to taper the ends for better angles so now I will add on a 2" piece at each end that has the taper.

 

 

 

I ended up with some spatter because I had the tip at such a sharp angle against the surface. I am still trying to get better at welding tube and round edges.

 

 

 

 

[Jomax 0]

Do you do side work? I need sliders like yours and a high Clearence rear bumper.

[SSRx7 0]

I'd take your welds any day of the week. My welds are ok, but my problem is that my helmet sucks and I end up not being able to see where I'm welding. So mine end up looking like rabbit trails. Good thing that the only one who is gonna see them is me!! LOL!

 

How do you like your BFG A/T's? That is what I had on my jeep, and I went pretty much everywhere with them. Almost everyone around me runs m/t's. But for the driving I do, the A/T's seemed to work fine. There are a couple of hills that I could climb with 29 inch M/T's that I could not climb with my 31" A/T's. But it was semi loosed dirt with loose hand sized shale rocks in it.

 

Just wondering how those A/T's worked on those cynders.

 

Bill

[PMA4x4 4]

I felt they did pretty good. They are a bit skinny and under rated (load wise) but they did good. I wish I could get them in a 255/85-16 in D or E but since not I will be moving to a different brand. All in all I would keep using them.-

[PMA4x4 4]

Do you do side work? I need sliders like yours and a high Clearence rear bumper.

 

I do side work. email me at sales@pma4x4.com and with more details and pictures and or specs if possible

 

Cheers!