2000 Suburban Off road suspension upgrade Questions

freemang20 · February 28, 2020

EDIT: I realise I posted this in the wrong forum. I cant figure out how to delete my post.

Hello everyone,

I'm a college aged kid who loves to work on cars and trucks. I own a 4x4 2000 LS Chevrolet Suburban 1500, which used to be my fathers. The car has 219k miles on it now, with both the original engine and transmission. I've done plenty of repairs from changing the control arm and sway bar bushings, to changing the oil pan gasket, which is a pain on a 4x4 because I had to drop the differential. I've always wanted to mod it but never knew what I wanted it to be for a while. After spending much of the winter out on poorly maintained country roads and dirt trails, I realised what I want the truck(SUV? I dont have complete confidence in what a suburban is classified as) to be.

I've decide to make it a light off roading vehicle. Something I can confidently take off road on relatively forgiving terrain. However, I need help with exactly what suspension upgrades I need. My shocks are already going out, so its prime time to replace them. I also figured a lift/level kit is in order. Do I need to replace the control arms as well?

Forgive me if I come off as inexperienced or naive. I never had anyone in my life to teach me about cars or car repairx and Ive had to teach myself what I know over the past few years.

Id really appreciate your feedback. And also, on a side note about the engine and trans, the engine is in fantastic shape, as it has had consistent oil changes its whole life. I know the 4l60e transmissions arent the strongest, and I feel mine is bound to go sooner or later, so I plan to swap it for the 4L80e

Thank you guys so much!

Edited February 28, 2020 by freemang20