My Beast is a Little Run Down

**I have owned my 1997 Chevrolet K2500 Suburban for three years. In that time, I have driven it to California three times, once with a boat in tow,** ![2015-08-01 12.32.49.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYDDStUqVg185kDpvJSMDgCrmW4A4yk3aWpvdSseGLHTr/2015-08-01%2012.32.49.jpg) **and once we drove to San Bernadino and drove a tiny house to northwestern Oregon.** ![2015-08-15 08.14.20.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcTn8kfHKru3Uaas95ituYbNmYfHDkVFTNBMCVEfRh3v1/2015-08-15%2008.14.20.jpg) **It has also been to Texas and to South Carolina, where it endured a hurricane that bent the trailer it sat next to** ![20160820_103039.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQKbgEj7vpigL1g95CHT4a3rJ1A4o5QmTXj8XACnNVagZ/20160820_103039.jpg) **I have even hauled dirt in it.** ![2015-05-31 09.21.03.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmULkHq9Vp18epDpAmiTF3mkCJS4rdJbL7CgGGwxpeKz19/2015-05-31%2009.21.03.jpg) **My family of six was also unfortunate enough to have to live in The Beast for a couple of months. The Suburban is very much a part of the family. We literally owe this truck our lives. We will never part with it. Now that we are more settled and I have a large amount of space to work, I want to give our poor baby a refresher. It has some rough spots and about 320 thousand miles( not sure, the odometer has never worked) give or take of wear and tear.** ![20160609_202335.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmP2cvQJEH1YKh6Kyh6BLW53uCRESU8ZJXcKzXpVGru1de/20160609_202335.jpg) Being an expert auto mechanic, this project is not only well within my skill set, but it will be a lot cheaper than paying someone to do the work. Having said that, I have very little experience doing body work. It is an art form and a wholly different specialization from the mechanical end of things. I will be learning and growing my skill set in this series because I will be doing all of the work except paint. I do not have the facilities to properly paint a vehicle, though I am really good at spraying. There are things I would like to add to the Suburban as well as some things I will be removing. Below are all of the before pictures, and after those, I will discuss some of my plans for going forward with this adventure. ![20170722_174443_HDR.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcoaaYK6k3YYumiFViCxXQYDpz5wxkCuiZzeSCR2uDkbL/20170722_174443_HDR.jpg)*The grill is plastic and has to go. I will be replacing the front bumper and adding a winch.* ![20170722_173819_HDR.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmW2x19Szhu2EGUWQebLH511sBNie5iNkR1rUFWtyLXbnF/20170722_173819_HDR.jpg)*It needs paint badly* ![20170722_173733_HDR.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfKRNLYk3E9qREB8z9YdiLMoFKYeJhjcdiQ3kr3iHkpG4/20170722_173733_HDR.jpg)*The driver door handle came off in South Carolina. That inspired me to delete them altogether* ![20170722_173722_HDR.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcuE7u82bjHVqdEfE2zFHusBu53Kr3KizeRs8mpkDYEAF/20170722_173722_HDR.jpg)*I am going to install a nice luggage rack/kayak holder.* ![20170722_174323_HDR.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQme5CHtxDP4afb5L7gxZFTENGpgFUmXASrooTGBBdsQyUq/20170722_174323_HDR.jpg)*This window broke one day when I shut the door, so I will have to replace it.* ![20170722_173902_HDR.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPWfjwEJo4HwkPfzChFzZdhnyABgZjjibRCMDZHy4PrJm/20170722_173902_HDR.jpg)*The interior is in bad shape as well.* ****** ## Mechanical * The engine, transmission, and axles are in really good shape for their age, however, I plan on securing replacements which I will rebuild and then swap out. It does need a distributor, which is broken. I will be replacing it with a high energy ignition system. * The front suspension is in bad shape. It needs a steering box, tie rods, a center link, springs, shocks and bushings. It also needs bearings and a brake upgrade. Luckily some of that comes with the lift kit I plan on installing. * It needs universal joints in both driveshafts. * It will have new rims with bigger tires. ****** ## Getting Started * I will start by sanding and preparing the body, getting rid of the door handles and all of the non-metal parts on the outside of the truck (Chevy symbols, plastic trim, etc.). * I will be doing video and picture updates as things progress. * I will be posting a concept of what I want this project to turn out as. Think rolling billboard! * The truck will now have a new name "Steem Beast". That is the tag that I will be posting this under from now on. #steembeast * Please keep watching and supporting. I can't do this without a little help. ## Thanks for hanging in there with me. I love ya! *I welcome your opinions, concepts, color schemes, whatever. Please be part of the conversation.* *I am open to sponsors. A sponsorship will buy you space on the Steem Beast for your @username or your website.*