#32: The Venerable Suburban Plus Coolant Lessons and a Weird Hatchback
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Car
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a big truck that people use for work and everyday driving. The 2022 version has different engines and tech features to help with tasks and make driving easier.
Car
Ford Mustang
The 1966 Ford Mustang is a popular classic car that many people love for its stylish look and powerful engine. It's part of the first series of Mustangs that started in the 1960s.
Car
Volkswagen Alltrack
The Volkswagen Alltrack is a type of car that can drive well on different kinds of roads, including rough ones. It has all-wheel drive, which means all four wheels can get power, making it better for winter or off-road driving.
Car
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is a tough-looking vehicle that can drive on rough roads and trails. People love it because it's great for adventures and has a unique style that stands out.
Term
winter tires
Winter tires are special tires made to help cars drive better in cold weather, especially on snow and ice. They stay soft when it's cold, which helps them grip the road better than regular tires.
Term
studless tires
Studless tires are winter tires that don't have metal spikes in them. They are made to grip the road well in snow and ice without making a lot of noise.
Car
Volkswagen Gti
The Volkswagen Golf is a small car that's fun to drive and has a nice interior. It's a good choice for people who want a reliable car that feels sporty.
Brand
Continental tires
Continental tires are made by a company that specializes in making tires for cars. They are known for being reliable and good for driving.
Term
hose clamp
A hose clamp is a small tool that holds hoses in place. It can be tightened to stop leaks from happening.
Term
cooling system
The cooling system helps keep the engine from getting too hot. It uses a liquid called coolant to absorb heat and keep everything running smoothly.
Part
coolant
Coolant is a special liquid that helps keep your car's engine from getting too hot. It moves around the engine and helps cool it down so it runs smoothly.
Part
radiator
The radiator is a part of your car that helps cool down the liquid that keeps the engine from overheating. It lets air pass through to cool the liquid before it goes back to the engine.
Part
water pump
The water pump is a part that moves the coolant around the engine. It helps keep everything cool so the engine doesn't overheat.
Part
engine block
The engine block is the big part of the engine that holds everything together. It's where the fuel burns to make the car go.
Part
heater core
The heater core is a part inside your car that helps keep you warm. It uses hot liquid from the engine to heat the air that comes into the car.
Term
thermostat
A thermostat is a part that helps control the temperature of your car's engine. It opens and closes to allow coolant to flow, keeping the engine from getting too hot or too cold.
Term
optimal temperature
Optimal temperature is the best temperature for your car's engine to run. If the engine gets too hot or too cold, it can cause problems, so it's important to keep it within a certain range.
Part
hoses
Hoses are tubes that carry coolant in the car. They can get old and either become too soft or too hard, which can cause problems like leaks.
Term
serpentine belt
The serpentine belt is a long belt that powers several parts of your engine. If it breaks, you might lose power steering or your car might overheat.
Term
antifreeze
Antifreeze is a special liquid that helps keep your car's engine cool and prevents it from freezing in cold weather. It has a sweet smell because of the chemicals it contains.
Term
overheating
Overheating is when your car's engine gets too hot, which can cause serious damage. It's important to pay attention to the temperature gauge and stop the car if it starts to rise too high.
Term
boil over
Boil over happens when the coolant gets so hot that it spills out of the radiator. This can be dangerous because it means the engine is overheating.
Car
Pontiac GTO
The Pontiac GTO is a famous muscle car from the 1960s, known for its speed and power. The 1966 version is especially loved for its classic style and strong engine.
Concept
monitoring gauges
Keeping an eye on the gauges in your car helps you know if everything is working right. If they start showing strange readings, it could mean something is wrong.
Car
Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe is a large car that can fit many people and their belongings. It's known for being comfortable and powerful, making it a good choice for families or road trips.
Car
Chevrolet Blazer
The Chevrolet Blazer is a sporty-looking SUV that can handle both city driving and outdoor adventures. It's a good option for people who want a mix of style and practicality.
Car
GMC Sierra
The GMC Sierra is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and is often used for work or towing. The 2004 model is known for being strong and reliable.
Car
Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban is a big car that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It's great for families or anyone who needs a lot of space, and it's been around for a really long time.
Car
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a small car that's known for being very reliable and good on gas. It's a popular choice for people who want an affordable and easy-to-drive vehicle.
Car
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition is a big SUV that can carry a lot of people and gear. It's great for families and trips, and it has a lot of power for towing things like trailers.
Car
Mazda 6
The Mazda 6 MPS is a sporty version of a regular Mazda 6, designed to be faster and more fun to drive. It's a great choice for people who want a car that feels exciting on the road.
LIVE
Almost like it's for the fifth generation. It almost looks it looks to my eye that it could be just a Chevy pick up with a pick up
Or like a cap on it. Whereas. Oh, yeah, that's I mean, that's the great thing. I'm literally what is a suburb?
Yeah, it's they've just literally our trucks with caps on them. Welcome back
Life plus cars community a lot of fun things to talk about and I'm excited to get into it here today with you, Brendan
So
How are you sir? Thanks for asking that not you know wintertime not a ton going on, right?
Right. I think the most reason thing I'm working on is I bought a used plow
for my 22 Silverado
So like my truck when I bought it
I had put on it the push plates and all the wiring for a plow
But just never got a plow because they're expensive friend of the family had one that they're selling
But it didn't need a little bit of work
So I've been putting like new cutting bar edge on it and it's one of the ones that has like extendable wings
So just fixing up little things changing the fluid. I
Didn't plow with it once and yeah, it works great. So I'm very pleased about that. Yes
Excellent. I knew you were on the hunt for one for a little while there. So yeah
Yeah, and then right up your alley and the other thing I've got is up my buddy
Tyler his 66 Mustang is in the garage and we've been working on that on and off
You know through an amateur restoration just doing little stuff gas tank fuel lines brake lines
Some interior stuff gonna put a new fender on it. Oh, well, that's fun. Yeah, so it's just chipping away
I don't hear this winter and yeah
Mm-hmm. Yeah, I said how how many how often you can have a you know big heated garage
You know a buddy of yours that you can put this in you might as well take advantage. That's right smart man
Yeah, but yeah, that's that's what's going on over here. What about with you? Yeah, so
My all right. I mean all track right the all track that you're gonna buy. Yeah, so you can get a wrangler. Yeah
Always scheming always scheming. Yeah, you're yeah, you're all track. Yeah
It's it's great. I mean, yeah, I mean right now it's in full winter mode has the ski box on the top and
winter tires and wheels
continental
Viking like winter tires and they are
Amazing tires. I have to say like I really like them. I really like them
I I ended up going with them because I was in a bit of a pinch last
Last year when one of my old haka poetas blew out and they didn't have the haka poetas in stock and then continental fit because it's a
The factory 17 inch wheels on the all track are of odd size
So there aren't many
Tires that fit and so went with these continentals and they are excellent tires. They're actually a lot quieter than the haka poetas
Oh, good. Well, are they better road? I don't stud it or no. No, they're uh, studless. Oh good. Yeah
Yeah, I'm a big fan
No, I had when I bought the gti years ago
It came with a set of studded winter haka poetas and I mean they'll grip like nothing else
But they are so loud any other time of the year or like even in the winter even on any kind of pavement hot or cold
They're just so loud. That's just it. I mean really the reality is right
Like the majority of the time you're driving on dry pavement in the winter or wet like the times you actually drive in a snowstorm is
Pretty minimal if you really think about it, right?
Yeah, unless you are on a vermont
Back road
Every day. Oh, that's really the only case. I think you're driving for studded tires
Oh, yeah, your driveway is just straight up. Yeah. Yeah
So, yeah, love the continental tires. So a big fan. I'm not sponsored just a
Just a nice surprise because I'd never had continentals before so nice definitely a fan and
The I did stop in and paid a visit to the Mustang. I hadn't been back to the garage where I keep it for storage
So everything seems to be all good
Everything's I mean interior is dry. No
No, uh, no mice activity none of that. So that's good. The lower radiator radiator hose has a bit of a
Slow drip, which is why it was the coolant system was on my mind
Have you tried tightening up the hose clamp at all?
That's a good suggestion. Yeah, I'll follow up with that. I didn't do anything with it because I had to run
So that's good. That's a good tip. Um, yeah
Yeah, just put a piece of cardboard under it a little drain pan in the meantime and that's you'll be fine
That's right. That was under there. Anyway, so yeah, otherwise it's just continuing in
hibernation
Nice to see the car. It's nice nice to have it tucked away in a nice heated place. That's right
So that's the latest and greatest there. I mean, as you said winter is a quiet time for cars and car things. So just
just taking care of them and
Looking forward to summer driving
Oh, absolutely
Absolutely. Yep. Yeah, I've got the same thing all the ones in the the building
I just go out every once in a while and just make sure batteries are charged and stuff make sure it's still warm in there
But yeah, we'll just count down the days to spring. Yeah
Hey, let's jump right into some car tech. What do you say car tech life plus car tech
Right, so I mean, yeah, and you mentioned the cooling system on your Mustang something of interest to you
So maybe that's what we talk about. We talk about the cooling system in a car if you could
Yeah, I mean it's in part because I appear to have a small leak
But I just I got thinking about it. I mean as we've talked about in other episodes
I mean, I love cars. They've been I've been all about them my whole life
One thing I'm still learning about just how these cars work canyx of it the systems
There's so much there and I just love hearing from your perspective Brendan about these things that I think other people can learn about too
I mean Rango our episode where we got into fluids and all the different types we did touch upon
coolant and
Just how vital that system is and also how it's overlooked. So yeah, well said. You're absolutely right
It is it's the it's the most neglected and one of the most important fluids in a car
I mean, it's what keeps your car running in a proper sense, right?
Like it right from overheating it keeps your oil from getting too hot provides heat for the interior of your car
And so I mean let's let's start with the basics
So the breakdown is the coolant the primary parts of a cooling system are you've got a radiator
You have a water pump. You've got your engine block
Obviously and all the coolant passages within it and then you've got your heater core, which is in the cab and
All that works together. So so passages run all in around the combustion
Chambers in your motor and your block and when the you know pistons fire from
The car running it heats up that metal and the way that they're designed to
Draw the heat out of it. So your car doesn't just you know
Sees from too much heat right is it water runs through it or your coolant your antifreeze and then
It's circulated through the system by your water pump your water pump
Has a thermostat that is also in it that keeps your car operating at an optimal temperature, right?
So if you look at a water pump on a car like on your all-track or my truck
You'll see that it has like the radiator tubes that go to and from the radiator
There's one on the top and one on the bottom
But you also see other tubes that come off the water pump that go towards your firewall
And that's for your heater core the whole idea of a thermostat in this setup, right?
Is as your car is cold and you're starting it and it's warming up
It pumps the warming up coolant to the heater core first so you can get heat in your cab, right?
Yeah, right. Yeah as your vehicle reaches its optimal temperature, which I mean they vary depending on the car
But usually it's somewhere in 180 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit is most thermostats
That's when they start to open and when they open that allows that big radiator hose tube to go from the water pump
To the radiator to circulate coolant through the radiator
And keep your car running at an optimal temperature
And that thermostat is constantly opening and closing because it goes through the radiator cools down
And then it closes a bit and then it gets too hot again. It opens up again
So there's there's many components in there that can fail and that's why I say it's so neglected
You mentioned your you know hose connections leaking one sign that your cooling system does need some type of help
Or maybe service is your hoses you'll see they might actually get like spongy or they might get like really really hard
Or there's leaks like you're seeing. Oh, yeah
And that could be a sign that maybe the hose actually needs to be replaced
But in your scenario even with the Mustang or how much you drive it like I would obviously first check and see
Maybe you just need to tighten up the hose a little bit
And that might take care of it, but it might need a new hose
You just you you don't know you'd know by if it's either really soft and squishy
Or if it's the hose itself as hard as a rock, then you'd know like, okay, I should probably change that got it. Yeah
But yeah, uh the cooling system. Yeah, and then you get into like yeah the water pump that has a
It's usually driven by your serpentine belt on most cars
Some cars that's driven by timing belt right like inside where the timing belt circulates through with your through with the
Cam shafts the crankshaft and all that usually the water pumps in there too
But that's a wear item a water pump is something that has a bearing inside it
And it's got these little propellers some are plastic some are metal
Those can go bad the gaskets can go bad like this 2010 Honda
I just did the timing belt on the water pump gasket actually failed
And just there's cooling all over the inside of there the timing belt was so that was a really good thing to replace
So that can go bad and then radiators can get punctured right or they can get clogged
There's there's so many different things but the overall theme or story or recommendation is
You know your cooling system keeping that up to optimal snuff is really just change your cooling out and then
I would say with like a thermostat or hoses somewhere around that 100,000 mile marker
Or sooner if you want to but changing your thermostat keeping an eye on all that stuff
Will make sure that your car is at the optimal temperature for as long as it can be trying to think anything else
If your heater core, you know, which is the the device that's it's like a mini radiator that works in reverse
Right inside the cap to provide each for you. Yep when those when those go bad those are
No fun to fix those because you got to get under the dash. I've done a few of those
Thankfully I had that replaced on the Mustang and you actually can access it right under the dash didn't have to pull anything out
So thankful that was a simple job
I remember picking it up from the garage and then seeing the green coolant in the passenger footwell and saying, huh, okay
Something's going on there. So yes, turned out to be a wiki. Yep heater core
Yeah, because you'll know like a good warning sign that your heater core in your vehicle starting to go is
Your windows will fog up when you have the heat on and or you will obviously smell like kind of that sweet smell
Because antifreeze has the glycol in it. So it's got a little bit of sweetness smell to it. So
Oh, it's good to know. Yeah cars
I mean if there's anything that I can tell the listener about a cooling system on a car is you do not
Want your car to overheat that can ruin your engine if you are say you're driving down the interstate and you see your temperature
Gauge is starting to spike up to territories. You've never seen it pull over and shut the car off
Don't drive it to the point where there's steam just billowing out of underneath your hood because you've done more damage than you can imagine
So with the steam coming off in that scenario, is that like actually like the coolant boiling off at that point? It's so hot
Correct. Yes. So all they're all designed that they have a pressure
You have a radiator cap on top of your radiator that has a pressure
That's designed to keep your cooling system boiling point at its highest point
But if you I mean it's possible to get it hotter than that and if it will it will boil over
And eventually something will break whether it's a radiator hose or the plastic melts on your radiator or whatever it is
And it will spray all over the engine compartment or it will just boil off and never
Open a hot radiator cap wait for it to cool down and never work on a cooling system. That's hot that you'll just you'll scald yourself
Yeah, gotta be very careful. Yeah. Yes. Yeah
I mean, this is all really helpful for me and I hope the listener as well just these common
Systems that are just integral to your car's engine its performance
Just day to day driving and it's interesting hearing the many components
I think coolant and then realize oh, there are so many different pieces to this
This the thermostat the water pump the radiator the heater core all the hoses and with um
With the water pump. So is that it's the is it in name only because there is I mean
We're talking about antifreeze and coolant, but I mean it has a water content, right?
Or like I'm curious where like it's water pump comes from
Yeah, so in cold climates, right or extremely hot climates you do like a 50 50 mix of
Antifreeze and then like fresh and drinkable water or distilled water
And that gives you a very good protection for freezing or boiling over right you can
Just run water in it if you want to you can but then you lose that protection for
The really cold or the really hot antifreeze with its properties and additives is designed to give you that extra protection
That's why it's uh, you you put them in like new england where we are like you have to and I actually have a little tester that
I test the cars and make sure that it's a good
Concentration of antifreeze before winter and before summer. So we have a little more extra boil over protection or really good freezing protection
I know uh on the Mustang Dave told me that he had uh went from a two core radiator to a three core
Radiator and I'm curious if you could talk a little bit about that and just the difference between them and it just improved
Is it improved cooling?
As a result of having that beefier radiator as compared to what would have been like the factory
Factory option with the with the engine with uh, I not quite sure on the ford
It could be that he just put in like a heavy-duty capacity like radiator that would have come to the car head factory ac
Mm-hmm
But the standard one would be a two core what the core is the core is basically how much surface area there is
Of coolant passing through the radiator that allows like when air is going through it right to to cool down
So two core picture that there's basically just like two lines running through it
And that's filled with coolant and it's just cooling that down
So the more rows the the more efficiently it can cool right that makes sense. Yeah
Yeah, well, I'm yeah, I appreciate the the walkthrough since I've looked at that and I remember him mentioning that when he was telling me about the
modifications he did including that upgraded radiator, so
Yeah, it just all it does is it just increases the the thickness of the radiator
Because like when you look at
The front of a radiator, right and you see all those little fins that go like you know zigzag like you know across when it refers to rows
It's talking about those right so one core is just one of those
Two core is two of those stacked on top of each other, right?
And then three is three rows so on and so forth
It just and like I said, it just means better cooling because you're putting more fluid through where this air is drying through
Either from your radiator fan or from driving which I mean it has added to
Chargability. Oh, yeah. I well, I mean I did the same thing on my 66 gto is I took out the two core
That it came with because when we got it out of storage, right?
It was the the bottom of it had rotted out
So it was junk anyway, and I put in a radiator that was for a car with air conditioning
Yeah, like that one didn't have it
But I put in one for air conditioning and it had one more row and it cools way better
Than a two core one wood
So it's just a good simple upgrade, especially for an older car that's notorious for running hot anyway
I appreciate the the walkthrough and it's yeah, it's just it's helping me to get to know my car
Just a little bit better each time. So
Appreciate the know how they're brendan. Oh, yeah
It's important especially on the classics to you know, make sure that your
Gages work and then just to keep an eye on them, you know, if they start acting funky or whatever
Then you just keep a mental note of that
I mean like I've installed in some of the older cars like actual
Aftermarket gauges that give you actual temperature readouts like the 66 gto just has a dummy light
That if it gets above a certain temperature, it'll just turn on a light and tell you
I'm like, yeah, it's that's not a good idea. Right. I'd like to see what the actual temperature is
Give us a little bit more data. Oh, yeah
light
So, yeah cooling system that there's a lot pieces there
Yeah, and your radiator fan or you might have a fan clot tree might have an electric fan
I mean, there's so many different pieces to it. All the cars are different
And then in terms of the just to say this the in terms of the fluid or radiator coolant
Antifreeze whatever you put in it that would be in your owner's manual
So someone wants to see that so I mean like all the old cars like you and me and with the Mustang gto
I just put in like typical green coolant and you're changing it every two or three years
But some cars like gm or Honda Volvo they have blue coolants or orange coolants or purple or
Whatever and you can change them every five or ten years. So it's uh, just put in it. What's recommended, right?
But do be cognizant of how long it's been in there. Yeah coming full circle from our conversation about fluids as a whole
Yeah last episode. Yep. Like plus car tech talking about cooling systems
Responsible for keeping us warm on those chilly days. That's right. Yeah, I think a lot of people if you were to ask them
They would not know that oh coolant. What do you mean? It heats heats my car. In fact, it does. Oh, yeah
Yep
Here we like to pick a theme whether that be a car or a car culture topic whatever it might be
We talked all about the Jeep Wrangler, which is one of my favorites
And this week I thought it'd be fun for Brenda to take take the lead with one of your faves. So
Well, I'm pretty excited
And I might even start tearing up a little bit
What we're talking about
Chevrolet
Suburbans as any other listener would know I am a big fan of the old Tahoe Suburbans
Yukon's Yukon excels. They are some of the best vehicles out there on the road
And I'm very thrilled to be talking about them. I didn't realize
Until recently that suburban is one of the oldest car names in the country
Same. Yeah, that's amazing. So it started in basically 33 34
1934 was pretty much the first suburban
They wanted to have like a basically a truck, but they wanted the whole people and stuff
So they had like an eight-seater what they called like I think a carry-all or something like it was
Yeah, it was the suburban carry-all that was what it was known as when it first began there in the 30s
Yep, amazing. And it was uh
instant hit
Right and it just quickly developed from there as you went through the 30s into the 40s
And it always was based on
A truck design so it mimicked the Chevrolet truck designs through all of the eras
You know 47 to 54
They had that beautiful kind of rounded fender rounded top look came with all these different engine options
You know, they had their
Stove bolt in line six and they had
Inual transmissions and oh, it's just they're beautiful rigs. I I love the looks of the old ones
I mean Ian and I obviously grew up in the
You know the 90s, so we're probably partial to the
You know 80s 90s 2000s and beyond suburbans
But we always like to talk about with these like what is your favorite Ian of the old ones
So if you could pick from like, but I don't know just the old ones the old ones. What's your favorite? Yeah, oh my gosh
I mean, it's
They're just there's so many as as you can tell I'm having a hard time
Picking that one. Um, that's what you would probably be. Oh, I would I would say for me. It's probably
I really like the look of like the 55 to 66 generation
For like the old old ones. Yes. Yeah that look like it just looks very much, you know
Utilitarian just you know solid built vehicle. Yeah, I I really like that one
The case for both like the 55 to 59 fourth generation
I'm looking at a kind of visual history here of it. And then the fifth generation was 1960 to 66
Yes
And yeah, I'm a fan of that fourth generation for sure
I I never really liked the fifth generation with that flat nose
That kind of had that like weird looking
Flat front with like the blinkers and stuff up high right and yeah
I'm looking at it that almost like for the fifth generation
It almost looked it looks to my eye that it could be just a Chevy pickup
Would they pick up or like a cap on it whereas? Oh, yeah, that's I mean, that's the great thing about literally
What is this?
Yeah, it's they've just literally are trucks with caps on them. Yeah, I do
I think I'm with you on the fifth generation there just that it it has that signature suburban look
and
I do have to point out I'm looking at this website that has
History of all of them. I'm looking at a picture of the third generation, which is 47 to 55
And apparently this generation suburban was the inspiration for the HHR
With that which was a bit of a monstrosity, but the actual suburban itself from the 40s and 50s looks quite good
But I didn't I didn't know that
Not the travesty that is known as the HHR. Yeah, right. Yeah, so that's just funny how I would not have even placed it
But I totally see it now
I think I'm with you. I'm with you on the fourth generation that yeah that that looks that's a great truck
Oh, yeah, I mean that like as you go through the years with them too like I mean they were just
Instant hits, right? They're family haulers. They were used for everything. I mean police livery taxi use
I mean you name it. They were just
massive
massive success story with the suburban
And once we finally got into like, you know the late 60s, right with that that styling then you started to see like
Different bigger engine options
You finally got the five door suburban because I mean that's right the listener needs to like understand like it wasn't until like
I think it was the late 50s that you could actually get more than two doors on them
They were always just like two door and then just rows of seats behind the front two doors
And finally they introduced a third door and then like oh, obviously the back hatch opened up
But then it wasn't until the mid 60s late 60s that you got the four doors and then the rear hatch or barn doors that swung open
That's right. Yeah, I think that that sixth generation is my other favorite early. I mean
Look, it's when the suburban became its its own
Identifiable truck outside of the pickups that they're very as you said five doors the back hatch barn doors
It's it's oh, it's like much more suv looking now by the time it gets to the sixth generation
Yes, absolutely
And they really started to fit more of like a niche at that point, right?
Like they were like, all right, like they've they've proven that they're
Reliable that people use them for all these different things, but now we're gonna make it really about
Comfortability and people hauling. Yeah, we get past we get past
1972 you know in that era of GM truck and we get into the seventh generation
And that's the longest production that suburban's ever seen 1973 to 1991
Geez, it's almost 20 years of producing the same style vehicle. I mean that just proves it
That's right. How successful that design was and those I mean, I think those are some of the best-looking ones
Oh my gosh. I'm such I'm such a fan of the square body Chevy. Just pick a
Blazer suburban. I just love square body Chevy's they
Absolutely. Oh my gosh, some of my favorite vehicles. Yep. Now that my brothers get a 77 GMC. I want a 77 suburban
Oh, that would be a great get. Yes. Yes. So that's uh, that's when we really started to see
Uh
Chevy and suburban start to really kind of market towards
Every type of use right like they were really marketing heavy to like families like pull your camper pull a boat
Throw the family in it, you know head across country. I mean they were they had them in
Half ton models. They had them in three quarter ton models, which is the greatest thing in the world
And they had all these engine options when you get the inline six you could get a 307 350
They had the 305
They had the 400 cubic inch and then they even had the 454
Yeah, you should have a big block just it's amazing. It was just like the sky's the limit
I would love to go back in time
Into like the late 70s and going in order one just check all the boxes
Right, and then they had uh, they're coming out with like full-time four-wheel drive and they had
uh changed up the suspension system on them to make them handle better and
Uh stiffened framework and I mean they really GM has always put
A lot of time and resource into the suburban
And I mean it's just it's proven just time and time again that it's a venerable vehicle that's going to be around forever
So that's right. Yep venerable is the word. I mean just so
Standing the test of time here
And yeah, I mean there are very few other
Goals that you can identify that last as long as it has and then just individual model or generations
I'm 20 years for the square body. So just uh blows me away
Yep, I know. Isn't that amazing?
Yep, it's just amazing. But yeah that that era of them some of my favorite looking
The only downside to them is their fuel economy, but hey
All right, but smiles per gallon. That's right. He said that's right. Yeah, they weren't necessarily thinking about it at the time
So yep, just pile the kids in hitch up the boat camper and just go
Yep
But yeah, yeah, but getting getting past that era with the 70s and 80s and getting into
1992
When gm came out with the next generation suburban totally redesigned in 1992
That has got to be and I'm sure it's because we're millennials, but it's got to be one of the most iconic
Looking suburban
I mean, it's I mean, it's pretty much is still the square body, right?
It's just like the front clip changed a little bit and they put so much effort into
The
refinement on body panel fitment on sound deadening on quality of materials for the inside. I mean
This generation between 92 and 99
has got to be
the
Best that gm ever made in terms of thinking of the customer
Yeah, and and creating something that just had a quality to it
That's just unsurpassed. I mean you could you could get these with the 57
You could get three-quarter ton models with the 454. They even had diesel models in them
I mean, I loved it too and they had the you know a little bit shorter than the suburban
They had the Tahoe you could get a two-door Tahoe. Oh, yes
Like they went all out on these vehicles
And I mean you and I grew up with these and like I'll never forget like the first time riding
And I think it was like a 94 suburban and it was just like that dark red interior
With like a maroon exterior and I was like this is the most comfortable vehicle I've ever sat in and and I was like
Seven years old. Oh, yeah. I mean it is such an icon. Yeah, you're right that I mean as millennials here
We are and that it's just when I think suburban
I think of the eighth generation and it's just yeah, it's it's they put so much into creature comforts
And yeah, I had a similar experience where neighborhood friends had gosh, it would probably probably yeah, like a
95 suburban and it had like the
Centurion
package on it with like all the wood grain in it and the leather
So this thing was in addition to it being already a comfy
kind of a
Spec it was just like oh my gosh, this thing is like a living room on wheels
And that was my first introduction to suburban
Um, and then yeah another neighborhood family had a 2500. I thought that was the coolest thing
I'm like, whoa, wait the wheels are different and it says 2500. Why does it look bigger?
Like yeah, oh and it was like that sky blue two tone over
Like, uh, yeah, it's sort of that desert beige color. It was like, oh my gosh
This is just such a beautiful truck. Wow. Oh, yeah, the two tone. I love the two tone on those
Yeah, I just remember thinking like wait, it comes in a 2500
Oh, yeah, I mean you know me. I'm all about the three-quarter ton like I just they're
incredible. I mean they
Like buying a one ton pickup truck, but you can haul the family and a giant boat behind it
I mean, it's just great. I give you everything the suspension upgrades the brake the frame all of it
And it's just a people mover. I don't know why gm quit doing the
three-quarter tons and one tons and those I just I don't I don't understand
I mean, obviously it's lack of sales, but I mean my god
Yeah
Right. I mean you could do everything
that
a truck could plus then
Take the whole family with you. So and then I mean, yeah, you
I'd see oftentimes that people would take all the back seats out and then it just really is a truck. You just like it's all like
Yeah, I mean, I've done that. I've taken the seats out and you put a mattress back there and you just drive across country
You just sleep right in the back. It's great. Yeah, there's nothing like it on the high school plus cars episode
Cole we talked at length about this generation suburban his family had two of them including a 92 and then a
98 so he's very very uh
well versed in suburban's
Oh, yes
Oh my gosh, I just there's something that draws you in and maybe that I'd be curious if we talked to other people of our generation
whether they're
But into cars or not
I feel like if you mentioned the the name suburban they have some kind of picture in their head of either
their family had one or a friend or just yet they were all in the
You know the pickup line before school and after school and at all the soccer games
I mean just list the sort of like stereotypical place you'd see a suburban and it was there
Yep, right. Oh, absolutely. I mean they're I mean that that is a vehicle that is just like it's one of the family
I mean, it's yes. No question. Yes, and like especially that generation, right that eighth generation, which is the
the gmt
Oh, I can't remember what they call it 400. Is that the I think that's right. Yeah. Yeah gmt 400 is the eighth generation
Maybe it's just because of millennial, but like I immediately think movies and yes work and stuff like that
Like there's always suburbans and all of those. Yeah
Always anytime you see a movie and there's any government. It's a suburban. It's a black suburban. Yeah
Like blacked out windows all that. Yes, like any special ops or anything like that
It was just a fleet of suburbans flying down the highway or whatever
Yes, and then every disney movie that had a family
That was the that was the vehicle that they'd roll up in pretty much pretty much
Yep, and then yeah, then we get to the next generation the ninth generation the gmt 800, which is my probably my personal favorite
Um, just because I still own one of these and that was right in the air of when I got my
Driver's license and my dad had a 2004 gmc seara
And now I have an o4 suburban three-quarter ton
But uh, I I really think that these are some of the best built ones
that gm came out with
they
The thing that gets me about the 2000 to 2006 metal suburbans is I will see them for sale
All over the country to this day
And if you find them like in washington state or montana or places where they don't salt
Like arizona like they'll have like three or four hundred thousand miles on them
And they're still running strong. Yeah, you know, it's like maybe one needed a transmission
And like maybe one's interior isn't too good
But it's like that thing is still looks like they came out of the factory. So it's a it's amazing
It's amazing how they just they really hit a quality on those
That is I mean, unfortunately, I think unsurpassed to this day
I my favorite part about that ninth generation gmt 800
Is the three-quarter ton you could get the 8.1 liter the 496. That's my favorite part about that generation because
Oh, I love a big block and that is an amazing motor amazing motor
They came out with that motor to compete with the diesel. It does a very good job
Yeah, there's so many flavors of the suburban both in trim levels and
Yeah engine choices. It was I'm reading here in this this visual history
It says that they brought out the z71 package in 2001 for the suburban
So that was where they they brought out like that off-road specs kid plates
And yeah, and all the off-road bits and such and then also
Quadrasteer came out for this generation too like you could get a yeah suburban
I don't know if you've ever had any experience with a quadrasteer
I've driven one or I've never owned one. It's yeah, it is amazing
It didn't take off well
Because it was a super expensive option to start like when they first came out
It was like seven or $10,000 option. Yes, and then GM they only had it for like
Two or three maybe four years offered. Yeah, didn't last long end
They dropped the price down to like a thousand dollar option just to try to sell it
And I remember my dad when he was ordering his truck
He looked at getting a quadrasteer one because it was a thousand dollar option when he looked at it
But they said you couldn't plow with it and he was like that's so stupid because it would be so handy to
Well, right
Would let the the full wheel turning like because you can get into tight places
So he didn't get it the people I know that have had it and it's still has a major following to this day
They say it's just incredible. So the quadrasteer right it turns the rear wheels
Opposite of the front wheels in slow maneuvering
So you could go into like parking spots and stuff right and then on highway speeds
It would turn them in the same direction as the front tires to be better trailering stability at highway speeds
Uh, I mean, it's a genius thing. It essentially cut the turning radius of the suburban down to like a Honda Civic
Turning radius
Which is just amazing right for a giant suburban. Oh, yeah, so I mean, it's a very neat idea
And I think it's very very impressive that they offered it on the half tons in the three-quarter tons
Um, they had it in the half ton like Denali trucks and then they had it in the suburban
Uh, but yeah, just it didn't take off. I mean, I wonder if it did if we'd still see it today
I mean, we're starting to see a little bit of it similar right and like Hummer and
Well, right. Yeah the crab walking stuff like that. But yeah, but yeah, it's uh, it is that's a very interesting option
And you don't see it very much for sale. But yeah, it's cool. Very cool. Very cool option. Yeah, that dimension is
Anyone's listen to the show like my oh four
Three-quarter ton suburban is that's like my favorite vehicle. It's the perfect combination of
Comfort with ease of getting in and out of it for me
reliability
like it's
Got just enough technology in it to be
Fun to drive and easy to drive but not too much where it's like
Overwhelming, you know, like screens everywhere and stuff like that right just enough tech
But oh, yeah long enough. Yeah, and it's not new enough that like I can't work on it myself like electronics stuff like that
So, yeah, yeah, it's I do. I love it. I absolutely love that Reagan
I really wish the GM would still make them like they made though that generation
You know getting into the next generation, right the 10th generation that was from 2007 to 2014 the gmt 900
Uh, I actually think that these were some of like the cheapest ones
Like I mean, they're still good suburban's but like when you get inside them
Like you just if it seemed like they really downgraded it in this generation. Yeah, there's just a lot of plastic
Whether seem or plastic everywhere
Yeah, just very generic and like for me too like the the seats in the previous generation were so comfortable
And then the 10th generation they were just like, uh
So right, I mean we're doing with like this is I mean this 10th generation debuted in 2007 like on the eve of
I mean GM going bankrupt the
Recession just yeah, we're talking about like it's just it's not a good time period for cars in general
So just you can see that reflected and just the quality
Just depreciating in this generation. You just kind of even just looking at the styling of it. It's sort of just like
Kind of yes, it has an age well
It has not aged well and it is it's just it's really cheap
Like it's no other way to put it like it's just for for what a suburban is for how much they cost like that 07 to 14
Range just seems so cheap and looks kind of cheap feels cheap
right
But I mean, you know once again though, they still like they still had the three-quarter ton ones and they still had a couple different engine options and
I mean they they sold well obviously, but
And in that generation too, we saw like active fuel management and
You know bluetooth and backup cameras and all that jazz coming to play
Yeah, this is when tech really began to take over for I mean all cars, right? Like we just oh, yeah
It just started to seep in more and more
As as the 2010s went on
Yes
Yeah, and then I I mean I think like the the next generation the one after that is they called the k2 xx
The 11th gen when they started in 2015 that to me was almost like a a they went back to that 2000 to 2006
Generation and they were like all right like let's make the interiors better and let's make them a little more reliable and
Yeah, I really like the looks of that generation too
And it's just they back to back to the like really just a reset of sorts just it's much
Boxier it's harkening back to that traditional
Look of a suburban long slab sides
They've just as opposed to just sort of the blah roundedness of the prior generation
This just looks the part like you can tell like okay. Yes has presence whereas the other just didn't so
Yeah, I like this a lot too
Oh, absolutely. Like I had my uh 2017 GMC you come that's right basically
It's basically a Tahoe just a short suburban right and I mean that thing was amazing
I drove that all over kingdom come over to national parks all around and it never skipped the beat and it was so
Comfortable to do that in and it got really good fuel mileage for what it was
I mean, I think I average like
Maybe 20 or 23 on the highway like it was pretty impressive. It's really good for
For that engine and the size of the truck
Yeah
Yep, and I mean it's still and that's just it it still is a truck right like it's that same platform as the truck it's
uh body on frame and
They just add the cap on the back still to this day. So
But yeah, I mean so that that I really like that generation and then you know 2021 22 right we got into the
The newest generation that we have now
Yep, our generation. Yep. Yes, and I do uh, I do very much like the looks of them
I don't like the price
That would be one thing. I'm not a fan of with the brand new ones. I do
I have had the privilege to drive a couple of them
and
They're phenomenal vehicles and I mean if I had a 100 grand just lying around it was like you got to go buy a car
I'd buy a brand new suburban in a heartbeat. So
Yeah, the new ones are very well reviewed. They've they've just maintained that
excellence that suburban is known for that they've now I mean rekindled
And kept that going. Yeah, it's it just again you look at it like yeah, it just
Just it's pure suburban to its roots and it's just like if you need a big
family hauler
That is going to pull a boat pull a camper
And just and bring your four kids if you have them and just like this is this
This is the truck like this is the vehicle for you. I feel like there's still a place for that
Even in this era of pivoting towards more hybrid more ev
Smaller vehicles. It's just like they're
The suburban still sells really well
It does it's one of the best selling suvs in the country
Which is amazing if you consider that the base price starts at like 64,000 dollars. Yeah, it's not cheap anymore
It is I mean even I mean they've they've always been but you know on the more expensive side
Right, that's true. Yes, but they're at this point. It's I just I don't know who can afford these
I mean because you're talking about that used to be forever
I mean at least from like the 90s up until
Recently it was basically just suburban
LS or LT
And it was like you want leather or not
That's it you
And then you've got like high country and you've got
I mean, yeah, now you can even get the rst, which is the sport truck version
Yes, I mean they've got all these different models now. They've got the the premiere. They got this, you know, I whatever
It's all all different trim packages. I I mean it kind of goes back to what I've said about
I really wish that they would bring it back to just you get a suburban LS
Or an LT and then here are the options just you pick the options now it's it all comes down to you know packages, right?
Right. You want the auto dimming mirror? Oh, that's part of the convenience package for $2,200. It's like, okay
Well, can I just get the mirror? No, you can't do that
Nope, no have to check all the but you know just the package box not
Yeah, it's no longer making it unique to
What you want? I mean you just think about those that mean you're looking at the
Earlier suburban from this list and to buy one of these older ones now and that if you are fortunate to have
A build sheet or a window sticker and you can just see that. Oh, wow somebody was really intentional with how they built out this
This truck you can't do that anymore
Yep, it's true. Yeah, so there you have it
So, let's see. Let's just summarize it real quick. And I mean, it's it's a vehicle name plate that's been around one of the longest
US history the suburban
It wasn't exclusively gms forever. It was used by a few different ones over the years
But it's one of the longest name plates and it's always meant
for
big hauler moving people
Uh, you know reliability
And I really think over the years that gm especially has been a good testament to that
I know yes, I know and like where it connects to life plus cars that we need to talk about
Is I don't know like we talked about briefly with colby and his
Suburbans like with my suburban like I
Think there are certain types of cars that really connect people more than others
And I believe the suburban is one of those cars and like what I mean to explain it
What I mean is like
If you meet someone
Who's not a car person at all
And you say like, you know, oh like what about like this and a suburban like they might be like
Oh my gosh, like, you know, we did this family road trip and it was in this suburban and this or like
Like I even know this friend that was like, yeah, I learned to do doughnuts and like a suburban like, you know
Back when I first got my license in like 2003 and it's like it's the greatest memory ever and like yeah
We named it, you know birtha or all these stories
And I mean they're they're the ultimate road trip vehicles. They're the ultimate people haulers
They're the ultimate tow
Toy haulers there. I mean they're everything. I mean you can load up your kids your dogs
You know all the luggage you need hook on to your travel trailer and you're gone and it's like there
There aren't many vehicles out there that fit that bill
Yeah, it's so true. I mean we we talk about all the time how many we all have a car story and that's in part with the
We will have to hear on the podcast and we'll talk about I mean
I would be so curious to ask
just every day people have like
So do you have a suburban story and a bit more often than not people could probably identify something
Along the lines of because there's so much life that happens in and around a suburban just because of
what they do and what they offer and where they take people and
What you do with them whether it be hauling people or or things or going camping
Yeah, it's really endless like what you can do with suburban, which makes it such an icon
Absolutely. Yeah, very well said Ian and it's true. It's it is. It's amazing how that
Car can connect more people than other cars. It's just it's it is impressive very impressive
Yeah, we are big fans over here at lifeless cars and you currently own two of them. So
I do I've got no four and then I've got a
96 sitting in the garage so
And if the listener out there if you have a suburban story
Let us know life plus cars at gmail.com
We would love to hear more about people
People's tales with suburban's what you do with them. What the family did. Where'd you take them? There's yeah got to be so much out there
Absolutely, please do share
We know what we like to end with a little bit of silly sort of fun
car
Shopping of sorts on craigslist. So
Brendan. Yes
Did you find you? I am going to pull up craigslist right now and I am going to look for for the theme of this a
Chevrolet
Hicks, I'll be while I'm looking for one. What do you got man? All right, they're two very different cars
I just went on craigslist opened up cars and trucks in new hampshire and just started scrolling through
I didn't even put anything in as far as manual or
Car or truck anything I'd sent. I was just let's just see what weird and strange things are out there. So two of them
That popped up here
We have a 19
31
Ford woody wagon
Oh
Yes
Yep
Whole wood sides
It's even got like the like the window
That you put in on the sides and then it has a main 1931 plate on the front and talk about basic here
I mean looks like it's in great condition for what it is. It says very nice condition runs and is fine
It is fine. It is fine
and
You don't see very many woody wagons pop up and particularly of like this vintage
I feel like when you see woody
wagons at car shows or cruises or whatever they tend to be some of the more like
Cars from the 40s. I feel like not some of these early. So this is an early one 31 Ford woody wagon
very cool
Black over like a beige two-tone here. I mean just of that arrow the spindly wire wheels. Yeah, really cool old
Woody wagon here. So popped up nice. That was uh, yeah, that was actually even before the suburban came to be so
But somewhat in the same
Style though. I mean a big
I mean lots of seating here
Yeah, I mean that's that's the the Ford og suburban or
Expedition or
Whatever you want to call it. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. What was your second one?
My second one is something
Uh in the words of multi python that for something completely different
We have a 2007
Mazda 6 hatchback hatchback five speed
And you may be wondering ian why
Why this car like what are we even looking at here? Well, no, why not? Why not this car? So
it is a
Mazda 6 as mentioned and what's so cool about this car
Is that it looks like the sedan they made a sedan of this generation?
But this is the hatchback and when you open it it looks like it opens up like a hatch
It's very cool. I've seen one of these in person and uh,
So it for all the world looks like a sedan and then you pop the pop the back and it's a full hatch and it's a five speed
Mazda makes great little cars of this era
110,000 miles
It's uh, that's a beauty that would make someone a great first car
Yes a unique fun first car and very usable because that whole back opens up like a hatch instead of just a trunk
Yep, isn't that unique good old Mazda. So that one you don't see very many you see a lot of the
sedans
Of that era for sale, but you hardly ever see these hatchbacks pop up. So that's why I
Took note of that one
Nice, so those are my two craigslist picks this week
The 1931 what woody wagon and a 2007 Mazda
6 hatchback five speed
Very nice very nice. So I did find a suburban
Okay, and I think it's the one we got to talk about the craigslist find suburban. So
She's down in brooklyn
$1,600
It's got 190,000 miles on it, which hey testament to how they last that's true
But looking at this thing this has had some hard miles. It looks like the passenger front fenders had some
fly-by-night rust repair or as Derek Bieri would say
Rebuild yes
Yep, the driver's side is not looking too good or the captain side
missing a couple lights and a couple dents in there
Looks like it's been painted in some way or shape on some of it
But it's not honest to God not bad for the miles in the age
Inside's a little dirty
The back's a little stained
Just a little few stains looks like it had tint on it, but it's been peeling off
Seats are kind of wearing out, but hey that's back when they did real leather
Oh, it is leather. Yep. Yep. Yep. Not bad. She's got the center console
This is an LT four by four. So she got the five seven. Yep
Yep, I don't know if it has oil pressure or not because in the picture it's running and it's up to temp
But the oil pressure is pegged at zero. So
Yeah
It's uh, yeah about that. Yep. Yep. It's an interesting rig
But it is a beautiful silver color and it's got that tan interior and
Back when that baby was new that was probably a
$36,000 rig 35 36 which by today's standards like 80. So there you go, right
What a bargain. Yeah for 1600 bucks. You too could be a suburban owner
Yeah
Now I think the the find of this one is definitely that 31 woody wagon. That is beautiful
Yeah, that thing's great. I love it's got the curtain side for the windows
That's what I was trying to get the word. Yeah curtain side windows. Yep push them on
Yeah
It's nice condition runs and is fine
Runs and is fine. I think that'll be uh
All I can think of is Dwight from the office. It is your birthday. It is your birthday period
Yeah, no Ian definitely wins that craigslist find right there. Well, thank you for some fun ones here
Always fun to wrap up with all some silly fun here on craigslist. You just never know what's going to turn up
Oh, absolutely
Yep, that Mazda was a good find too. That's something I'd even consider buying
Yeah, that's a great first car life plus first cars
That'd be a great candidate. There you go. That's that's another segment
Well, and we're just wrapping up here
Yes, Ian. Thank you for taking some time to talk about suburban and
Oh, what what a what a fun thing to talk about. I do love me some suburban
Oh, yes, I know you do. So I picked that for you and knew we have lots to share lots to share
Yeah, well, yeah, make sure the for the listener if you have any suburban stories or
Any names for cars on the suburban front you want to share with us or you have any questions about cooling systems
Or if your car is making funny noises and you don't know what's wrong
You can just reach on out to life plus cars at gmail.com
Or you can find us on
Instagram
Yep, that's where most active
Yep
Yeah, just like Brendan said, yep, yes over there
Just thank you for joining us for another episode and uh, yeah, feel free to reach out anytime
We'd love to hear your car stories because that's what we're doing here is we are we're curating car stories
One wonderful mile at a time. That's right. You got it, Brendan
Always a pleasure and yes, thank you all for listening and we look forward to talking to you very soon on the next episode
About this episode
The discussion centers around the importance of vehicle cooling systems, with insights into their components and maintenance. The hosts share personal experiences, including winter preparations for their cars and ongoing restoration projects like a 66 Mustang. They delve into practical advice on checking for leaks, the significance of coolant quality, and the role of thermostats and water pumps. The episode emphasizes the often-overlooked cooling system and offers tips to prevent overheating, making it a valuable resource for car enthusiasts looking to enhance their automotive knowledge.
Original notes
Hello, Life Plus Cars Community! Welcome back to another episode where we talk about what's new in our car world, learn about some car tech, explore the history and culture of an iconic car, and discover some unusual Craiglist vehicles.
Join hosts Brendan and Ian on this episode as they discuss:
-how your car's coolant system operates and why it matter so much
-how coolant is also responsible for heating your car's interior
-the history of the Chevrolet Surburban, their favorite generations, and which Suburbans Brendan currently owns (yes, plural!)
-their Craiglist car finds of the week, including a quirky hatchback and a 95-year-old Ford
Plus, is Brendan buying Ian's Alltrack? Is Ian buying a Jeep Wrangler?
Tune in to this week's episode for all this and much more!
What did you think, listener? Did you grow up in the back of a Suburban? Road trip stories? Tales of an overheating car? Send us your thoughts at [email protected]
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Ian Henry and Brendan Bailey
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