General Happiness with Suburban

[Motorhead337]

   I recently took my 1991 GMC V1500 6" RC lift, to Ohio and back from Alabama.  The wind noises and ride literally beat me to death and my back is still killing me.
   Put dual exhaust on in Ohio and new door pin bushings but the front doors still sag and the only way to get to the hinge bolts is to take the fenders back off so I not happy about that.
   Even after tightening all the doors up the wind and road noises were so loud I had to keep ear buds in.
   I know this is a Chevy enthusiast group but I think the 1973 engineering is getting to me and am thinking instead of doing a motor swap and any more upgrades I may just drive it till it dies and save up for an excursion.. My step father has an 2008 king ranch and is essentially the same body as an Excursion.  It is very quiet on the highway and smooth. I also like that the excursions are already on 3/4 ton axles and I'd like to do a Cummins swap on either truck.
   What's everyone's thoughts? Can the suburban's ride and cabin noise be significantly improved or is it a lost cause with a truck that hasn't seen any changes since '73?
I enjoy how cheap parts are but the hard bench seat and slamming the doors is driving me insane.

[zieg85]

While not the current technology of the newer vehicles you should be able to quiet the the wind noise up.  The lift greatly effects your ride quality so you are not even comparing apples to apples.  RC is short for rough country.  Even in stock form a 91 V series is no match to independent front suspension of new.  Your expectations may be too high.

[Motorhead337]

Do they have lift kits that ride better than factory? Haha. I planned on a 4" lift for the excursion , they are solid axles with leaf springs so it may not ride any better. But if there is something I can do to really fix the wind and road noise putting in some good bucket seats would make the ride quality livable. I tightened all the doors so they don't rattlebl anymore but it seams most the air comes through the windows and through the door panel.
I just want to be able to run down the highway while having a conversation or listening to the radio at a moderate level.

[Jason S]

But if there is something I can do to really fix the wind and road noise putting in some good bucket seats would make the ride quality livable. I tightened all the doors so they don't rattlebl anymore but it seams most the air comes through the windows and through the door panel.

What is the condition of the window felt and vent window seals, as well as the door seals?  Do the door panels have anything between it and the door shell (i.e.,paper cover)? Are you running mud grip tires? 

[Motorhead337]

 They are probably in need of being replaced, probably why the doors rattled. Is there sound deadening that I could spray the inside of the doors with? Would putting felt on the door between the panel help? I wish I could ride in a brand new (91) suburban and see what its like.

[gunrac]

http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=7&Category_Code=WTHR

Do they have lift kits that ride better than factory? Haha. I planned on a 4" lift for the excursion , they are solid axles with leaf springs so it may not ride any better. But if there is something I can do to really fix the wind and road noise putting in some good bucket seats would make the ride quality livable. I tightened all the doors so they don't rattlebl anymore but it seams most the air comes through the windows and through the door panel.
I just want to be able to run down the highway while having a conversation or listening to the radio at a moderate level.

25+ yr. old door and window seals, could play into your scenario. 

http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=7&Category_Code=WTHR

Full set of body mounts, may help with you door alignments. 

[Motorhead337]

My body mounts look great but I will take pictures. I rather fix the root of the problem then readjust the hinges.

[Motorhead337]

If I put a jack on my hitch and try lifting the vehicle the bumper moves up with the hitch a good 6" but the frame in front of the rear axle doesn't lift at all. Is my frame weak or do all these suburbans do this?

[zieg85]

If I put a jack on my hitch and try lifting the vehicle the bumper moves up with the hitch a good 6" but the frame in front of the rear axle doesn't lift at all. Is my frame weak or do all these suburbans do this?

doesn't sound good at all

[Motorhead337]

I don't mean the hitch is moving with relation to the frame, I mean the frame seams so be sagging in the rear but I don't see any cracks.