Buried in the snow. How a massive winter storm almost stranded my Squarebody Suburban!

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

Deep snow and heavy trucks can be challenging. Got stuck a couple of times but was always able to dig out. 1300 mile road trip with the family averaging 17 mpg out of the Burb along with mountain passes and heavy snow.
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Пікірлер: 105

  • @jeromeburrasca6710
    @jeromeburrasca6710 Жыл бұрын

    V BAR snow chains, there the secret is out. You’re welcome. 😅

  • @alexward4569

    @alexward4569

    Жыл бұрын

    My thoughts exactly 💯

  • @98LS1210
    @98LS12108 ай бұрын

    I appreciate this video and the content. I just finished a 1994 2-door Tahoe. Your video inspired the vision again and why the build will never be a one-and-done. It's work to put the vehicle to the test and build the confidence through trial and error. Me and Phil thank you

  • @scott3122
    @scott3122 Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations sir on the suburban, what an awesome and wonderful dream building inspirational truck. You deserve it sir awesome work can't wait to some day see you in the trail. 👍 Wishing you many blessings on your journeys.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much!

  • @blackbeard308
    @blackbeard308 Жыл бұрын

    Self-taught self-made love this channel happy New Year y'all 🇺🇸🇺🇲🕺💃

  • @TOXINCOR
    @TOXINCOR7 ай бұрын

    Dude you're awsome! Good stuff!

  • @fishingunboxingsandreveiws7226
    @fishingunboxingsandreveiws7226 Жыл бұрын

    Badasstruck I love it!

  • @copperpresstech
    @copperpresstech Жыл бұрын

    I love the tortilla blanket behind you when you are sitting in your drivers seat, lol! =)

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    lol, thats my oldest son. It was cracking me up. He LOVES that tortilla blanket. He was like that a lot of the drive ha ha

  • @carlsandvik2893
    @carlsandvik2893 Жыл бұрын

    Looks like an awesome trip and fun time to test out the rig. Time with the kids sledding must have been a blast. Glad all worked well and travels were safe! We need more snow wheeling, just gotta get my junk running. LOL! Happy New Year Merrick Fam!

  • @jimmyjohnson4932
    @jimmyjohnson4932 Жыл бұрын

    What an awesome rig! You sir have built your own sherman tank. Rad truck love the content.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks 👍

  • @cumminsnchevy
    @cumminsnchevy Жыл бұрын

    I’ve got a simple thing to check if your engine is not warming up, it’s very easy to get the thermostat in backwards on the cummins make sure the flow of coolant pushes to close the thermostat cause if it’s backwards the coolant pressure will push through the spring on the t-stat letting coolant flow when you don’t want it to.

  • @eduardg5619
    @eduardg5619 Жыл бұрын

    Cool vid, thank you James for sharing and happy new year 👍

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Happy new year!

  • @taylorstanton5130
    @taylorstanton5130 Жыл бұрын

    still working on my 91 2500 burb build ended up turning into a whole body swap but excited to keep working on the overland build

  • @averagenobody.4832
    @averagenobody.4832 Жыл бұрын

    Great video, always love to see the wins and the struggles. Appreciate the encouragement. 82 K5 toy/daily driver. Somedays, im sure it fears for its life! 😊

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes but you are driving it and enjoying it. Keep on grinding!

  • @t.l.robinson2162
    @t.l.robinson2162 Жыл бұрын

    You have built an awesome beast sir.

  • @y5mgisi
    @y5mgisi Жыл бұрын

    Pretty drive in a cool truck.

  • @mattyancey28
    @mattyancey28 Жыл бұрын

    Great video sir. The honesty and inspiration at the end is invaluable! I'm sitting in my garage staring at a K5 that's about 70%....the last 30% is always the grind... Thanks for the inspiration and the videos of the great adventures that are possible if you Grind! Hopefully our paths will cross someday. 🤘

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    thanks man. Glad it connected. There are no shortcuts unfortunately. Hard work is long work!

  • @SterlingBall
    @SterlingBall8 ай бұрын

    Thata girl!!

  • @rockymtnredneck4888
    @rockymtnredneck4888 Жыл бұрын

    Musta just missed ya’ll down there. We spent that week in S UT as well, with our Suburban.

  • @h.h.legacydiesel6724
    @h.h.legacydiesel6724 Жыл бұрын

    Lots if fun, way to go! Happy new year! ✌️. Love the video. I live in the snow belt in 🇨🇦, you will get better, air down your tires a bit, have actual snow tires! ❄️ not just chunky tires.snows are softer and have more grip, you will be amazed. I think you did great, out with the family! Thanks for sharing 👍🏻. Great build 👍. ✌🏻🧡👍🍁 🌬 ❄️🌧 ☃️🎄.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! You too!

  • @GDG184
    @GDG1849 ай бұрын

    I've been binge watching your videos since I discovered your channel, I just got a 1985 Barndoor burb 6.2 detroit, 3/4 ton. Only sad thing is it's two wheel but my plan is to convert it to 4x4 then cummins swap it, convert it to a stick. You are doing exactly what I envision ill be doing with my suburban once i get it there. For now its gonna stay a 2wd payment princess, might swap a 2wd nv4500 in it because it will be one step closer

  • @christophersanders5007
    @christophersanders5007 Жыл бұрын

    One thing to be aware of when in cold weather conditions below freezing with a diesel engine is fuel gelling, and adding ant-gel additives to your fuel.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Yea that was a concern of mine. I totally spaced it. Got lucky!

  • @enforceOM
    @enforceOM Жыл бұрын

    First time on this channel. Thought it was Bill Burr for a second haha

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Not the first person to say that. What is it?

  • @enforceOM

    @enforceOM

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MerricksGarage The beard and eyes lol.

  • @victoryengineer
    @victoryengineer Жыл бұрын

    Those tires are fine where you normally go, but as someone who lives in the far North can tell you, you would have been way better served with pizza cutter tires. Cool vid.

  • @campnoutdoors1621
    @campnoutdoors1621 Жыл бұрын

    For the love of God Merrick!!! Why do you build everything awesome and than skimp on the simple schit my man. Make a video pointing out each corner that was taken and than spending one week finishing up the burb. Love you man and I hope this comment is not taken as unpositive criticism

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    lol, I know. The problem is the temp fixes end up being more permanent as my more permanent solutions sometimes become more pressing

  • @calholli
    @calholli Жыл бұрын

    You can just zip tie a big piece of cardboard on the front of your grill, and that will work wonders for your heat. I had to do it in the past; It worked virtually immediately. Or you can just get a little tarp/ flag with some bungees like they do on the big semi's.

  • @wadericker4795
    @wadericker4795 Жыл бұрын

    @ Merricks Garage what brand of dash instruments do you have in the Burb? Are they expensive? Sure do like how they look! Update I found your video on the Dakota Digital dash. I gave you a thumbs up!

  • @markriley141
    @markriley141 Жыл бұрын

    For the throttle, no red loc-tite?

  • @rogerridder2903
    @rogerridder2903 Жыл бұрын

    Does the Cummins have a grid heater for cold starting ? My 01 24 valve does it starts really well if you cycle it a couple times only once most of the time .

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    It does but I removed mine as it rarely sees cold temps. Maybe once or twice a year on a trip like this

  • @concernedcitizen1320
    @concernedcitizen1320 Жыл бұрын

    Dude why would you hit the road with the throttle linkage like that? 😂😂😂😂

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    because I like to live dangerously

  • @nikolatesla7836
    @nikolatesla7836 Жыл бұрын

    You’re going to redo your transfer case crossmember right?

  • @raystanton238
    @raystanton238 Жыл бұрын

    That front driveshaft angle seems severe. You could add a tapered shim between each spring pack and the top of the front axle to tilt the rear of the front differential up a little which can add longevity to that front driveshaft. They only cost a few dollars each.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    meh, I ran up to 50 mph all week long with it locked and I could feel it but it was harmonized. Plus it would change my castor

  • @Carlo-_
    @Carlo-_ Жыл бұрын

    What psi did you have your tires at in that deep snow? Airing down really really helps in the snow.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Both times I was about to air down I was able to get pulled out. I had multiple air fill sources so wasn’t too worried about airing dowm

  • @Carlo-_

    @Carlo-_

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MerricksGarage looks like a great trip. Love the ‘burb

  • @CavanalK5
    @CavanalK5 Жыл бұрын

    Do you do any mods on your wiper arms? Someone has changed my CUCV wiper armss to J-Hook style and I can’t seem to find any wipers to fit them properly. Looking for a change.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    I don’t sorry. They are stock

  • @CavanalK5

    @CavanalK5

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MerricksGarage all good. I’m sure I can scrounge up some info over on CK5. One last Q for ya. What Oakleys are those? Time for a new pair and I dig those. Keep up there great work buddy 🤘🏼

  • @brianhamilton9392
    @brianhamilton9392 Жыл бұрын

    do you have axle lockers? Second if your going to run a diesel in the cold install a wabasto heater to keep it warm at night. Those big wide tires are not meant for deep snow, narrow tires lots of sipeing, lower air pressures. Great burb though wish i had never sold mine.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes I do

  • @corymollak2093
    @corymollak2093 Жыл бұрын

    I have an 80 GMC K25 w/ the factory 6.6L/400 gasoline sb. Your gauge cluster w/altimeter read-out is awesome and I need one in my life! Is there a link for this cluster so that I may find my plateau of enlightenment? ALSO.....military hmmv rim and tire install on a Burb......thoughts? I am not afraid of a split-rim. Thx in advance!

  • @JaronWhelan

    @JaronWhelan

    Жыл бұрын

    here for the link as well

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    its a Dakota digital aftermarket setup. Its rad.

  • @nikolatesla7836

    @nikolatesla7836

    Жыл бұрын

    Don’t do the military tires and wheels, they are junk , beadlocks if you really off-road, if not any wheels will do.

  • @timothyshearer6538
    @timothyshearer6538 Жыл бұрын

    a set of chains would've been killer imo! I love my chains in deep snow (my transmission doesnt)

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Yea I honestly kinda got surprised by the amount of snow! I think with a set of maxtrax I wouldn’t have had any issues getting unstuck

  • @adamward3941

    @adamward3941

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MerricksGarage I was going to ask if you had Maxtraxs. I was on a trail in Dec around that area in 2019 and was only able to really get out because of the Trax.

  • @ojaiguru
    @ojaiguru Жыл бұрын

    What's the latest on how much longer they're keeping Pismo open for 4wd vehicles? Keep up the great content and ingenuity.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh its open, and they recently opened up more. The lawsuits that were involved by the local land owners (new residents and developments) are slowly being proven wrong and incorrect. Its also thanks to corva.org who are out there leading the fight.

  • @ojaiguru

    @ojaiguru

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MerricksGarage Thanks -- that's good to hear. Appreciate the response and your content. I'd be curious if you had any recommendations for a GMT400 Suburban other than a SAS to beef up the front end. The snow content was fun to watch -- I used to take my son to Brian Head to ski/snowboard.

  • @maxvictory616
    @maxvictory616 Жыл бұрын

    Merrick, do you have a thermostat on the engine?

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    I do

  • @ethanslape8889
    @ethanslape8889 Жыл бұрын

    sure does have a lot of leaks for all new parts

  • @kc6581
    @kc6581 Жыл бұрын

    What year is your burb?I have a 1991/Kseries:1500(1/2 ton),4x4,350(5.7L),barn doors ,alternative oil cooler ,& I could really use some moral support on fixing my baby up!!I am 66yrs old disabled lady,down here in San Diego,CA.!!Love your videos!

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    this is a 91! They are rad trucks!

  • @Thomzombie303
    @Thomzombie303 Жыл бұрын

    weld it lol

  • @nikolatesla7836
    @nikolatesla7836 Жыл бұрын

    You don’t have a winch? 😮

  • @slingingsteel9744
    @slingingsteel9744 Жыл бұрын

    How is the TR-4050 doing for you?

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    It’s fantastic. Shifts so smoothly it’s actually enjoyable. Very predictable and quiet with low heat generation too. Stoked on it

  • @user-ep2tx2lr2r
    @user-ep2tx2lr2r4 ай бұрын

    What’s type lockers are you running?

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    4 ай бұрын

    Detroit rear and E-Locker from Eaton up front. I would have eventually worked my way out, but I had like five kids in the truck with me lol. I was glad for the tow!

  • @user-ep2tx2lr2r

    @user-ep2tx2lr2r

    4 ай бұрын

    @@MerricksGarage right on. What’s your opinion on your E-locker? And why a Detroit in the back opposed to E-locker in the front and rear? Thanks for the reply!

  • @cowboynidaho
    @cowboynidaho10 ай бұрын

    Where did you get those gauges

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    10 ай бұрын

    The dash is Dakota digital and the a pillar are Autometer.

  • @cowboynidaho

    @cowboynidaho

    10 ай бұрын

    @@MerricksGarage thank you

  • @BlueCollarRiffs
    @BlueCollarRiffs Жыл бұрын

    Sometimes the smaller and narrow tires do better in the snow. The big mud tires float ontop of the snow rather than bite into the snow. Cool truck, I like it

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Very true!

  • @goodson77784
    @goodson77784 Жыл бұрын

    Where did you get your gauges?

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    The a pillar or the ones in the dash? Autometer and Dakota digital

  • @nikolatesla7836

    @nikolatesla7836

    Жыл бұрын

    It’s an easy install on the Dakota digital, it takes a real good squarebody enthusiast to get the original gauges to function like factory.

  • @michaelconner204
    @michaelconner204 Жыл бұрын

    Loctite

  • @nikolatesla7836
    @nikolatesla7836 Жыл бұрын

    You’re going to redo your transfer case crossmember right? 🤦🏻‍♂️

  • @gilhernandez605
    @gilhernandez605 Жыл бұрын

    I thought keeping the engine cool was a good thing.

  • @Carlo-_

    @Carlo-_

    Жыл бұрын

    There’s a happy medium. Ever see big rigs in the winter with their grills covered?

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Yea 90 degree is too cool

  • @fishingunboxingsandreveiws7226
    @fishingunboxingsandreveiws7226 Жыл бұрын

    Jam nuts or Lock tite

  • @yesode4201
    @yesode4201 Жыл бұрын

    Let’s go drive off the road because we need content and then pretend like we did something!

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    That sounds like a terrible idea.

  • @lanceroark6386
    @lanceroark6386 Жыл бұрын

    16MPG? TF!?!?!? My 2008 Yukon XL Gets 14.9 MPG. I’m getting ripped off. I need my 89’s back.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Yup.

  • @lanceroark6386

    @lanceroark6386

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MerricksGarage wait. That doesn’t make me feel good about the decisions I’ve made in life.

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Welcome to the club. I installed a cam and magnum box in the blazer and lost like 5 mpg.

  • @lanceroark6386

    @lanceroark6386

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MerricksGarage sick! That Blazer is a truck of many mens’z dreams.

  • @sethjohnson2358
    @sethjohnson2358 Жыл бұрын

    First

  • @nikolatesla7836
    @nikolatesla7836 Жыл бұрын

    You’re going to redo your transfer case crossmember right?

  • @MerricksGarage

    @MerricksGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Uh huh

  • @nikolatesla7836
    @nikolatesla7836 Жыл бұрын

    You’re going to redo your transfer case crossmember right? 🤦🏻‍♂️

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