Like the other big SUVs, the suburban is a decent platform to start with, but it needs some upgrades to make it something more than a soccer mom mobile. I had a 76 Suburban 4WD that was a real tank. It weighed in at three tons and was still mostly all metal interior and exterior. It had a solid frame and a good power train based on a 406 ci block and a good differential all time 4WD system. I beefed it up by rebuilding the block, adding an Edelbrock Dominator intake system and raising the compression slightly, and a better aftermarket iginition system and a good set of headers and pipes. It was a real goat up in the hills, and the only regret was I coulda used a couple inches more of clearance under the pumpkin a couple times. Otherwise it was about an ideal SUV for me. It only got about 8 mpg, but I was never concerned about economy with that thing. I wanted something that would get the job done. It also had enough cargo room with the back seat folded down that I could sleep comfortably in the back despite being 6'6" long. I ended up getting rid of it when I went to Iraq, but for the few years I had it I thought it was wonderful. Now I just have my extended cab pickup which is seldom getting driven with me being out of the country so much, but it works. If things go as planned, my next SUV will be one of those Internationals for sure. That'll git 'er done!!!