The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

Some things never change: The sun rises in the morning, sets in the evening; time and tide wait for no man; summer follows spring, and the Chevrolet Suburban just keeps going on.

The Suburban has been on the market for decades, but that’s really not news. What is news, though, is that another use has been found for this big- boned, hardy and handsome vehicle.

The new use, and it looks more than just a passing fancy, is Suburban conversion units. Yes, just like a conversion van only the customizing takes place on Suburban utility vehicle. So, those who enjoy custom vans will probably appreciate a conversion Suburban. It is sold locally by Ruhe Oldsmobile, 15th and Tilghman streets, Allentown. Ruhe does not sell Suburbans per se, rather it sells completed conversions by Regency. The dealership also has a franchise for Regency conversion vans and pickups. Ruhe also does complete service for all Regency conversions.

Anyway, the Suburban is the biggie of utility vehicles. With four doors and almost enough roof area to land a helicopter, the Suburban has been, and no doubt will continue to be, a popular vehicle for sportsmen, campers, boaters, tail-gaters, horse people and anyone who needs to tow or just likes to run around in a big four-wheeler. (The Suburban is also available in two- wheel drive but that’s a slightly different story.)

In an age of smaller vehicles, dimensions of the Suburban take on somewhat of a heroic aura. With a wheelbase of 129.5 inches, overall length, 219 inches; width, 79.6 inches, and height, 74 inches, the vehicle is long, wide and tall. The curb weight is listed at a little more than 4,700 pounds, but the conversion unit is probably closer to the 5,000 pound mark.

Although the Suburban is available with fancy trim, the conversion unit, as should be expected, is much more so. In addition to the Suburban’s Silverado trim level, the Rustler features such interior items as four premium reclining bucket seats and removable rear reclining sofa, aircraft lights, wood door and rear accents, overhead console with indirect lighting, console with TV locker and storage compartment, rear indirect lighting, leather steering wheel and cut pile carpeting.

Exterior touches make sure the vehicle isn’t mistaken for anything but a conversion unit. Designed to catch the eye are color keyed fiberglass running boards, roof rack, deflector, fog lamps and custom paint scheme. The test vehicle was charcoal with medium gray and silver accents. The paint job, though, went a little deeper than the color. Seven coats of paint, including two clear coats, produced a ”deep” look.

The overall length and breadth of the Rustler does require some attention and a good deal of judgment when parking and maneuvering. This, though, should be obvious. It can be fitted into a one-vehicle parallel parking space but it is not that easy a job. As with a van, side mirrors must be adjusted properly and used.

Other than parking or going through tight spaces, the vehicle, with all of its power equipment, is not difficult to drive. Sort of like driving a standard size utility vehicle with a couple of more feet added on. Since most or these vehicles will probably be used for towing – horse trailers, camping trailers and/or boats, one had better get used to the extra length fast.

What probably will surprise most drivers who are not familiar with light trucks or light truck-type vehicles, is how well these vehicles handle. Not like sports sedans, to be sure, but a little more nimble than most will imagine. The test vehicle handled exceptionally well over the back roads. No real automotive breakthrough secret here but rather heavy duty trailering suspension, big P235/75R15XL all-season radials and a lot of low slung weight of the four-wheel drive system.

Another surprise is how well this vehicle rode. With leaf spri gs on semi- floating axles both rear and front, one might assume this ride would be on the firm side; and it probably would be if the vehicle were rated higher than a half-ton. But as it was, the ride was smooth and a lot of it can be attributed to the long wheelbase. Also, the thick and comfortable custom seats took the lumps out of the bumps.

The test vehicle was further civilized by the use of automatic locking hubs. This means it can be shifted from two-wheel drive to four-wheel high without leaving the cab. No fuss, no bother. Because of the warm weather and dry roads there was absolutely no reason to use the four-wheel drive mode. But with past experience with similar type vehicles, I will guarantee good traction under all conditions. (No real going out on the limb here. This is what four-wheel drive is designed for and this is what it does best.)

The four-wheel drive system also separates the utility vehicle from the van. For this reason alone, conversion utility vehicles can offer competition to conversion vans.

With a vehicle this size, a healthy engine is needed to get things moving, and keep them moving. The test vehicle was powered by Chevrolet’s true and blue 350-cubic inch (5.7 liter) V-8. This engine has been a work horse in General Motors cars and trucks for a number of years now and has been through it all and survived it all.

The version in the Rustler features EFI (electronic fuel injection) and is rated at 195 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 300 foot pounds torque at 2,800 rpm. This is plenty of power for cruising, trolling or towing. And despite the vehicle’s weight, tires still can be squealed from a standstill in two-wheel drive with an over anxious foot.

Coupled to the engine is a GM four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. This is an excellent unit that provides a good spread of power at lower and ranges. No need to ponder anything with this transmission; just put it in OD and drive merrily away.

With a vehicle this large and an engine to match, one thing prospective buyers shouldn’t look forward to is economy car fuel mileage. As the old saying goes, if it runs well, feed it well. Fuel mileage averaged about 8 miles to the gallon around town and 14 on the highway. ”Saving” the day on highway mileage was the overdrive fourth gear. The Rustler, however, will go quite a distant between fill-ups because of its 40 gallon gasoline tank.

The bottom line on the very well equipped Rustler test vehicle was $29,875. If you say it fast it doesn’t sound too bad. Prices on Regency conversion Suburbans start at about $25,988 for a two-wheel drive ”Renegade” model.

The vehicle is covered by a GM 6-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and 6-year/100,000-mile outer-body rust through protection. In addition, the Regency conversion is backed by a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty.