1987 Chevrolet Suburban Specs and Features
by Christine Wheatley
Chevrolet and GMC introduced the Suburban in 1936; aside from minor differences, the Chevy and GMC Suburbans were basically twin vehicles. Based on the panel-truck design, the early Suburban was essentially a truck-based station wagon, consisting of two doors and three rows of seats. With its powerful engine and generous seating capacity, today's Suburban is the ultimate consumer-market towing vehicle and an adequate substitute for a full-size van. In 1987, the Chevrolet Suburban was given a fuel-injection system and improved engine performance; it remained unchanged until 1990.
Engine and Transmission
The 1987 Chevy Suburban offers a gasoline or diesel engine. The gasoline engines are a 4.1-liter straight-six, a 5.0-liter V-8 at 305 cubic inches, a 5.7-liter V-8 at 350 cubic inches, a 6.6-liter V-8 at 400 cubic inches and a 7.4-liter V-8 at 454 cubic inches. The diesel engine is available in a 4.0-liter straight-four, a 5.7-liter V-8 at 350 cubic inches and a 6.2-liter V-8 at 376 cubic inches. In 1987, throttle-body fuel injection, or TBI, was introduced, replacing the carburetors. This gives the Suburban engine more power, particularly the 5.0-liter and 5.7-liter V8s, where the horsepower is increased to 170 and 210, respectively. Transmission for the '87 Suburban is available in a three-speed and four-speed automatic, a three-speed manual with a low range and a five-speed manual.
Exterior
With four doors, a total length of 219.1 inches and a maximum curb weight of 5,900 lbs, the 1987 Suburban is a massive vehicle. It has a width of 79.60 inches, a maximum height of 76.1 and a wheelbase of 129.5 inches. Tires are either the 235/75 on a 15-inch rim or the 235/85 on a 16-inch rim.
Interior
Three rows of bench seats allow for eight-passenger seating, with an option for nine-passenger seating. Interior dimensions consist of 40.5 inches of front headroom, 40.8 inches of front legroom, 65.6 inches of front shoulder room and 60.7 inches of front hip room. It has 40.1 inches of rear headroom, 35.5 inches of rear legroom, 64.6 inches of rear shoulder room and 60.7 inches of rear hip room.
References
Writer Bio
Based in Royal Oak, Mich., Christine Wheatley has been writing professionally since 2009. She contributes to several websites, specializing in articles about fitness, diet and parenting. Wheatley has a Bachelor of Arts in art from Calvin College.
