1996 GMC SUBURBAN
PRODUCT OVERVIEW:
The GMC Suburban is a unique, one-of-a kind vehicle that's targeted at and
has appeal to buyers who want vehicle versatility and capabilities for
carrying cargo and up to nine passengers, as well as towing.
NEW FOR 1996:
* New Vortec 5700 SFI V8 and Vortec 7400 SFI V8 engines (features improved
driveability, idle, starting and fuel economy)
* Rear seat heat ducts on all models
* Electric shift transfer case available
* Improved corrosion protection under the hood and body
* Long-Life coolant, extends service intervals up to 5 years or 160,000 km
* Running boards available on all models
* Stainless steel exhaust system
* Adjustable front seat shoulder belts for increased comfort
* Three new exterior colours; one new interior colour
* Armrest storage
* Leather trim available
* Illuminated entry
* Power outlets
* Underhood tool stowage
MODELS: Suburban SL (4-door - 2WD/4x4)
Suburban SLE (4-door - 2WD/4x4)
Suburban SLT (4-door - 2WD/4x4)
VEHICLE CLASS: Sport/Utility
ASSEMBLY LOCATION: Janesville, Wisconsin
Silao, Mexico
CUSTOMER PROFILE:
These vehicles are primarily targeted at married males in their 40s. The
prospective buyer is an active individual who wants versatility in his or
her vehicle. About three-quarters of buyers equip their vehicles with
trailering packages. Primary purchase considerations are vehicle
durability and reliability, passenger/cargo/towing capabilities, power and
4-wheel-drive, and previous experience with manufacturer and/or dealer.
PRODUCT MILESTONES:
1936 GMC Suburban debuts
1955 New sheetmetal and new V8 engine
1982 New 6.2-litre diesel engine introduced; 4-speed automatic overdrive
transmission available
1984 Multi-function smart switch
1985 New air conditioning compressor
1987 Throttle body fuel injection on all gas engines up to 10,000 GVWR
1989 Serpentine belt drive
1990 Rear-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS); additional use of 2-sided
galvanized steel for improved corrosion protection
1991 New optional 7.4-litre V8 engine; new 4L80-E heavy-duty electronic 4-
speed automatic overdrive transmission
1992 New-generation model adopts styling, chassis and powertrain of full-
size pickup; 4-wheel ABS; Insta-Trac on 4WD models; modified
suspension for car-like ride
1993 4L60-E electronic transmission introduced
1994 6.5-litre Turbo Diesel introduced
1995 Standard driver-side air bag; redesigned instrument panel; available
remote keyless entry system
1996 New Vortec 5700 SFI V8 and Vortec 7400 SFI V8 engines for improved
driveability, idle, starting and fuel economy; rear seat heat ducts
on all models; electric shift transfer case available
EXTERIOR FEATURES
SL
SLE/SLT
Bumpers Front and rear step chrome w/black
rub strip
S
S
Glass Solar-Ray (TM) tinted, all windows S S
Deep Tint on side rear doors, side rear
quarter windows and rear doors/tailgate O S
Grille Moulded plastic; painted Argent; integral
GMC letters at centre of grille S S
Chrome trimmed
NA S
Headlamps Two rectangular halogen S NA
Four composite w/halogen bulbs NA S
Horn Single, electric low note S
NA
Dual, electric high/ low note NA
S
Key Single, two-sided for doors and ignition S S
Lighting Backup lamps, combination parking/direction/
hazard; combination tail/stop/direction/
hazard; headlamps, license plate lamps, side
marker lamps w/reflectors S
S
Roof marker (includes 5 amber lamps: 2
outboard clearance lamps and 3 central
identification lamps) O
O
Underhood lamp
S S
Underhood trouble lamp (cord is on a reel) NA S
Luggage Carrier, roof (painted black) NA S
Mirrors LH and RH, below eye-line; painted black,
fold-away
S
NA
Electric remote painted black, fold-away NA S
LH and RH, camper-type, stainless steel O O
Mouldings Black hidden roof drip mouldings S S
Bright body side and wheel opening
mouldings (standard on all models except
3/4-ton 4x4)
S S
Bright body side and painted wheel
opening mouldings (3/4-ton, 4x4) S S
Wheel opening fender flare, front and rear
(option for 1/2-ton, 4x4 only) O
O
Nameplates "GMC Truck" nameplate and "Suburban" name-
plate on lower section of panel doors/
tailgate (GMC only)
S S
"SLE"/"SLT" (GMC) nameplate on B pillar NA S
Paint Schemes Solid
O
O
Conventional two-tone NA
O
Deluxe two-tone
NA O
Panel Doors Painted interior surface w/upper belt hard
plastic garnish
S NA
Fully trimmed w/upper belt hard plastic
garnish and lower carpet NA
S
Running Boards Side step, Graphite colour (moulded plastic
over sheet metal; supports up to 600 lbs.
per side; dealer-installed) O
O
Skid Plates Off-road (includes metal shield plates for
engine, front differential, transfer case
and fuel tank); 4x4 models only O O
Storage Box Underhood w/lid (except w/6.5L V8
Turbo Diesel engine) S
S
Tailgate Lift-glass Dropgate O
O
Tow Hooks: LH and RH front tow hooks mounted at the
front of each frame side member (4x4
models)
S
S
LH and RH front tow hooks (2WD models) O O
Wheel Trim Black ornamental hub caps S S
Wheels Bright Rally trim rings and bright hub
caps (3/4-ton models) O
S
15" x 7" JJ cast aluminum (1/2-ton, 2WD
models)
O
S
16" x 7" K cast aluminum (1/2-ton, 4x4
models)
O
S
Wipers/Washers Intermittent wiper system; demand-type
washer system
S S
Rear window intermittent wiper/washer/
defogger
NA
O
Wiring Heavy-duty, 7-wire trailer harness S S
S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment. NA - Not available.
INTERIOR FEATURES
SL
SLE/SLT
Air Conditioning All-weather front O S
Front and rear (includes dual controls,
rear overhead-mounted recirculating
air system and 105-amp alternator) O O
Armrests Left hand and right hand padded;
integral w/side door trim panels S S
Left hand and right hand padded,
integral w/rear qtr. inner trim panel NA S
Assist Handles Front - passenger side; rear - left
hand and right hand side; mounted on
pillars, colour-keyed S
S
Cargo Net Removable security net located in
rear Compartment
NA S
Coat Hooks Left hand and right hand colour-keyed
above centre seat area S
S
Left hand and right hand colour-keyed
above rear seat area NA
S
Convenience Group Power side door locks S NA
Tilt Wheel (TM) and speed control O NA
Power side door locks, Tilt-Wheel(TM),
speed control, power side door windows
w/express down and lock-out features
on driver's window
NA S
Defogger Rear window (includes 105-amp
alternator)
NA O
Door Trim Panels Colour-keyed grained moulded plastic S NA
Soft vinyl w/carpet covered map
pocket and cloth insert NA
S
Floor Covering Full two-piece black vinyl mat; rear
wheelhouse exposed body colour sheet
metal
S
NA
Full two-piece colour-keyed moulded
carpet w/ Scotchgard (TM) Fabric
Protector; colour-keyed moulded rubber
mats in front, centre and rear seat
area; rear wheelhouse moulded
insulation covered by rear quarter
trim panels
NA S
Gauges Analog (needle); speedometer, odometer,
tachometer, fuel level, voltmeter, oil
pressure, temperature, tachometer S S
Warning Buzzers Audible warnings for headlamps-on and
Key-in-Ignition
S S
Headliner Two-piece design; cloth-covered moulded
fiberglass construction w/assist
handles
S S
Heater & Defogger Windshield and side window defoggers;
rear seat heater ducts S
S
Rear passenger auxiliary heater; rear
window defogger, electric O
S
Instrument Panel Colour-keyed, energy absorbing foam type
w/ grained vinyl skin; storage tray on
passenger side; two auxiliary power
outlets (beside ashtray) w/spring
loaded doors, cigarette lighter, dual
cupholders.
S S
Keyless Entry Remote keyless entry system NA O
Lights Front and rear dome lamps incorporating
20-second delay-off feature w/door
jamb switches on all doors, map lights,
ashtray and glove compartment lamps S S
Mirror, Rearview 254mm (10") electrochromatic (includes
continually recalibrating 8-point
compass system
NA S
Radios AM/FM stereo radio with seek/scan
and digital clock; includes fixed mast
antenna and 4 speakers (2 front door, 2
rear headliner)
S NA
AM/FM stereo radio with seek/scan,
cassette player, auto tone control
and digital clock; fixed mast antenna;
includes 8 speakers; rear side-door
speakers are driven by a power
amplifier
NA S
AM/FM stereo with seek/scan,
cassette player and digital clock
includes 4 speakers
O O
AM/FM stereo w/CD player, seek/scan,
auto tone control, clock (includes 8
speakers); rear side-door speakers
driven by a power amplifier) NA
O
AM/FM stereo, cassette and CD players,
seek/scan, auto tone control, clock,
(includes 8 speakers) rear side-door
speakers driven by a power amplifier) NA O
Seats Full-width front bench; folding split
bench 3 passenger centre seat S
NA
Full-width front bench w/ power lumbar,
seat back storage nets and fold-down
centre armrest
NA S
Folding split bench 3 passenger centre
seat w/ fold-down armrest; removable 3
passenger rear bench seat NA
S
Front bench w/vinyl trim O
NA
Front bench w/fold-down centre armrest
storage compartment (incorporating
coin holder, map net in lid and pivoting
writing board), driver and front
passenger power adjustable lumbar and
seat back storage nets (cloth or
leather trim)
NA O
Split front bench w/manual seat back
recliners, fold-down centre armrest
storage compartment (incorporating
coin holder, map net in lid and pivoting
writing board), driver and front
passenger power adjustable lumbar and
seat back storage nets (cloth or
leather trim)
NA O
High back reclining front buckets w/
inboard and outboard armrests, floor
console w/rear seat cupholders, roof
console, driver and front passenger
power lumbar adjusters, and seat back
storage nets (cloth or leather trim) NA O
Rear seat, 3-passenger removable
bench seat
NA O
Head restraints, adjustable (on all
outboard seats)
S S
Seat Adjuster 6-way power driver's side NA O
Scotchgard (TM) Fabric Protector on cloth trim S S
Spare Tire Carrier, mounted behind rear wheelhouse
on LH side
S S
Steering Column Black, energy-absorbing steering column
w/anti-theft locking feature S
S
Simulated leather sport wheel with four-
spoke design
S NA
Leather-wrapped, four-spoke sport wheel NA S
Sunshades LH and RH padded; colour-keyed vinyl;
visor mirror on right hand sunshade S NA
LH and RH padded; colour-keyed cloth;
w/extenders and lighted visor mirrors NA S
Tools Mechanical jack and wheel wrench
located on interior left hand rear
side
S
S
S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment. NA - Not available.
POWER TEAMS/CHASSIS/MECHANICAL SL SLE/SLT
Air Cleaner High-capacity (requires 5700 or 7400
V8 engines)
O O
Alternator 100-Amp Delcotron S
S
Battery 12-volt, neg. ground, 600 cold
cranking amps @ -17.8C (0F) S
S
Brakes Power, 4-wheel ABS S
S
Front disc and rear drum S
S
Cooling Extra-capacity oil (requires 5700 V8 &
3.42 axle ratio on 1/2-ton models) O O
Transmission (provides external air-to-
oil cooling system on 1/2-ton models) O O
Engines Vortec 5700 SFI V8 S
S
Vortec 7400 SFI V8 (only on 3/4-ton) O O
6.5L Turbo Diesel V8 (includes front
bumper guards, full floating rear
axle on 3/4-ton models, and external
engine oil cooler)
O O
Exhaust Aluminized, stainless steel, unitized
muffler-tailpipe, converter equipped,
single exhaust, tailpipe exit right
hand side of vehicle S
S
Heater Engine block
S S
Steering Integral power S
S
Suspension Base Axle: 3.42 ratio (1/2-ton);
3.73 ratio (3/4-ton, 2WD); 4.10 ratio
(3/4-ton, 4x4)
S S
Front Axle: 2WD, independent; 4WD,
hypoid type
S S
Rear Axle: hypoid semi-floating type
(all models except 3/4-ton, 2WD) S S
Rear Axle: 3/4-ton 2WD only; hypoid
full floating type
S S
Front: springs, coil (2WD only) S S
Front: torsion bar (4WD only) S
S
Rear: springs, two-stage multi-leaf S S
Shock absorbers, front and rear, heavy
duty,
S
S
Front: stabilizer bar, heavy duty S S
Tires P235/75R-15XL all-season
(1/2-ton, 2WD w/6800-lb. GVWR) S
S
P245/75R-16 all-terrain
(1/2-ton, 4x4 w/7200-lb. GVWR) S
S
LT245/75R-16E all-season
(all models w/7700-lb. or 8050-lb.
GVWR)
S
S
Torsion Bars Front, heavy-duty (1/2-ton, 4x4) O O
Trailering Heavy-duty special equipment O O
Transfer Case Part time, New Process 241; manual
shift; floor-mounted controls
(4x4 models)
S S
New Process 243; electronic shift;
includes 2H/4H/4L shift selections
through a 4-wheel drive indicator
switch located in lower section of
instrument panel (4x4 models) O
O
Transmission 4-speed automatic w/overdrive S S
Wheels Five-disc type S
S
S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment. NA - Not available.
SAFETY/SECURITY
SL SLE/SLT
Air Bag Driver's side S
S
Anti-Lock Brakes 4-wheel ABS S
S
Keyless Entry Remote keyless entry system NA O
Lighting Daytime running lamps; centre high
mounted stop lamp
S S
Side Impact Side-guard door beams S S
Roadside Service 24-hour Roadside Assistance S S
S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment. NA - Not available.
TECHNICAL PRODUCT INFORMATION
FRAME Welded-steel frame
BODY MATERIAL Two-sided galvanized steel on body panels (except roof)
SUSPENSION Front Independent, coil springs 2WD, torsion bar 4x4
Rear Semi-elliptic, 2-stage multi-leaf springs
BRAKES Power-assisted, front disc/rear drum;
4-wheel anti-lock (ABS)
STEERING Variable-ratio, integral power
WHEELS 1/2 TON (2WD) 1/2 TON (4X4)
15" x 7" steel 16" x 6.5" steel
TIRES P235/75R15XL P245/75R16C
all-season all-season
WHEELS 3/4 TON (2WD / 4X4)
16" x 6.5" steel
TIRES LT245/75R16E
all-season
ENGINES Vortec 5700 SFI V8 Vortec 7400 SFI V8
Type OHV V8 OHV V8
Displacement 5.7L (350 cu.in.) 7.4L (454 cu.in.)
Bore x Stroke 101.6 x 88.4 mm 107.9 x 101.6 mm
(4.0 x 3.5") (4.3 x 4.0")
Compression Ratio 9.4:1 7.9:1
Fuel Regular Unleaded Regular Unleaded
Fuel Induction Sequential F.I. Sequential F.I.
Horsepower 250 hp @ 4800 rpm 290 hp @ 4200 rpm
Torque 335 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm 410 lb.-ft. @ 3200 rpm
ENGINE 6.5-litre V8 Turbo Diesel
Type OHV V8
Displacement 6.5L (395 cu.in.)
Bore x Stroke 103.0 x 97.0 mm
(4.1 x 3.8")
Compression Ratio 21.5:1
Fuel Diesel
Fuel Induction Turbocharged
(Indirect Fuel Injection)
Horsepower 190 hp @ 3400 rpm
Torque 385 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm
LAYOUT Front engine / 2WD (rear) or 4x4
TRANSMISSIONS 4-speed electronic 4-speed heavy-duty
automatic w/overdrive electronic automatic w/
(under 8500 GVWR) overdrive (over 8500 GVWR)
Gear Ratios: 1st 3.06 2.48
2nd 1.63 1.48
3rd 1.00 1.00
4th 0.70 0.75
Reverse 2.29 2.08
Final Drive Ratio 3.42 3.73
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 3340 mm (131.5")
Length 5588 mm (220.0")
Width 1948 mm ( 76.7")
Height 1783 mm ( 70.2")- 2WD (1/2-ton)
1826 mm ( 71.9")- 2WD (3/4-ton)
1831 mm ( 72.1")- 4x4 (1/2-ton)
1836 mm ( 72.3")- 4x4 (3/4-ton)
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Leg Room
front/mid/rear 1049/ 666/ 668 mm (41.3/26.2/27.1")
Head Room
front/mid/rear 1013/ 988/ 963 mm (39.9/38.9/37.9")
Shoulder Room
front/mid/rear 1651/1651/1633 mm (65.0/65.0/64.3")
Hip Room
front/mid/rear 1537/1532/1232 mm (60.5/60.3/48.5")
WEIGHTS/CAPACITIES
Fuel Capacity 159 L (35 gal.)
Passenger Seating 6/2/3/5/8/9
Cargo Volume
w/front seat 4233 L (149.5 cu.ft.)
w/front/mid 2735 L ( 96.6 cu.ft.)
w/front/mid/rear 1345 L ( 47.5 cu.ft.)
Payload (max.) 2WD- 879 kg (1940 lbs.)- 1/2-ton
4x4- 876 kg (1921 lbs.)- 1/2-ton
2WD- 1433 kg (3160 lbs.)- 3/4-ton
4x4- 1279 kg (2820 lbs.)- 3/4-ton
GVWR (max.) 2WD- 3084 kg (6800 lbs.)- 1/2-ton
4x4- 3266 kg (7200 lbs.)- 1/2-ton
2WD- 3091 kg (8600 lbs.)- 3/4-ton
4x4- 3901 kg (8600 lbs.)- 3/4-ton