1990 SUBURBAN FACTS, SPECS AND STATISTICS

This page is dedicated to facts, specifications and statistics specific to the 1990 Suburbans only. Much of the information applies to 1989-91 Suburbans as well as there are very little changes within the last 3 years of the 7th generation. To cover all the years of the Suburban starting from 1935 would be a major undertaking. BTW Suburban is the longest General Motors model produced that is still active today. This page is a work in progress... Rows in bold are specific to my own 1990 Chev Suburban. If you have any information and would like to contribute, please email me.

VIN Codes

The 1990 Suburban's VIN number is on a metal tag on the driver's between the dash and the windshield. It can also be found on the paper label affixed to the driver's door above the door latch and of course the title or registration. The vin example is from a 1990 GMC Suburban

1989-91 Chevrolet / GMC Suburban Vin Decoder - The Vin Decoder actually covers Chevrolet and GMC light trucks between 1988 to 1998 but I simplified it for Suburbans between 1988 to 1991. The example below uses the Vin shown above. The illustration and information was modified from the original version found here.

Available Models

The 2 wheel drive Suburban was known as the R model and the 4 wheel drive was the V model. 1/2 tons were the 1500 series and the 3/4 ton models were the 2500 series. The 1500s and the 2500s are known as light duty trucks and fall within the Class 1 (0-6000 lb GVWR) and Class 2 (6001 lb - 10000 lb GVWR) ratings respectively.

Model   Height Width Length Wheelbase R1500 4 X 2 72.0 in (1829 mm) 79.6 in (6' 7.6") 219.1 in (18' 3.1") 129.5 in (10' 9.5") R2500 4 X 2 74.3 in (1887 mm) 79.6 in (6' 7.6") 219.1 in (18' 3.1") 129.5 in (10' 9.5") V1500 4 X 4 73.8 in (1875 mm) 79.6 in (6' 7.6") 219.1 in (18' 3.1") 129.5 in (10' 9.5") V2500 4 X 4 76.1 in (1993 mm) 79.6 in (6' 7.6") 219.1 in (18' 3.1") 129.5 in (10' 9.5")

COLOR COMBINATIONS

See Exterior Paint Colors

MSRP

Model Transmission MSRP R1500 Panel Doors N/A $15,615.00 R1500 Tailgate N/A $15,765.00 R1500 Panel Doors Diesel N/A $18,060.00 R1500 Tailgate Diesel N/A $18,205.00 R2500 Panel Doors 4-Speed Manual $16,238.00 R2500 Tailgate 4-Speed Manual $16,383.00 R2500 Panel Doors Diesel N/A $18,643.00 R2500 Tailgate Diesel N/A $18,793.00 V1500 Panel Doors 4WD 4-Speed Manual $16,645.00 V1500 Tailgate 4WD 4-Speed Manual $16,795.00 V2500 Panel Doors 4WD 4-Speed Manual $18,083.00 V2500 Tailgate 4WD 4-Speed Manual $18,233.00 V1500 Panel Doors Diesel 4WD N/A $19,865.00 V1500 Tailgate Diesel 4WD N/A $20,010.00 V2500 Panel Doors Diesel 4WD N/A $20,493.00 V2500 Tailgate Diesel 4WD N/A $20,643.00

Examples:

Trim Options

The eblems were located on the pillar behind the passenger doors. There were no fender emblems on the 1990 model year.

Trim Level	RPO Code	Description	Emblem
Scottsdale/SLX	N/A	The Scottsdale/SLX trim level is the standard trim level of the R/V Suburban series. It is designed to offer buyers a high level of standard features when purchasing a standard level vehicle.
Silverado/SLE	YE9	The Silverado/SLE trim level is the top of the line R/V Suburban trim level. It offers buyers maximum comfort and convenience in a full size sport/utility vehicle.

Rear Door Types

All Suburban models can be ordered with either standard panel rear doors or an optional tailgate with electric window.

Door Type	RPO Code	Photo
Optional Tailgate with Electric Window	E55
Panel Doors (Barn Doors)	ZW9

Production/Sales Numbers

Production and sales data for the 1990 Suburban can be rather hard to find and verify. A few of the sources were provided by the ANDC (Automotive News Data Center) which is a paid subscription based web site which I do not subscribe to so I cannot verify the information. From 1967-72 The numbers came from the "Standard Catalog of American Light-Duty Trucks, 3rd edition. As I find numbers for missing years, I will post them.

Assembly Plants

Flint Michigan: General Motors can trace its roots back to the early 1900s in Flint Michigan where it purchased one of it's first factories that was built in 1880. Flint is a city which until recent decades relied heavily on the auto industry. In the last 20-30 years GM plants in Genesee County have experienced re-namings, management shifts, openings, closures, reopenings, and spinoffs. The Flint Truck Assembly factory produced full-size GM pickup trucks.

Janesville, Wisconsin: Opened in 1919, this plant was 4,800,000 square feet plant which employed approx 7,000 workers at its peak in 1970. On August 31, 1991, production of the large SUVs was moved to Janesville Assembly in Wisconsin. GM ceased production of GM vehicles in December 2008. It was the oldest operating GM plant.

São Caetano do Sul, Brazil: This 290,000 sq meter factory was GM’s first factory in Brazil which opened in 1930. It currently produces various Chevrolet vehicles for the Brazilian and South American markets.

Physical Dimensions

Model   Height Width Length Wheelbase R1500 4 X 2 72.0 in (1829 mm) 79.6 in (6' 7.6") 219.1 in (18' 3.1") 129.5 in (10' 9.5") R2500 4 X 2 74.3 in (1887 mm) 79.6 in (6' 7.6") 219.1 in (18' 3.1") 129.5 in (10' 9.5") V1500 4 X 4 73.8 in (1875 mm) 79.6 in (6' 7.6") 219.1 in (18' 3.1") 129.5 in (10' 9.5") V2500 4 X 4 76.1 in (1993 mm) 79.6 in (6' 7.6") 219.1 in (18' 3.1") 129.5 in (10' 9.5")

Wheels

Front and rear rims and tires were the same size.

Model Engine Wheel Size Capacity Bolt Holes Bolt Circle Diameter Offset Revolutions/mi R1500 4x2 Gas 15" x 6.00" 1984 lbs 5 5" 0 722 R1500 4x2 Diesel 15" x 6.00" 1984 lbs 5 5" 0 722 R2500 4x2 Gas 15" x 6.50" 3045 lbs 8 6.5" 17 mm 653 R2500 4x2 Diesel 15" x 6.50" 3045 lbs 8 6.5" 17 mm 653 V1500 4x4 Gas 15" x 6.00" 2040 lbs 6 5.5" 0 722 V1500 4x4 Diesel 15" x 6.00" 2040 lbs 6 5.5" 0 722 V2500 4x4 Gas 16" x 6.50" 2040 lbs 8 6.5" 17 mm 653 V2500 4x4 Diesel 16" x 6.50" 2040 lbs 8 6.5" 17 mm 653 R/V Suburban Option Wheels Rally N67 15" x 8.00" 3045 lbs 8 6.5" 127 mm   Cast Aluminum N90 15" x 7.00" 1843 lbs 5 5.0" 13 mm

Std. Wheels w/Hubcap	Std. Wheels w/ Wheel Cover	Rally 5 bolt	Rally 6 bolt	Cast Alum 5 bolt	Cast Alum 6 bolt

Available Engines

Available Transmissions

The four-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic (THM) 700R4 was introduced for the 1982 model year. In 1990, the Turbo Hydra-Matic 700R4 was became the 4L60 but the Suburban continued to use the 700R4 through 1991. The Muncie SM465 four-speed Manual transmission was manufactured by General Motors between 1968 and 1995. The "SM" in the transmission's designation does not stand for Synchro-Mesh, contrary to popular belief. "SM" stands for "SAGINAW MUNCIE". GM literature also often referred to this as a CH465, referencing Chevrolet.

Type Model RPO Code Speeds Oil Capacity Oil Type Notes Manual SM465 MM4 4 8 pints     Manual MM5 5 8 pints     Automatic 400 MX1 3 20 pints (Dry fill) 5 pints (refill)     Automatic 700R4 MX0 4 w/overdrive 19 pints (Dry fill) 10 pints (refill) DEXRON IIE

700R4 Automatic

SM465 4 Speed Manual

Dexron transmission fluid was introduced in 1968 by General Motors and was originally associated with automatic transmission fluids but GM later released DEXRON gear oils and other lubricants (ATF, Gear Oil, Manual Trans Fluid, Dual Clutch Trans Fluid, Hyrdaulic Fluid, Power Steering Fluid, Traction Drive Fluid) under the DEXRON brand. The original Dexron was replaced by by Dexron-II (1973), Dexron-IIE (1989), Dexron-III (1993), Dexron-IV and Dexron-VI (2005), which is the current fluid. Newer fluids are generally backward compatible with previous fluids by not always. Watch this GM video about Dexron.

Available Transfer Case

In 1988, GM began using the NP241 transfer cases. Most of these units will be right hand drop, but Chevy also used a few left hand drop applications. The Chevy NP241 is supplied with a 27 spline female input or a 32 spline female input. With a T350, 4L60E or 700R4 tranny, it will be 27 spline. With a T400 or 4L80E trans or 5 speed, it will be 32 spline. There was only 1 available transfer case in 1990, the NP241C.

Model Availability Ratios Lever Position Lever Location Oil Capacity NP 241C (New Process) V1500 / V2500 1.00:1 2.72:1 4-Lo (All-Wheel Underdrive) N (Neutral) 2-Hi (Rear Wheel Drive) 4-Hi (All-Wheel Drive) Rear of Transmission at Center of Floor 10 pints Dexron ATF

Gross Vehicle Weight

The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or gross vehicle mass (GVM) is the maximum operating weight/mass of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer including the vehicle's chassis, body, engine, engine fluids, fuel, accessories, driver, passengers and cargo but excluding that of any trailers. The 1500s and the 2500s are known as light duty trucks and fall within the Class 1 (0-6000 lb GVWR) and Class 2 (6001 lb - 10000 lb GVWR) ratings respectively.

Fuel Economy / Gas Mileage

Model MPG City MPG Hwy MPG Avg R1500 2WD 8 cyl, 5.7 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular 12 14 17 R1500 2WD 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Automatic 4-spd, Diesel 15 17 21 V1500 4WD 8 cyl, 5.7 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular 11 13 15 V1500 4WD 8 cyl, 5.7 L, Manual 4-spd, Regular 11 12 13 V1500 4WD 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Automatic 4-spd, Diesel 14 16 19

Seating Options

Radios

Radio Type	RPO Code	Description	Photo
Elec. Tuned AM/FM Stereo	UM7	Standard ETR AM Radio with Digital Clock. 14 Presets, Digital Display, Two 3.5" Front Speakers/2 4" x 10" Rear Speakers, 28 Watt Total Power Output
Elec. Tuned AM/FM Stereo Cassette Tape + Clock	UM6	Optional ETR AM/FM stereo radio with premium dual rear speakers. Seek and Scan and digital clock. 14 Presets, Digital Display, Two 3.5" Front Speakers/2 4" x 10" Rear Speakers, 28 Watt Total Power Output
Elec. Tuned AM/FM Stereo Cassette Tape w/Search Repeat + Clock	UX1	Optional ETR AM stereo/FM stereo radio with premium dual rear speakers, Seek and Scan, graphic equalizer and digital clock, plus stereo cassette tape player with Search and Repeat. 14 Presets, Digital Display, Two 3.5" Front Speakers/2 4" x 10" Rear Speakers, 28 Watt Total Power Output
Radio Delete	UL5

Exterior Mirrors

Mirror Type	RPO Code	Description	Photo
Camper Type	DF2	Stainless Steel
Below-Eye Line Type	D45	Stainless Steel
Electric Type	D48	Optional dual electric outside rearview mirrors provide the Suburban driver with one touch, fingertip control for mirror adjustments. (Requires Silverado trim and Driver Convenience Group.)

Available options For the V1500 4x4 With Panel Doors

RPO Codes

RPO stands for Regular Production Option and is a General Motors standard coding for vehicle configuration options. The codes are 3 alphanumeric characters which refer to a specific option or modification to the vehicle. RPO codes have been re-used over different years and the popular or noteable codes have always represented the same function but less popular codes can represent different options between the years. A great site for finding all the RPO codes is www.rpocodes.com

Here is the list of RPO codes found on the Service Parts Identification label inside my glove box and their definitions: