Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

65 Sub, I'm using Flat out front cross member. See if this makes sense. Using the center of the axel, with suspension at settled ride height as a start, then calculate the frame location and attachment points from there? Then bottom of bumpers/roll pans to mother earth. Please put in your 2 cents, thanks Nut Case.
FYI in still in the planning stage, we are down sizing and moving to another house/garage. Therefore trying to get as many ideas now to avoid possible do overs.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

It sounds like you have a good start on your plan. I assume Flatout will have instructions for setting the crossmember height . When you're setting the frame height check which is lower the frame or the rockers. I think on the 55-59 the rockers are lower but I'm not positive. Remember the tire diameter will affect the suspension ride height. If I was doing it I would figure out the frame height before I removed the body from the frame. Have you looked at Farmersid's build in the 47-59 section http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632938 He built his own crossmember and also has some good info on rotating the hydraulic lines on the rack and pinion


We have been busy catching up on some of the welding but we did do some new work today. We finished the round corner on the front of the upper door opening

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Very beefy looking mounts / hinges. The corners look good too. Very nice.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Smoke and mirrors, he's really building a 1:24th scale model of a burban!!! ps whats going on with that V12????

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Just went through all 15 pages and all I can say is WOW, nice work.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Thanks A.D. Unfortunately that hinge needs some redesign work so stay tuned for version two coming soon.

I'll stick to full size, making all these parts in 1/24 scale would be a pain. The V12 is just sitting and waiting for the rest of the truck to catch up.

Thanks LT1


We finally got the drivers side upper door opening corners built.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

OMG! what is takin' so long with this build? just kidding! looks great so far.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

its taking soo long cuz its gonna look factory, vs a hack job like mine!!!

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Thanks deejaaa. Building the upper door frame really has taken a lot of time. About 10 weeks since we started.

I don't know about factory Pimpston but we'll do our best. With all the NOS parts you are using I don't think " hack job " will describe yours.


Since the upper door frames are about done we thought we would tackle some other projects. We decided to start by finishing the rear frame and body mounting. The first step was to remove the rear door sill and add a brace across the opening

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Since the upper door frames are about done we thought we would tackle some other projects. We decided to start by finishing the rear frame and body mounting. The first step was to remove the rear door sill and add a brace across the opening[/QUOTE]

please show a detailed repair of this part, cuz I converted my barn doors to clams. I have all the parts, i just would like to see it don't by someone with skills first before I get to chop,cuttin and rebuilding my own...

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Pimpston. I'm not doing a repair on the rear sill. We're going to make up our own panels and extend the upper gate into a single rear hatch. Do you have a barn door sill that you are adding lower gate hinge pockets to or are you changing the whole sill


Today we made a couple of corners and some reenforcing plates. Then we welded the corners to the frame. Next we welded on two strait pieces where the rear bumper will mount.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

im switching to full clams, I have the lower valance and the gates. I mocked the upper gate already. I was just was thinking it would be cool to see you tackle any issue on the lower gate first. of course your going full custom so no issues on your part. ps I have a 3 truck garage now so I cant be your shop rat for awhile!!!

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Just read all 15 pages. I love over the top builds. Had to mark your thread so I don't lose it!

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Great work guys. I'm really hoping to come see this thing when the snow is gone this spring when I get my '52 on the road. Keep it up this thing is awesome!!

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

I don't think the lower valance will be hard to replace. Just one bolt and some spot welds at each end. I'm sure you won't have any issues. When does reassembly start?
Well thanks for joining in on our fun. We do like to build things that are different

Thanks Lower. It would be great if you and your diesel could come and visit. Just let me know when.


The next part of mounting the rear of the body is widening the wheel wells and welding them to the frame. So we started by cutting them in half. Then we cut the inside to fit the frame. Next we spot welded some backing strips to the edges and set the piece in place to measure for the patch.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

should be soon, but i got myself cornered with the house. now I'm buying NOS mortised lock sets!!! and i pulled all the plastic windows in order from my window guy to make new solid wood sashes for me, the house is from 1919 so I'm keeping it right. once the burb is back and the garage is cleaned and prepped its ON!!!

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Cool. Even your house gets NOS parts.


I made these brackets for the front shockwaves. They bolt to the LCA where the original leaf spring used to sit.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

We got the passenger side wheel tub widened 4". Then added a small angle strip and spot welded the tub to the frame.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Fender looks good. Is the body going to welded or hard mounted to the frame?

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Done my daily exercise.... It includes a lot of head shaking in amaze,net at your progress. Makes my crawling about under my truck for a few minutes look pretty shi7.

Looking good man.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

This build is amazing! I am merely struggling with repairing a few panels and typical rust on mine. Projects like this give me inspiration and some great ideas. Great work and I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Very cool build. Twin turbos off the V12 would be awesome/r

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Thanks Lowers. The body is being welded solid. With the narrow roof at the front I wanted the truck to be as stiff as possible.

Thanks Rian I'm amazed watching your truck progress too. You're building it on the other side of the ocean from all the suppliers. It has to be quite a challenge at times.

Thanks for tuning in Scott. I spend a lot of time in the shop and have a lot of fun doing it.

Thanks Kainedog. Twin turbos could be fun.


Today we finished the last patch on the passenger side wheel tub and started on the other side

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Nice work, what are your plans for interior?

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Thanks 62. The interior is going to be aircraft inspired. Aluminum panels, bomber seats, modified '62 dash, lots of gauges, a little bit of black leather.


We decided to fill in the space from the front of the wheel tub to the frame. We made a panel for the passenger side and welded it in place.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

We also started working on the rear hatch sill. we cut the last of the old sill off. This showed some rust behind it so we cut some more out which showed more rust. We will have to keep cutting until we find something solid to weld to. We also made the first piece of the new sill so we could test fit it.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Coming along really well! The filler panel looks good.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Stunning work just as usual

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Sweet!! How much room will you have between the rear fender and the front seat?

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE


Thanks A.D. No one will ever see the panel when the truck is done but I'll know it's there.

Thanks 62.

Thanks Lowers. I took some measurements after Christmas dinner tonight and I figure about 23" behind the seat. Maybe just enough room for a small back seat

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Got some more welding done in the last couple of days, We finished welding the panels at the front of the rear wheel tubs. We also patched the rusty areas at the bottom of the drivers side back corner.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Phenomenal work.
Is it me or is the drive line running over the frame?

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

[QUOTE=65sub;7414342]
Thanks Rian I'm amazed watching your truck progress too. You're building it on the other side of the ocean from all the suppliers. It has to be quite a challenge at times.


Thank you as well.

If I were making excuses, that would be one of them, the others include being a white collar worker who has to try out scanners to figure which one fits where, and often having to redo stuff as I cannot "see" the sequences as some people can.

Still, it makes for some fun at times.

Your progress on the other hand..... Just wow !!

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Thanks Bomp. You're right the driveshaft will go over the frame but since it doesn't move up and down as long as there is room to install it I should be ok.

Thanks Rian It sure is a lot of fun just making stuff up as we go.


Today we decided to work on the rear lower valance. So to start we drilled some bumper mounting holes. Then we finished making the two pieces ( since my bender is to short to make it in one piece) drilled the holes for spot welding. A bunch of clamps to hold everything in place and then a little welding and it's done.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Looking good Dale. I'm loving the sheetmetal work.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Thanks John


Today's progress we added a couple of sheetmetal corner braces on the back corners. Then we finally removed the last of the cross bracing from the back.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Good progress with getting the cross bracing out. You guys sure stay at it consistently. I have this week and my knees are pretty sore.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Always a good feeling when making progress in the right direction. Mad skillz you have.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Nice the rear body is standing by itself :) When you get there if you want a small seat look for one from a Jeep. My CJ rear seat is small 2 adults= real cozy.

Re: My suburban's Twisted Little Sister
 

Great work! - Builds like these have motivated me to learn how to weld and fabricate, need to start somewhere. Keep up the great work.