Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looks very nice. Was the CAD file off or is there variation in the frames?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Frame is looking good! Do you think it would be beneficial to add a gusset to the body mounts?

My PB parts have a nice brown "patina" to them now due to the awesome humidity here in the south!

Are you planning to paint the frame or powder coat it?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

It wouldn't hurt but I'm not sure it's necessary. This is the stock piece with just a little material removed. It is pretty thick metal. It is one of several body mounts.

Yes, I hit my parts with a wire wheel on my grinder and the parts look nice. I will rub some oil on them to preserve them until I get primer on them. I plan to paint the frame. I like powder coat but I like the idea of being able to repaint if I make a repair or change.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Some of it was the file and some of it was how I was measuring it. I call it operator error (on my part)... ha ha

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Sweet frame! It's a great build and I can't wait to see how it all turns out. I'm already showing my wife some of the pics to spark interest just in case there's another project after my truck!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc,

Great job on the floors! Did you bend them up yourself? You make this part look pretty easy - I'm considering making a rear flat floor for my truck. Any words of wisdom for me? Would you change anything if you did them again? I noticed you rolled in some strengthening beads in the front section but not the rear. Is this because of the seat riser welded on top of it?

Also really like the trans tunnel approach. Any finished shots?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Good luck with that....

Yes, I made the floors myself. I started with cardboard templates and then transferred that to 16g steel. I added the beads for strength but I'm not sure that I needed them since I went with 16g. I was using a buddy's combination shear/metal brake and I kept locking it up because the metal was too thick. 18g would have been better. Over all it was much cheaper to make your own floors apposed to buying them.

No finished tranny tunnel pics. I'm not happy with the tunnel so I will be making a new one at some point.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Today I decided to strip the frame down so that I can get it sand blasted or chemically stripped this week. I then hit most of the PB parts with a wire wheel on my grinder. I then wiped the parts down with a light oil to keep them from rusting until I get them put in primer.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looks good... You said you were painting the frame so you could touch it up. What about the PB parts? Powder coat or paint?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I think I will use a combination of paint and powder coat. I have a idea for colors but I'm not sure yet. I did drop the parts off at the stripper today. I'm curious to see how they turn out.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Are you going to remove the cab and running board mounts to get better paint coverage?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Are you being serious??? If so, the answer is no. After removing some 60 or so rivit's with what I have done so far I'm not looking to tackle more. I'm not overly concerned. Overall the frame is in great shape.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Good call! I removed all mine and is was not fun!!!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

While I wait for my frame to come back from the strippers, I though I would separate the motor from the trans and remove more of the engine accessories.

The PB parts that are not getting stripped have been cleaned with a wire wheel on my grinder and piled up to take to the painter next week to put them in epoxy primer. The company I work for Agio Imaging (shameless plug) is closed the week after Christmas so I should get some good garage time in.

I really need to research what all emission crap I can remove from the engine in an effort to declutter. I see so many LS engines that are very clean.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

They can be made really clean looking. Be interesting to see which way you go as I am kicking around ideas for mine with a couple friends. I really like the look Superflysteiney did on Cheap Tricks.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Just finished my harness a month ago. Lt1swap.com has everything you need (complete pin outs). Also has a good Facebook link with pic of reworking the harness. I hate wiring, but it's pretty easy. Can't wait to see your frame with some paint!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Good call, I will go back through his build for inspiration.

I sold my harness. I wanted a cleaner and longer one, so I will probably go with one from BP Automotive. From the sale of my stock harness I can get a custom harness for $200. paint will be a while, as I want to fill some holes before I'm ready for paint. Epoxy is first.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Inspiration...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Doug we both know I need motivation......
I also really like the look of the LS engine being put together by 68Basket

This is the look I'm going for but a different color for the orange.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Clean look! I like the black out on accessory drive. Man, I've spent too much time on accessory drives lately.... Will you be using the F car accessory drive Marc?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I like that...one thing to watch for on this might be the same thing I ran into with the MSD . The fuel rails are high and might get into the firewall on the passenger side.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I Like!!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Yes, Doug you should be teaching a college course called LS1 accessories in the modern world..JK. I will us the F-body accessories them if they work. Whatever I use they will be black in color. On my 48 I used an accessory drive from Steer & Performance. It is nice quality but I grew tired of polishing the billet. That is why I ended up painting them black.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Well I picked up the metal on Wednesday from the stripper (inset joke here). It turned out great. The old frame cleaned up nicely. I took the frame and various pieces to the my painter so that I could use his booth to get all of the pieces covered with epoxy primer. This way I can finish mocking up the frame without it rusting. The bare metal has a coating on it that needs to be rinsed off before you can prim or paint. Good thing for me it is still 40 degrees in Michigan.

On with the pics...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

My painter Jim is working on some pretty cool projects. A 60's bronco II. Another one is this Chevelle. It has a 2012 Camaro drivetrain and interior. It also sports a custom rear independent suspension. There is also a cool 48 Fo$d sedan. It has a mild tasteful chop. There where too many parts stacked around it to get any pics.

if we don't get the ice storm that the area is suppose to get I will go pick up all of there pieces tomorrow.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I hope you guys don't get the ice storm! Those clean and painted parts will be nice to work with. Ready, set, go!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Too late. As I type I hear the ice hitting the windows....Yes, I can't tell you how excited I am to work with clean frame parts. No more dirt and crap falling in my eyes.... I also brought home the welder (yes I know I should own my own welder by now....I'm looking for a deal on one).

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

painted parts! -- looking good

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I got hit with ice tonight. Hey marc, been in your shoes with the welder. I bought a 90amp craftsman years ago (things pretty good for small stuff) needed a bigger welder and looked on CL, every time a good deal came up I had no money or someone bought it. I finally just put a Eastwood 175 on my CC which you can't beat the price. I used it for a bit, had problems with the gas solenoid a few times, but other than that it works great. I bought a used Hobart and I use that the most. For me, I need back up welders for 1. I have several working locations, so tools spread way out, and 2. if one goes down its nice to not ruin your whole work day bc you need a welder. I'v had a tig on my radar for a while, that's next. but then you need another tank and more space and the list goes on.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I need to buy a welder......I always borrow one from work.

Leaning towards a Hobart 140 since it is rated for 1/4", but a bigger 220vac machine would be nice.

Those stripped parts look great!!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I found this setup on ebay for $800 and I am really happy with it all so far. Its does all the work for anything going on with these trucks.

I am welding 3/8" with it and not even at full blast! it works well.

http://www.eastwood.com/mig175-and-v...FQErHwodE1QNEw

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Yea, I was eyeing a Lincoln combo welder (capable of Mig/Tig/Stick) on CL. My wife even approved of the purchase then guilt set in and it sold before I could take a look at it.

Good to see I'm not the only one. The one I barrow is a Millermatic 150 and my garage is wired for 220 so I would like to get a similar welder as I'm comfortable with this one.

Thanks for the tip. Did you get both the welder and plasma for $800? If so that sounds like a great price.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I got out in the garage today. Worked on welding shut the inner and outer gas fill hole. I also followed Advanced Design's lead on removing a broken exhaust manifold bolt. I drilled out a nut and slid it over the broken exhaust bolt. I welded it up when I was able to spin it out.

I also started welding closed some of the various holes in the frame.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That primer frame looks good! On the welder, not sure how thick of metal you plan on burning, but my buddy bought a new miller 211 and it's a sweet little machine. Best part it's easily converted from 110 to 220. So you can do body work and weld 1/4-5/16 and it's a small machine. I have a old miller 200 and would never give it up and for body work I use a Home Depot Lincoln 3200hd. Good deals to be had on the miller 211 on eBay.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Good deal on the broken bolt Marc. That is one I learned from my Dad and relearned from a good friend. Yeah, I had forgotten. Glad it helped you.

Think of your welder as a lifetime use purchase so get a good one. 10 or 12 years ago I bought my Miller for @ $1,500 or so. A non car guy friend of mine asked what I paid for it. "Wow" he said, "will you get that much use out of it? ". Well Chuck, I responded, how much did you spend on golf last year? Oh, about $1,500.....and I still have my welder.

Gotta do something with my gas fill too. I don't remember, did you figure out your tank?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc where is the gas filler going to be located?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I agree with Advanced Design's point - a welder is a long term purchase. I bought a Craftsman stick welder when I was 15 to build desert buggies and fix dirt bikes. I just got rid of it after owning and using it for almost 45 years because the cabinet was rusting out and the electronics were getting corroded. This fall - after buying my '51 truck - I bought a Miller 211. Awesome machine and I'm happy everyday I work on the truck that I have it. I bought it at the local welding and gas shop. But there are deals out there like this:

http://store.cyberweld.com/mi211migw...AccaAl9R8P8HAQ

Miller is still offering their $400 rebate which helps a lot. I got a helmet, tools, wire, tips, gloves, etc. and the rebate check actually came really fast. $1100 isn't cheap but it's a killer welder. Yesterday I switched back and forth from welding 18 gauge to 1/4" and 1/8" material repeatedly (floors and braces) and it worked beautifully.

I do think the Eastwood setups are tempting. I would love to have a plasma cutter as well but may just add one to my Miller setup once the budget recovers from the holidays.




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Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Whitehead, I will check out the 211.

Did not figure my tank (kinda of waiting for you to figure it out for me) out or my fill ...ha ha. I just know that it wont be in the stock location.

Thinking about inside the back doors and use a small motorcycle pop up cap. The thought is less is more. Make it so it is not very noticeable.

Thanks for the welder recommendation. I was thinking of spending $800 for a used welder so I might as well kick in a few hundred more dollars for a new unit.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That is a sweet little welder. They are getting smaller and smaller. I have seen them as low as $1050.00.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Ok...I'm looking for a small piece of inside door window trim from a NON-VENT door. I need a piece like the one picture that I can weld into the rear side window trim to repair my OE trim. I had purchased one previously but it wasn't until I went to weld it in this weekend that I realized they sent me trim from a vent window.

If anyone has some old trim laying around let me know. I will be willing to throw you some money for shipping and such.

This afternoon was spent welding more holes shut in the frame. Nothing too picture worthy.

Thanks
Marc