Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I had the day off Friday so my son and I took a lot of parts to the stripper/de-ruster. I took my frame their previously and it came back great. I also started further installing my Accuair setup. Check out these compression fittings. They are great for LS swaps. I didn't feel like flaring my 3/8 SS fuel line so I'm using these fittings. One end (pictured) will screw into the quick disconnect fitting for the fuel regulator. The other end will attach to braided gas line like I used back by the tank. Leaving Thursday for Columbus Goodguys show. It's a great show and a chance to catch up with some guys from this site.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Sooo I have been steadily plugging along. Notable progress to date since my last update:
* Installed my Accuair set up 99% complete
* Torn down my LS1 and built it back up with new internal goodies and a stage 3 cam.
* Took several parts the powdercoater (bumper brackets, seat mount plates). I also had my headers thermo coated. They are in a cool titanium color. I get some pics of those later
* Ordered a boat load of parts. Holley front drive and intake, Vintage Air AC unit, new Digital Dakota gauges and several other odds and ends.

I have many interior parts (seat frames, window moldings) and engine compartment parts at my painter getting body worked.

Yesterday and mobile sandblast unit came out to the house to blast the interior. It turned out great. No real surprises. I also started modifying my dash by removing the lower section that hangs down. I then will fab an lower dash panel to house the AC controls and vents. I did this same modification on my 48. I like how clean the dash looks by removing the lower section.

I need to get my trans rebuilt next week then my drive train other than paint will be in good shape.

The goal now is driving by Spring 2020.


Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looks great Marc..where did you get the dash piece for the ac?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, moving right along, nice job on the clean up of interior, looking forward to more pics and updates...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Greg-

The piece I'm holding is what I removed. In the picture attached is the lower dash panel from my 48 truck. I will make one similar for my Suburban.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Jim...Since the 48 sold, I have really been working on this a lot more in hopes of getting it on the road next Spring. The kids laugh because every day there a re new parts on the front step.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Oh ...ok ...I wasnt paying attention..I see now...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

thats cool they came out to blast it. what did that run if you don't mind me asking? nice progress.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

It wasn't cheap but I didn't trust my body cart to hold up strapped down to a trailer going down the crappy MI roads. I paid $600...More than I wanted to spend but my time saved running it to and from a blaster is worth something as well.

We got most of it in epoxy primer yesterday as well..

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Yah if you really add up all the time and headache taking the body somewhere, than worrying about it really getting done or stolen (some places keep stuff outside) I think $600 is ok.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks, yes the more I though about it I was more OK with the price. The kid that blasted it was nice and he allowed me to keep bringing him small odds and end stuff to blast while he was set up like my seat springs and stuff. I also take stuff to a local chemical stripper. They did my 3 suburban seats frames and all of my interior and exterior window trim, Inner front fenders and other miscellaneous parts for $250.00.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Moving along. Last night we got the interior shot with epoxy primer. That was a relief as I was stressing that it would flash rust before I got primer on it. I like how the crusty exterior looks in contrast to the clean interior.....Its amazing how much better things look when they are all the same color.

Next I will order some raptor liner to fully coat the floors (top/bottom) and the backsides of the fenders...

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Just thumbed back thru your entire build. Man, you've come a long way. Great craftsmanship.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thank you...its fun to go back thru a build thread to see the progress because at times it doesn't seem like I've done much.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

looks nice man!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Well I have been ordering more parts and plugging along. I got my trans back from being rebuilt. I got the new Dakota Digital HDX gauges in silver. I ordered a LS1 wiring harness for the motor. I went with one from BP Automotive. I ordered a larger stall converter to better match my cam and set up. I went with a Circle D Specialties (3 - 3,300). I have been busy welding up the dash to clean that up. This weekend I got my engine and trans in epoxy primer, I installed my sending until from CCP that I purchased. I also finished my fuel (supply line). I need to get busy and pick a color for my drivetrain.

Next weekend I'm going to try to get my underside coated in Raptor liner.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I also mounted my AC bulk head. I plan to run the AC hoses on the back side of the fenders out of sight. I stole the location of the bulkhead from someone else I saw on IG...:cool: Oh and not to worry, I plan to clean up my crappy welds prior to coating it all in raptor liner. I'm no too concerned at this point as the raptor liner covers up a lot of imperfections.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

those are some sweet looking gauges Marc..!!!!!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, looking good my friend...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

nice progress. I ran my heater hoses through that same location on my one build. Looks great.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks I dig them too. They have a lot of add on functionality. I added ambient temp sensor. You could also add air pressure sensors and it would display individual bag/tank pressure. I decided not to add that but all of the info shows up in the small led screen

Thanks Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc - wow, have come along way since Ive been here last, looking really good. This is probably going to be something in my realm of next projects with the g-kids growing up... Not enough room in a pickup truck! ;)

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Welcome back..

Yes, I've been trashing ever since I sold my 48 truck (one might say making up for lost time). Other than wheels/tire and seats being recovered I have a most all of the big dollar parts purchased. I really want to drive this next spring. Next on the list is to spray raptor liner on the top/bottom sides of the floors. I almost go to it this weekend but I ran out of time.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Well I continue to work toward getting the interior of the body all set. So to date I have done the following to the inside of the body. I sandblasted, then epoxy primed, epoxy seam sealed and finally coated the top and bottoms of the floors and wheel wells with Raptor liner. it's pretty much water proof. Pretty happy with how it is shaping up. Just because is it rusty outside doesn't mean that it has to be inside. I even seam sealed the back sides of the doors. In the pics you can see where I had a small patch in the bottom of each door.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looking good Marc, keep up the work...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks guys. We set the backlash on the rear end last night so I will pretty much have a rolling chassis to show soon. I've been holding out but the chassis is 95% complete.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Sounds great, can wait to see it...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looking good Marc....

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Very nice

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I worked on the floors this weekend. Anyone that has removed the wood floor from their AD Suburban knows that the body was built around the floor so it needs to come out in pieces. I had an idea floating around for a while on how I would go about replacing it. I used 5/8" marine grade plywood which is basically the same wood I removed. I decided I would use a lap joint on the seams for strength. I also centered the joint over the floor brace as well. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. next I will move my seats up so that I can install the seat anchors. I plan to cover the notch with sheet metal. Next up I will stain the wood and paint the bottom side and edges with an Eastwood rust guard paint for added protection. I can't coat it with raptor liner as the wood fits tight as it is. The pics are from before to after with a close up of my lap joint.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That looks good Marc..!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Nice job, lap joint should work great...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

great thinking!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks guys.....

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I worked on finalizing my wood floors some more. I always had the idea of making to seats modular, so I could run the 3rd row seat in the second spot. The idea is that I could hall more people and have the added cargo area in the back. Since I raised and widened my wheel tubs, I was not sure it would work. It did so I will add floors plates so I can run either the 2nd row or 3rd row in that spot. Attached is also one of the floor plates that I had powder coated in a wrinkle finish. Now all I need to do is router the floor plates into the wood, stain and then coat the bottom and sides of the floors before installing.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Here are a few Porterbuilt chassis pics. I've been putting a lot of time in on the chassis as well. The Accuair system is 95% complete. All brake lines and fuel lines ran. Pics of my Accuair mount and battery tray both curtesy of eBay

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

This is a really cool build. I’ll be looking forward to your post.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thank you, it should start picking up speed. I'm working on several aspects at the same time in an effort to get it on the road next spring/summer.

Marc