Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, Do you plan to install power windows?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Not in this one...My 48 had everything electric, including the fresh air vent. If you want power windows go with Nu-relic. They are not cheap but quality never is. They are direct bolt in and work great.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Right on. Those are the ones I have earmarked for my build.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Good deal. I didn't care for their switches so I went with some from a another supplier.

https://watsons-streetworks.com/prod...gory/switches/

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I plan to use their NU-cranks so I can keep it looking like it has manual windows.

https://www.nu-relics.com/product-p/233.htm

How did you run the wiring into the doors? I've seen those contacts that fit in the door jams and think they look like a clean option.

https://www.keepitcleanwiring.com/ca...et-(3-Contacts)

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That's exactly what I used. I think I used 4 contacts as I also had power door actuators for my shaved handles to power as well....It worked fine.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I agree with Mark. I should have been more specific. I didn't get those door contacts from "Keep it Clean". I would never buy anything from Hoffman Group. I have bought several things from Watson's and they have always been great quality.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Hey Marc (and anyone who knows better than me), did you happen to use an ARP balancer bolt? I was putting mine together today and noticed that the directions from ARP and ATI don't agree with each other (different torque and loctite vs ARP assembly lube). Curious to know what you ended up doing.

Attachment 2033623

Also, you probably already caught this, but I didn't :waah: The instructions also say that the alternator grounds through the water pump housing so it says to keep that mounting surface paint free. Not sure if it matters much or not, but I went back and cleaned that area of my block since I didn't mask it off before paint

Attachment 2033624

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I used an ARP bolt. I didn't realize that the Holley kit came with one. I think I used the lube that came with the bolt. Not sure on the torque specs (it was a few months ago). My mechanic friend torqued everything. My block is all Aluminum. I did go back after I removed the tape and grounds away the paint from the mating surfaces. I should be good. I did notice that black paint is removed from the bolt journals on the water pump. To allow for proper grounding must be why...Good looking out.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Just about have the exhaust finished up. We really just have the tail pipes and rear hanger/mounts to figure out. My friend Josh that is the fabricator at my friends rod shop is so incredible talented. No way this exhaust turns out 1/2 as nice without Josh...Pics are deceiving, My air lines are no where close to the pipes. I added 90 degree air fittings and rerouted the lines to the top of the frame rail to offer more clearance. Tomorrow I will bolt up the front section of the exhaust for the last time. I had to drill and tap the tranny mount as we we have some clean mounts the bolt up to that.

I also repainted the body. As I mentioned after seeing how my doors turned out I didn't like the body. It looked too fake to me. I added more air brush work the second time around. I'm much happier with it. Pics on that later.

Here is where we are with the exhaust.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Those are a work of art.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks, he does great work. Here is another example of exhaust Josh did on a 70 Nova. This exhaust was 3" and the tubes were oval in shape for added ground clearance. This picture was prior to finishing all of the way to the tail pipes.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

As I wait for my buddy to come finish my exhaust I figured I would work on some other random tasks. I dropped in my radiator to see how it fit My radiator support is original and in super shape. At first I left the cross bracing but I could tell that I need to remove them in order to fit my 4 core radiator. I also had to clearance the lower inside corners as my tanks hit. Now that I dropped that radiator in I can see if a Cooling Components fan/shroud will fit. I only have 2.25" clearance so I might need to get creative here.

I wanted to see how the cowl cover and hardware looked so I bolted that in place. I'm stoked to see some of these details that have been in my head come to reality..

I started to give my chrome grill a brushed finish to match the rest of my trim. It was too dark for an after pic so I will post pics tomorrow on that (teaser...see what I did there).

Lastly I made one of my transmission cooling lines. I need to pick up some more flex hose from Summit....

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc...that's looking great..!!...love the look of the countersink fender bolts..!!
What radiator are you running?.. I'm to lazy to go back and look..haha

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

sooooo clean

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks, I used them on my 48 truck I build. I really liked how they looked in the bed for the bolts to hold the rear fenders on. They look good and server a function of keeping the metal flat so its a win win. I'm using a Champion 4 core that I painted in epoxy black.

Thanks man..

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Sat....So I found I already had more flex hose so I finished making/installing my tranny lines. My friend came back and we are just about done with the exhaust. I also worked on pre assembling the vintage air set up.

Here are a couple pics of the brushed grill. I also installed my turn signals while I was at it. The more I can pre assemble now the quicker the final install will go.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Oh man....that grill looks sooooooo good...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, nice job on the grill...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, what's the process you're using to acheive the brushed look on your grill? I really like the look and I'm taking notes...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks I'm digging it..

Thanks Jim

Just take a red scotch bright pad. I apply a little penetrating spray to the pad then use elbow grease. The key is to go the same direction with your strokes and keep the even lines. If you don't the grain of the metal will be messed up.I suggest starting on a junk piece first and practice. That's what I did.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

We the exhaust got pretty much wrapped up this weekend. My fabricator friend had 31 hrs into this exhaust. keep in mind he would haul the pieces back to the shop to cut/fit/weld. All we have left is to add a hanger to the ends. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. It's not quite a full system but longer than a shorty system that ends under the body.

The body will go back on for good In about a week.

Thank you
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That's looking great, can't wait to see body on (I know you can't either)...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Exhaust looks great..!....I'm ready for the body to go on to...!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That's one good looking frame!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

You know it Jim...ha ha. I have done a fair amount of pre-assmebly so I think it will go together swiftly.

Thanks, me too...

Thank you, it needs a good detailing before I drop the body back on.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Coming together real nice Marc!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

beautiful attention to detail

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Here's where were at. The exhaust is complete and fully bolted in (O2 sensors and all). This Sunday some buddies are coming over to help me drop the body on the chassis for the last time. I still need to detail/clean the frame before Sunday

In an effort to gain more radiator clearance I need about 5/8". Modifications were needed to the radiator and core support to gain some room. I use cooling components fans for a couple reasons. 1. they are a 2 speed fan that move some serious CFM's. 2. They come with a shroud. 3. They are quiet. They are not cheap but on my 48 it solved my overheating issues.

http://coolingcomponentsinc.us.com/p...ucts/cci-1770/

I did a similar modification on my 48 but this time around it was better executed. I notched the flange on the top of the core support to move the radiator forward. I then broke loose the welds and I will realign the mounting flange to be vertical. As you know they have a slant from the factory to lean the radiator back. My fabricator friend Josh will weld it back together. These mods should create the space I need.

While I was looking at things it became apparent that the top of the factory core support was ugly the way the ends terminated. So I trimmed them back some and capped them off...

Now for the bad news. Both my radiator and core support were already painted. Some touch up will be needed here.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

More pics....

You can see from the exposed aluminum where the brackets used to be aligned. This is a few pics of the capped core support.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looking good Marc...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I've never liked how the radiators stick up past the factory shroud on these trucks. Since I'm on a S10 chassis the front frame horns and steering box rerally limit the depth of my radiator and made my Champion 4 core stick up way too much. I've since sold it since it wasnt working for me. I would like to find a rad that can fit within my dimensions and sit below this little sheet metal shroud I have.

https://live.staticflickr.com/7867/4...a5b493ba_k.jpgUntitled by Spencer Wiedeman, on Flickr

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Jim

On my 48 I used a G-body front clip which is petty much the same as a S-10. I lost 4" in radiator height because of the steering box. I used a Champion 4 core from a mid 60's mustang. it will still stick up some otherwise your radiator will be so small it wont offer adequate cooling.


The hose outlets even lined up for my LT1 (which I think are the same as an LS). Since you are running a shorter radiator you will need a good "sucker" electric fan (see my recommendation in my previous post) and build a shroud at the bottom of your core support to direct air up into your radiator. Before I did that my 48 always ran hotter than I would have liked.

Thanks

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Mark...I'm good on door seals. I used universal ones. I did the same on my 48 and they worked great. I need to get front and rear door window seals. ordered. I'm having all of my glass cut locally and it should be done in a week or so....thanks for the suggestion.


Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Ok, so I hit a major milestone this weekend. I asked a few buddies over to help drop the body back on. A few areas I was worried about as far as clearances go was the following: The coil clearance to the firewall. The shifter clearance coming thru the floor. Everything turned out better than expected. The only exception was the floor by the tranny. I had to cut more of the floor than I wanted/intended. The thing that changed between mock ups was the drive line angle and the height of the tranny mount. I will just come up with a trans tunnel..

Overall I was stoked with the outcome. Keep in mind that these rims are 20's. I plan to run 22's.

Considering that I painted the body panels separate from each other I was pleased how they look next to each other.

Here are a bunch of pics.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That is looking great.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

More.....

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

More....

For comparison here is a before and after my paint distressing.