Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

The solution for the contact between the pinion stub shaft U-joint and the cross member is to notch the cross member with a pipe notch. Cut out here, it will be finished when I take the powertrain out again.

Steering almost worked with only two u-joints though it needed three to clear the frame and exhaust header. I still need to do the stake procedure per Borgenson directions and this part is done. Their parts are pricey and worth it...don't cheap out on steering.

Next up is mounting the brake pedal assembly bracket...marked out here from fitting.

Decided to take a look at that again tomorrow to verify accuracy before drilling holes in the firewall. Really don't want to do that wrong....:)

Oh, check out the light my new Snap On LED puts out. Wow, under dash is now as bright as shop floor. And the light isn't hot.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Steering looks great Doug. I need to get the LS mock up block back to confirm my set up clears the headers...It's nice having functional steering when pushing the truck around. Since I swapped the 20's up front I was able to hook up my steering rack links.

Marc

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

You aren't kidding about those lights. I bought a pair at Costco a while back. Just like you said, bright but not hot. That was a big win with me as i have a ton of little ones running around.

So who's going to end up with the sweeter 'burb? You or youngrodder?:lol:
Right now, its neck and neck. I realize it's not a competition, but nice.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Steering looks good Doug!! Wish mine was that "easy"....
I've got a small version of that worklight, I find them really nice to work with.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

very clean looking

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

haha nice light, I got rechargeable LED shop lights for christmas so no more knocking around that old (and hot) drop light

column looks great, nice install pics!

I have a question about the upper arms, I see the slots are in the direction of force of the arms, do they ever loosen (or even not loosen) and go out of alignment?

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Thanks Marc, hopefully yours will fit OK. If my engine would have been a little higher, I think two joints would have done this one.

Yep, those lights are bright...it still freaks me out they aren't hot, so that is really good for safety. Sweeter Burb? Marc's, like I mentioned on his build, only AD on the planet with Porterbuilt drop components.

Thanks Kees...easy..yeah, not bad. I ordered a small light too and it showed up today.

Thanks 99! Looking forward to your engine updates and TCI install.

Oh I have disliked the old drop lights since my college days and one branded my arm in a tight spot under dash. Thanks, column looks like it will work.

The slots in the upper arms are styled after the original 74 - 78 Mustang II using T bolts (serrated on bottom) to clamp the arm in place. Cater and camber obviously adjusted by loosening the T bolt and sliding. They work OK I guess as there are many out there. One came loose on my black truck once..

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Brake pedal assembly, booster and master cylinder are in place. The hardest hole to drill in that new firewall was the first one. Really took my time in measuring, marking and verifying and they came out dead on.

Made a little support for the end of the brake pedal assembly to tie it into the diagonal brace under the dash. Wow, I had fabricators block on that one as I stared at it and fumbled around with various ideas for 2 hours. I think the downward force of a brake apply is now spread evenly across the back of the brace.

Those little switch on magnets are really handy! Was it 99 using them last year and I ordered some?

The cross piece on top of the brace is welded solid across the back. Front side has three short welds.

Now to get the brake push rod length adjusted for the booster and master cylinder.

Thanks again to Mark - Reaper71- for the lead on this brake assembly from Speedway. Booster came from Summit and Wilwood from my friend Mike at Rutters Rod Shop.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Fun putting shiny new parts together....even if only for test fitting.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Doug, should have no problem with the brace. Pedal looks good. Have a happy New Year...Jim

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Looks great Doug. The dashes are pretty flimsy. I know mine could benefit from an additional brace and that's even with my brakes being a frame mount.

Nice looking booster..

Marc

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Thanks Jim, Mark and Marc.

Last update of the year... Fabbed up and installed the fuel fill pipe support today.

Happy New Year to my internet friends!

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

You know that's cheating using that lift don't ya??? That modification would be more satisfying laying on your back under the suburban...

Happy New Year Doug

Marc

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Very nice build. wish I had some of you ability. Really like the build. hope some day to have a Burb to match the truck.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

what he said! I have a brace from the pedals to the dash brace too and the firewall still flexed with vigorous brake application. if you want some piece of mind run a "foot" of some angle from the booster mount down the to the toe board.

I love those little switch magnets, just the right size for lots of stuff. I used one to hold the door open on my 41 tonight!:lol:

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Yep, it is cheating and we were discussing that when adding in the support bracket. Glad we have the lift. Happy New Year to you too Marc!

Thanks Mike. Really been enjoying your build.

Yeah, you are right. I've been telling myself I will evaluate firewall flex later and address if needed...I just need to do it now. Oh right, you had a post about the switch magnets. Short video...

Happy New Year Mark!

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Happy new year!! I have a brace from my fire wall to the dash and I see no flex. Yours looks much nicer tho :) That light will be real nice when you get to the under dash wiring.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Happy new year Doug and your family!!
Nice and simple support for the fuelpipe.

I also made my own bracket between firewall and dash, I have no flex.
Already had to make an emergencystop at 30mph, all is still in one piece :lol::metal:
I'm with Lower, yours look plenty strong!!

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

I have the same kit and really like it - god buy!

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Doug; :mm:

Have posted new pic on the panel project;
Al so posted New pic in the Alternate Tinkering post.

T-P Auto :chevy:
Tim

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

The Burb is looking great Doug. The pedals and steering aren't the funnest part of the project but definitely necessary. Your install on each looks great.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Thanks guys! Dave, appreciate your positive comments, you do such awesome work! Apologies for lack of Burb progress....we've been busy with many other projects, adventures and duties it seems this year. Shop Ceiling repair and paint, gator engine, lawn mower stuff, funerals, family, yard projects. Basically life ...

We are in the middle of Long Haul on Hot Rod Power tour right now. What a blast! St. Louis, Indianapolis and Bowling Green left to go.

So, we plan to be back on this Burb soon.

Thanks for hanging in there with us.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Welcome back!

Yeah, life has a tendency to do that.

Have fun on the tour. We want pics!

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Have fun on the tour! I wish I was running alongside of you.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

As a show of solidarity I too have held off on Suburban updates until Doug is ready to get back on his....

He he he

Marc

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Doug, glad your enjoying the tour, keep safe...Jim

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Nothing like some good power tour fun..but don't forget you've got a burb build "competition" to get back on

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Power tour is on my list. Have fun!!

Power Tour
 

I think every person who builds a truck, SUV, car should consider a run on the power tour. I took my old 53 IH Travelall to the end site two years ago and the starting point last year when it came to Louisiana. Hopefully, she'll be ready in a few years to make the long haul gang. Enjoy Doug.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Marc, I appreciate the holding off... :)

Yes guys we had a great time on Powertour. It was a quest we've wanted to complete a number of years now and this was the year we were able to Long Haul. Praise Him! Nearly 2k miles, long hot days and wife powered right on through!

Ran into Blue Jeep at the conclusion of the event last night. He had been at every stop too and we missed each other the entire week.

Ok, I gotta be back on the Burb cause we are in a race for second place. Been slacking off way too long!

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Glad you had fun. I really want to go long haul. How did you set up sleeping every night?

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

sounds like fun on a bun, maybe one day I will keep a truck long enough to go on the poto

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Lower, we had hotel reservations about an hour outside each city the stop was in. That worked well for us, typically rates were more reasonable and we avoided the heaviest traffic next morning. I saw on FB some hardy folks were tent camping each nite.

Joedoh, it was fun...the Burb was very comfortable.

Gator with the rebuilt engine is leaking quantities of coolant and engine oil...so will need to look at that Saturday. Always something.

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Thanks Doug

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Second place, first place..that's between you and Marc.
I say you ending up both equally up front!!

Followed you on the Tour at FB and saw some really nice pictures!!
Also all the other pics fro the Tour I saw....shame I wasn't there...

But for now, get a good night rest and then go full on the Burb again!! :lol::lol:

I'll be watching.....;)

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Hey Doug, it's been a couple of months, I hope all is well. I know life frequently gets in the way of our projects. I haven't worked on mine for a couple of weeks now due to everything else I own suddenly needing attention.

Can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!

-Richard

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Me too Richard! I must really dislike mounting seats as that was next on the list when I went on pause....which turned into a sabbatical from the build. Been working on other projects around here, property maintenance, spending time doing things with grandsons and other folks. Burb is waiting patiently....shoot, I haven't even got the 56 Chevy out yet this year!

Thanks for checking in guys, apologies for lack of progress, hope to be back on it before too long!

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

Doug, glad to hear everything is fine, and you've been enjoying family, can't beat that with a stick....Jim

Re: 48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait
 

glad to hear from you doug!