Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

License plate and interior lights are great idea I'm going to have to steal this from you.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Great idea...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Mongo..

That's why I'm not sharing ALL of my ideas with you thief's...ha ha. Steal away. They both are great cheap solutions. They both worked fine for 7+ years in my 48.

Thank you

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

lots of great ideas...roger

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I know SQUAT about LED's. I assume since you didn't mention it, they use full 12v power?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thank you Roger..much appreciated.

Dan, yes they use the full 12v. No need for resistors or anything. I also a strip of LED lights under the dash shinning at your feet when the dome light comes on. These LED strip lights have an adhesive backing so they can be stuck anywhere, they are cheap and you can cut them to what ever length you like which changes how much light they put out.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Marc - for your explanations to some with "lame-old-dude-itis"!

If you've posted it maybe I've missed it but whose door switches are you using? I've heard all sorts recommended makes.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

We ALL learn something from this site (young or old). I have not purchased my switched yet. I will probably go with ones similar to those that I used on my 48 which were just universal contacts.

Similar to these. Nothing fancy. You can also get some with plastic/rubber end caps.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/prf-80170


Thanks

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I really like the LED upgrade! I added 3rd brake lights to the cargo lamp on my 72 and now wish I would have done something like this for the cargo lamp. Did you add the frosted finish to the lens? I've been wondering id media blasting them is a sufficient way to accomplish that?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Ryan

Thanks mam.....
No the lens is frosted from the factory. It's an OEM glass lens. They sell rattle can paint to add a frosted look. I bet you could spray the inside of the lens. That way it would still look glossy from the outside. LED's don't put out any heat so I bet it would hold up fine and might be a better option than blasting the lens. Just keep applying light coats to get the desired amount of frosting.

Just a thought (outside the box)


Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

On Friday night I started fitting and working on my lower dash panel my friend Zach made for me. The first picture I taped on the AC vents to get an idea of placement. I then cut in holes for the vents as well as the AC controller as well as the wiper and light switches. This is the last part that needed to be modified before I get it painted to match the rest of the dash.

As a refresher this panel is the reason I cut my dashboard straight across on the bottom. I did something very similar on my 48. I like to utilize this lower panel to keep the main dash free of switches and knobs....

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Very nice look on the dash.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, looks good, like the placement...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks guys....

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looks great

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

D'Oh ! not sure why, but don't let this happen to your door switch

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thank you

OUCH!! I had similar ones on my 48 and had no issues. I'm guessing it needed to be adjusted more so it didn't stick out as far from the door opening. Looks like it caught the edge and folded it over.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

ya, I think you are right, it sticks out too far.

The funny thing is it still works fine.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

If it works it aint broke

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Nice touch. It will hide the ac pipes as well.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Yes it should. I worked well on my last build. It also allows for a place to mount switches out of the way in order to keep the dash clean. I have a few more modifications to it then I can get it to my painter...

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Update time...

Ok so at some point people were asking about dome light switches. Here are the ones I went with. They were inexpensive, they had a plastic end that wont scratch the paint and they had a lot of adjustability. I installed one for the back doors. I'm still deciding on a location for the front doors.

I also installed my fold away Accuair mount. I love slick solitons. I bought this from Fat Fender garage. I like to keep stuff as clean and clutter free as possible. once folded up under the dash it almost becomes invisible. In keeping with this theme I also mounted my ignition switch vertically under the lower dash panel. Again out of sight out of mind.

I also received a call from my upholstery guy that my custom visors, the shift boot, door handles and seats are just about wrapped up so I will head south to pick up some of that stuff.

Thank you
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

More:

I installed my black nostalgic Lokar shifter and shift knob. I've had these for about a yr. I wanted to get the mock up complete with the other shift handle.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

damn that is sharp, and that fat fender controller mount is perfect!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

for future DIYing ... i think i found the hinge they are using.

https://www.hingeoutlet.com/collecti...31316403290248

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks..I don't mind paying money for someone else's R&D. They 3D print the end that mount to the dash as well as the end that holds the Accuair controller. They also offer these for people with Airlift controllers. I think I pad $50.00 (if my memory serves more correctly)

Thanks

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

i noticed the printed dash pc, but missed that they also included the controller adapter. all-in, i would agree that's probably money well spent for the time. you're obviously not afraid to get your hands dirty though, think of all the other stuff you could make pop out from under the dash!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Funny I had plans for other stuff with this lower dash but I'm out of room. I think I maxed out the real estate with (4) A/C vents, the A/C and heat controller, the wiper and light switches along with the ignition and Accuair controller. I was working on some cool swing out cup holders but there is no room. I will solve my cup holders another way. If I didn't use the original seat springs I would have sunk them into the cushions.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That's a slick mount! It will also be a great security device with it hidden like that.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks..yeah my ignition switch is somewhat hidden as well running vertically up under the dash. Lets hope I can find it..hah ha

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

My project is alive and well.. I have gotten quite a bit done but I'm behind reporting progress.

Doors. I got my hinges painted and Altman latches painted. I got the doors hung and adjusted. I installed the peel and stick door seals. These are so nice. I used something similar on my 48 truck. A lot less mess then screwing with weather strip goop. The funny thing is the doors close really nice and the gap is pretty decent (for a rusty turd)

Once I hung the passenger door I did not like the faux rust transition from the cowl to the door. Remember, I rusted the pieces separately from each other. Sooo I rusted it more so it looks more believable.

I got the AC 80% installed. I took a VA kit for AD trucks and modified it. I don't like their plastic duct work to go below the dash. That is why made the lower dash panel. I'm also hiding all of the hoses under fenders so the engine bay is clean. This was some work but I like how it is turning out.

I have all of my parts back from paint. See (painted dash trim) and my small shifter cover with my leather shift boot.

Lastly.....Wheels. US Mags posted this pic on IG a week ago and I'm 99% sure these are my front wheels as they contain 2 custom finishes. These wheels are fully coated which means no polishing for this guy.

I have all my glass back and pick up the last of my seats in a week.

See Ive been doing stuff...Ha ha

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

continued.....

No those are not tires, the barrels are coated matte black.

Oh............ I almost forgot I got my AccuAir 100% installed, calibrated and leaks detected and fixed. My drive shaft is also off getting shortened.

My Dakota Digital HDX gauges are also installed and set up. I just need to trouble shoot why my gear is not showing up in the display. I have a call into DD. These gauges are soo sweet. They are Bluetooth capable so you can use your phone to change settings/colors.

That's all for now.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

great work, as always.

Thanks for posting

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Look good Marc, like the wheels...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Yes, I like the wheels too.

The way each spoke is rounded and raised , looks like a modern version of Pontiac Rally 2 wheels.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

love it

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Yeah someone on my IG made a similar comment. Thanks

Thanks Jim, I received tracking info on them this afternoon. They are on the way

Thank you

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Great updates Marc...you have been busy...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

wow those wheels look great!

nice work on the other stuff too!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Nice work on the hide away mount and the dash. It is looking really nice. I like your ac hose routing as well. Those wheels do look nice and I like the no polishing part. That means they should not corrode as easily or get stained by brake dust too hopefully.