Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Its funny its easy to lose tracking thinking you haven't accomplished much but when you update a build thread its like "ok I have made progress".
Thank you..

Yes, I think I will really like fully powder coated wheels. My last set where polished inside and out and water spots were a pain. The AC hoses as well as my swing away mount go with my build theme of less is more. Hide as much of the unsightly stuff as possible.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

When I upgrade my gauges that I don't like I am buying DD

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Check with me later. I recently learned that in order for your gears to display correctly you have to purchase a $110.00 added module. I learned from DD tech that the necessary info "may or may not" pull correctly from the ECU and send it to the BIM module I was told to purchase. They can't tell you what ECU's will or won't pull the necessary data. So I spend close to $1,900 (including the BIM) for these gauges. So essentially I wasted $100 buying a BIM module (that did not work that I'm now stuck with) and I needed to purchase another module GSS-3000 to display the gear.

I emailed with the president of DD to explain my frustration with the gauges limitations vs the cost.. According to him they work fine out of the box if you have a carbureted engine with a turbo 350 trans. Um, I'm not really sure who would run that combo and use these high-tech gauges.

Can you tell I soured on DD??

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That's how they get you, charge a $100 for every BIM and you need 1 BIM for each extra thing you want. Then they don't guarantee anything because its all "univeral" or "custom" stuff. Unfortunately when you are the only name in the game, they can afford to do people dirty every once in a while.

Probably your fault(SCARASM) for thinking the system would work for the MOST COMMON engine and trans combo used in custom vehicles.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Well that sucks!!
Good to know, I will be in touch with you before I buy gauges, won't be for a while. Need to sell the new build first for sure.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Well I fired the motor this weekend. This time it fired right up just like on TV. No issues. That is how the first start up was supposed to go. No I can start assembling the rest of the front sheet metal.

I also hung the rear doors complete with seals and functioning latches and door hardware. The Suburban back door latches and hardware they don't reproduce. I reconditioned mine and modified a side door handle to work for the back doors. Very pleased how well they shut and seal.

Full speed ahead. Looking for a late spring test drive...

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

:metal: CONGRATS!!!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

they look amazing and really have a lot of the bases covered, but for the money i keep leaning further away. for the Cummins i was looking at $2000-2500 and there was zero option for data logging. that was a deal breaker for me.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That's a big day! Congratulations.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks I was stoked..

I worked on hooking up the new module (GSS-3000) so my gears now display. I may to sell the module that I'm not using.

Thanks, I need to hook up my throttle cable so I can bring up the RPM's to hear the exhaust better. I like what I have heard so far.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

a milestone day for sure , Congrats

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, congrats on the start up, can't wait for the test drive...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thank you

You and me both Jim.....Waiting on a drive shaft that I needed shortened. Should be done in about a week.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Congrats on the no issue first start up! That's always a great feeling!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

No, this was the 2nd test fire. The initial one crated major issues from a stuck open injector. I think I had PTSD from the first start attempt. Attempt #2 went off smooth...

Thanks

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Awsome....starting to see the light at the end of a long tunnel....:cong:

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thank you....

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Congratulations Marc!! It's always funny when you see the "first start" on tv. You will have to have a pole to see weather your green truck or this truck wins lol.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thank you...I'm guessing the green truck would win in a landslide. I think most people around me that knew the green truck wont "get" the look of the Suburban. When in reality this Suburban is a so much nicer build in many ways (minus paint) than the green truck.

Dropped the wheels off this morning to be mounted/balanced. Picked up my carpet and last of the upholstery last night and I go to pick up my drive shaft tomorrow...

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I installed my driver seat (temporarily) to allow me to mount my throttle pedal and cable. I was fearing the worse with the throttle pedal as I needed to make a mount and since my firewall was painted it had to be a bolt in solution. The mount I made years ago was a weld on solution. I was pleased how well it all turned out. Most people that use these throttle bodies to simulate a carb use the drive my wire solution. For this reason, I needed to make my own bracket to hold the throttle cable. It turn out very clean. And get this.......it works great!!

So I fired the motor again with a throttle cable which allowed me to rev on it. I was blown away at how bad ass this motor and exhaust sounds. I laughed that I screwed up and build a race truck..ha ha. I will post a video on my IG page (Greenfield_speedshop) later this week. Even my 16 yr old son ran out to the garage for a closer look. That can attest to how good its sounds to get a 16yr old to react that fast. ha ha

This was the first time I sat in the seat in the Suburban. The seat is so comfortable. Looking forward to some quality seat time this summer.

I also installed my driveshaft that I had shortened and picked up Friday.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Very nice.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

wow this looks so good.... love the seat, looks comfy.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That is incredible!!! ;)
dne'

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks man

I joke that the seats are more comfortable than how nice they look.

Thank you..much appreciated.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

that seat is so pretty, whole inside is looking amazing

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Further assembly of the front end. Trying to take my time and hide as many wires and stuff as possible. I like how hidden the AC lines are. Next is to finish wiring the front end (lights, AC and fans).

I'm also chasing down a pesky fuel leak at one of my fittings by the tank on the supply side. I finally took the fitting off and retightened. I hope that solved it.

Thank you
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

i hope my engine bay looks half as clean as that, super nice.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks, I always try to apply the less is more approach and hide all of the unsightly crap. It takes way longer but you are left with a cleaner end product.

The vison I have had in my head for years is slowing coming into focus....

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

It's a great feeling when your vision comes together as you where planning.
Great job!!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

As I get closer to thinking about that first drive I have been busy getting this thing legal. I recently put insurance on it. I go today to order plates. Getting a appointment at ANY MI SOS is a choir in itself.

I installed my rear bumper with the aid of my son. I had my factory bumper brackets powder coated quite a while back with the satin black wrinkle finish.

We had to mount the bumper, get a placement for the hitch receiver hole. Unmount the bumper and then cut up said the new bumper. Then remount to check the hole placement....Spot on. I had done this process once before with a junk bumper so I had a general idea. The hitch receiver provied 2 functions. 1 - a lace to mount my plate. 2- Covers the hole in the bumper for the hidden hitch.

After that I gave the bumper a brushed finish (not pictured). I need to remount the finished bumper.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That finish looks good. The truck is coming together nicely.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Robert. This Suburban is built soooo much nicer than my 48 truck was but most people wont see it that way due to the weathered paint.

It is nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel tho.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

looks great, can't wait to see it all together.

keep it going

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Its lookin soooooo good! love this build

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks its getting exciting

I appreciate it. I'm a big fan of your build. The grand debut will be soon. I have been holding back on some details..

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

The suspense is killing me...I'm ready to see you making that 1st drive..!!!!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I’m drooling.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Like all the others, ready for more...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Slow and steady wins the race. I'm trying to button up some stuff before I drop it off of the stands so I want to make sure I take care of that stuff first.

IDK all you have to do is look at your truck if you want your fix. It's pretty drool worthy itself.

I myself am anxious to see the final product on the ground with the new wheels but there are brakes to bleed and some other odds and ends first. We did mange to get the rear cargo door new glass and seals in last night. Boy was that a fight.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

In case anyone was curious...Here is the before and after the brushed bumper treatment. Also a pic of the rear door glass.

Thanks
Marc