Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Nice work.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Sweet...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I really like the brushed look.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Very nice work! Did you just gray scotchbrite to accomplish the look? That's what I've done with some aluminum coil covers on some LS swaps.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks man

Thanks Jim

Thank you, I like the look as well. I'm usually a chrome/shinny guy. This just has a different look to it.

Thank you, I used a red/maroon scotchbrite. Probably very similar in terms of abrasion.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Just in case anybody wonders , heres a grit equivalence chart for scotchbrite

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

TIP..

I always received compliments on my 48 truck with how nicely the hood fit, especially on the sides in the back. Over time these AD hood fatten out (de-arch) across the back there they meet the cowl which in turn causes the sides to bow out.

On thing I did on my 48 and I just did it again on my 53 Suburban was re-arch the hood.

Steps: (sorry all of these pics are after pics)
* Remove the plate that is in the middle of the rear support. This lets you bring in the rear sides of the hood easily.

* Using a tow strap (running side to side) and pull in the sides of the hood to create a nice arch of the metal hood skin. Don't go crazy with tension. You will get an idea of where the hood feels best.

* Tighten the plate.

* Clean the gap between the hood metal skin and the brace with a wire wheel (that's what worked best for me). Wipe down area with lacquer thinner.

* Apply a nice bead your favorite panel bond (this is what I used) in the gap between the brace and hood skin. It is about $60.00 for a tube of what I used.

* Use a couple additional straps going forward from the back edge of the hood to help close the gap between the hood skin and the brace. I also use two landscaping pavers across the brace to make sure the gap between the brace and hood skin closed up.

* Let the panel bond cure (in this case I waited 24hrs). Once I removed my straps my hood kept the arch.

Maybe others know about this, I just see a lot of poorly fitting AD hoods so I thought to mention it. I'm less picky with my 53 so I will not go back and body work to make it perfect like we did with my 48.

I will be respraying Raptor liner on the back of the hood. There was some already that looks factory/old? on there and a big section flaked off so I will respray this weekend to make it all uniform.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks, that's a nice tip. The 48 has that issue. I tried to pull it together and tighten the bolts, and it helped, but this will fix it.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

that is a good to know.


Thanks, ..... still can't wait to see it all together.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Soon my friend, soon....

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

This is looking so good, totally different look than your 48 but very well executed all the same.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

hope you don't mind! ... i stole your signature picture, modified it for my extra long bed, and used it in my sig on the Jeep forum.

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Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks, you get it. I keep telling people that this is built soo much better than my 48 but it wont stand out that way to most. Its kind of like you don't know what you don't know. I learned so much on that 48 that is the main reason I had zero regrets selling it and why I was also so excited to build the Suburban. Not to mention my tastes in trucks has changed from then to now. Less showy street rod to more of a weathered purpose built cruiser.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Funny, I stole it from someone else (from this forum) and modified it for a Suburban...ha ha

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Finished working on the hood last night. I scrapped the undercoating that was flaking off and lightly sanded the underside of the hood. I repainted the latch section last weekend.

I really like the looks of the faux rust areas in contrast of something freshly painted.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Excellent tip on getting the hood fit on the sides. I have this issue on mine. Really appreciate it. Thx.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Good deal. I installed my hood this weekend. Fit good overall. Almost too tight on the sides, ha ha.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I installed my hood this weekend which meant I got to install the hood strut kit I bought from LS Fab. This is well worth the money. I love clean well thought out solutions. All of the brackets are SS. I painted mine to blend in better.

**Pic 3 was prior to sliding the collar over the mount


Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Look great...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That looks awesome! I'm really thinking about getting a set up like that for my 40 Ford but those cars have a huge problem with hood hinge bind when closing so I'm not sure if I will do it or not.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Jim

I know on these AD truck the factory hood springs can be problematic and cause other hood fitment challenges. These worked great and are very strong. They can hold the hood open partially as well which is nice if you don't want to open the hood all of the way to show the engine compartment.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Each day that passes, I'm closer to driving the "Family Truckster". I ran the motor the other day and let it reach temp. This reveled to me a few small coolant leaks due to incorrect gaskets on the cross over tube as well as collector leaks in the exhaust. I also detected a valve cover leak. My fans kicks on at the correct temp so that was a positive. I have been working on those fixes as well as rebleeding the brakes.

I have my license plate and insurance. I have a 7:30 am appointment on Friday to get an alignment and AC charged.

The final thrash is on.....Today might be a great day for a trip around the neighborhood.

A few teaser pics for ya....

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

looks great, these 'teaser' photos have me wanting to see more.

I hate leaks, and it will dirty that pretty motor yours.


I put a 'used' aluminum Weiand water pump on my motor and it had a slight leak in the valve, as coolant was running down the lower rad hose and dripping on the garage floor. Ordered a new one and put it on last week. lesson learned, for $45, I should have put on a new one from the start.


keep us posted, we are all waiting

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks. Yeah I don't like leaks either.. I think I have them fixed. This is part of the reason I have been patient leaving the Suburban up on my work stands for so long. Much easier to trouble shoot and fix/debug issues. I realized I can't drive it up on stands tho....

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Oh here is my personal plate.. Kind of a hotrod only rotten.
Pretty fitting that the plate and frame both showed up Saturday and ordered weeks apart.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

nice touch

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I like it Marc..!!!...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Sweet

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

i tried to get my PA plate and title ... but i have to have a certified weight slip for truck. how do i drive a bare cab to get weighed? think they'll put 450lbs on the title?

the plate and frame are so smooth and clean! nice contrast to the name

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Congrats! Truck looks great.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks

Getting there.

It's always a treat to deal with SOS. Thanks

Much appreciated.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Love it all...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Ooo Baby!!! I bet you are having a hard time sleeping knowing the first drive is soon.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Update////

So on Friday I took the day off to get the Suburban aligned and the AC charged. The shop was 3 miles from the house and I planned to take side streets around the lake to get there....Oh yeah I should mention I had not installed my front glass yet.

Late on Thursday, my son and I pulled the Suburban out of the garage (for the first time under its own power) and planned to take it around the neighborhood. A few feet from the house there was a screeching noise from the rear wheel. We came back to home base to make an adjustment. The "roller" rims I'm using have a terrible offset so I was not surprised.

The trip around the hood was uneventful (which was good). I have a friend in the same hood that is putting together a k5 bagged blazer so we though it was only right to take a photo in front of his house to prove we where on the road before he was.

Once I learned that Fridays forecast called for 40 degrees with 90% rain I decided I needed to call an audible and barrow an enclosed trailer. The Suburban got aligned. Between a wedding I was in and a busy holiday weekend I didn't get much time in the garage. I did manage to install the front glass with the help of my boys. I need to re-bleed my brakes before stretching the Suburban's legs a bit more.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

It looks great. Congrats.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

so goooood

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Soooooooo close...!!!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks

Much apprecaited

Thanks, I know right. I'm good not rushing things knowing I'm really close. My youngest son graduates from middle school on the 11th of June. My goal is to be able to pick him up from school on his last day. he doesn't know this..I have a vison of airing it out and laying out in the pick up line psssssssssss....ha ha

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

very cool,...keep us posted

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Your son will love it!!