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.

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.