1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

First of all, let me say that I have NEVER done a project like this, and I am definitely a rookie. Having said that, I am having a ball with this build.

It all started a couple of years ago when I saw a Suburban drive by that was really cool....so I started reading blogs and figured I would like to try an S10 frame swap under a 1947-54 Suburban. I told my friends and a month later my cousin called and said he knew a guy with a Suburban that he never fixed up.

So this is the Suburban as I bought it.


The next item was to find a long bed regular cab S10 pickup. So, I go to a moving sale, and there, under 6 inches of pine needles is an S10. I ask the guy if it is for sale, and he says yes. I offer him $200.00 for it if he can get it running. Two hours later, he calls me and has it running, and I have found a complete regular cab, long bed S10.

Here's the S10 as I bought it.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Burb looks complete and nice shape....good find

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Very cool, always liked the gmcs. Im doing the same swap on a 54 panel at the moment.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Good Looking burb. Will be following along with this build. My burb is on a stock chassis with a mustang II front and s10 rear axle with a leaf spring setup. Ive always wondered how one of these would turn out on a s10 swap. Ive done several trucks on them and they have turned out great. Good luck with the build.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Good luck with your project. This site is a great place to start.
It is cool that right now there are 4-5 different suburban builds going on with all different levels of modifiacation.

Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

So, on Jan 1, 2013, I actually started turning a wrench on this project. I took the 52 Burb down to its frame, and looked around for a rotisserie to put the body on.
Couldn't find one to borrow or rent, so I found some plans on the internet, took the best ideas of each, and built one. I tack-welded it together and then took it to my buddy who can really weld. It works great!
The Suburban began its life as an Ambulance for the US Army. It was stationed at The Presidio, San Francisco. I found all the Army markings under the paint. On each side it says "Army Medical Services" and "Ambulance" front and rear. Lots of Red Crosses, too.
Anything I didn't need off the Suburban was sold, and by the time I sold them, I had only paid a net of $200.00 for the Burb!
Here's a picture of the body on the rotisserie.
And then it was time for the S10 to get a haircut. I had break way more rusted bolts on the 1991 S10 than on the 1952 GMC. Part of the reason is that the gov't ordered undercoating on the Burb, and I found that the undercarriage has virtually NO rust. Whatever General Motors sprayed on there was good S***. I'm sure it is considered hazmat nowadays. Of course, I disposed of it properly.....
Here's a couple of photos of the S10 demolition.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Great progress. Out of curiosity how much do you have into the rotissery? Do you still have the plans that you followed? It looks like a safe way to work on/move around.

Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Off to a great start! Love these burbs!

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Hey Youngrodder,

I took 2 sets of plans and combined what I felt was the best of both plans. The first set is a free set available from Red Wing Steel Works. You can access it at redwingsteelworksplans.com/‎ . The second set I bought on ebay for $12.00 from Chevelle-Man, and here's a current auction for one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROTISSERIE-P...item3a4bb59278

I used the Red Wing model for most of the rotisserie, but I like the adjustability of the arms of the Chevelle-Man, so I built it accordingly.

I had about $600.00 into parts.

I'm not a great welder, so I tack welded it together and took it to my good buddy who is an even better welder.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Great Poker, thanks for the info and links.....much apprecaited.

Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Hi Marc,
I got the plans mixed up...I built mostly off of Chevelle-mans plans, but used the adjustability of the arms of the Red Wing design.

Possum

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Thanks Poker..

Hey do you mind taking a close up pic of you passenger side front floor? It looks like your seat riser goes all way across the cab. On my 53 Chevy Suburban it does not. Did yours come with the fold up jump seat? Just curious.

Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Hi Marc,
I don't know what the original seats were. Probably bucket/jump seats, but it came with some smelly old 60's bucket seats that I threw away.
You are right, my floor riser goes all the way across. I've seen them without, usually with individual driver and passenger, with the passenger being a jump seat so you could get to the rear seats.
My goal is to score a pair of 2004-2010 Suburban/Denali/Escalade seats for the front. These have the 3 point seat belts built into them, so I won't have to fabricate brackets or have the belts hanging around. Of course, I want the full power ones with leather and the seat warmers, too. Ever since we got a car with seat warmers, my wife insists on them from now on....
Here's a picture of my floor riser....

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Awesome, look forward to watching this.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Thanks for the seat riser pic. That is the first time I have seen a seat riser like that.
Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Poker-

In sharing your pics on the stovebolt web site they seem to think that because this Suburban started life as an ambulance it came with front bucket seats and it had the riser that goes all the way across the cab.

This not my pic but how a normal (bench/jump seat) suburban floor looks. Even the flat add on looking piece of sheet metal is stock. It was a way to make the floor flat (for stepping into the back) where it is normally concaved.

Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

I saw an ad on Craigslist for a 2000 Chevy s10 Blazer 4WD rear end. It was cheap so I picked it up. The rear ends on the S10 Blazers are wider than pickups and allow the rear wheels to set in the wheel wells correctly.

On the front, I will either use 2.5 in spacers or offset wheels. Anybody have any advise on which way is better when using an S10 frame? I know nothing about steering geometry and would like some suggestions.

Here's a photo of the Blazer rear end....

I cut all the body mounts off, stripped the frame, took it outside and pressure washed it. Then lots of scraping and stripping to get all the hidden gunk off the frame so I could paint it with some POR-15. Here's some more photos.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Looks great. I know your pain. I spent last Saturday gridding rivits in order to strip my frame.

What is the width of the s-10 rear end from axle flange to axle flange?

Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Hi Marc,

If you are asking about the center to center measurement of the spring perches, its 38 inches.

If you are asking the width between wheel mounting surface, it is approx 60 inches. The pickups and 2WD Blazers came stock with approx 54 inches between wheels mounting surface. So you instantly pick up 5-6 inches of width.

Don't get the hard to find zr2 option, because they are even wider, too wide for our Burbs.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

I'd give a left nut for a burb. Got some panels but a burb and COE are on my radar. Looks great.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Hey 99,
I noticed you'd give A left nut for a burb, who you gonna get it from?:bann:

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

whoever needs a nut. Actually have a guys number locally that has a 51' my magic number too, haven't seen pics or anything. Been so tied up with other projects its on the back burner anyway, unless I can convince my lady to let me do a burb for the family cruiser over the 53' belair!!! then I'm golden.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Rotisserie in action.......The first time you spin your baby on a rotisserie that you built yourself is nerve wracking. But alls well that ends well.

Here's a few photos of the initial spin-a-rama. Man, this thing has come in handy.....money well spent.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Hey man, looking great. But your last two pics came in upside down. Lol. Can't wait to see more.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

:metal: stop giving me ideas!!!! Got too many I can't keep up with my brain. Looks killer.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Yes, I bet it was a little un-nerving. These old heavy burbs dont flip that easily.

Looks great, not hurry and finish so that you can send me your rotisserie..JK

Keep up the progress.

Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Marc,
I got your PM, but I keep getting an error message when I try to reply. Anyway, I'm keeping the rear windows stock so I need my SS parts. I saw some at the last swap meet I went to, I'll keep an eye out for you. I can't remember, is there a difference between the left and right side?

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Thanks Poker, I figured that you were but I had to ask. Yes there is a difference. The little tab goes on the bottom so that is the easiest way to tell which side to have based on how they attatch to the glass.

I apprecaite you keeping your eye out.

Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Which side are you looking for?

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

I guess it would help to know that small detail...he he

The passenger side. Looks just like this and has a small tab on the bottom.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

As I said before, my Suburban's original life was a U.S. Army Ambulance. The undercoating applied back in 1952 was still mostly intact. Having the rotisserie has made it easy to scrape off the old undercoating, just set it at 90 degrees and the underside becomes a very accessible wall. The shop vac got a workout, though. You wouldn't believe how much crud comes out of every nook and cranny the first time you put your vehicle on the rotisserie.

You can see on the attached photos that I have scraped the bottom half off. Notice how shiny the paint is on both the sheet metal and the plywood deck.

I'm thinking of replacing it with a spray/brush-on truck bed liner. Anybody have any experience/thoughts about using bed liner as an undercoating. Will it stick to plywood?:gmc2:

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

I used Rustoleum roll-on bed liner ($44/gal at Walmart) for undercoating my F*rd F1 body panels and did the bottom of the bed boards too. I have only had it on the road for a couple of weeks, so far so good. Can't say as to longevity though.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

I am using Raptor spray on bedliner under mine. I have to replace the wood first. In the process now of doing that before taking the body off the frame. Just to secure it a little better

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Let me know how this goes. I understood that the floor was much harded to take out with the body on the frame. I know some people cut it in many piece and take it out that way.

Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Nice work possum.

It does look very clean under there. My suburban looks like it was dragged through mud then parked for 50 yrs. I'm jealous of your rottisorie in case you havent norticed..JK

My experience is bed liner sticks to EVERYTHING including your skin. I think I still have the stuff stuck to me. I think that I'm going to replace my wood. Rather do it now rather than later.

Marc

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

It is a PIA either way. But mine was junk so no option. I have the new one in 3/4 of the way. Few more cuts and it should be in. Need 2 sheets to work. Plans to cover the seam with stainless bed strips

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

The frame is coming along, I purchased a Energy Suspension polyurethane kit that included suspension bushings plus body mounts. Only problem is the S10 had 8 body mounts and the Burb has 10. I'm gonna recycle two of my old ones.

You can see side by side the difference between the original Burb (3/8 carriage bolt and a block of wood) and the new stuff. I am using 1/2" Grade 5 carriage bolts along with the polyurethane mounts. I have begun fabricating my body mounts. I will temporarily mount them with bolts and put all the sheet metal on, just to make sure it fits like I want it to.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

always a good feeling getting the body mounted/making the mounts.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Body work.....aaaarghhhh....my least favorite thing. I have three areas of rust that need to be addressed. One is all around the cowl. The other two are the rear wheel wells and the driver side floor.

The upper cowl needed replacement as well as the entire passenger side. The drivers side just need the lower 12" replaced. I wanted to make sure I didn't tweak my door/windshield openings so I did it a section at a time.

First, I removed the passenger side lower cowl. Lots of spot welds to remove. Drilling them out is a PIA. I saw the price of spot weld drills from some of the major rod magazines and decided to try the $4.00 Harbor Freight ones. Usually I am disappointed with Harbor Freight quality, but I was very pleased with the spot weld removal bits. The first one I burned out after 2 or 3 welds. I turned it over and took my time, and I drilled all of the rest of them with the same bit.
It was just a matter of patience, something most of us are lacking....

Here are some photos of the cowl removed, a patch I had to do on the inner cowl, and the reattachment. Before I welded it back permanently, I reattached my door for a brief time to make sure my margins were still okay. I used POR-15 on the rusty areas. Sorry, some of the photos are a bit blurry.

Re: 1952 GMC Suburban/S10 Swap
 

Nice work Possum..

I have to replace the bottom 8" or so on the driver side and the pasenger side from just under the louvers. I'm thinking of just making my own patch panels. I also noticed some pitting/pin holes on the inner passenger side about where yours was rusted at.

Keep up the good work.

Marc