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1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Here is a little background on my most recent project. In May, 2015 I purchased a Trailblazer SS locally as a doner vehicle. At that time, I wasn't completely sure what Body I was going to use. My intent was to use as much of the Trailblazer as possible. Since this vehicle came with a 400hp LS2, 4l70E trans, 4 wheel disc brakes (Drilled and slotted rotors), nice 20' Wheel with good tires, leather interior, all wheel drive, etc I felt that buying this as a doner vehicle was most likely more cost effective than sourcing all of these parts individually. The price was right on the SS, so I pulled the trigger. I will remove all of the SS wiring, run stand alone engine and transmission computers and wiring harness from PSI.
A few weeks later I found a '66 Suburban body for sale. After verifying a few critical measurements (wheelbase, track width, distance from firewall to grill) I decided a 60 to 66 Chevy would fit pretty well. That was good news for me, as I have owned at least a half dozed of these in either the truck or suburban form. I picked up the Suburban and started cutting... Over the last few months I have repaired rust down the driver side of the Suburban, and shortened the body 3" so the wheel wells would line up with the SS. I actually only needed to shorten it 2", but noticed that the wheels seem to line up better on these when an additional inch is removed. Same amount of work, so why not? Last weekend I removed the entire steel floor section from the Suburban. I will remove the wood floor soon, but wanted to leave as much structure as possible there. My reason for removing the floor from the suburban is I will utlize the floor and firewall from the trailblazer. It allows me to channel the burb as low as I want, retains the proper brake booster, steering shaft locations, as well as seat anchoring points, and NO RUST! I have just started the process of dismantling the SS. I will cut the body off down to the inner rocker panels and firewall, then drop the burb body over the SS and begin the process of filling the gaps and extending the SS floor bracing to the burb inner rockers. While this is alot of work, its the kind of stuff I like to do. Its really not difficult, just alot of measuring, cutting and welding. I will post up pics as I progress. If you have questions, post 'em up! |
Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
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Pics....
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
HOLLY RABIES! that is sick and cool! Im along for this one for sure!
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Very cool project
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
this gonna be cool!
I remember your last build came out nice. signing on... |
Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
This is going to be a very interesting build.
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Im in .
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Old body on a new base. Sounds like a cool idea
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
This is going to be kickass
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Watching closely here too
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
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I had a very productive day!!!
I drove this to McDonalds for breakfast today, no joke. |
Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
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Sorry, wrong pic
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
I'm shocked at cutting up a Trailblazer SS, but I imagine there is reason for that versus driving it as is.
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Looking forward to this as it progresses.
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Down here they would not think twice about seeing that in the drive thru. :lol:
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Wow. That happened fast.
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
In the words of Billy F Gibbons "anyone can put one back together, but it takes a real man to cut one up"
I'm signed up! |
Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Well that escalated quickly! LOL Takes big brass ones to cut up a 20k rig!
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
what did you do with the old burban floor?
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Gave it to a board member, trying to pass on the good will i have recieved in the past.
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
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Alright, back at it today. I finished removing the remainder of the sheetmetal. Funny thing, it took 4 hours to remove 90% of the body, and two weeks to remove another 5%.
So at this point, im ready to begin welding in the 2x4 box tubing along the rockers to create the structure to connect the two bodies. I may actually have to remove the burb rockers, to install the box tubing, no big deal. Anyhow, here is a picture, more info to come |
Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Wow!
All that I can see there is commitment!!!! You must be pretty sure about this, or you are gonna have a bunch of scrap layin around! I am pretty impressed so far! I can't wait to see this build develop! |
Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
I'm in, can't wait to see the body get fitted.
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Wow, I can't wait to see this one come together. The members of this board never cease to amazing me. So much skill and creativity.
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Very cool. Im in.
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