My 50 Suburban build
 

Somewhere around 2001 or so, my wife wanted a PT Cruiser. So we bought this instead.

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

More early pics........

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

First step: open the hood and take stuff apart. Thought we'd get right on the bodywork....

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

More basic work going on.....

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Used '39 Chevy taillights for taillights, and one extra for later...

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Installed a Dakota kit from Industrial Chassis. Top-notch guys there with great products and service!

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Replaced the lower front cab corner, fabbed up a master cylinder mount and pulled out the rear suspension to make room for the '84 Vette IRS

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Notice I was doing all this outside in the Arizona sun... and a bread truck for a shop...

Taillights located and looking good!

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

I'll have to swap computers to get the other pics, so let's look at the engine..........

I got a slightly used 250 six to use in front of a 700R4 tranny. (You who've been paying attention will have noticed the Impala police car I parted out)

Let's build an intake, shall we?

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Intake runners are exhaust tubing, welded to 1/4" plate.

I staggered the Dellortos to remain level. Made the linkage out of new Craftsman 1/4" drive swivels and welded up everything.

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

fast forward to the finished engine after mild cam, paint and intake jet-hot coated.....
...............installed in place.

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

I made the headers using a 292 set and a 250 set. Headers cut and fit around the steering shaft....

Made a one-off sparkplug wire loom out of brake line and had it chromed. Also made an airbox out of 2x4 metal and had it powder coated. I wanted a balanced look underhood, not all the chrome on one side.

Details, like the late-model Chevy truck column boot and the dipstick knobs that match the dash knobs..........

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Getting the rear end installed. I made my own mounts, and all work is done on a very level slab I had poured.
Measure twice and cut once? HELL NO! Measure 37 times and cut once!

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Some interior work going on too. Underdash includes front and rear heater and ac controls, ac blowing thru grille, and an underdash Firestone heater I got from my friend Arliss. RIP Arliss, I miss ya buddy.............

Ignition key is a SAAB laser side-cut key and tumbler. Conduit contains ignition wires and is made to resist theft and wire tampering...
Small petcock in floor is condensation drain.
Row of knobs is ac/ heater controls. Ac knobs have blue LEDs shining down on them, heat has red. Left pair is front, right pair is rear.

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Here's the heater. I refurbed it and it works great

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Time for ice cream, I'll post more later..........

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

very nice!

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

really nice work sir !

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

love tha look of that motor..

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Thanks guys!

I ebayed a Chevrolet Cool-Pak AC unit, not sure what they were used on. Works good up here!

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

Time for a little custom-eye-zation!

Rear taillights filled with LEDs in Home Depot sink strainers...
Pontiac gas door and insert...
Frenched headlights the RIGHT way... Genuine '54 Mercury rings and done myself

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

more...
Special tool cubby I built between rear fender and rear ac line housing...

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

These trucks have real thin doors, so fitting better latches was a real *****! I used these from a Yugo, also found on several European cars.....
'40 Ford exterior door handles are gonna look right

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

sick !

Re: My 50 Suburban build
 

A lot of real nice touches going on your truck. You are a true old time hotrod builder, sir!