GMC/Chevy Suburban 4x4 Wanted

[NOSguy]

I'm new to the site, and enjoying it already!
Thanks.
Alex
alex123@iglide.net

[special-K]

Welcome to the Message board.Keep your eyes open,you`ll find one.But,don`t expect one to fall into your lap.The main thing is have your money together first so you can jump when that rare piece surfaces.

[NOSguy]

Thanks Special-K.
I am ready in that respect. Maybe you know the answer to this question. How much rarer are 67-72 GMC 4x4 Suburbans compared to Chevy Suburbans of the same years? Are there any production number statistics out there?

[zeeklu]

Good luck finding a rust free anything in NJ. Chris

[NOSguy]

That's the truth. I know I'll have to travel for it. I'm not worried about that.
Hunting for it can be fun!

[special-K]

Don`t have those stats.I knew a guy at the Baltimore truck plant in the late 70s and then it was every fifth truck was a GMC.

[NOSguy]

One out of 5 back then. That's around what I guess-timated.
I wonder what the ratio was between GMC/Chevy 4x4 Suburbans that were a stick shift, compared to Automatics? (67-72) I think there were a lot more automatics, but a friend of mine says there were more manual shift ones. I think he's wrong.
What's been your expierience?

[NOSguy]

By the way, I noticed how you are partial to the 1972's. Any particular reason?

[1969 GMC]

Originally Posted by NOSguy

One out of 5 back then. That's around what I guess-timated.
I wonder what the ratio was between GMC/Chevy 4x4 Suburbans that were a stick shift, compared to Automatics? (67-72) I think there were a lot more automatics, but a friend of mine says there were more manual shift ones. I think he's wrong.
What's been your expierience?

I think your friend is wrong, also. I think most Suburbans back then were aimed at families, and it would make sense for most of them to have auto, you know, so the little lady could drive it too.
The few that I usually do see with stick seem to be plain jane models.

Good luck in your search, if I was closer to that rustree classics place I'd go and scope it out for you, and check out their inventory. Too bad its a little far.

[meathead95]

try sending a pm to vtblazer i think he has his 3/4 ton 4x4 suburban f/s

[NOSguy]

I'll do that.
Thanks for the help.

[Joesjunk]

There is an Ochre GMC here, http://www.rustfreeclassics.com/

[NOSguy]

Thanks JoesJunk.
I saw that.
I'm curious. What is the everyones opinion about the GMC 4x4 Suburban at
www.rustfreeclassics.com ?

[Rooster's 67]

sounds like a good deal for a well maintained sub. if you are serious about it get a board member in the area to go check it out for you. Lots of people will help in that way.

[NOSguy]

I was thinking that it seemed like a pretty honest truck. (No cover-ups or anything like that.)
I'm not sure that I would want a manual shift though.
Are most of the 72 GMC Burb 4x4s that members have seen stick or automatic?

[NOSguy]

Yeah, that's what I say too. Like it was a larger version of the "Family station wagon" or from even earlier on in the "woody" days. I remember old movies showing the house wife picking up groceries in the big family woody.
In my area, it's just tougher getting around town with a manual.
Hey I appreciate the willingness to check it out for me though. Really. Thanks!

[cheyenne10]

Not bad price. Does have some rust. (see pic of left rear quarter panel). Real typical. (not mine though )

I also would look at right doors for previous damage and repairs. (not underside rocker picture and wavy backer support).

Next thing that makes me wonder is glue looking stuff under 4 rivits in vin tag.

As evidenced by current damage along right side these old trucks are beamoths and were family rigs driven by mom or who ever. They also were used as work rigs for survey crews and other work crews. Those right sides got hammered a lot. (ok, ok, mom and my brother did at least 3 numbers on 1 74 burb in the 70's)

It also appears to have been used a lot looking at wear and tear on dash, and rear areas.

Still for whats out there it is pretty nice one to start with. They are fun to drive and can haul a lot of stuff. Have always been in 68-72 burbs since they were new. Someday I will get mine built and be able to show you what one should look like.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by NOSguy

Yeah, that's what I say too. Like it was a larger version of the "Family station wagon" or from even earlier on in the "woody" days. I remember old movies showing the house wife picking up groceries in the big family woody.
In my area, it's just tougher getting around town with a manual.
Hey I appreciate the willingness to check it out for me though. Really. Thanks!

You may find this hard to believe but one of the easiest things to do on a 4x4 of this vintage from GM is to swap the stick for an auto.

Back then GM made all the transmissions/tranny to transfercase adapter/transfer cases the same length. I know this is a fact for all NP205 equipped 4x4s. I'm sure on the other, older transfer cases that show up in these trucks.

To do the swap you need to:
1. find a th350/adapter/NP205 on the parts board.
2. Cut, grind, or chisle out the rivets in the crossmember the transfer case is sitting on.
3. Lower the stick/adapter/NP205 out as an assembly.
4. Raise the th350/adapter/NP205 into place.
5. Use bolts to replace the holes you made where the factory rivets were.
The drive shafts will be the correct length. Any differences in tranny length were made up with the adapter length.

Of course the devil is in the details. You need an auto column. Auto tranny shift linkage. Transmission cooler in the radiator.

I did this a couple of years ago. I had around $1200 into the swap. That included a new from GM adapter. New from GM drive sleeve (part in the adapter that couples the tranny to transfer case). All the used parts. And a fresh rebuild on the th350.

[NOSguy]

I think it's a good one to start with too for the right person. Sometimes people (I've done it) start off with a cheap vehicle, and it dosn't end up so cheap in the long run. I'm the type that would rather spring for a few $ extra and start with a better vehicle if I was to restore one.
What is the price range of a finished truck similar to that these days? (I'm assuming more for a deluxe/custom deluxe model as well)
Any idea?

[cheyenne10]

I saw a nice restored 72 /12 ton 4x4 3 years ago sell for $11.8k which was a good deal then and great deal today. It did not start out as nice as this GMC.

I have also seen another good one up at $28K, I think it sold near $24k.

I hope mine ends up worth more than that.

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by cheyenne10

...I have also seen another good one up at $28K, I think it sold near $24k....

Would you happen to have that on a ebay auction link?

[4x4Poet]

That's a decent ochre() burb. Seems priced a bit high, but no doubt it's a good example for the rust belt. I'd say it meets the low book price, but then, I have too many burbs and too little dough.

I wonder if the dealer installed A/C would have parts replacement concerns. Maybe it's all pretty generic stuff?

[NOSguy]

4X4Poet, The A/C units that are out these days for the Streetrod guys are so small and I'm sure so much more efficient that I'm sure retofitting stuff into the original ductwork (to keep it looking original) can be done....just might cost a few bucks.