Suburban to Crew Cab Conversion- Possible?

[Buddy G]

Hi guys- I'm new to the group and really appreciate the huge amount of info you guys have shared with everyone. When I originally thought about building a square crewcab 1/2 ton 20 years ago, I didn't know so many people would actually do it. So now it's time for me to actually build one myself. I recently bought a '91 Suburban Silverado with full power equipment, 350 and 700 trans. I plan to buy a short bed box and frame up to the back wall of a regular pickup and graft that into the Suburban. Has anyone cut a Burban behind the back seat and put a pickup back wall on it? The Burban roof has a kick above the rear seats unlike a regular crewcab, so I know there will be some metal work to be done. I hope to use the Burban rear axle and springs to keep as much in the same parts family for ease of maintenance in the future. Any info on this appreciated. Also, anyone with a nice short box for 73-87 with frame, please let me know. I'm near Baton Rouge and will drive up to 50-75 miles to pick up. Will buy a whole parts truck if needed. Thanks! Buddy G

[Mr Pops]

Wow, I was JUST thinking the same thing today! I was thinking of how nice it would be to have more room behind the back seat (like a mega cab) and thought it might be just as easy to start with a suburban and just cut it off at the desired length and close it up with sheet metal from the back of a pickup cab.. I don't know how long you could go and still maintain tasteful symmetry and a semi stock look. Here's a quick photochop I just did with a pic I found on this site..

[Buddy G]

Thanks for the photoshop Mr. Pops. I wish I knew how to do that. Looks like your creation would be just about double the length of a regular crew cab back end. I think about 1 1/2 times would be pretty pleasing to the eye as well as picking up a little space behind the seat. Another thing I'd like to do is keep the Suburban tilt up rear seat. It would be nice to have some space to toss something big (and maybe dirty) without messing up the back floor area. It looks like the Suburban seat latches might need a little extra room to work. Thanks again! Buddy

Originally Posted by Mr Pops

Wow, I was JUST thinking the same thing today! I was thinking of how nice it would be to have more room behind the back seat (like a mega cab) and thought it might be just as easy to start with a suburban and just cut it off at the desired length and close it up with sheet metal from the back of a pickup cab.. I don't know how long you could go and still maintain tasteful symmetry and a semi stock look. Here's a quick photochop I just did with a pic I found on this site..

[jkade]

I would like to make a Avalanche out of one but the way the roof is made it would be hard to do. The easiest way I can think to do it and it look right is take a roof from a crew cab truck and graft it to the suburban. The local junk yard has a rusted out 2wd crew that I need to rob the roof off of before they crush it for future needs. I sure regret scrapping a rust free 91 burb now

This one is cool but I wouldn't have shortend it that much, maybe left 8-12" more in the rear.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthr...246110&page=36

[BigBlocksRule]

It would be a lot cheaper and easier to just buy the crew.
Plus, you wouldn't run the risk of becoming discouraged and disgruntled in the middle of it and ending up with a pile of scrap.

[jkade]

Originally Posted by BigBlocksRule

It would be a lot cheaper and easier to just buy the crew.
Plus, you wouldn't run the risk of becoming discouraged and disgruntled in the middle of it and ending up with a pile of scrap.

I agree, there would be a ton of fabrication and metal work.

[iluvmy72]

Originally Posted by jkade

I agree, there would be a ton of fabrication and metal work.

I concur here.....this is a bad idea!!! just find the 3500 dually and chamnge out the bed and rear end. Or course keep that 6.2 or 7.4.

[cheepin]

An easy way is to find a crewcab and swap it onto the suburban frame.Then do bed of choice.Do a search on Pirate4x4.Lots of crewcab builds over there.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Or just do this.... but do a better job than the 4th pic did.

[tallcrown]

Originally Posted by BLE 'BURBAN

Or just do this.... but do a better job than the 4th pic did.

If 2 and 3 are same truck, Why would they cut the Bed rather than just adjusting the Hitch of trailer and mount in the bed?
Does anyone have any more pictures of this set up. with Suburban body on a big truck frame? Building etc?

[Gone Huntin']

Here's my Crew on a '75 Sub frame.
[IMG][/IMG]

[dropd80s]

My truck was actually done this way, but its OE not like a mega cab. It was actually clipped at the A & B pillers and along the floor behind the rear seat. I dont know why some one would go through that much trouble when there are clean quad cabs out there (I assume mine was done to clean up some rust in the floors and rockers). But its done well and the only way you can tell is the flat floor under the back seat.

[Mkcustums]

Crewcab on a Suburban frame...

[motornut]

dam wish i never got rid of my 78 burb frame
wish i'd found this site like 10-15 years ago lol
i sure miss the four doors on my jimmy

[iluvmy72]

what truck would have this frame?...I like the idea...we have 5 kids and would like a 5th wheel.

[tallcrown]

Originally Posted by iluvmy72

what truck would have this frame?...I like the idea...we have 5 kids and would like a 5th wheel.

Does this vehicle look like it will hold 7 people and with a 5th wheel (maybe a mother in law) that would make 8 people. Might be a little tight for seating room.
If you just keep a suburban they will fit.

[iluvmy72]

Originally Posted by tallcrown

Does this vehicle look like it will hold 7 people and with a 5th wheel (maybe a mother in law) that would make 8 people. Might be a little tight for seating room.
If you just keep a suburban they will fit.

I'm talking about the pictures above with the bed behind the suburban

[tallcrown]

Originally Posted by iluvmy72

I'm talking about the pictures above with the bed behind the suburban

Now your talking... I have a c-7000 with a 454 and an allison tranny. It started life as a box truck. The wheelbase is 20' (not the frame just the wheelbase)
That is what I am working on. I am going to graft on a suburban body. Leaving my Dash from original truck. Cutting it at the windshield posts. and cutting the floor under the front seat. This will make least amount of body work. Then line up a bed on the back. Need a cool back bumper though. Something BIG. Like from a front bumper from a Freighliner.
I got all inspired to do it after seeing these pictures. Originally I was just going to make a 4 door. But Suburban body is the way I decided to go.

[Da88burban]

You could do it like this.

[Edahall]

These Suburban conversions look visually odd. The rear axle needs to be moved back.

[Da88burban]

Whats the difference with the Avalanches? All they are is a burb with the roof cut off and more support put back. I mean if you could graft a back of a pickup on the burb you should be able to weld on more support.

[motornut]

havn't looked to close but is there is a seperation from the cab to the bed?
does the rear A frame actually support it ?that plastic area behind the cab

[Vic's 1987]

Originally Posted by Edahall

These Suburban conversions look visually odd. The rear axle needs to be moved back.

I am actully looking forward to creating an Avalanche out of my 87 Burban. I do however agree with Edahall, these conversions do look odd, but I believe its due the the tail end being to short or too long. I plan to have my rear end match the size of a short bed starting at the wheel housing.

[iluvmy72]

Originally Posted by Vic's 1987

I am actully looking forward to creating an Avalanche out of my 87 Burban. I do however agree with Edahall, these conversions do look odd, but I believe its due the the tail end being to short or too long. I plan to have my rear end match the size of a short bed starting at the wheel housing.

I'm confused on the whole thing in general. An Avalanche is a optional changing vehicle that goes from truck to SUV and back. Are you going to attempt this using a blazer top? Or is it a straight cut and weld up with the former rear interior now exposed like others in the pictures? It might be easier to use the frame of a suburban, remove everything from fenders back and mount a 4 door cab with a shortbed onto it. With good measuring it would probably fit perfectly.

[TheApocalyptican]

Originally Posted by iluvmy72

I'm confused on the whole thing in general. An Avalanche is a optional changing vehicle that goes from truck to SUV and back. Are you going to attempt this using a blazer top? Or is it a straight cut and weld up with the former rear interior now exposed like others in the pictures? It might be easier to use the frame of a suburban, remove everything from fenders back and mount a 4 door cab with a shortbed onto it. With good measuring it would probably fit perfectly.

If you already have a suburban and the ability, then it's probably cheaper to cut and weld. But, IMO, the reason for doing this would be to have a crew cab with more room behind the rear seat. I've thought about doing this, but I would want it to be like the actual Avalanche, and be able to open up the mid area, or close it up and have a crew. But, that results in a much more complicated job.