66 GMC 4x4 Sub. Just got it!

[dugvera@gmail.com]

First off, Im new here. Thanks for havin' me. Im new to the 60-66 Chevy truck/burbs. I have had 69 3/4 ton truck, 72 4x4 blazer, my daily drive is a 76 4x4 on 35s. This is my newest addition. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[ralf]

Sharp! Oh to live on a state not infected with rust maggots.

[dugvera@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by ralf

Sharp! Oh to live on a state not infected with rust maggots.

Yeah, There is some but nothing to speak of. The desert is a classic cars best friend I guess.

[aerotruk63]

Nice truck, should make you proud. Post some interior and engine compartment pics.

[dugvera@gmail.com]

Some Questions for Y'all,
-Why does the rear license plate hinge like it does?
-What is a good tire size in stock susp.? 33s?
-Switching out the closed knuckle dana to an open, what will be the issues?
-Changing out the manual steering box to power?

[aerotruk63]

License plate hinges for when you when you have the tailgate lowered while driving with a load that extends further than the rear floor.

If you go to a taller tire you can purchase new larger diameter studs to help prevent the original studs from snapping. I used Wagner BD61186. From 7/16" stud original to 1/2".

[dugvera@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

License plate hinges for when you when you have the tailgate lowered while driving with a load that extends further than the rear floor.

If you go to a taller tire you can purchase new larger diameter studs to help prevent the original studs from snapping. I used Wagner BD61186.

Thats what i was thinking on the plate but didnt know for sure. Studs? Wheel studs? it has all new 7/16 studs in it now are those not big enough?

[dugvera@gmail.com]

[padresag]

I think that it hinges that way so that it is visible if driving with the tailgate down. I have run 33"x12 1/2x 15 for years , but think that I will go to a narrower tire next. wide tires cause to much stress on the frame around the steering box. narrower tires-easier to turn.
changing out to an open frt axle. drag link end will be your biggest problem unless you put in the newer p/s box. then everything just bolts in. I would just buy some new u-bolts is all
if you buy yourself a 73-87 1/2t p/u or 73-91 suburban 4 x 4 donor you will get everything that you need. you have to relocate the rear spring perches about 3/4" on either side(axle) to install. frt drops right in. then you have the p/s and p/b setup. I do have what you need as I have an 84 roller here but to far away
you can get the p/s box adaptor plate from capt.fab here on the board
ron

[dugvera@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by padresag

I think that it hinges that way so that it is visible if driving with the tailgate down. I have run 33"x12 1/2x 15 for years , but think that I will go to a narrower tire next. wide tires cause to much stress on the frame around the steering box. narrower tires-easier to turn.
changing out to an open frt axle. drag link end will be your biggest problem unless you put in the newer p/s box. then everything just bolts in. I would just buy some new u-bolts is all
if you buy yourself a 73-87 1/2t p/u or 73-91 suburban 4 x 4 donor you will get everything that you need. you have to relocate the rear spring perches about 3/4" on either side(axle) to install. frt drops right in. then you have the p/s and p/b setup. I do have what you need as I have an 84 roller here but to far away
you can get the p/s box adaptor plate from capt.fab here on the board
ron

Nice! Thats what im lookin for. Axles are east to come by. Probably wont be one of the first things i do but just was wondering.
My '76 has the frame kit from ord. both the bolt on and weld on. seems like i better do the same here before i have a problem at the steering box/frame connection.

[dugvera@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by padresag

I think that it hinges that way so that it is visible if driving with the tailgate down. I have run 33"x12 1/2x 15 for years , but think that I will go to a narrower tire next. wide tires cause to much stress on the frame around the steering box. narrower tires-easier to turn.
changing out to an open frt axle. drag link end will be your biggest problem unless you put in the newer p/s box. then everything just bolts in. I would just buy some new u-bolts is all
if you buy yourself a 73-87 1/2t p/u or 73-91 suburban 4 x 4 donor you will get everything that you need. you have to relocate the rear spring perches about 3/4" on either side(axle) to install. frt drops right in. then you have the p/s and p/b setup. I do have what you need as I have an 84 roller here but to far away
you can get the p/s box adaptor plate from capt.fab here on the board
ron

What if i wanna go with dana 60s? arent the perches smaller on my burb than the ones on the say... 73-87 units? how about the width?

[padresag]

Originally Posted by dugvera@gmail.com

What if i wanna go with dana 60s? arent the perches smaller on my burb than the ones on the say... 73-87 units? how about the width?

the frts are all the same. it is just the rears that you have to relocate
I did put 3/4t axles under mine. frt was a Dana 44 and the rear was a corp 14 bolt. the newer axles are wider overall i think by about 1 1/2 ". it does push the tires out a bit further.
what wheels are those on your truck now and tire size
here is what the tires would look like with 33 x 12.5 x15 with 84 axles under it. this is one that I just bought for the body. it has an 84 frame under it which I don't want

yours looks pretty good
ron

[Captainfab]

That's a good looking Suburban

Nice and clean and straight......and no rust holes.

The power steering adapter plate will help stiffen the frame some. But if you will be running good sized tires, and/or seeing some offroad time, an inner brace would be a good idea.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That's a good looking Suburban

Nice and clean and straight......and no rust holes.

The power steering adapter plate will help stiffen the frame some. But if you will be running good sized tires, and/or seeing some offroad time, an inner brace would be a good idea.

X2 on the awesome score! And X2 on the advice. I have the PS adapter on mine and have not had a problem yet, and although it's not a Sub, it's still a Chevy. The stiffener is an easy fix IF you end up needing it. The frame around the steering box has given me ample warning on the few occasions (with other Chevy's) of imminent problems. I'd say just keep an eye on it and use good judgement if you're running larger tires. If it looks like it's flexing, fix it. As far as bigger wheel studs go. I've lost a front wheel (a 35" at that) on the freeway at 70mph. Scared the begeezus outta me. I like bigger wheel studs if the funds permit. Just my .02c

[dugvera@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That's a good looking Suburban

Nice and clean and straight......and no rust holes.

The power steering adapter plate will help stiffen the frame some. But if you will be running good sized tires, and/or seeing some offroad time, an inner brace would be a good idea.

So I just spent some time reading through the posts in both the p/s bracket thread and p/b bracket thread. Here is my situation, my burb has a closed knuckle dana on it now. Id like to go with an open knuckle with power steer/disk front. I understand there are many options out there for setting this up. With that being said, what in your opinion would be the easiest way to get this done as far as components go(axle/box/ect)? I dont plan on doing this for quite some time but Id kinda like to know what to keep my eyes open for while trolling the swap meets and junkyards. Then once i have all the parts together i can do all the work at once.
Thanks in advance for your knowledge!

Doug

[padresag]

Originally Posted by padresag

the frts are all the same. it is just the rears that you have to relocate
I did put 3/4t axles under mine. frt was a Dana 44 and the rear was a corp 14 bolt. the newer axles are wider overall i think by about 1 1/2 ". it does push the tires out a bit further.
what wheels are those on your truck now and tire size
here is what the tires would look like with 33 x 12.5 x15 with 84 axles under it. this is one that I just bought for the body. it has an 84 frame under it which I don't want

yours looks pretty good
ron

I forgot to put this picture in . my 33's stuck out a little further on my 4 x 4 panel. depends on your back spacing

By rondavid at 2011-09-20
ron

[aerotruk63]

If you take requests, I'd like to see the rear seat backs. We are trying to collect information on Suburban rear seats. Norm

Link to Suburban Seat Thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=493957

Chevy's have a reputation for snapping wheel studs when taller/ wider tires are used.

[padresag]

Norm; mine ran for years on 36x15x15 when I first got. no stud problems
ron

[dugvera@gmail.com]

You got it Norm. What part of the seat you wanna see? just the back in general?

[aerotruk63]

Yes please, to see if the pipe frame is exposed and the seat back is clad in vinyl or has a steel ribbed back.

Ron, I ran a 39" tire on 6 lugs, on mine, and snapped the front studs on the drivers side. I'm not insisting, simply recommending. If he changes out his diff's there might not be a problem.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Yes please, to see if the pipe frame is exposed and the seat back is clad in vinyl or has a steel ribbed back.

Ron, I ran a 39" tire on 6 lugs, on mine, and snapped the front studs on the drivers side. I'm not insisting, simply recommending. If he changes out his diff's there might not be a problem.

39" are a lot bigger than 36 and 36 are still quite a bit bigger than 33"
ron

[dugvera@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by padresag

39" are a lot bigger than 36 and 36 are still quite a bit bigger than 33"
ron

Im more concerned with a weak frame at the steering box myself.

[Greg63]

Very nice truck - and it has an I.B.E.W. decal on the glovebox as well!
Greg.

[dugvera@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Greg63

Very nice truck - and it has an I.B.E.W. decal on the glovebox as well!
Greg.

Oh, you spotted that!? It came with the burb. I was in that union at one time though.

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