Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jthomas · 11-14-2016, 10:29 AM

This post will follow the build progress of my 51 Suburban, bear with me I'm not the greatest with updating posts, but i will try.

A little back story,
I had been look for a good Suburban project for some time, living on the east coast (Pa) everything I found was pretty rough. In 2013 I took a trip out to Bonneville Speedweek with some friends. We flew into Denver to meet up with a friend and drive to Utah. On the trip home we drove back to Colorado Springs a day before our flight out of Denver the next morning. We had a bit of time before we needed to be at the airport, and decided to see a junk yard. That is where I found this Suburban, they actually had a about 5 of them. We also missed our flight, but that is another story!

I made a deal with the yard owner, and told him I would be back for it. About a month later using my trailer and a friends truck the two of us headed for Colorado. We drove straight through. Got out there on a Friday, loaded up Saturday, and headed home Sunday.

I was in the middle of building a shop at my house, so this had to sit and wait for about a year before I really started to work on it.

Here are some pics to get us up to date.

In the yard where I found it

Loaded up and ready for the trip home, took a quick run up Pikes Peak while we were out there.

At home waiting patiently

More to come...

iowaboynca · 11-14-2016, 02:02 PM

Nice grab!

**Advanced Design** · 11-14-2016, 03:28 PM

Great looking Burb! I am in.

63 & 64 Bowties · 11-14-2016, 04:01 PM

Great find! Did you get a title with it?

Jthomas · 11-14-2016, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

Great find! Did you get a title with it?

Thanks! Yes I did.

Jthomas · 11-14-2016, 05:56 PM

First order of business was to get the stance right, I picked up a 3" dropped axle from Sid, who is a great guy and I highly recommend his work. I also picked up a full set of Posies 3" springs, I live only a few blocks away from them so that was easy!

New ride height, also the Fulton visor I picked up at the Hershey swap.

Jthomas · 11-14-2016, 06:10 PM

Now the real work starts, the plan is a 350, T5, and a 6 lug open rear.

Getting the motor fit up.

Working on motor mounts

Trans mount

Next up giving the steering box some clearance

Brake pedal also needed some clearance, I just shortened it a bit and relocated the hole in the toe board.

I decided to convert the steering arms over to Ford tie rod ends and ditch the old ball and socket style.

Jthomas · 11-14-2016, 06:23 PM

Net up was rust repair and metal work, I started with the firewall. Some one had installed a Mustang heater box at some time and hacked up the heater area. I got a piece from a junk yard for a patch.

Also moved the opening for the steering column

Strange hole in the top of the cowl.

All gone

Jthomas · 11-14-2016, 06:37 PM

Onto the cowl sides and front floor.

The bottom of these inner replacement panels suck, had to just cut it off and make it.

Out side panel I was lucky enough to find some NOS ones at Hershey, the fit great!

I just decided to patch up the inner structure, the replacement pieces did not look very nice.

On to the drivers side

Jthomas · 11-14-2016, 06:47 PM

Now time to take the body off the frame, I did this by myself it was pretty easy. I made a time lapse video of it and if you are on instagram search #projecttheburbs and you will find it along with more pics of the build.

I made a fixture to attach the body to a cart to move it around

Frame goes off to sandblast as I work on more rust

Cleaning up the factory door jam welds

Jthomas · 11-14-2016, 06:53 PM

Rear sill removal

Rear corners

Jthomas · 11-14-2016, 07:05 PM

Frame and sheet metal back from the sandblasters.

Fresh coat of epoxy primer

Black

It's a roller!

Grill guard I picked up at the Carlisle swap, it will get rechromed

This brings us up to date, I have kinda been burnt out on this project and hope to get back on it this winter. I am currently working on a new project its a 71 Chevy K20 and hope to finish it up soon, just a daily driver for now. Then it will be back on the Burb.

Jeremiah

**Advanced Design** · 11-14-2016, 08:10 PM

Jeremiah, wow, nice metal work! Where did you get the rear corners in post 11?

Jthomas · 11-14-2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Jeremiah, wow, nice metal work! Where did you get the rear corners in post 11?

Thanks! They are the ones Jim Carter sells.

I believe this is the guy who makes them.
http://www.wheelwrightrestorations.h...storation.html

**youngrodder** · 11-14-2016, 11:40 PM

Great build. I follow you in Instagram. I always chime in on your posts. I go by Greenfield Speedshop.

Looking good.

Marc

Jthomas · 11-15-2016, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Great build. I follow you in Instagram. I always chime in on your posts. I go by Greenfield Speedshop.

Looking good.

Marc

Hey, Marc

I figured there would be some guys from ig on here. I'll have to check out your build thread!

**oldman3** · 11-14-2016, 08:38 PM

Doing some very nice work, I'm along for the build...Jim

northern 49 · 11-15-2016, 01:07 AM

Nice sub! Your metal work looks awesome!

lower50's · 11-15-2016, 04:20 AM

Nice work so far. The Fulton visor makes all the difference.

Jthomas · 11-15-2016, 10:57 AM

Thanks for the comments guys!

**mongocanfly** · 11-16-2016, 06:19 PM

This is gonna be a nice ride..looking good

11-14-2016, 10:29 AM	#1
Jthomas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Hummelstown, Pa Posts: 14	Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build This post will follow the build progress of my 51 Suburban, bear with me I'm not the greatest with updating posts, but i will try. A little back story, I had been look for a good Suburban project for some time, living on the east coast (Pa) everything I found was pretty rough. In 2013 I took a trip out to Bonneville Speedweek with some friends. We flew into Denver to meet up with a friend and drive to Utah. On the trip home we drove back to Colorado Springs a day before our flight out of Denver the next morning. We had a bit of time before we needed to be at the airport, and decided to see a junk yard. That is where I found this Suburban, they actually had a about 5 of them. We also missed our flight, but that is another story! I made a deal with the yard owner, and told him I would be back for it. About a month later using my trailer and a friends truck the two of us headed for Colorado. We drove straight through. Got out there on a Friday, loaded up Saturday, and headed home Sunday. I was in the middle of building a shop at my house, so this had to sit and wait for about a year before I really started to work on it. Here are some pics to get us up to date. In the yard where I found it Loaded up and ready for the trip home, took a quick run up Pikes Peak while we were out there. At home waiting patiently More to come...

11-14-2016, 02:02 PM	#2
iowaboynca Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: West Side of the valley, CA Posts: 878	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Nice grab! __________________ Build: "1950" GMC -Charlotte

11-14-2016, 03:28 PM	#3
Advanced Design Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oblong, Illinois Posts: 7,028	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Great looking Burb! I am in. __________________ Doug Advanced Design’s 1977 Blazer Build Advanced Design's '48 'Burb Build Mrs Advanced Design's '72 Suburban Advanced Design's 56 BelAir LS swap

11-14-2016, 04:01 PM	#4
63 & 64 Bowties and a few others Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 5,638	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Great find! Did you get a title with it? __________________ Bill US Army Vet -193rd Infantry BlueRidgeMuscleCars.com “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Gandhi

11-14-2016, 05:56 PM	#6
Jthomas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Hummelstown, Pa Posts: 14	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build First order of business was to get the stance right, I picked up a 3" dropped axle from Sid, who is a great guy and I highly recommend his work. I also picked up a full set of Posies 3" springs, I live only a few blocks away from them so that was easy! New ride height, also the Fulton visor I picked up at the Hershey swap.

11-14-2016, 06:10 PM	#7
Jthomas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Hummelstown, Pa Posts: 14	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Now the real work starts, the plan is a 350, T5, and a 6 lug open rear. Getting the motor fit up. Working on motor mounts Trans mount Next up giving the steering box some clearance Brake pedal also needed some clearance, I just shortened it a bit and relocated the hole in the toe board. I decided to convert the steering arms over to Ford tie rod ends and ditch the old ball and socket style.

11-14-2016, 06:23 PM	#8
Jthomas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Hummelstown, Pa Posts: 14	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Net up was rust repair and metal work, I started with the firewall. Some one had installed a Mustang heater box at some time and hacked up the heater area. I got a piece from a junk yard for a patch. Also moved the opening for the steering column Strange hole in the top of the cowl. All gone

11-14-2016, 06:37 PM	#9
Jthomas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Hummelstown, Pa Posts: 14	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Onto the cowl sides and front floor. The bottom of these inner replacement panels suck, had to just cut it off and make it. Out side panel I was lucky enough to find some NOS ones at Hershey, the fit great! I just decided to patch up the inner structure, the replacement pieces did not look very nice. On to the drivers side

11-14-2016, 06:47 PM	#10
Jthomas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Hummelstown, Pa Posts: 14	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Now time to take the body off the frame, I did this by myself it was pretty easy. I made a time lapse video of it and if you are on instagram search #projecttheburbs and you will find it along with more pics of the build. I made a fixture to attach the body to a cart to move it around Frame goes off to sandblast as I work on more rust Cleaning up the factory door jam welds

11-14-2016, 06:53 PM	#11
Jthomas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Hummelstown, Pa Posts: 14	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Rear sill removal Rear corners

11-14-2016, 07:05 PM	#12
Jthomas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Hummelstown, Pa Posts: 14	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Frame and sheet metal back from the sandblasters. Fresh coat of epoxy primer Black It's a roller! Grill guard I picked up at the Carlisle swap, it will get rechromed This brings us up to date, I have kinda been burnt out on this project and hope to get back on it this winter. I am currently working on a new project its a 71 Chevy K20 and hope to finish it up soon, just a daily driver for now. Then it will be back on the Burb. Jeremiah

11-14-2016, 08:10 PM	#13
Advanced Design Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oblong, Illinois Posts: 7,028	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Jeremiah, wow, nice metal work! Where did you get the rear corners in post 11? __________________ Doug Advanced Design’s 1977 Blazer Build Advanced Design's '48 'Burb Build Mrs Advanced Design's '72 Suburban Advanced Design's 56 BelAir LS swap

11-14-2016, 11:40 PM	#15
youngrodder Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotts, Michigan Posts: 3,774	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Great build. I follow you in Instagram. I always chime in on your posts. I go by Greenfield Speedshop. Looking good. Marc __________________ …………...........__________ .................. ((__\|__\|\|___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;..;((_(O))____ (_(O)) 1948 Chevy Truck - Finished SOLD!! 1953 Chevy Suburban "Family Truckster" Completed: Spring of 2021 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=605484 1994 4x4 Blazer - "Field Find" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ferrerid=30857

11-14-2016, 08:38 PM	#17
oldman3 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: West Plains, Missouri Posts: 7,559	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Doing some very nice work, I'm along for the build...Jim __________________ my build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=459839 Jimbo's long bed step build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=464626<br />

11-15-2016, 01:07 AM	#18
northern 49 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 103	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Nice sub! Your metal work looks awesome!



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11-15-2016, 04:20 AM	#19
lower50's Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,254	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Nice work so far. The Fulton visor makes all the difference. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=648459 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=769441 1951 MG TD 1967 Jeep CJ5 1.9L TDI 33X13.5X15 Mud Grapplers. 1952 GMC 9700 p/u 7.3L diesel on air, dually

11-15-2016, 10:57 AM	#20
Jthomas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Hummelstown, Pa Posts: 14	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build Thanks for the comments guys!

11-16-2016, 06:19 PM	#21
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,674	Re: Project the Burbs, 51 Suburban build This is gonna be a nice ride..looking good

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