Bluburb winter? project

[dadsburb]

So I am starting a rust elimination program on my Suburban. After 23
years the repaint and previous rust repair are failing. The spots showing on the quarter panels made me take a closer look at everything underneath, and it's not pretty. Turns out the exterior is only the tip of the iceburg. Much more serious damage pics in my next post.

[dadsburb]

here are the pics showing serious issues. The rear most support under the tail gate is rusted badly, the left side is slightly collapsed, where the body mount is located the frame rail rotted out. The support near the gas tank which bolts the floor to the frame is in the same condition. The floor stiffening support is rotted out but may be salvageable. Finally the body support behind the second row seat has a lot of damage but where the body mounts are looks solid. So given all that my first question to the group is, has anyone used bed supports from a wood bed pickup to replace their Suburban floor members?

[LockDoc]

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My '67 Panel is showing the same thing. I need to get busy on it. Good luck with your repairs going forward.
.

[dadsburb]

LockDoc, do the panels use a plywood floor also? Or planks like a pickup.

[dadsburb]

I have removed all the bolts from the plywood floor, the spare tire well is out. I cut the small piece of plywood out of the right front area near the center seat, it was warped from rust jacking. Loosened all the body mounts and attempted to lift the rear of the body to remove the crushed rubber mounts at the rear most support. The body wouldn't raise at all. I think I need more jacks to spread the load further forward

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by dadsburb

LockDoc, do the panels use a plywood floor also? Or planks like a pickup.

My '67 has plywood.

[dadsburb]

richard2717 do you have Suburban supports I would need all of them front to rear. I only have one out of the truck now, I will post a pic tomorrow. And get some measurements

[richard2717]

I may have some of the cross members depending on which ons you end up needing. I am in MD. If you need any measurements just let me know.
The floor is plywood and is in 2 pcs. The 2nd pc is in front of the passenger wheel well.

[richard2717]

I sent you some pictures by 2 separate emails. Let me know if you do not get them.

[kev2809]

ouch. are you trying to repair this frame or swap it with another one?

[dadsburb]

I am really not up to a frame swap. I am going to try sectioning in some better frame rails, if I can find some. It should work out ok, I never put heavy loads in the bed. Just got to hold the sheet metal up.

[HO455]

Ohh! That got serious quickly. Fortunately Richard2717 has chimed in. He's good people and has helped me a bunch on my Burban. Keep posting, we're definitely interested in your progress.

[dadsburb]

Looks like Richard has what I need. Hope to pick up parts at months end. I am cleaning up parts until that happens.

[dadsburb]

Well got back to working the Suburban this week. Picked up some parts from Richard the end of January on the way to Florida, got home and I'm back at it. Took out the remaining plywood, even shortened, it requires a bit of twisting and turning. Made up a fixture to hold the back of the frame rails for when I do the cut off. Started to clean up the replacement frame rails, and cut off a piece to practice welding, my 90 amp mig may not be up to this repair, I could not get it to over head weld. I will work on my technique and see if It's me and not the machine. First picture is the left rear inner quarter panel behind the wheel, I am just amazed at how good it is and the frame rail is gone.

[3drburb]

Best wishes on the repairs, hopefully it can be done one piece at a time, maybe even make or get parts or make templates before removing them if you can while you practice your welding. It's shocking what you find on a nice looking and driving classic sometimes, but this is well worth it.

[3drburb]

I don't know if all the frame pieces are available so if I were in your position, I would take a lot of measurements and go a local wrecking yard or find someone parting out a pickup and get as much frame and braces as needed and only remove metal as I have a piece next to me to replace it with and what is not available, just remember it only metal, so brace can easily be made as long as you can bolt the needed parts back to it. Kind of working your way into the rot then working out, to keep everything sturdy.

[dadsburb]

Thanks 3drburb I have two good frame rail cut offs to work with ,so I just have to make sure I take my time to get a good fit up. If I can't get my welds looking good enough I will hire some one to do them.

[dadsburb]

So I made a little progress this week. made a rough cut off of the frame rails to access the rear tail gate sill. Decided to remove the sill in one piece, It's a little tricky coming out, had to drive it down then spin it to clear the lower inner quarter panels. Cut out portion of sill because of rust jacking with plates under sheet metal. I am searching for a piece of steel channel to replace the rusted section.

[kev2809]

i never know that piece unbolts...wouldve saved me some headache years ago lol. good progress though

[dadsburb]

The sill can not be removed unless the frame is out of the way. either the body needs to be off, or cut the frame rails like I had to do. This means I can't weld the frame rails in untill the sill is back in place.

[richard2717]

good to see you getting at it again. Good luck and let me know if you need anything else.

[dadsburb]

will do Richard, thanks

[dadsburb]

Well finally have some progress to show. Health issue's kept me out of the garage for a month. The rear hatch sill is installed, and the frame rail sections are welded in. Moving on to the area behind the middle seat, the floor area where the back of the seat bolts in is badly rusted. Three pieces of metal are sandwiched together, and there is a lot of rust jacking. this is going to be a challenge.

[richard2717]

Looking good!

[HO455]

That's really nice work!