The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1960 - 1966 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board > projects and builds

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-08-2011, 11:13 AM   #1
blown240
Registered User
 
blown240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
66 Suburban Built Thread

I figured that the begining of a build is the time to start a build thread. So here it goes!

The goal is to build this Suburban for about $2k out of pocket. I know that its going to be tough, and I know that I will have to cut some corners, but I have done builds like this before with good results.

Here is what I am starting with:



And here is a rough photoshop of my goal:



There really isnt any mechanical work that it needs, except for a tune up, so this build will be mostly cosmetic, and I will be doing 90% of the work myself. I hope to get it done in a few months, but with work and family, that probably wont happen. I will also be using it as a non work daily driver, so that will slow progress as well.
blown240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2011, 02:05 PM   #2
xratt
Registered User
 
xratt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 131
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

I love those trucks!!!!! Save your self some trouble and just sell me the truck, lol. I will follow the tread in hope of reading, "will someone just come and pick this thing up, I'm tired of it". I know slim chance, but a guy can dream. I did a build just over a year ago on my 1966, C10 long bed. Pretty cool results, drive it everyday. So I really want a Burg now, a little extra room, even more rare. Good luck with your build!!
__________________
1966 C10, SB305, bagged.
1955 VW Buggy, 2.0L
1978 Honda CB550
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...9&goto=newpost
xratt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2011, 02:39 PM   #3
Delmo
Registered User
 
Delmo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Burbank CA
Posts: 1,226
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

Cool man, indoor/outdoor carpet on the roof? LOL just kidding, love where you're goin with it.
Delmo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2011, 07:08 PM   #4
blown240
Registered User
 
blown240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

Well first things first. The red wheels were making my eyes bleed. So all that was red is now black.

blown240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2011, 04:55 PM   #5
blown240
Registered User
 
blown240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

REAR SEAT:

Well since it didnt come with a rear seat, I went to the junkyard and got a seat from a full size Ford passanger van. I got it and the brackets for it for $70.

I had to take 7 inches out of the "legs" of it, but I was able to get it in and still have the quick release mechanism working. Took about 4 hours, some cutting, grinding and some gussetting. But it turned out good.

PICS:

Bracket


Seat




blown240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2011, 06:13 PM   #6
likaroc13
Rollin' Old Skool
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Posts: 5,371
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

cool...good luck with the build!
likaroc13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2011, 06:21 PM   #7
k1rodeoboater
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Fayetteville NC
Posts: 752
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

...you're lucky...doesn't look like you've got much if any rust. I've got about $1500 worth of rust repair and panel replacement doing it all DIY.

What all do you need to do, because to me it doesn't look like a whole heck of a lot from the pics
k1rodeoboater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2011, 07:54 PM   #8
blown240
Registered User
 
blown240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

There is a little bit of rust in the floor, under the drivers side rubber mat. And a few drill holes to weld up here and there, but its pretty solid.
blown240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2011, 12:06 AM   #9
KIC
1960 GMC Burb
 
KIC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 385
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

Good luck on your build ! Looks much better without the red wheels ! My paint is in the works now and I love seeing mine come together as you will on yours.

Good luck on all of it !
__________________
1960 GMC Suburban
1/2 ton V-6
2nd generation original owner

60 Burb Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1960+Suburban

60 to 66 Burbs only Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ighlight=burbs
2003 Tahoe LT
KIC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2011, 11:44 AM   #10
kieth
Registered User
 
kieth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,925
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

Hey save the chrome trim. We never see GMC Suburbans and the chrome is correct on yours. someone on this board would probably love to have it........ Too bad you are not here in Oklahoma, I have a 91 suburban that you could have the interior out of.....I am just getting ready to scrap it........Kieth
kieth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2011, 05:39 PM   #11
blown240
Registered User
 
blown240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

Ya the more I hear about the chrome trim and the roof rack, the more I want to keep it. I will have to see how it looks painted, but I am pretty sure I am keeping it.

Thanks for the offer on the interior. Too bad I am not closer.

Last edited by blown240; 01-12-2011 at 05:39 PM.
blown240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2011, 07:31 PM   #12
blown240
Registered User
 
blown240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

Well I had to have it towed home yesterday. It wasnt getting any gas. Turns out that the sending unit/pickup broke off and dropped into the tank. Got a new one in and now my gas gauge works!
blown240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2011, 04:09 PM   #13
blown240
Registered User
 
blown240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

A little Update:

I had some time today, so I went out and put my new wheels and tires on. I was going to wait till I painted it, but I didnt have the patience.

Here are some pics:

New/Old



Should be easier to steer!



Result!




Now I REALLY need to lower it. I will probably go ~3inches in the front and ~5 in the rear.

Also, a few weeks ago I did a new ignition system. Got rid of the points and installed a Petronix with a new coil, wires and cap/rotor. It runs MUCH better now!
blown240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2011, 05:24 PM   #14
burbluv
Registered User
 
burbluv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Ramon California
Posts: 325
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

What a difference!
Welcome back.
AJ
Posted via Mobile Device
burbluv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2011, 05:47 PM   #15
KIC
1960 GMC Burb
 
KIC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 385
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

Looks good ! It's always nice to make a little forward motion on a build.
__________________
1960 GMC Suburban
1/2 ton V-6
2nd generation original owner

60 Burb Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1960+Suburban

60 to 66 Burbs only Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ighlight=burbs
2003 Tahoe LT
KIC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2011, 08:18 AM   #16
gostranger
65 suburban vortec 5.3 bagged
 
gostranger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: upstate new york
Posts: 1,317
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

nice suburban keep up the good work!!!
gostranger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2011, 08:54 AM   #17
erock805
Registered User
 
erock805's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: gilbert, az
Posts: 392
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

God bless you for taken the red away....Drop that pig! Love your photo shop, great color combo.
__________________
"Do what you want to the girl, but leave me alone!"
erock805 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2011, 12:31 AM   #18
blown240
Registered User
 
blown240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

Well I got the back lowered about 4" today. I took out 6 leaves and added air shocks. It rides nice and soft, but when I turn right, the left tire rubs on the inside. SO I may end up putting all the leaves back on and flipping the axle, or I may just add a 1/4 inch spacer to the one wheel. Or I may do a panhard bar.

I will decide once I get the front down a bit. But for now here is a crappy cell phone pic:

blown240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2011, 02:36 AM   #19
Jerry Jones
Happy Camper
 
Jerry Jones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 8,407
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

Moved to 60-66 build
__________________
RIP El Jay! Love you brother!
Jerry Jones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2011, 12:12 PM   #20
chevyrestoguy
Registered User
 
chevyrestoguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: apple valley, ca
Posts: 2,670
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

ECE (Early Classic) makes a really nice Panhard bar set up that is designed specifically for lowered trucks that would probably solve your problem. When you lower them down and retain the stock bar, it'll kick the rear end way over to one side because the geometry gets all funky. The ECE kit is really nice, and cheaper than you might think. They're in California (Fresno), and may be close by to you. Really nice people, too.

Here's good tech article on their site explaining it:
http://www.earlyclassic.com/Tech.asp...;s+Makeover+II
__________________
Check out my latest endeavor:
https://roundsixpod.com

My build threads:
'55 Chevy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=247512

'64 C-20: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446527
chevyrestoguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2011, 12:25 PM   #21
blown240
Registered User
 
blown240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

I have seen that kit before, but didnt think I would need it becuase I have leaf springs. Seems to me that other than possibly having more sway, lowering with leaf springs should drop straight down.
blown240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2011, 02:35 AM   #22
kalirodding
CLASSIX Truck Club
 
kalirodding's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lodi Ca
Posts: 318
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

How many leafs are left? I counted the leafs in my 65 burb I just picked up and it only has 6. Just wondering because im thinking about lowering mine also.
Posted via Mobile Device
kalirodding is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2011, 12:04 PM   #23
blown240
Registered User
 
blown240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 772
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

Its still got 4 leaves. Mine had 10 leaves when I started. The 4 largest are strapped together and those are the ones I left.
blown240 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2011, 12:35 AM   #24
narx66gmc
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bentonville, AR
Posts: 190
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

that looks way beetter with the new wheels! great job and keep up the staedy progress.
__________________
Build Thread - Papa's truck build up
narx66gmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2011, 04:28 PM   #25
panelrodder81
Doin' it live!
 
panelrodder81's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eagle Mountain, Utah
Posts: 471
Re: 66 Suburban Built Thread

That roof rack looks sooooo classy! I love it! Only thing I don't like with that one would be drilling holes in the roof. I've considered trying my hand a fabricating a custom rack in the style that clamps to the drip rails. I've never seen one up close though so I'm not sure how they actually work!

I'm really interested in this build as I am shooting for something similar with my 61, not look but cost! Good luck!

-Panelrodder
__________________
-Panelrodder
1953 GMC Panel truck - 'Curly'
1961 Chevy Suburban - 'Larry' - Sold
2005 Harley Sportster - 'Shemp'
panelrodder81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:47 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com