Suburban

[PDW HOTRODS]

Has anyone converted a Panel truck into a Suburban? I am not wanting all stock so I wouldn't need special parts like stock seats. Looking for ideas about glass. I love the trucks but I have kids. I have found a few Panel trucks, but not much for Suburban's. Thanks.

[Mac the Yankee]

PDW,

What year are you looking to work on? All in all, it's just a matter of grafting in the windows an locating the seat hardware, but that in itself is a good-sized job!

[dsraven]

i have thought that if you made window opening panels, that fit from the inside up against the existing body, they could be spot welded or tacked or cleco'd into place against the outside sheet metal. then cut the hole to fit the opening. finish welding or panel bonding (or both) the new inner panel to the old outer panel. then weld in a rib, or ledge or whatever you want to call it, for a window rubber to sit into or use a wider rib and then use a urethane bed for the glass to sit into and have a nice flat panel on the outside that would have the glass at the same height as the steel outside panel. any thoughts if that may work?

[Advanced Design]

PDW, while I am sure a talented metal guy could do the mod, it would be less effort, money, and time to find a Suburban.

[dsraven]

yah, just dreamin. that WOULD be cool though.

[mr48chev]

I've still got the window areas off a burb that I took off a hulk 25 years ago. At least I think I have all the pieces as I cut it in sections like 4 sections on each side. That was about all that was left of that thing that was worth saving but I sold the inside moldings to someone last year. I had plans to use parts of them to make quarter windows on a stretched cab but those plans got thrown in the dumper a long time ago.
Not for sale on here but I could be talked into an apple for an orange trade.

[Iceburgh]

I know of 2 Suburbansin my area I can get pics for you if you would want to pay the bill to Oregon

[Iceburgh]

http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/5750843346.html

[PDW HOTRODS]

I would like the 47-53 style. The 54 would be great too but I can't do 10,000.
I have found a couple nice panels for 1,500 and 3,500. If I could find a good buildable body for a good price I would do it. I had thought about windows like they put in vans in the 70's and 80's but I don't think they would look right.

[Advanced Design]

PDW, I know what you mean about the windows in the van look. They just look cut in.

Here is a panel a buddy built that has a side window. It probably doesn't allow enough light or sight for rear seat passengers though it looks pretty darn nice.

[tr4boy]

Don't know much about Suburbans, but there's one for sale in my neck of the woods near Sacramento, Ca.

http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/cto/5751021091.html

Greg

[1project2many]

PDW, I think conversion van or handicap bus style windows could look just fine. Either of the side windows in this photo could integrate nicely.



http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...ws/Windows.htm

CR Lawrence company makes many of the clamp frame windows in our buses.
http://www.crlaurence.com/crlapps/sh...2&ModelID=2394

[mphudak]

IIRC this one was built by RB Obsolete, which is long out of business. By far the cleanest panel to suburban-like conversion i've seen. But w/a 6 figure budget, I would hope it is.

EDIT..hotrod.com spread on it. http://www.hotrod.com/articles/0405c...y-panel-truck/

[PDW HOTRODS]

That realy looks good. Just 1 big window down each side. As long as you have AC they dont need to open.

[VirtualPilot]

I'm looking for a suburban. Is this the place to watch?

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by VirtualPilot

I'm looking for a suburban. Is this the place to watch?

You will have better luck searching Craigslist and Ebay.

[Iceburgh]

I know where there is a Suburban that is done and not bad, and it is for sale ��