New suburban owner

[lrader99]

I have built 2 long bed '72 C10's but this will be my first Suburban. Father in law bought multiple vehicles the other day and one of them is a 67-71 Suburban which I am buying from him. Right now it is in Fl and I have no clue what to expect. I don't know year, trim type or door type. I am excited though.


My question is has anyone replaced the rear floor section with a truck bed section? I have looked at several build threads and it appears that the burbs have wood rear floors behind the second row seats.

The burb as it sits is a rolling chassis so the first goal is make it safe and driveable and then slowly build it they way I want it.

My goals are 2.5" drop spindles w/ big brake kit
3" rear drop springs w/ disc brake.
if its not a 6 lug then convert to 6 lug.
17" 07+ steel wheels with PPV center caps.
67 grille,
no trim or chrome,
painted bumpers.
6L80/90E with 5.3 LC9 engine.
late model suburban Rear AC unit, Vintage air front AC unit.
late model Tahoe black interior w/ 3rd row removable seat.
Rack & pinion
late model Tahoe moonroof
nice surround sound system

I want it to be a comfortable daily truck that can be worked out of. at this point I am thinking of spray lining the entire interior and not putting in carpet. Carpet will come later on.

will post pics as soon as I have them

[jorgensensc]

Sounds like you have a great plan. Remember that if its not a 67 or 68 you will need new front fenders and hood to use the '68 grill. I was kicking the idea of a sunroof around, but I really want to do the panoramic roofs (all glass) that alot of cars and minivans are doing now.
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[lrader99]

Yea my gf wants a panoramic roof but I think I would rather do 1 or even 2 moonroofs.


So your saying the 67 grille wont just bolt in? It requires the use of 67-68 fenders & hood? That would be a bummer.

[jorgensensc]

Unfortunately the 67-68 grill won't just bolt in. You definitely have to get the correct 67-68 fenders and hood.
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[IAFF2407]

67 -72 GMC fenders will work, still need the hood.

[jorgensensc]

That's true! Momentary lapse in remembering the GMC Fenders.
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[LockDoc]

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It is usually easier to just get a complete '67 front clip and bolt it on. That's what I do.

LockDoc

[lrader99]

I see what is different about the fenders but what is the difference between the various hoods.

[70cst]

Hey lrader99 ...

and can't wait to see pics

[lrader99]

lol, I can't wait to see pics...This is a sight unseen purchase for me. Father in law is a penny pincher. He has been trying to buy this burb for 10 years unsuccessfully. He bought a '67 GMC Handivan and when he went by his friends house to make use of the car trailer said friend offered up for sale a C10 and the burb. Mother in law wants the C10 and he just bought a toy so the burb needed sold. I said Ill take it at first chance. If 1500 is a good deal for him to buy it then it must be an awesome truck because he doesnt pay much for cars. Paid less than $1000 for a running driving LWB Handivan.

I should have it here Monday or Tuesday. They will be back from FL on Sunday...but that's Easter...so have to wait another day or two...Im excited...so excited. Still have lots to do. Still have lots of parts to sell to fun this new project. It will be a slow build but Should be driveable sometime in May.

[lrader99]

Father in law came home from FL early. Going to get burb tomorrow. Sounds like it is a '72 with rear doors not hatch/tailgate. I call them ambulance doors I don't know what their technical term is. Will post pics tomorrow....

First order of business is finding a '70 coil spring rear end. I will be going 6 lug so need to find a rear.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by lrader99

Father in law came home from FL early. Going to get burb tomorrow. Sounds like it is a '72 with rear doors not hatch/tailgate. I call them ambulance doors I don't know what their technical term is. Will post pics tomorrow....

First order of business is finding a '70 coil spring rear end. I will be going 6 lug so need to find a rear.

They are usually called barn doors. Sounds like a good project. Post up the pics when you get a chance...

LockDoc

[jorgensensc]

Originally Posted by lrader99

First order of business is finding a '70 coil spring rear end. I will be going 6 lug so need to find a rear.

Just food for thought, I would really reconsider doing this. Changing your front disk brakes to 6 lug is both a pain in tge rear and costly. Most guys change over to 5 lug specifically to get the stock front disk brakes. Your going through an awful lot of trouble to use newer wheels that the offset and fit may or may not work on your truck. Just my opinion, but if it was me I would keep the 5 lug (and be thankful you have disk brakes already and don't have to convert) and pick a different wheel that fits your likening. Just my opinion, you can obviously do what tickles your fancy!
Shawn
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[lrader99]

can get 6 lug 2.5" drop spindle 13" rotor and wilwood 2 piston for $700. Thats not a lot of work or expense...considering drop spindles are $300

[lrader99]

The time has arrived:

This is how it looked just putting it on the trailer.



New home and after a good pressure washing:




The bumpers are the most mangled pieces of chrome I have ever seen!!!

Truck had leaves on both sides covering 3/4 of the tires. This is why there is so much lower rot.



Typical door rot:





Found all the lenses in a egg crate in the interior.


Engine and Trans appear to be original to the truck can anyone help decode this.
This is off of the Passenger front pad in front of the head:



This is how the truck was equipped:
Do heavy duty front/rear springs mean this thing has 3/4 ton springs?
If so they are SHOT!!! this thing sits lower than my 3" drop C10

[lrader99]

I paid $1000, I do believe engine and trans to be original. Too much stuff is unmolested and in its proper place. Tomorrow I will pull the plugs soak the cylinders and let them sit and pull the block, trans and rear end ID numbers and start decoding them. Is there a good decoder site?

[LockDoc]

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Just take your time on it and do a little at a time. That will make a nice hauler when you're done. Poor bumpers look like they were in a demolition derby..

LockDoc

[lrader99]

First order of business soak the motor and see if it will turn...This thing wasn't supposed to have drivetrain. What a surprise that was.

[fourspeedwagon]

A good website for decoding engines is nastyz28.com it shows everything down to what transmission and carb were originally bolted to an engine.
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Just checked. Probably the original engine- says its a 1972 350, 4 barrel, automatic from a c10 or c20. 175 hp

[lrader99]

Yea I am a member of Nasty.
Block Casting #: 3970014 = 350 200-300HP, 2/4 bolt main, car/truck
Casting Date: D4 72 = April 4 1972
VIN SUFFIX V05 2TDJ = assembled on 5/02 @ Flint for a C10/C20

Truck has its born-with engine!!!

[Big Block]

1972 Suburban 1/2 two wheel drive with rear cargo doors. You own one of 6,748 built, pretty cool. I prefer the cargo door instead of the tail gates, Just easily to load and unload stuff. Plus the cargo doors product is less than the tail gate model. There were 10,757 1/2 two wheel drive built with tail gates built in 1972.

[lrader99]

Know the numbers for cargo doors with 3/4 T springs and factory AC?

[Big Block]

Can't help with how many had a/c. But if you had a 1972 C20 3/4 Suburban 2 wheel drive with cargo doors you would be talking 2,136. If you had a tail gate one of 3,141. The 4x4 have a lot lower production numbers.
1972 numbers are
K=4x4
K10 1/2 4x4 tailgate=2,145
K10 1/2 4x4 cargo doors=991
K20 3/4 4x4 tail gate=503
K20 3/4 4x4 cargo doors=879

C=2wd
C10 1/2 2wd tail gate=10,757
C10 1/2 2wd cargo doors=6,748
C20 3/4 2wd tail gate=3,141
C20 3/4 2wd cargo doors=2,136

Not that many 1972 Suburbans left out there.

[Big Block]

From reading the glove box door. You have a C/10 1/2ton 2wd with optional HD rear springs. The numbers come from Motorbooks International, Chevrolet Pickup Red Book. By Peter C. Sessler Printed in 1993 It has production numbers on Chevy Trucks from 1946-1972.

[Big Block]

I had one of each 1972 1/2 tons. 1972 1/2 4x4 with cargo doors one of 991 and 1972 1/2 2wd with tailgate one of 10,757. They are long gone. A board member in FLA ended up with the 2wd that got totaled in his driveway by a drunk driver. The 4x4 went to northern VA to become a beach fishing rig. I miss them both. But you can't own them all.