52 Suburban project thread

[Jebb1978]

Hi there tygaboy. I must have missed this project at first. It is a cool direction you are going and I love the old Burbs! Can't wait to watch this one unfold.

On a side note, P-town isn't that big do you know these guys?
http://www.sagecustoms.com/
I imagine you do, they are friends of some friends of mine.

[tygaboy]

Originally Posted by Jebb1978

Hi there tygaboy. I must have missed this project at first. It is a cool direction you are going and I love the old Burbs! Can't wait to watch this one unfold.

On a side note, P-town isn't that big do you know these guys?
http://www.sagecustoms.com/
I imagine you do, they are friends of some friends of mine.

Nope, I have not seen / heard of these folks and I may be able to use their help. I'd like to check them out. When in Petaluma are they?

[tygaboy]

Good progress at the body shop! I forgot to bring my camera so pics will be up in a few days. But the worst of the dents on the passenger side are all but ready for primer. Not too much filler required, as hoped. I decided to get all new floors so a *****in' Products floor kit has arrived. I also got their rear floor kit for the pick up as it seems we can modify it to work for the Suburban - we'll see.

But here are some of my favorite goodies so far - the script/badging I'm going to run. These are from a Plymouth/Dodge "Suburban" - not sure exactly what year but could I have found a more perfect goodie? I'm thinking this one will go on the lower right side of the passenger barn door.

[tygaboy]

This one needs some work but may be suitable as an interior badge - maybe on the passenger side of the dash? If I can find another, maybe on both sides of the hood in place of the "CHEVROLET" badge. Decisions, decisions...
And let me know if you find one of these anywhere.

[tygaboy]

This one is broken. You can see the nub on the left top curve of the "S" in "Suburban. I've layed it out backwards here. It's supposed to be "Sport Suburban". But as it turns out, being broken is not such a bad thing:
I could do "Sport Suburban" or "Suburban Sport"! Again, a possible interior location is what I'm thinking.
One stacked atop the other, maybe? Maybe just use the "Suburban" part?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Wow this is gonna be a great project....

[tygaboy]

Gotta love a body shop that works on Saturdays. I took a run by on the off chance they'd be there and... they were! Here's the latest progress.
The nasty stuff on the passenger side is done. Final prep before primer.
Note the shaved gas tank filler. Not yet sure where the fillers will go. Yes, "fillers" - plural.
In order to run on WVO (waste vegetable oil), I need a dual system. The WVO won't work until it's up to temp. So the 'burb will start on diesel and on comes the tank heater in the WVO tank. Once it's up to temp, I cut over to burning the oil. So I need two separate tanks - and two fillers.
The plan is to get the body off, determine the tank locations and figure out what works/looks best from there.
In any event, here she is as of today:

[tygaboy]

Other angle...still some finish work to do. And I'm going to go with bear claw latches. So, even more work to do!

[tygaboy]

Rear fenders awaiting the frenched and staggered '59 Cadillac tail lights!

[tygaboy]

I wanted to run the one piece door windows and found a set of pretty nice doors for $50. No guts but that's OK as the plan calls for power windows and something custom for door handles.

[Jebb1978]

Nice work man, it's comming along pretty fast!
I don't know exactly where Sage Customes is located in Petaluma because I have never been there. I have a few friends that come from there and they talk about it like it is tiny. Jeramie is a great guy and seems like he has some resources.

[tygaboy]

Well, I guess I'm committed now! Body is off and progress is being made on the new sheet metal. I opted to replace the firewall and entire floor with the goodies from *****in' Products. Same for the inner fenders and rad support - more on that as we get there.

[tygaboy]

Now it's time to get the 'vette suspension mounted! I'll be dragging the chassis home to remove the drive train - after marking needed center lines and all that, grinding rivets to lose all unneeded brackets and other crap.
Then on goes the 'vette bracketry (from Flat Out Engineering) and off it goes to powdercoat. Not sure of the chassis color yet. I may do black or try something a bit fancier, we'll see.

[tygaboy]

Inside of firewall - thrilling, I know...

[tygaboy]

Getting there on the outside, too.

[tygaboy]

Next series should be the chassis progress and the custom metal fab:
rear roll pan, frenched tail lights, exhaust cut outs, fuel filler solution...
Ouch, my wallet is starting to hurt...

Pics as progress is made.

[pgf545]

Looks great!!!!!!!! I must be crazy because I undertook all that firewall and floor on my dads truck and have been doing it by myself.

On the rivets, I have had good luck with a 4" cutoff wheel (.035-.040 thk) on an angle grinder. Cut the rivet head off as close to the frame as you can get and then use a grinding wheel to flush it to the frame. Then I use an air chisel to punch out the rivet. This has work great for me. I am in process of boxing the frame and installing a new cross member so I have to remove the old one. I knocked out all the rivets on the pass side in about 20 minutes. I still need to do the drivers side ...probably this weekend. Good Luck

Bernie

[tygaboy]

Quick check at the body shop shows the *****in Products floor/firewall is almost done! Soooo cool to see it heading in the "back together" direction after so much "taking apart" work.
The chassis is coming back home this weekend to prep it for the 'vette suspension and motor/trans mounts. Getting there...

[earl87gta]

cool project I like the diesel Idea

[tygaboy]

Originally Posted by earl87gta

cool project I like the diesel Idea

Thanks. But it's becoming a bit of a head scratcher in that the planned use for this project may not be best served by the 4BT. It's a great "truck" motor and is very successfully used in the 4WD conversion world. But since I want more of a "crusier", I'm likely selling the bread van and will be looking at the Mercedes 5 and 6 cyl Turbo Diesels. If they can fit (potential oil pan/crossmember clearance issues - still TBD), it may be a better way to go. They are proven veggie oil burners and are plentiful, pretty inexpensive, etc.
Mercedes-Burb anyone? Or Suburbenz?

If this diesel power plan doesn't pan out (I really hope it does) and I "have to" go with a gas motor, I may as well go crazy. Twin turbo or quad webers, that sort of thing. We'll see.

Good news is that the chassis is home and I'll be going after getting the 'vettte suspension going. Pics as it progresses.

[earl87gta]

The 4bt is a good engine you could aways do the old stand by 6.5. Cant wait to see the new pics.

[dan42]

Tygaboy, nice project, just one thing - point me in the direction of that money tree that you're pullin' of all that money from, maybe I can get some seeds from it and grow my own - my wife seems to use up all my extra!

[tygaboy]

Well, that was easy! The bread truck sold to the first guy who looked at it. He's putting the motor in a hot rod project so at least it's destined for something cool!
So, I may end up with a gasser, may find a diesel - we'll see. Hell, I may end up buying another bread truck and using a 4BT after all.
For now, it's time to get the 'vette suspension mounted. I need all that done before I can get true clearance measurements anyway.
If you need to reach me this weekend, I'll be grinding rivets and stripping the chassis!

[tygaboy]

Chassis back from the body shop. Nothing like working in the gravel driveway...
Got the gas tank and drive shafts out. Anyone need a 235, 4 speed and a closed rear end?

[tygaboy]

My neighbor farms the lower part of our property so I enlisted his help. Made quick work of the removal.