1966 GMC Suburban New Family Vehicle

[kenny_strong]

After figuring the cost to make a crew cab from my 1966 GMC 4x4 short bed pickup I decided to look for a suburban. So after many times checking craigslist this is what I ended up with. I have a wife and 3 kids so a regular cab truck is not very useful but a suburban has plenty of room. Now the agony of waiting for the shipping company to haul it from California to Maryland.

[kenny_strong]

It was originally bought in Texas and the original owners son had a olds 442 that he totaled so the pulled the 425 olds out and put in in the suburban along with the turbo 400.

[MusicMan70]

Looks Great! Does the AC work as well? Good luck on the transport.

[kenny_strong]

The ac is the only thing they did not get finished. Its all there and they also plumbed to the rear like the newer suburbans but it needs to be finished.

[Captainfab]

That's a nice looking Burb

That should make a nice driver.

[crazyhenryj]

Kenny nice score! I am interested in how they plumbed the a/c to the rear and what the master brake setup came out of.

[kenny_strong]

I'm not sure what its out of but if I can work a deal for the 01 suburban 2500 4x4 6.0 I am looking at I will not be using any of the frame, running gear, ac system, or factory steering column.. My goal is to swap everything from the 01 including frame, running gear, ac and rear ac, gauge cluster, and steering column into the 66 so I have todays technology. Is the old frame-running gear of any value?

[notsolo]

I would like 1st dibbs on the frame if you decide to sell it.....Ed

[Captainfab]

I hope you realize how big of a job that is. The '88 and up frames are totally different as compared to the '63-'72's

Originally Posted by kenny_strong

I'm not sure what its out of but if I can work a deal for the 01 suburban 2500 4x4 6.0 I am looking at I will not be using any of the frame, running gear, ac system, or factory steering column.. My goal is to swap everything from the 01 including frame, running gear, ac and rear ac, gauge cluster, and steering column into the 66 so I have todays technology. Is the old frame-running gear of any value?

[MikeS.]

Kenny looks nice, what year is it?

I'm a bit South of Hagerstown, where in MD are you?

[kenny_strong]

Mike, Its a 1966 and I live in boonsboro

[63burban]

8 lug wheels ???

[kenny_strong]

Yes it is 8 lug. The late model GM rims don't look right on there but they will fit my work truck.

[63burban]

To make it 8 lug, they changed the front suspension and rear axle ?

[3 On Da Tree]

8 lug. Would that burb be a 3/4 ton?

[MikeS.]

Kenny we'll have to get together come Spring, 2 rare 60s 4x4 Burbs around here.

[kenny_strong]

Well after a long wait it finally arrived yesterday in the middle of a snow storm. After giving it a QUICK bath today to clean the salt off I started looking at what I bought. Come to find out it has rear leaf springs. I am still torn between making it a 4x4 on a late model frame or lowering it with air bags. Needless to say the rear leafs have just added a bump in the road to the lowering idea. Other than one spot of rust in the floor board the size of a quarter its in GREAT shape. Has anyone swapped rear leafs for trailing arms?

[kenny_strong]

Did I mention it has a pair of the hard to find sliding window locks?

[notsolo]

That's what I did with my Blazer conversion, Drill and chisel rivets. Add cross member and trailing arms, Spring perches. ( 3/4 ton trailing arms had top and bottom plates to stiffen them)

[kenny_strong]

After planning to stick with stock frame and lower it I started collecting goodies and last week the UPS man was santa in February. Found a jasper 350/4L80E (plan #1) for a good price and then a 454(plan #2) fell into my hands. Then Friday night comes and I got a call about a wrecked 4x4 duramax for sale. Well after many hours or measuring, staring at both trucks, measuring more, and brainstorming I have decided that plan #3 is the charm. We are going to swap suburban onto duramax 4x4 frame after we cut it down. So far the biggest downside is the pile of parts from Vintage air kit, March serpentine kit, msd dist, headers, bbc mounts, lowering springs, and other stuff also came with a 20% restocking fee. In the end the result will be well worth it, I cant wait.

[red310055]

Sent PM

[Clyde65]

Kenny,

FYI, the newer frames are heat treated and if you weld to or cut them, they become very brittle. I will also concur with Caotn, you would be better off staying with the original frame and put the Dirty Max in there.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by kenny_strong

Well after a long wait it finally arrived yesterday in the middle of a snow storm. After giving it a QUICK bath today to clean the salt off I started looking at what I bought. Come to find out it has rear leaf springs. I am still torn between making it a 4x4 on a late model frame or lowering it with air bags. Needless to say the rear leafs have just added a bump in the road to the lowering idea. Other than one spot of rust in the floor board the size of a quarter its in GREAT shape. Has anyone swapped rear leafs for trailing arms?

no big deal, just add a set of trailing arms on to the crossmember and it will make bagging it easy.....

[notsolo]

Here are some frame specs you may or may not have seen could be helpful in your swap.....67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=325736

[kenny_strong]

I am making progress on getting the duramax stripped down. Now its time to get started on stripping the suburban so I can get the swap started.