Insight on Frame - 1971 Suburban 3/4 Ton

[chewiebarker]

Newbie here!

I am considering a purchase of a 1971 3/4 suburban (and have a deposit on it) but have noticed some strange brackets (or something) on the frame. I am wondering if anyone here can identify what I am looking at in these pics and whether perhaps this frame is not original to the truck. Thanks! My guess it that it isn't original but I haven't seen enough frames to know. The brackets just hang there and don't seem to be integral - which makes me think they served a purpose on some other truck. I might be fine with that, I just want to be sure of what I am buying.


The brackets can be seen in the pics extending off the side of the frame rails. Each have 2 rectangular holes through the center of them. They clearly are not supporting the body, or anything, so they appear foreign to me.

Thanks a lot for any help/advice!

[jrdv]

Those were added on, possibly for mounting running boards.

[Bigdav160]

Not original.

Perhaps, at one time, they had some steps or running boards installed

[chewiebarker]

Great! Thanks! So the frame could be original, but the brackets were bolt ons for running boards? I will confirm with the seller when I see it in person for the first time on Saturday.

I appreciate the heads-up and have enjoyed scouring the boards for information about these awesome trucks! I am excited to get started on my own Suburban project (with my sons) and hope to have a respectable rig someday to pass along.

[vectorit]

Welcome to the forum!

Like the previous comments, I agree that those are most likely from a running board installation some time in the burbs history.

[tedfrk]

Was this the black one on eBay? Do you get it?

[chewiebarker]

Yes, I did. Brought it home today.

[tedfrk]

Very nice good luck with it.did you have it shipped? Im looking for a good shipping company so I can get mine home by march 1st.

[chewiebarker]

Thanks! Excited to get into this new project!

I did not ship it. It was only 3 hrs from my home, so I picked it up and drove it.

It is clear from the ride that there is an issue with the powersteering (had to work hard to keep it from drifting out of the lanes) and I wonder about the robustness of the engine as there was not very good acceleration overall. Otherwise, it was pretty much what I expected from a 42 year old vehicle described as a "not perfect work truck" (I also think there is a fuel tank leak based on a quick look at it and the low gears of the 4wd are a bit crunchy).

Looks like there will be a lot to do!!

[vectorit]

Congrats on getting your new/old Suburban!

Start up a build thread, so that we can all check it out and follow along in your restoration!

[chewiebarker]

Thanks Chris! I will set one up once I have something to show for it. Going to be a slow go for a while until I set my mind on what I exactly want to do to it. Some of the build threads I have seen here are amazing.