47-59 49 Suburban

[d4hartley]

This is the start of a not so budget build 49 suburban. I sold my 72 c10 to help finance this new project and couldn't be more happy.

Bought out of North Carolina. It was used as a school bus in Alabama at some point in it's life then went to North Carolina where I picked it up as a roller. Only seats it has is the front seats and a gross seat out of a van. I had to rent a uhaul trailer so I got creative and ended up chaining an ATV winch to the trailer and using a snatch block to get it loaded.





Got it home, removed seats, gauges, glovebox, old wiring to clean and brush so I can apply por15 and sound deadening. No major rust on the floors or dash other than surface rust which the wire brush took care of. You can see in one of the pictures I wire brushed around the floor compartment and it looks much better than the floor where I didn't. The wood floor in the back is in good shape. I'm just not sure on what direction I want to go with it yet to protect it and make it look a little better so I'm open for ideas. Need to find a few glass pieces at some point since they were used for target practice.









Also found a cool license plate topper with it I plan on putting on when done.


Drivetrain and suspension wise it has an open rear end which I have no idea what it's from and can't find any stamped numbers. See picture down below. I was going to keep it stock suspension and ls swap but realized quickly it wouldn't work/safe so I ordered the speedway bolt in mustang ii kit. Picked up a 5.3/4l60e from an avalanche that will be put in. Hoping to have more pictures along the way as I install everything. I'm just going to redo the stock harness and an ignition control panel I'll hide somewhere. I do need to source a gas tank that will work with it also and a floor shifter that won't break the bank.




UPS guy dropped off the speedway kit today and I had to make room for all the boxes it came in. Also was able to pull front clip before the rain started.





The only real problem spot body wise is the seam where it meets the roof. The lead filler is cracking and causing holes. Not sure how to repair that just yet. Other than that just small spots in front fenders and running boards.





It looks really good in the rain when it makes it shine. Wished it looked like this all the time but body and paint are almost last on the list.

[d4hartley]

Just waiting on non rainy weather so I can start on the crossmember swap. But the plan for the near future is to have a drivable restoration. Need to find out what rear end I have or just swap for a s10 or camaro. I plan on installing brake booster on the firewall for ease of access but leave the battery under the floor. I'm undecisive if I want to go floor or column shift for the transmission. It will be the stock column with column saver to save money. Reusing an ignition control panel for the engine and all related wiring.


As far as interior and body goes it will be slow going. I hope to seal the floor and firewall and sound deaden it at the least. New glass to replace the broken ones along with door and window seals if funds allow. I'm researching for suitable seat replacements until mine can be fixed and redone.

More updates to come as I make progress!

[mongocanfly]

Wow...that things in great shape..!..I'm sure you've already read thru Marc's burb build..worth a read if you havnt

[joedoh]

nice start! it really does look good in the rain

[d4hartley]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Wow...that things in great shape..!..I'm sure you've already read thru Marc's burb build..worth a read if you havnt

I have not. I'll have to look for it.

[mongocanfly]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=605484

[oldman3]

Great piece to start with, looking forward to updates...Jim

[youngrodder]

Looks like a great start. Looks like it had a heated front seat (too cool). I just finished a 53 Suburban with an LS drivetrain (2001 Camaro w/4L60E) and MII type front suspension. If I can help in anyway, let me know. Most likely, I have come against the same challenges as you will. Learn from my mistakes...Ha Ha

Marc

[d4hartley]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Looks like a great start. Looks like it had a heated front seat (too cool). I just finished a 53 Suburban with an LS drivetrain (2001 Camaro w/4L60E) and MII type front suspension. If I can help in anyway, let me know. Most likely, I have come against the same challenges as you will. Learn from my mistakes...Ha Ha

Marc

I've been slowly making my way through yours. Looks awesome I'll have to pm you I've over got any specific questions

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by d4hartley

I've been slowly making my way through yours. Looks awesome I'll have to pm you I've over got any specific questions

Sounds good. There are a lot of more pics on IG under Greenfield_speedshop. You can always message me there too as I would be quicker to respond.

Marc

[joedoh]

great work! looks like with some fab work you can adapt the crossmember. but speedway sells a universal trans crossmember too. they sell several actually so figure out where your exhaust will be routed to get the right "drop"

[mongocanfly]

I was gonna echo what Russ said, that crossmember might work, but make sure everything will clear it before you commit, I made my own so that I knew for certain it would clear everything

[d4hartley]

Haven't updated in a while. Been slow and I need new parts in order to progress in the build. I installed what I could until then.




This is before I cut out the crossmember and part of radiator support on the stock frame.





This is after with the speedway bolt in crossmember installed and a fresh coat of paint. Took a couple hours to fit the crossmember even after measuring 10 times some of the bolt holes didn't line up. But it's in and looks pretty good.




Engine back together with new coat of paint to make it look nice. I had to put on an f-body oil pan in order to make it sit level with the crossmember instead of below it.





Set the engine in the suburban and it fits like a glove. Lots of space but we'll see if that changes once I get exhaust and steering in.




Test fit the front suspension and it looks nice. Kind of wish I went with coilovers instead of cutting my coils to get them to fit but I need to take them off in order to paint them before final install.



Started cleaning up the floor and painting it as well. This is the only picture I took so far but there's no major rust issues.

[6DoF]

i've got a soft spot for 'burbs, keep it up.

[d4hartley]

Here's another long-awaited update. Not much progress but some is better than none. I removed the windshield, cleaned up and painted the dash but I need to sand and redo the dash.



I also cleaned up the frame, got rid of all the resident spiders, and painted in so it looks better.



Suspension wise, the front is together, steering rack is in, and with the drop spindles she is going to sit very low. I removed the rear axle, it's a 55-59 rear end with 3.90 gears. Replacing brakes and bearings and it's going to go back in with a second hand TCI rear leaf kit.





With where I think ride height will be, this is what the wheel I have look like sitting in the fender. Hoping it won't be too low. Might have to end up going to a regular spindle.



Engine is pretty much put back together. I have a terminator harness for it that will get installed soon once I decide where I want the battery to be. I am pulling out the 4l60e in favor of a T56 6 speed I picked up. Might try and do a hydraulic clutch setup for ease of install.

I also fit the mustang gas tank under the back and need to research routing of the fill tube. I don't really want it going into the trunk if I can avoid it. The tank itself fits really well.




Here is a bonus picture of the overall progress. Still have a laundry list of things to do and I'll update later.

[youngrodder]

Looks like you've made lots of great progress...Well done.

Thank you
Marc

[daveshilling]

Sweet! Nice job. Also you could try that wipe-on clear coat for a bit once you get ready to drive around and prior to the paint job. Give you that rained on look!

[dsraven]

looks like you have more time than me for truck stuff. looks good anyway. the one thing you might want to ptepare for is the possible rot in the area of that lead joint thats dripping rusty looking stuff. you already know about it and prolly have that dread in the back of your mnd, but don't sweat it, its always fixable.
keep posting those pics, we love to see the new builds and burbs are pretty few and far between.

[dsraven]

are you talking about the round tail lights or the sideways teardrop tail lights? 61 was round, correct? if so then a round style exhaust would fit well to keep the theme going. I do like the way your thought process is going with the central exhaust outlets though. do you have room behind to run the pipes? is there a rear fuel tank to contend with?

[6DoF]

so much room for activities under the hood!