53 Surburban "Family Truckster"

[youngrodder]

I had the day off Friday so my son and I took a lot of parts to the stripper/de-ruster. I took my frame their previously and it came back great. I also started further installing my Accuair setup. Check out these compression fittings. They are great for LS swaps. I didn't feel like flaring my 3/8 SS fuel line so I'm using these fittings. One end (pictured) will screw into the quick disconnect fitting for the fuel regulator. The other end will attach to braided gas line like I used back by the tank. Leaving Thursday for Columbus Goodguys show. It's a great show and a chance to catch up with some guys from this site.

[youngrodder]

Sooo I have been steadily plugging along. Notable progress to date since my last update:
* Installed my Accuair set up 99% complete
* Torn down my LS1 and built it back up with new internal goodies and a stage 3 cam.
* Took several parts the powdercoater (bumper brackets, seat mount plates). I also had my headers thermo coated. They are in a cool titanium color. I get some pics of those later
* Ordered a boat load of parts. Holley front drive and intake, Vintage Air AC unit, new Digital Dakota gauges and several other odds and ends.

I have many interior parts (seat frames, window moldings) and engine compartment parts at my painter getting body worked.

Yesterday and mobile sandblast unit came out to the house to blast the interior. It turned out great. No real surprises. I also started modifying my dash by removing the lower section that hangs down. I then will fab an lower dash panel to house the AC controls and vents. I did this same modification on my 48. I like how clean the dash looks by removing the lower section.

I need to get my trans rebuilt next week then my drive train other than paint will be in good shape.

The goal now is driving by Spring 2020.


Thanks
Marc

[mongocanfly]

Looks great Marc..where did you get the dash piece for the ac?

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Looks great Marc..where did you get the dash piece for the ac?

Greg-

The piece I'm holding is what I removed. In the picture attached is the lower dash panel from my 48 truck. I will make one similar for my Suburban.

Thanks
Marc

[oldman3]

Marc, moving right along, nice job on the clean up of interior, looking forward to more pics and updates...Jim

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Marc, moving right along, nice job on the clean up of interior, looking forward to more pics and updates...Jim

Thanks Jim...Since the 48 sold, I have really been working on this a lot more in hopes of getting it on the road next Spring. The kids laugh because every day there a re new parts on the front step.

Marc

[mongocanfly]

Oh ...ok ...I wasnt paying attention..I see now...

[99 to Life]

thats cool they came out to blast it. what did that run if you don't mind me asking? nice progress.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

thats cool they came out to blast it. what did that run if you don't mind me asking? nice progress.

It wasn't cheap but I didn't trust my body cart to hold up strapped down to a trailer going down the crappy MI roads. I paid $600...More than I wanted to spend but my time saved running it to and from a blaster is worth something as well.

We got most of it in epoxy primer yesterday as well..

Thanks
Marc

[99 to Life]

Yah if you really add up all the time and headache taking the body somewhere, than worrying about it really getting done or stolen (some places keep stuff outside) I think $600 is ok.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

Yah if you really add up all the time and headache taking the body somewhere, than worrying about it really getting done or stolen (some places keep stuff outside) I think $600 is ok.

Thanks, yes the more I though about it I was more OK with the price. The kid that blasted it was nice and he allowed me to keep bringing him small odds and end stuff to blast while he was set up like my seat springs and stuff. I also take stuff to a local chemical stripper. They did my 3 suburban seats frames and all of my interior and exterior window trim, Inner front fenders and other miscellaneous parts for $250.00.

Marc

[youngrodder]

Moving along. Last night we got the interior shot with epoxy primer. That was a relief as I was stressing that it would flash rust before I got primer on it. I like how the crusty exterior looks in contrast to the clean interior.....Its amazing how much better things look when they are all the same color.

Next I will order some raptor liner to fully coat the floors (top/bottom) and the backsides of the fenders...

Marc

[dug224]

Just thumbed back thru your entire build. Man, you've come a long way. Great craftsmanship.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by dug224

Just thumbed back thru your entire build. Man, you've come a long way. Great craftsmanship.

Thank you...its fun to go back thru a build thread to see the progress because at times it doesn't seem like I've done much.

Marc

[joedoh]

looks nice man!

[youngrodder]

Well I have been ordering more parts and plugging along. I got my trans back from being rebuilt. I got the new Dakota Digital HDX gauges in silver. I ordered a LS1 wiring harness for the motor. I went with one from BP Automotive. I ordered a larger stall converter to better match my cam and set up. I went with a Circle D Specialties (3 - 3,300). I have been busy welding up the dash to clean that up. This weekend I got my engine and trans in epoxy primer, I installed my sending until from CCP that I purchased. I also finished my fuel (supply line). I need to get busy and pick a color for my drivetrain.

Next weekend I'm going to try to get my underside coated in Raptor liner.

Thanks
Marc

[youngrodder]

I also mounted my AC bulk head. I plan to run the AC hoses on the back side of the fenders out of sight. I stole the location of the bulkhead from someone else I saw on IG... Oh and not to worry, I plan to clean up my crappy welds prior to coating it all in raptor liner. I'm no too concerned at this point as the raptor liner covers up a lot of imperfections.

Marc

[mongocanfly]

those are some sweet looking gauges Marc..!!!!!

[reaper71]

Well crap!
Wish I would have thought of running my A/C bulkhead like that!

Mark

[oldman3]

Marc, looking good my friend...Jim

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

those are some sweet looking gauges Marc..!!!!!

Thanks I dig them too. They have a lot of add on functionality. I added ambient temp sensor. You could also add air pressure sensors and it would display individual bag/tank pressure. I decided not to add that but all of the info shows up in the small led screen

Originally Posted by reaper71

Well crap!
Wish I would have thought of running my A/C bulkhead like that!

Lets hold enthusiasm until after I hook the whole system up. Again I stole the idea from someone else's build being done at a shop.

Mark

Originally Posted by oldman3

Marc, looking good my friend...Jim

Thanks Jim

[ptc]

Marc - wow, have come along way since Ive been here last, looking really good. This is probably going to be something in my realm of next projects with the g-kids growing up... Not enough room in a pickup truck!

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by ptc

Marc - wow, have come along way since Ive been here last, looking really good. This is probably going to be something in my realm of next projects with the g-kids growing up... Not enough room in a pickup truck!

Welcome back..

Yes, I've been trashing ever since I sold my 48 truck (one might say making up for lost time). Other than wheels/tire and seats being recovered I have a most all of the big dollar parts purchased. I really want to drive this next spring. Next on the list is to spray raptor liner on the top/bottom sides of the floors. I almost go to it this weekend but I ran out of time.

Marc

[youngrodder]

Well I continue to work toward getting the interior of the body all set. So to date I have done the following to the inside of the body. I sandblasted, then epoxy primed, epoxy seam sealed and finally coated the top and bottoms of the floors and wheel wells with Raptor liner. it's pretty much water proof. Pretty happy with how it is shaping up. Just because is it rusty outside doesn't mean that it has to be inside. I even seam sealed the back sides of the doors. In the pics you can see where I had a small patch in the bottom of each door.

[99 to Life]

nice progress. I ran my heater hoses through that same location on my one build. Looks great.