'53 Burb build

[Iceburgh]

Been trying to get this thread posted for a while.
I picked up a '53 suburban in Long Island about 6 weeks ago.
Not bad , I was told it came from Ca. but I cant confirm that.
Toe boards have been replaced as have the inner kick panels. The rear fenders have had some work and I would like to replace the passenger side. Rear doors , passenger side is great the drivers side needs work and again I would like to replace if possible.
Fenders and hood are great as is the roof. The doors are good except for the bottoms inside but that is a easy fix.
Wood floor needs replaced as does the floor on the passenger side .
Plans are to put in a LS motor, mustang II and leaf springs in the back. No bags but get it down to about 5" off the ground.
Me along with my FIL and uncle will do all the work and a buddy will do the paint. Hope to have it at his shop ready for paint by Aug-Sept time frame.
I have built or helped build 7 or 8 trucks, always used Camaro clips and small blocks. The mustang II and LS will be different for us but I like the challenge.
I am sure I will have many questions.
The suspension is in boxes in the garage as is the LS just need to get cracking on this thing....but that damn thing called work continues to get in the way
Almost forgot.....finding the turn signal bezels is like finding the winning lottery ticket



















Just arrived today



My truck....now you can see why I let a buddy of mine do the paint. True artist



what it started as


A few others we have done
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/iceburgh/library/truck


http://smg.photobucket.com/user/iceb...franks%20truck

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/iceb...ary/hot%20rods

[hopped up]

Cool burb, great plans going with the ls motor. Look forward to updates

[oldman3]

Nice solid looking ride,and a beautiful pickup. I've had the MII in several cars and trucks and really like them. If you don't mine changing up a little you can have the same look for the turn signals. I got a kit from Watson's, not sure it they still offer them, this was about 10 yrs ago. Here's a couple pics...Jim

[xpickup]

Iceburgh, man that burb is in great shape. It is going to be nice. 5 inches is about were my panel sets of the ground. You should be alright in the PA roads. I seen you buddies truck at the nats east and is a very nice truck.


Shannon

[youngrodder]

Iceburge-

Looks good. Did you remove the wood in one peice or cut it up in order to remove it? The reason that I ask is I was told that it was very difficult to remove with the body on.

Also I see now there is someone that offers the quarter patch panels. I see your driver side has been cut out. I have to do the same repair on mine. It was packed full of dirt and a huge mouse nest.

Looks great so far.

Marc

[Iceburgh]

Shannon....thanks. That is my truck. My buddy did the paint work. Live just north of Carlisle so not far from you.

YR it is a PIA for sure.. You will notice there are 4 braces that run from frame rail to frame rail as support and they are hard to get at in addition to all the bolts that run down along all the sides.
I used a hole saw around all the heads that went down to the cross members, ground off all the heads to bolts on that are exposed arond the edge and bent it up slightly. I plan on coving this when finished with carpet so not a big deal for me, removed the gas tank. From there 3 or 4 cuts with a saws all and it was out.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Iceburgh

Shannon....thanks. That is my truck. My buddy did the paint work. Live just north of Carlisle so not far from you.

YR it is a PIA for sure.. You will notice there are 4 braces that run from frame rail to frame rail as support and they are hard to get at in addition to all the bolts that run down along all the sides.
I used a hole saw around all the heads that went down to the cross members, ground off all the heads to bolts on that are exposed arond the edge and bent it up slightly. I plan on coving this when finished with carpet so not a big deal for me, removed the gas tank. From there 3 or 4 cuts with a saws all and it was out.

Good to know. I plan on removing the body, so maybe that will aid me in getting the floor out. I would like to keep it in tact as much as possible to use as a template for the new floor.

Since you are going with EFI, what are you doing for a gas tank. Do you have that figured out yet? With the 3-4 burb builds going on we can learn a lot from one another.

You seem to have lucked out that your suburban has all of the hard to find items (minus 3 rows of seats). I need to locate a few odds and ends for mine.

Marc

[Iceburgh]

I think as far as the tank I am going to use the original size and location just have one built with baffels and with an opening to go with a in tank pump. From what I understand ( not sure) I will need a return line as well.
Docs tanks have bulit my others so I will look to them to build one
http://www.docskustom.com/shop/viewc....php?groupid=3

As far as I tems needed it was pretty much complete. The original owner had the oother 2 rows of seats but I did not want them. They needed covered and I was not going to use them. If you need I can put you in touch with him.
All I am missing are turn signal bexels and the door stops ( not sure of the technicalk term) it is the part that holds the rear doors from swining open to far.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Iceburgh

I think as far as the tank I am going to use the original size and location just have one built with baffels and with an opening to go with a in tank pump. From what I understand ( not sure) I will need a return line as well.
Docs tanks have bulit my others so I will look to them to build one
http://www.docskustom.com/shop/viewc....php?groupid=3

As far as I tems needed it was pretty much complete. The original owner had the oother 2 rows of seats but I did not want them. They needed covered and I was not going to use them. If you need I can put you in touch with him.
All I am missing are turn signal bexels and the door stops ( not sure of the technicalk term) it is the part that holds the rear doors from swining open to far.

Thanks but I have all three rows. You should have picked up the seats they are worth close to $1,000 without any covering. You could have resold them to make some $$ back. The previous owner probably knew that. The part you are refereing to is called a barn door check arm. I have (2) for the driver side. If I can locate the passenger side I need, I can sell you my extra driver side. BTW the ones for the panel trucks are different (bulkier) but they would bolt up. I also need (1) SS window trim with handle and (2) SS window trim with no pull handle.

Some guys are using s-10 blazer gas tanks relocated behind the rear end between the framerails. They would have been fuel injected.

Marc

[Iceburgh]

Marc not sure what window trim you are talking about but I am not using my side windows if you need any parts. I am using the interior trim but that is it

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Iceburgh

Marc not sure what window trim you are talking about but I am not using my side windows if you need any parts. I am using the interior trim but that is it

Iceburgh-

Deal...I sent to a PM with pics of what I need.
I appreciate it.

Marc

[CHIZZLER]

welcome.great lookin start for a project.

[Iceburgh]

Looks like my links don't work from the original post so here is the burb when I started

[Iceburgh]

work in progress....got a ton done in the last few days.
Old floor out, new one in to give strength to the body as it is almost ready to come off.

Motor out and sold...new one will be fitted in the next week.

4" drop off new mustang II going on tomorrow and the rear suspension out and the new leafs going in probably Monday.
Hope to have the Frame to powder coat next Saturday.
I have a bunch of original parts sold but many left if you are looking for something let me know.

[oldman3]

Looking good...Jim

[youngrodder]

Iceburg-

The progress looks great. You have been holding out on us. Now that you have the wood figured out just build a second floor section for your friend in MI....JK Any tips to pass along on that process would be great.

The engine looks great. Give us some more specs on it..

Keep it up.

Marc

[Iceburgh]

Traveling a ton for work so when I am home I get done as much as possible. Home all this week and back out the next two.
What we did with wood was use a full sheet then a smaller sheet on the left. Plans are to finish it and then use chrome strips like in a pickup. This will give it some bling and also cover the seam. You will need a hand held router(dremel makes an attachment) . All edges need routed down as do all areas with cross supports. Toughest are is where it goes over the fram. We routed from 3/4" down to 3/8"

[Iceburgh]

Motor is a LS1 hooked to a 4l60 rebuilt both plus converter basically it is a plug and play unit. Came with everything you need to run except headers. 475hp got it from a performance shop outside Denver.