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#1 |
Where did THAT bolt go?
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Speedway, Indiana
Posts: 306
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1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Here is a little background on my most recent project. In May, 2015 I purchased a Trailblazer SS locally as a doner vehicle. At that time, I wasn't completely sure what Body I was going to use. My intent was to use as much of the Trailblazer as possible. Since this vehicle came with a 400hp LS2, 4l70E trans, 4 wheel disc brakes (Drilled and slotted rotors), nice 20' Wheel with good tires, leather interior, all wheel drive, etc I felt that buying this as a doner vehicle was most likely more cost effective than sourcing all of these parts individually. The price was right on the SS, so I pulled the trigger. I will remove all of the SS wiring, run stand alone engine and transmission computers and wiring harness from PSI.
A few weeks later I found a '66 Suburban body for sale. After verifying a few critical measurements (wheelbase, track width, distance from firewall to grill) I decided a 60 to 66 Chevy would fit pretty well. That was good news for me, as I have owned at least a half dozed of these in either the truck or suburban form. I picked up the Suburban and started cutting... Over the last few months I have repaired rust down the driver side of the Suburban, and shortened the body 3" so the wheel wells would line up with the SS. I actually only needed to shorten it 2", but noticed that the wheels seem to line up better on these when an additional inch is removed. Same amount of work, so why not? Last weekend I removed the entire steel floor section from the Suburban. I will remove the wood floor soon, but wanted to leave as much structure as possible there. My reason for removing the floor from the suburban is I will utlize the floor and firewall from the trailblazer. It allows me to channel the burb as low as I want, retains the proper brake booster, steering shaft locations, as well as seat anchoring points, and NO RUST! I have just started the process of dismantling the SS. I will cut the body off down to the inner rocker panels and firewall, then drop the burb body over the SS and begin the process of filling the gaps and extending the SS floor bracing to the burb inner rockers. While this is alot of work, its the kind of stuff I like to do. Its really not difficult, just alot of measuring, cutting and welding. I will post up pics as I progress. If you have questions, post 'em up!
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The Swiss Car Club......A drinking club with a car problem.... |
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#2 |
Where did THAT bolt go?
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Speedway, Indiana
Posts: 306
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Pics....
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The Swiss Car Club......A drinking club with a car problem.... |
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#3 |
1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60
![]() Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 8,541
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
HOLLY RABIES! that is sick and cool! Im along for this one for sure!
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Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 ![]() ![]() ![]() support our troops! |
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Gonzales, Louisiana 70737
Posts: 263
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Very cool project
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#5 |
1961 crewcab
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: missoula, mt
Posts: 6,164
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
this gonna be cool!
I remember your last build came out nice. signing on...
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60 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=280904 61 crew build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=646830 63 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=336537 64 'burb build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=448681 65 'burb build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590715 65 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=281955 |
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#6 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,858
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
This is going to be a very interesting build.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: canton ga
Posts: 12,728
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Im in .
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: dresden , ontario
Posts: 628
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Old body on a new base. Sounds like a cool idea
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Dale ---------------- My suburban's Twisted Little Sister http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=655167 |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 752
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
This is going to be kickass
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63 1ton Paneltruck build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=627721 Instagram: jaked937 |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cold Lake, AB
Posts: 402
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Watching closely here too
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#11 |
Where did THAT bolt go?
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Speedway, Indiana
Posts: 306
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
I had a very productive day!!!
I drove this to McDonalds for breakfast today, no joke.
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The Swiss Car Club......A drinking club with a car problem.... |
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#12 |
Where did THAT bolt go?
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Speedway, Indiana
Posts: 306
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Sorry, wrong pic
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The Swiss Car Club......A drinking club with a car problem.... |
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#13 |
60-66 Nut
![]() ![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,247
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
I'm shocked at cutting up a Trailblazer SS, but I imagine there is reason for that versus driving it as is.
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Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SLC, UT
Posts: 706
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Looking forward to this as it progresses.
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#15 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,858
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Down here they would not think twice about seeing that in the drive thru.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 09-06-2015 at 09:42 AM. |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cold Lake, AB
Posts: 402
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Wow. That happened fast.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Stanley Co' Durham UK
Posts: 535
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
In the words of Billy F Gibbons "anyone can put one back together, but it takes a real man to cut one up"
I'm signed up!
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Getting old sucks.............but it sure beats the alternative |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Rathdrum ID
Posts: 1,128
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Well that escalated quickly! LOL Takes big brass ones to cut up a 20k rig!
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66 shorty ![]() |
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#19 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: corktown,mi.
Posts: 5,194
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
what did you do with the old burban floor?
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#20 |
Where did THAT bolt go?
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Speedway, Indiana
Posts: 306
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Gave it to a board member, trying to pass on the good will i have recieved in the past.
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The Swiss Car Club......A drinking club with a car problem.... |
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#21 |
Where did THAT bolt go?
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Speedway, Indiana
Posts: 306
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Alright, back at it today. I finished removing the remainder of the sheetmetal. Funny thing, it took 4 hours to remove 90% of the body, and two weeks to remove another 5%.
So at this point, im ready to begin welding in the 2x4 box tubing along the rockers to create the structure to connect the two bodies. I may actually have to remove the burb rockers, to install the box tubing, no big deal. Anyhow, here is a picture, more info to come
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The Swiss Car Club......A drinking club with a car problem.... |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, otherwise known as Beer City U.S.A.
Posts: 1,081
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Wow!
All that I can see there is commitment!!!! You must be pretty sure about this, or you are gonna have a bunch of scrap layin around! I am pretty impressed so far! I can't wait to see this build develop!
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My Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=512904 |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 285
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
I'm in, can't wait to see the body get fitted.
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Rick's 55 TF/Fleetside/LSx build 1958 Corvette LS1/T56 Build 1966 GTO LQ9/T56 Restomod |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Milford, MI
Posts: 159
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Wow, I can't wait to see this one come together. The members of this board never cease to amazing me. So much skill and creativity.
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#25 |
SAVING ONE TRUCK AT A TIME
![]() Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: sherwood oregon
Posts: 1,141
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Re: 1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP
Very cool. Im in.
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53-suburban (99% done) 40-pick up (99.9% done) 12-cc lb dually D-max (dd) 61-crew cab D-max "PAY LESS FOR WHAT YOU NEED PAY MORE FOR WHAT YOU WANT" 53 BURBAN BARN FIND:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=404091 1940 PROJECT MOON SHINE:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551088 1961 CREW MAX: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6957999 |
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