48 Burb, bagged, 5.3, 20 year wait

[oldman3]

Looks great under the car and on top, very nice work and well thought out. Happy New Year...Jim

[99 to Life]

killing it, everything is panning out great. hows the wife?

[CHIZZLER]

floors look great. we had to tunnel through the seat riser on mine to get it to sit low. Hope all gets better with the wife.

[1948GMC]

I swear I have seen that truck in the background in the 6th pic u posted it was sitting at a shop don't remember where I saw it.

[oldman3]

Nice sunrise, it was overcast here and besides I was still in bed ...Jim

[T-P Auto]

Good Morning ;

Here are a couple of pic;
This was New Years Day 2015;
Here in the southwest(Northen New Mexico)

T-P Auto
Tim

[reaper71]

Looking better and better every time!!!

[hotrodelrod]

Nice work AD and what a shop! Good to see you get some time in. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Hope all works out

[Advanced Design]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the comments and especially the prayers! Wife is feeling better today so she insisted I go to the shop. She really wanted me to stay off Ebay and Craigs since I kept finding vehicles I wanted to buy.

Last floor piece went in and I even cut the hole for the differential in the correct location. Wow.

Drilled a ton of holes every 3 inches with a 5/16" diameter for plug welding.

Welded the floor in place. Next up is to build a cover over the differential hole.

Guys, I am way up for suggestions on the cover. I have in mind a simple 2" tall box made with 16 gauge....not very inspired. If I was a metal shaper a blister shape would look good. And the box would be covered by a rear seat...or if no rear seat could cover it with an old cooler / tool box / wood box / etc with no bottom in it.

Other ideas?

[ratty 46]

Nicely done ... lots of lay out time before it goes under the drill!!

R46

[99 to Life]

wow looking good. I'd just keep it moving, make a simple box, esp if your gonna cover it. I mean yeah any reason to make a cool teardrop would be cool but this is the 20yr wait right? On a side note.... something that would add a tad bit more time is those openings above the wheels. I can't help to think a cool sliding door on each side that would let you have access to that area, as like a hidden compartment or an endless amount of things you can put in there.

[ratty 46]

Oh ... I'm with 99 to life on the compartments ... I hadn't really noticed the space till he pointed that out. I like the sliding doors for a stash area ...

[youngrodder]

AD-

I like something other than a square box if you are thinking of carpet over the metal. It might make it a challenge to cover a square.

This might sound funny but you could by a large metal bowl for like salads and stuff and just weld it in.

Here is an idea of what I'm talking about. Not necessarily SS but you get the general idea.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50057254/

You can get them in different diameters and you could even cut them down to the height that you wanted. Ok quit laughing...

Marc

[oldman3]

Doug, Marc came up with a great ideal. I don't like the square box, you could also do a mini wheel tub, like the two on the side just smaller. 99 nailed it with the hidden compartments. Boy these wives surprize you sometimes don't they...Jim

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by ratty 46

Nicely done ... lots of lay out time before it goes under the drill!!

R46

Thanks R46! It does take time. Did you notice all the squiggle mark out lines in the middle picture? I traced all the braces and edge lines from underneath then somehow switched the floor panel end for end to mark out holes for body mounts. Even had the panel marked front / back,,,ugh,

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

wow looking good. I'd just keep it moving, make a simple box, esp if your gonna cover it. I mean yeah any reason to make a cool teardrop would be cool but this is the 20yr wait right? On a side note.... something that would add a tad bit more time is those openings above the wheels. I can't help to think a cool sliding door on each side that would let you have access to that area, as like a hidden compartment or an endless amount of things you can put in there.

Yeah 99, I am thinking box is pretty quick. Have the materials and could knock it out after church. Hmm...lots of storage to the side like a 1980's Buick Electra wagon. Maybe.

Originally Posted by youngrodder

AD-

I like something other than a square box if you are thinking of carpet over the metal. It might make it a challenge to cover a square.

This might sound funny but you could by a large metal bowl for like salads and stuff and just weld it in.

Here is an idea of what I'm talking about. Not necessarily SS but you get the general idea.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50057254/

You can get them in different diameters and you could even cut them down to the height that you wanted. Ok quit laughing...

Marc

Hey Marc I am not laughing! I was looking for an old differential cover, didn't have one I could find then was thinking of our big stainless salad bowl. I used a sink drain for the fuel surround through the truck bed on the 48. Love your alternative idea!

Originally Posted by oldman3

Doug, Marc came up with a great ideal. I don't like the square box, you could also do a mini wheel tub, like the two on the side just smaller. 99 nailed it with the hidden compartments. Boy these wives surprize you sometimes don't they...Jim

Marc sure did. Mini wheel tub...hmmm....maybe something like two trailer fenders cut down and welded together...http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Fend...9X32-1RWB.html
Wouldn't be too difficult to make. Still like the salad bowl idea. Will be thinking about it. Jim, They sure do - Proverbs 31:10.

Thinking I could make use of this half roll I have.... Cut it down to size, will have flat sides.

Thanks guys,
Doug

[reaper71]

Looking really good...The bowl Idea is pretty cool, your's with the half round is pretty cool as well..would be easier to cover with carpet etc. Providing it is also covered with the rear seat and not getting in the way of passenger feet..

[Drifters]

I like the 48 project! I'm doing a 52 I look forword to seeing your progress.

[ratty 46]

AD - don't think I'd use the design you previously scrapped ... how bout a small "bubble" cover for the pumpkin top?? Something to resemble the wheel tubs ....

I know you can do it!!

[Advanced Design]

Thanks Drifters! - If you are building a Suburban please consider a build thread...we can all learn from each other.

R46 - You are right, won't be going back with those big wheel tubs.

I put together mock ups of everyone's ideas. Great input guys! Jim and R46 are hitting on what would look good....mimic the wheel tubs on the side scaled down to cover the hole. Will see about making some or possibly using the tops of AD truck fenders cut down.....unless someone has some stock suburban wheel tubs for cheap?

Here are some of the ideas in rough draft stage -

Pic 1 - Bowl with rounded top to be cut down to right height.

Pic 2 - The half roll to be cut down to fit with flat sides.

Pic 3 - The half roll on its side to be cut to 2 inch height with a flat top.

Pic 4 - Square box that I initially have in mind.

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas guys.

[Drifters]

I think mimic the tubs! Picture two maybe radius the caps to match the factory tubs! Keep that original look and tin when possible! Just one guys opinion!!!

[Number98]

Well AD, I must apologize as I had not read through your build until tonight and I gotta say, you have done some really great metal work! I am loving the Burb, but I have a soft spot for them

I will be following you on this one!

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by Number98

Well AD, I must apologize as I had not read through your build until tonight and I gotta say, you have done some really great metal work! I am loving the Burb, but I have a soft spot for them

I will be following you on this one!

Thanks 98, I've never replaced an entire floor before and I got a bit lucky on this one. Burb fan here too...almost bought a 72 in Atlanta last spring that was built by West Coast Customs (black with green flames). I love them all.

Really enjoying she's a total Betty!

[ratty 46]

How bout a "top" & 4 sides laying at a slight angle ... /----\

With some circle beads on the sides for looks & strength.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by ratty 46

How bout a "top" & 4 sides laying at a slight angle ... /----\

With some circle beads on the sides for looks & strength.

Great idea R46....like a chopped off pyramid. First going for mimicing the shape of the wheel tubs...wanting to move forward to get er done and going to cool my jets to see if I can do this.

Really appreciate the ideas and feedback guys. You all are helping me to raise my bar.

[ratty 46]

You are correct ... a chopped pyramid. IMO it'll set well, alone, in the middle of the rear versus the "tub" style ... but that's just my opinion ...

R46