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.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Thanks again to Youngrodder who clued me in on removing the driver seat riser. The rear flange was spot welded in place and the plywood was on top of the flange, hiding the spot welds. So with Youngrodders advice I was able to remove the seat riser without damaging it.

It is in really good shape so all we did was clean it and paint the inside. Just doing a test fitting and thinking this might be a good position for the PCM. Will plug weld the riser in later once I have the wiring and PCM mounting sorted out.

And it is more comfortable laying on a flat floor working under the dash anyways.

It's funny you say this as I was working on repairing the back of my seat riser yesterday where I cut the rear flange off. It didn't realize how to do it correctly until cutting mine out.

Did you have (2) support brackets that went between the floor and the seat riser to support the seat? If so can you snap me a couple pics of yours as mine were a little mangled and I need to fab a new set.

Looks great I really like bottom of the body shot.

Marc

[Advanced Design]

Thanks guys, appreciate the comments.

Chizzler, your truck is really low...wow, through the seat riser.

48 GMC, that was the shop truck for Trick Trucks and Rods in Camden, OH. He sold it last year to somebody in KY....just before I got there to buy it!

Marc, here are a couple pic's for you. If you need more info let me know. ...totally spaced this support so glad you asked! You saved me again...hmmm, I only have the one..?

Also, first sunrise of the new year here was pretty nice.

[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

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Thanks guys, appreciate the comments.

Chizzler, your truck is really low...wow, through the seat riser.

48 GMC, that was the shop truck for Trick Trucks and Rods in Camden, OH. He sold it last year to somebody in KY....just before I got there to buy it!

Marc, here are a couple pic's for you. If you need more info let me know. ...totally spaced this support so glad you asked! You saved me again...hmmm, I only have the one..?

Also, first sunrise of the new year here was pretty nice.

AD-

Tell your garage assistant that he did a great job holding the tape measure. Thanks for the pics. I have two braces but they are identical. I don't believe Chevrolet manufactured a left and right. It looks like the same brace. I just need to recreate the bottom of the braces. What is the other floor? pic you showed? I don't recall seeing anything like that on my original floor pan.

I'm getting closer on being able to re-weld my seat riser in place. Then I can mount the seat and weld in the feet for the small passenger jump seat. I spent about 6 hrs in the garage the last few nights. Nothing photo worthy just welding followed by grinding (and repeat).

Marc

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

AD-

Tell your garage assistant that he did a great job holding the tape measure. Thanks for the pics. I have two braces but they are identical. I don't believe Chevrolet manufactured a left and right. It looks like the same brace. I just need to recreate the bottom of the braces. What is the other floor? pic you showed? I don't recall seeing anything like that on my original floor pan.

I'm getting closer on being able to re-weld my seat riser in place. Then I can mount the seat and weld in the feet for the small passenger jump seat. I spent about 6 hrs in the garage the last few nights. Nothing photo worthy just welding followed by grinding (and repeat).

Marc

Jim - It was kinda nice to see some sun!

Tim - Nice snow, we've only had a little here.

Marc - I will let the Grandson know. He likes to be with Pampaw in the shop. The other mount shown was for passenger seat. Here is a better picture showing the mount in relation to the driver side mount. Glad you are getting some shop time!..grelding...

Getting the body back on the frame, though temporary, is a bit motivational.

[youngrodder]

I see. Thanks for the pics. I don't recall seeing anything like that on mine but it might be my shotty memory. I will figure it out. The body looks great back on the frame.

Marc

[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!!!