My suburban's Twisted Little Sister

[Bomp]

I can't keep my mind off this build.
You've inspired me to start on my second build.(When Steiner allows)

Looking great, waiting eagerly on the hinges report.

[Grizz1963]

Good to be back on with this build.

You have got a lot done.... And impressive.

I will get started as soon as I finish writing up my US road trip on my thread.

[65sub]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Looking forward to seeing how the hinges install and work. Lotta thinking in those I am sure.

I spent quite a while on the design so hopefully they will work.

Originally Posted by Bomp

I can't keep my mind off this build.
You've inspired me to start on my second build.(When Steiner allows)

Looking great, waiting eagerly on the hinges report.

Glad I can help. Working on two builds is something I can't do. I have to focus on one at a time. More work on the hinges this weekend.

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Good to be back on with this build.

You have got a lot done.... And impressive.

I will get started as soon as I finish writing up my US road trip on my thread.

Thanks Rian. Good to have you back. I'm really enjoying the road trip stories.



We spent most of today making the pieces for the corner of the upper door frame

[65sub]

The last piece of the corner had to be made in two parts and welded together.

[Johnny_Lamebridge]

Dale, I've been super busy with work and family stuff, but I like to pop in when I can to see how things are developing. Keep the good work!

Anything happening with the Jag motor, or is it ready to drop in?

[65sub]

Originally Posted by Johnny_Lamebridge

Dale, I've been super busy with work and family stuff, but I like to pop in when I can to see how things are developing. Keep the good work!

Anything happening with the Jag motor, or is it ready to drop in?

Hi John I can understand busy with life. Family has to come first. Not to much progress this week as we have been trying to catch up on all the welding for the center roof. The motor is fairly low mileage so doesn't really need anything but I am going to change the fuel injection. The Jaguar manifolds bend down over the cam covers but I'll make something more vertical.


Here's a couple of things that showed up today
New dash
Front Shockwaves
Air tank and compressors

[Grizz1963]

I do try not to reply every time you post, but I feel I have to say something, or else my head will explode.

Those corners look good, and the bags etc.... Wellllll...?

[lower50's]

Nice toys!!!!

[Nut Case]

How did you establish ride height both front and rear? I'm going to do a 57 GMC with 96 C-4 front and rear using shockwaves on all four corners. Any details would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance Nut Case.

I thought is was nutty, Jaguar and Vette in the same vehicle. Boy oh Boy, I love it.

[65sub]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

I do try not to reply every time you post, but I feel I have to say something, or else my head will explode.

Those corners look good, and the bags etc.... Wellllll...?

Thanks Rian I really don't want your head to explode but I'm glad you're enjoying my build.

Originally Posted by lower50's

Nice toys!!!!

Thanks Lower

Originally Posted by Nut Case

How did you establish ride height both front and rear? I'm going to do a 57 GMC with 96 C-4 front and rear using shockwaves on all four corners. Any details would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance Nut Case.

I thought is was nutty, Jaguar and Vette in the same vehicle. Boy oh Boy, I love it.

Hi Nut Case. Well maybe we are a little nuts too. To find ride height I had a complete car and measured from the ground to the center of the rear end and to a lower A arm bolt. Also remember to allow for different sized tires. I bolted the suspension to a table and built the frame to fit. My frame will be 4" off the ground at ride height and 1" aired out. Are you going to use the Corvette crossmember or after market.


I finished the prototype hinge so here's a couple of pictures of it closed and opened

[Nut Case]

65 Sub, I'm using Flat out front cross member. See if this makes sense. Using the center of the axel, with suspension at settled ride height as a start, then calculate the frame location and attachment points from there? Then bottom of bumpers/roll pans to mother earth. Please put in your 2 cents, thanks Nut Case.
FYI in still in the planning stage, we are down sizing and moving to another house/garage. Therefore trying to get as many ideas now to avoid possible do overs.

[65sub]

Originally Posted by Nut Case

65 Sub, I'm using Flat out front cross member. See if this makes sense. Using the center of the axel, with suspension at settled ride height as a start, then calculate the frame location and attachment points from there? Then bottom of bumpers/roll pans to mother earth. Please put in your 2 cents, thanks Nut Case.
FYI in still in the planning stage, we are down sizing and moving to another house/garage. Therefore trying to get as many ideas now to avoid possible do overs.

It sounds like you have a good start on your plan. I assume Flatout will have instructions for setting the crossmember height . When you're setting the frame height check which is lower the frame or the rockers. I think on the 55-59 the rockers are lower but I'm not positive. Remember the tire diameter will affect the suspension ride height. If I was doing it I would figure out the frame height before I removed the body from the frame. Have you looked at Farmersid's build in the 47-59 section http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632938 He built his own crossmember and also has some good info on rotating the hydraulic lines on the rack and pinion


We have been busy catching up on some of the welding but we did do some new work today. We finished the round corner on the front of the upper door opening

[Advanced Design]

Very beefy looking mounts / hinges. The corners look good too. Very nice.

[pimpston65]

Smoke and mirrors, he's really building a 1:24th scale model of a burban!!! ps whats going on with that V12????

[LT1 Burb]

Just went through all 15 pages and all I can say is WOW, nice work.

[65sub]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Very beefy looking mounts / hinges. The corners look good too. Very nice.

Thanks A.D. Unfortunately that hinge needs some redesign work so stay tuned for version two coming soon.

Originally Posted by pimpston65

Smoke and mirrors, he's really building a 1:24th scale model of a burban!!! ps whats going on with that V12????

I'll stick to full size, making all these parts in 1/24 scale would be a pain. The V12 is just sitting and waiting for the rest of the truck to catch up.

Originally Posted by LT1 Burb

Just went through all 15 pages and all I can say is WOW, nice work.

Thanks LT1


We finally got the drivers side upper door opening corners built.

[deejaaa1]

OMG! what is takin' so long with this build? just kidding! looks great so far.

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by deejaaa1

OMG! what is takin' so long with this build? just kidding! looks great so far.

its taking soo long cuz its gonna look factory, vs a hack job like mine!!!

[65sub]

Originally Posted by deejaaa1

OMG! what is takin' so long with this build? just kidding! looks great so far.

Thanks deejaaa. Building the upper door frame really has taken a lot of time. About 10 weeks since we started.

Originally Posted by pimpston65

its taking soo long cuz its gonna look factory, vs a hack job like mine!!!

I don't know about factory Pimpston but we'll do our best. With all the NOS parts you are using I don't think " hack job " will describe yours.


Since the upper door frames are about done we thought we would tackle some other projects. We decided to start by finishing the rear frame and body mounting. The first step was to remove the rear door sill and add a brace across the opening

[pimpston65]

Since the upper door frames are about done we thought we would tackle some other projects. We decided to start by finishing the rear frame and body mounting. The first step was to remove the rear door sill and add a brace across the opening[/QUOTE]

please show a detailed repair of this part, cuz I converted my barn doors to clams. I have all the parts, i just would like to see it don't by someone with skills first before I get to chop,cuttin and rebuilding my own...

[65sub]

Pimpston. I'm not doing a repair on the rear sill. We're going to make up our own panels and extend the upper gate into a single rear hatch. Do you have a barn door sill that you are adding lower gate hinge pockets to or are you changing the whole sill


Today we made a couple of corners and some reenforcing plates. Then we welded the corners to the frame. Next we welded on two strait pieces where the rear bumper will mount.

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by 65sub

Pimpston. I'm not doing a repair on the rear sill. We're going to make up our own panels and extend the upper gate into a single rear hatch. Do you have a barn door sill that you are adding lower gate hinge pockets to or are you changing the whole sill


Today we made a couple of corners and some reenforcing plates. Then we welded the corners to the frame. Next we welded on two strait pieces where the rear bumper will mount.

im switching to full clams, I have the lower valance and the gates. I mocked the upper gate already. I was just was thinking it would be cool to see you tackle any issue on the lower gate first. of course your going full custom so no issues on your part. ps I have a 3 truck garage now so I cant be your shop rat for awhile!!!

[CURSED GEARS]

Just read all 15 pages. I love over the top builds. Had to mark your thread so I don't lose it!

[lower50's]

Great work guys. I'm really hoping to come see this thing when the snow is gone this spring when I get my '52 on the road. Keep it up this thing is awesome!!

[65sub]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

im switching to full clams, I have the lower valance and the gates. I mocked the upper gate already. I was just was thinking it would be cool to see you tackle any issue on the lower gate first. of course your going full custom so no issues on your part. ps I have a 3 truck garage now so I cant be your shop rat for awhile!!!

I don't think the lower valance will be hard to replace. Just one bolt and some spot welds at each end. I'm sure you won't have any issues. When does reassembly start?

Originally Posted by CURSED GEARS

Just read all 15 pages. I love over the top builds. Had to mark your thread so I don't lose it!

Well thanks for joining in on our fun. We do like to build things that are different

Originally Posted by lower50's

Great work guys. I'm really hoping to come see this thing when the snow is gone this spring when I get my '52 on the road. Keep it up this thing is awesome!!

Thanks Lower. It would be great if you and your diesel could come and visit. Just let me know when.


The next part of mounting the rear of the body is widening the wheel wells and welding them to the frame. So we started by cutting them in half. Then we cut the inside to fit the frame. Next we spot welded some backing strips to the edges and set the piece in place to measure for the patch.