61 Suburban 4x4 on 87 Frame

[BucketOfBurban]

Now I just need to sell all the original running gear to help finance the new running gear!

[GMC Sub4x4]

Looks very promising. Are you doing a 4x4 or 2wd?

[BucketOfBurban]

Im converting it to 4x4. I feel bad to pass on the original running gear and V-6 motor beacause the previous owner spent most all of his time and money restoring it but Im just more of a 4x4 guy plus Im anxious to retrofit all the modern luxuries in the old sheetmetal. Im still looking for my donor truck, but Im not in a big hurry to find it, Ive got plent of other things to work on. Did you have to modify any of the inner fenders or the fire wall? Have you looked into using the 87 a/c box and controlers?

[GMC Sub4x4]

Did not have to modify the firewall or inner fenders. I did however have to use a different radiator as the lower outlet of the original came out directly into the 87' front crossmember. Other than that pretty straightforward. Plan to start working on it again this winter.

[GMC Sub4x4]

I was able to spend the Thanksgiving break working on my Suburban again. After nearly 3 years, the frame and body are one again, if only temporarily for some mock-up and fabrication.

[GMC Sub4x4]

These pics show the newer 87' type body bushings. They are Hyperflex poly units. I had the donut washers powder coated black.

[GMC Sub4x4]

I started mounting the new seats. The front seats are out of an 07' extended cab chevy pickup. They are power passenger and driver seats. They will be re-upholstered over the next few months. I found the extended cab seats were the ones I wanted because they have the entry lever that flips the seat forward for access to the rear seats. I mounted the passanger seat about 4" farther forward than the drivers so as to have better access to the back. Now I can flip the passanger seat forward and slide it all the way forward for pretty decent access to the back seats. Not as good of access as factory seats, but I wanted newer, more comfortable seating. Built in seat belts are a definate plus.

[GMC Sub4x4]

I used 2" wide steel as re-enforcment plates for the seat mounting bolts. I welded nuts to the plates for easy installation of the seats later. I plug welded the plates to the floor to keep them in place.

[GMC Sub4x4]

Some pics of the mounted seats. The center console is out of a 2012 Chevy truck.

[GMC Sub4x4]

Just getting started on the rear seat mounts. Seats are the third row removable suburban seats.

[piratexpress1369a]

those seats look comfy

[BucketOfBurban]

Look what I found today!Attachment 1185673

[1963c-10]

Great fab work and looks like your making good headway on the project.

[piratexpress1369a]

Originally Posted by BucketOfBurban

Look what I found today!Attachment 1185673

you found it where and did you buy lol

[GMC Sub4x4]

Been working on my dash extension. I used newer F-150 vents I purchased on ebay. I also purchased some DOM tubing that is very close to the diameter of the vent so I could recess it into my dash and dash extension. I also molded the steering column opening to fit my 87 column

[GMC Sub4x4]

I drilled and tapped the DOM tubing so I could use set screws to hold the F-150 vents in place.

[GMC Sub4x4]

Now onto the in dash vents. Same process, on these I used some 2-1/2" exhaust tubing that I welded to the DOM so I could attach my AC/Heater hose.
I also cut in my Vintage Air AC/Heat control. This is the new controller that comes in the Sure Fit kit for 60-63. I is made to go in the factory location, but I moved it down into my dash extension.

[GMC Sub4x4]

I modified the 4X4 shifter and linkage from the 87 to fit into my 61 body. All I had to do is cut a hole and extend the linkage a few inches. I also had to shorted the shifter a bit because it was too close to the bottom of my dash extension.

[GMC Sub4x4]

Here is a few pics of my Vintage Air Sure fit condenser kit. It really did fit well, even with my aftermarket radiator set-up

[GMC Sub4x4]

Here I had to modify the body lines on the inner door bottom to mount my speakers flush. I also cut holes and test fit my component tweeters

[GMC Sub4x4]

For some reason the door gap on the passenger door right here was really tight. I sliced the A piller with a cut off wheel, pounded the gap closed and welded it back together. Worked really well

[GMC Sub4x4]

As my front fenders were completely rotted out, I ordered new ones from Classic Industries. One, somewhat polite, word to describe them is lousy. They don't fit at all and are made out of a lighter gauge steel. The inner front pieces were spot welded in so crooked I had to drill the spot welds and try to move it into the correct place. I ended up welding in the front seam as it was too far off to ever look correct. With hours of modifying them, they fit decent.

[GMC Sub4x4]

These are the mounts I fabbed up under the back of the Suburban for the back seats. The original seats were mostly mounted to the plywood floor. Since my new seats have built in seat belts, I wanted a more secure mount

[Modges'66]

I feel your pain!
I went through the same exercise with my front fenders, trying to make them look acceptable!
Good work!

[GMC Sub4x4]

I filled all the holes in my firewall for a smoother look. About 56 holes in all.