My suburban's Twisted Little Sister

[Grizz1963]

I continue to just love this build.

Front end shaping up nicely too.

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by 65sub

We made some more progress on the headlight buckets. We made a plate for the back. Then we modified the piece the lights mount to. Then we cut two holes in the back plate. Finally we set the pieces in place

now thats just down right unfair!!!

[65sub]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

I continue to just love this build.

Front end shaping up nicely too.

Thanks Rian. It's a slow job but we're making progress.

Originally Posted by pimpston65

now thats just down right unfair!!!

I know, I know, life's not fair.


We have been making the headlight bucket for the other side so there's nothing new to photograph. I did buy a new daily driver a couple of weeks ago. It's a 2002 chevy 1/2 ton stepside with 108,000 kilometres. It has no rust so it must not have seen much winter driving. We'll start modifying it to get me and my wheelchair in and make some hand controls. I'll post updates on for anyone who might be interested.

[Grizz1963]

Booom !!

[mjh1965]

I would be nice to see the hand controls Dale . Will you be loading the wheelchair in the bed or behind you in the cab .

[65sub]

Originally Posted by ibrown50

Nice truck Dale and certainly better than my daily driver ( I'd be too embarrassed to post a picture of my daily)

Thanks Ian.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Definitely...2002 is a great year, but I might be a bit prejudice. Be neat to see what you dfo with it.

Thanks Bill. I like the style too.

Originally Posted by lower50's

Interested in the mods. You sure don't see many extended cab step sides around.

And not many in good condition here in Canada

Originally Posted by mjh1965

I would be nice to see the hand controls Dale . Will you be loading the wheelchair in the bed or behind you in the cab .

I'll show the whole conversion as we go. I drive from my chair so the lift will pick me up and put me behind the steering wheel.


The first part we need to make is a large ( 6" square 5.5 foot long ) telescope. This will support my lift and both front and back doors. To make the telescope slide easily we decided to use skateboard wheels as rollers so we made some brackets and axles. Then we cut some holes in one end of each tube and welded the brackets in place.

[Advanced Design]

With your fab skills this will be interesting!

[Bomp]

Interesting

[lower50's]

Whattttt that's crazy, good thinking.

[piratexpress1369a]

That's awesome Dale

[65sub]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

With your fab skills this will be interesting!

Thanks A.D.

Originally Posted by Bomp

Interesting

Well I'd hate to be boring.

Originally Posted by lower50's

Whattttt that's crazy, good thinking.

Thanks Lower. It's not an original idea. I've seen it done before.

Originally Posted by piratexpress1369a

That's awesome Dale

Thanks Pirate


We got the telescoping tube assembled. we also stripped the interior and masked off dash, headliner and passenger side doors. Then we started cutting out the drivers side floor.

[Grizz1963]

Really enjoying this conversion build Dale.

I do find your thread is one of those that I go to every time anyone posts in it.

I take it that roller system has quite a tight tolerance with minimal wriggling room.

Look forward to the next instalment.

[65sub]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Really enjoying this conversion build Dale.

I do find your thread is one of those that I go to every time anyone posts in it.

I take it that roller system has quite a tight tolerance with minimal wriggling room.

Look forward to the next instalment.

Thanks Rian. I appreciate you following along. The roller system is very tight to prevent any twisting. Here's the next update for you.


We had to make the opening in the floor a little wider. We also had to lower the anti lock brake controller, brake lines, fuel lines and wiring. Then we started making the new floor. We'll do it in two sections so we started at the back.

[Grizz1963]

Morning Dale.

Just noticed the photoshop pic below on a different forum.

Made me smile.


[img]http://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/automatik/8e799d568883.jpg[img/]

Hope all is good with you and your gang.


PS. Failed to copy and paste.

Will save and upload to my photos later.

[piratexpress1369a]

Any update on this

[65sub]

Hi all, Sarah here.

I'm beginning to feel like I'm the bearer of bad news. As some of you know, or may have suspected, Dale has become very, very ill. He is not going to get better, and is in the last bit of his life. The 66 sub project as therefore come to an end, and I will keep the 65 that you see in his profile. I will update this thread with his obituary when the time comes.

Thank you all for everything. He never had a specific goal to be an inspiration, but I know that he was and is to many, myself included.

[pimpston65]

i am very happy to have been on the same forum and build thead with such an awesome person...

[Advanced Design]

So sorry to hear this and yes, he is an inspiration for me. His ideas and fabrication skills are outstanding. Thank you for keeping us posted. Prayers for you all.

[Palf70Step]

So sorry to hear the news Sarah.

[Captainfab]

So very sorry to hear this Sarah.

[Average Joe]

Wow..

I am so very sorry to hear this. He truly is an inspiration.

-Brian

[Grizz1963]

Hi Sarah and the rest of your family.

I am really sorry to hear the news and like many others on here have looked both up to Dale, and also at him for inspiration when getting on with our own builds and lives.

I am at a loss for words on what else to say, which is a rare thing.

But know that your family and Dale will be in many of our prayers and thoughts as we go about our daily lives.

A guy like him makes the world a better place for many of us.

Fondest regards to Dale from England

Rian

[ibrown50]

Hi Sarah
For some things there are no words but as Rian has said above, you will all be in our thoughts and prayers

[mongocanfly]

so sorry to hear this...

[Grizz1963]

Another short, but in my view, necessary update, report, call it what you may.

This Internet has put so many of us in touch with each other, furthered hobbies, friendships etc.

When I bought my Chevy C10 one of the forums I started to frequent was a dedicated truck forum, for all Chevy trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php

On here I along with other people around the world, but specifically in the UK got to meet Dale who was a creative, and driven petrol head and builder. Always supportive, full of advice and gentle, generous and kind in his friendship.

His last amazing build:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=655167

Dale was a Quadroplegic since 1984 after a Motor Vehicle Accident but none of that ever stopped him pursuing any of his hobbies.
As his girls said, he was the tallest man they ever knew, despite never seeing him walk.

Sadly, he died on the 10th of November and those that knew him, lost a great friend and mentor.

Today a parcel was delivered, he and his daughter were collecting very personalised pieces for myself, Ian Brown and Mate Martin who all have C10 trucks in restoration process, included were Ontario plates for 1964, '65 and '66
Thenparcel had been sent to Ian, who then redirected the contents here in the UK.
After his death, his wife and daughter fulfilled one of his wishes, to send out to us the pieces they collected, along with hand written notes from both ladies.

This is incredibly touching and humbling.

It again restores faith in mankind.

I have a new fridge magnet that will hold a significant place in my kitchen and home.








I feel honoured, along with Ian and Martin, to have known Dale.

RIP Friend.