52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build

[BBEEP]

The Envoy interior is mostly stripped. Will certainly be nice working with completely rust-free metal!
But wow, what a lot of wiring!

[OrrieG]

False wood floor to cover it up??? Nice to see its moving along.

[BBEEP]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

False wood floor to cover it up??? Nice to see its moving along.

[BBEEP]

Just made sure the Envoy runs well. I love it when the wife & her family laugh at me! They just don't get it!!!

[57ExtCab]

Originally Posted by BBEEP

Just made sure the Envoy runs well. I love it when the wife & her family laugh at me! They just don't get it!!!

Glad to hear the donor has a good tickin HEART. All the NEy sayers is what drives the REAL Builders with VESION . I [COLOR="Red"]SALUTEyou and say whey to GO. Thats why they will have to ask to ride in it when you GET R DONE because you'll be to busy showing it off to you'r real buddys that had NO doubt you would GET R DONECOLOR]

[wild one]

Stopped over from the 60-66 board to check out the burb/panel selection over here. What your doing, takes vision, talent, skill, and LOTS of guts - I applaud you efforts and look forward to the updates. Subscribed!

[BBEEP]

The Envoy dash is apart. Took almost 4 hours!! What a lot of wires. The good thing is, every time I take something off the Envoy, it appears like its going to fit even better!

[BBEEP]

UPDATE! The burb is completely stripped. Even the dash is out. Discovered the floor is a single sheet of plywood, mounted under the wheel wells. How did they do that!?! It must be a factory Ambulance. Found original 'army' green paint.
Hope to have the body sittin on the Envoy by early January. Once it is test fit, I'll run it to the dip tank.

[OrrieG]

I'll admit I was skeptical but after seeing it in person and talking to the body guy it looks like it will not be that difficult. Lots of details but doable. I had a fun and interesting afternoon at BBeep's place, thanks for the hospitality John.

[BBEEP]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I'll admit I was skeptical but after seeing it in person and talking to the body guy it looks like it will not be that difficult. Lots of details but doable. I had a fun and interesting afternoon at BBeep's place, thanks for the hospitality John.

Thanks OrrieG. You never know what kind of adventure you might have went you meet someone from this board. And thanks for not mentioning the breakage when I took you for a ride here on this forum. No big deal, everyones truck breaks eventually. I have used that yellow 48 GMC for a delivery truck with over 70k miles, delivering packages, towing Fords & Dodges on my car trailer. A big block, 700r, & a 9-inch posi with 433's, I guess sooner or later I was bound to break an axle!! Too bad it happened with a guest in the truck!

[OrrieG]

So it was the axle for sure??

[BBEEP]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

So it was the axle for sure??

Yup, drivers side. Just as I suspected, next to 'keeper brazing'.

[sixty8c10]

subscribing for the ride, gotta see this come together

[Bigblue29]

Wow. I absolutely cant wait to see more of this project!

[BBEEP]

Originally Posted by bigblue29

wow. I absolutely cant wait to see more of this project!

me too!

[MrTucker]

After having the "pleasure" of driving an Envoy for work the last couple of weeks I gotta ask - why an Envoy? I have the same "300hp" motor and it's a joke. I've never driven something so boring and underpowered as this inline. Where the "300hp" claim comes from is beyond me. I would still have a hard time believing it has 200 hp...plus the handeling is absolutely terrible and the awd is useless on anything other than snow (got it stuck in about 3" of mud).

I'm really not trying to rain on your parade - just wondering what made you choose an Envoy. I totally understand the classic body on modern technology concept, but why not a v8 based trailblazer? They make an SS Trailblazer that has like 400hp or something rediculous...

[britnjc]

Mr. Tucker,
What good does you comment do for this thread. If you want to know why he chose an Envoy then ask why did you choose an Envoy. Your comment in my opinion is trolling and can be done without.

[drivea55]

I second that!

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

After having the "pleasure" of driving an Envoy for work the last couple of weeks I gotta ask - why an Envoy? I have the same "300hp" motor and it's a joke. I've never driven something so boring and underpowered as this inline. Where the "300hp" claim comes from is beyond me. I would still have a hard time believing it has 200 hp...plus the handeling is absolutely terrible and the awd is useless on anything other than snow (got it stuck in about 3" of mud).

I'm really not trying to rain on your parade - just wondering what made you choose an Envoy. I totally understand the classic body on modern technology concept, but why not a v8 based trailblazer? They make an SS Trailblazer that has like 400hp or something rediculous...

Comparing to a bone stock one probably isn't a good comparison. I'm betting bone stock, the Envoy had more zip than the 216. I'm also betting that with a tune, it could liven up considerably...

Also, speed and performance may not be all that important. My s10 swap uses the stock 4.3 with 200K on it...I'm not expecting to pass everyone, just looking for reliability and parts availability (and fuel injection).

[BBEEP]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

After having the "pleasure" of driving an Envoy for work the last couple of weeks I gotta ask - why an Envoy? I have the same "300hp" motor and it's a joke. I've never driven something so boring and underpowered as this inline. Where the "300hp" claim comes from is beyond me. I would still have a hard time believing it has 200 hp...plus the handeling is absolutely terrible and the awd is useless on anything other than snow (got it stuck in about 3" of mud).

I'm really not trying to rain on your parade - just wondering what made you choose an Envoy. I totally understand the classic body on modern technology concept, but why not a v8 based trailblazer? They make an SS Trailblazer that has like 400hp or something rediculous...

Mr. Tucker,
What good does you comment do for this thread. If you want to know why he chose an Envoy then ask why did you choose an Envoy. Your comment in my opinion is trolling and can be done without.

THANKS BRITNJC. Mr. Tucker: 1st, the Envoy is IMO the next level from the S10 conversion. The wheelbase and chassis should fit well. The '300hp' is an upgrade from the 270 cu splasher I6 my GMC had in it originally, and there are lots of upgrades I can purchase for a late model motor. Handling? never expected my truck to be a sportscar, why would you? And who goes fourwheelin in an SUV, DIDN'T YOU SEE THE MUD? AND if I wanted something to handle and have lots of power, I'd buy a new Camaro or Corvette. Or I'd go for a drive in the 2008 TBSS I already own!! (and probably get smoked by a grandma in a new Camaro) (OH, and its spelled rIdiculous)

[Cautrell05]

Originally Posted by BBEEP

Mr. Tucker,
What good does you comment do for this thread. If you want to know why he chose an Envoy then ask why did you choose an Envoy. Your comment in my opinion is trolling and can be done without.

THANKS BRITNJC. Mr. Tucker: 1st, the Envoy is IMO the next level from the S10 conversion. The wheelbase and chassis should fit well. The '300hp' is an upgrade from the 270 cu splasher I6 my GMC had in it originally, and there are lots of upgrades I can purchase for a late model motor. Handling? never expected my truck to be a sportscar, why would you? And who goes fourwheelin in an SUV, DIDN'T YOU SEE THE MUD? AND if I wanted something to handle and have lots of power, I'd buy a new Camaro or Corvette. Or I'd go for a drive in the 2008 TBSS I already own!! (and probably get smoked by a grandma in a new Camaro) (OH, and its spelled rIdiculous)

Thought I would chime in on this one as I see one angle that no one has mentioned. Whats the curb weight on a stock envoy. Not the gvw on the door tag but if you roll it across a scale what does it weigh in at. How much does it weigh now after the cutting. Im willing to bet that even after putting the 52 body back on and full interior its several hundred pounds lighter than stock. And because alot of that weight is up high its going to corner better. Both of those are going to make it faster and handle better without trying.

The 02+ t chassis used on the trailblazers and envoys is so much better than the s-10. Way better front end geometry, rack and pinion steering, better brakes. Im on my second traiblazer now and my only complaint on this one is that it has 3.42 gears. Extended trailblazers with 3.42s are kinda poochy on 60 mph hilly roads. Other than that im looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.

Nick

[BBEEP]

Thanks Nick. If I end up bringing the Envoy chassis home for the few weeks the Burb is in the dipshop, I'll run it across the scale. Didn't weigh the Burb before I dismantled it, but I have my 48 Panel with a big block 700r I could compare it to. Also, if there is room I will channel the body a little, then do some lowering with aftermarket parts.
My bodyman has done an S-10 conversion, & he would most definitely agree with you. He says they are actually a little narrow to be premium.

[OKGMC4]

Makes me wonder if the Canyon/ Colorado would make a decent alternative to S10 chassis swaps. They are on the same platform as the trailblazer and also have rack and pinion steering.

I know it will tick people off but the 05 and newer Frontier has a fully boxed frame, 4 wheel disc, rack steering, and a 260hp V6 that can run with quite a few V8's...so it would also make an interesting choice as well.

[bensimmons_05]

I love the idea, can't wait to see more!!

[sweet70beast]

I've driven many Tblazers and Envoys over the years with inlines and have been pleased with the performance. Infact I even thought about putting one in one of my projects someday.