94 Suburban to Crew Build: The 50/50 Turban

[Devillusion]

Originally Posted by TowwDogg

As a co builder of the 50/50 I agree the frame is not looking to good right now. We have another complete 4x4 frame from an x-cab short bed that we could use to split it under the cab, and that may happen before its over. And it would be very easy to do now that the cab is off of the frame. We are happy to hear all input on every part of the build. Even if it you feel it wont work. This is a first for us too. Thanks for all of your input ...Norm...

I personally think that would be the best route at this point. Not trying to be a dick, just not feeling that frame at all. Myself I would cut one frame on the long side, and then compensate with the other frame on the back half, then box in the section in the middle. Would save you guys ALOT of work I would think, and be alot better in the end. Just look what some of us have done to make the CCSB trucks and cut/weld frame along those lines.....except you are making yours longer.

Keep plugging away, you will get things to flow.

[bk2life]

a little boxing of the rear rails and you'll be fine.

this just looks like a whole lot of work for a extended cab 4 door?

[Dub_X]

Originally Posted by Devillusion

How do you plan to get that frame straight? Looks like it is WAY out to lunch....

It's really just an optical illusion. Frame is straight front to back.

[Dub_X]

Originally Posted by bk2life

a little boxing of the rear rails and you'll be fine.

this just looks like a whole lot of work for a extended cab 4 door?

Whole lot of work so that it's not just a daily driver half-ton crew. It'll be a pulling rig.
And when it's all done, a tough one at that.

[TowwDogg]

Look at any 88-98 frame and it curves in and out from front to back, it is 95 percent of the suburban frame capped with a stronger frame. That is no where near a finished product. We decided to try this frame first and see what happens. If it dont work out it will still make scrap. Anyway as far as a lot of work ... Its ok because its the first truck we built welding two together like this and if it flops so what its a learning tool. and as far as getting the frame true front to back, crossmembers and boxing will take care of that. In the end if we dont like it we will scrap it and try something else, and loose nothing but time since we have next to nothing in it.

[TowwDogg]

We learn more with each comment or sugestion from those of you that have already been there and done that. THANKS for that. We have also learned alot from each build we go through.
Sometimes a guy just has to try it himself to figure out if it works for him or not. I think thats where we have been on the frame. We are going to continue to work on the cab and set the frame aside for now... Norm

[Dub_X]

Here's some frame comparisons, left and right sides, of the bends in the frames.

One is the crew cab frame. Frame is stock and unmodified up until the added 2 ton rails. Other frame is my '93 Ext. cab shortbed Z71 4x4 frame, which is stripped down and completely stock, unmodified, and never wrecked.

This is for those that pointed out that the frame looks bent out of whack.

[bowtieboy69@yahoo.co]

Do u have any new uodates like what you are doing with the interior in the rear of the cab I like the mega cab look but not sure how the interior will look ? I am thinking about doing this my self the same
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dub_X]

Right now we're just doing minor work to the cab. This one is pretty much on hold while I work on my Z71 project. We're still throwing around ideas for the interior in the back of the cab, so we're not sure what we're gonna do with it yet.

[Truck Guy99]

Any reports or updates? This was a cool build! What happened?

[Dub_X]

Still working on it, it was just put on hold while we got to work on my truck. Gotta finish up work to my truck, and then it's back to work on the crew. We have the drivetrain and everything for it, we just have to work with it, and finish building it. Still have a lot of work to do to the cab, and we're going to go back through the frame.

[Terrick down Under]

Hey, I have been following this thread with a great deal of interest. Down here I have stretched a couple of 86 cc dually's into transporter ramp trucks. The latest one has a 49 White fire cab dropped 8" over the rails. It has full suspension travel and is only 4" off the ground. Usually I just get a 6' to 9' section of 4500 rail and insert just in front of the rear springs, cut on a 45 degree in vertical and 90 degree across the top and bottom. Then "fish plates" about 18" long with diamond ends for welding inside and out, on every face. The finished trucks can carry a load up to 4500kg. The biggest thing is setting up that the rails are square and flat to less than 1/8" on any cross section measurement. For the welding I usually tack everything with the mig and then when happy I get out the "gold tipped chassis rods" for the stick welder and sit down for a couple of hours. Don't forget to check the pinion angle on the diff!
Terrick

[TowwDogg]

Lots of good info Thanks, We have decided to use a rear frame section from another 4x4 and splice it under the cab, I will fish plate it then box in the frame over the splice. We will look at several frame splices and use what we like best.

[fluffyfreak]

An idea, have you thoughtvabout finding a 92-99 cclb frame and shortening it to the desired length? What about the driveshaft, and fuel and brake lines?

[TowwDogg]

We have looked at many frame options but we have decided to use the parts that we have now... by splicing in the back of the frame from the other 4x4 frame we would have all of the mounts for the fuel tank, rear springs, shocks bumper, bed and rear of the cab. We will have to have a rear drive shaft made and run new fuel and brake lines. The front drive shaft will work as it is...

[Country705]

do you have anymore updates right now?

[Dub_X]

Not really. Sad to say it's been put off the past year. We're working at getting it finished hopefully within the next few months though and finally put it back on the road. Too many things to do and not enough time. That's always the problem.

[Dub_X]

We have a MAJOR MAJOR update.
First of all. The crew crab/two ton crossbreed frame...scrap. Now it's time to post what we have for the new home for the crew cab.
Firstly...Vortec

[Dub_X]

So. It's a 97 Silverado, one ton, 350 Vortec, 4L80E.

[Dub_X]

Hideous bed...came off. And we singled it out.

[Dub_X]

Went ahead and threw a temporary bed on it, then picked up some new rims to finish singling it out. 16X8 American Racing Nitros.









Now then. The plan with this beast. It has a 350 Vortec and 4L80, the body is trashed, and the interior is...well the truck sat out in a pasture for three years, rat nests galore...we want NOTHING to do with the body. So we're gonna do a little modifying, use the entire running gear, and the crew cab is going on this frame.

[Country705]

Very nice....more please.lol

[Dub_X]

Nah I think you can wait My GMC comes first.

[TowwDogg]

Dubs truck wont take that long to finish and then the crew will get finished

[Country705]

Originally Posted by TowwDogg

Dubs truck wont take that long to finish and then the crew will get finished

do you have anymore updates yet? it's almost christmas...lol