53 Surburban "Family Truckster"

[youngrodder]

Well I fired the motor this weekend. This time it fired right up just like on TV. No issues. That is how the first start up was supposed to go. No I can start assembling the rest of the front sheet metal.

I also hung the rear doors complete with seals and functioning latches and door hardware. The Suburban back door latches and hardware they don't reproduce. I reconditioned mine and modified a side door handle to work for the back doors. Very pleased how well they shut and seal.

Full speed ahead. Looking for a late spring test drive...

Marc

[ajgriffin]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Well I fired the motor this weekend. This time it fired right up just like on TV. No issues. That is how the first start up was supposed to go. No I can start assembling the rest of the front sheet metal.

I also hung the rear doors complete with seals and functioning latches and door hardware. The Suburban back door latches and hardware they don't reproduce. I reconditioned mine and modified a side door handle to work for the back doors. Very pleased how well they shut and seal.

Full speed ahead. Looking for a late spring test drive...

Marc

CONGRATS!!!

[6DoF]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Can you tell I soured on DD??

Marc

they look amazing and really have a lot of the bases covered, but for the money i keep leaning further away. for the Cummins i was looking at $2000-2500 and there was zero option for data logging. that was a deal breaker for me.

[8man]

That's a big day! Congratulations.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by ajgriffin

CONGRATS!!!

Thanks I was stoked..

Originally Posted by 6DoF

they look amazing and really have a lot of the bases covered, but for the money i keep leaning further away. for the Cummins i was looking at $2000-2500 and there was zero option for data logging. that was a deal breaker for me.

I worked on hooking up the new module (GSS-3000) so my gears now display. I may to sell the module that I'm not using.

Originally Posted by 8man

That's a big day! Congratulations.

Thanks, I need to hook up my throttle cable so I can bring up the RPM's to hear the exhaust better. I like what I have heard so far.

Marc

[Tempest67]

a milestone day for sure , Congrats

[oldman3]

Marc, congrats on the start up, can't wait for the test drive...Jim

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

a milestone day for sure , Congrats

Thank you

Originally Posted by oldman3

Marc, congrats on the start up, can't wait for the test drive...Jim

You and me both Jim.....Waiting on a drive shaft that I needed shortened. Should be done in about a week.

Marc

[Dieselwrencher]

Congrats on the no issue first start up! That's always a great feeling!

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Congrats on the no issue first start up! That's always a great feeling!

No, this was the 2nd test fire. The initial one crated major issues from a stuck open injector. I think I had PTSD from the first start attempt. Attempt #2 went off smooth...

Thanks

Marc

[olcarguy]

Awsome....starting to see the light at the end of a long tunnel....

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by olcarguy

Awsome....starting to see the light at the end of a long tunnel....

Thank you....

Marc

[lower50's]

Congratulations Marc!! It's always funny when you see the "first start" on tv. You will have to have a pole to see weather your green truck or this truck wins lol.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by lower50's

Congratulations Marc!! It's always funny when you see the "first start" on tv. You will have to have a pole to see weather your green truck or this truck wins lol.

Thank you...I'm guessing the green truck would win in a landslide. I think most people around me that knew the green truck wont "get" the look of the Suburban. When in reality this Suburban is a so much nicer build in many ways (minus paint) than the green truck.

Dropped the wheels off this morning to be mounted/balanced. Picked up my carpet and last of the upholstery last night and I go to pick up my drive shaft tomorrow...

Marc

[youngrodder]

I installed my driver seat (temporarily) to allow me to mount my throttle pedal and cable. I was fearing the worse with the throttle pedal as I needed to make a mount and since my firewall was painted it had to be a bolt in solution. The mount I made years ago was a weld on solution. I was pleased how well it all turned out. Most people that use these throttle bodies to simulate a carb use the drive my wire solution. For this reason, I needed to make my own bracket to hold the throttle cable. It turn out very clean. And get this.......it works great!!

So I fired the motor again with a throttle cable which allowed me to rev on it. I was blown away at how bad ass this motor and exhaust sounds. I laughed that I screwed up and build a race truck..ha ha. I will post a video on my IG page (Greenfield_speedshop) later this week. Even my 16 yr old son ran out to the garage for a closer look. That can attest to how good its sounds to get a 16yr old to react that fast. ha ha

This was the first time I sat in the seat in the Suburban. The seat is so comfortable. Looking forward to some quality seat time this summer.

I also installed my driveshaft that I had shortened and picked up Friday.

Thanks
Marc

[8man]

Very nice.

[Tempest67]

wow this looks so good.... love the seat, looks comfy.

[Denee007]

That is incredible!!!
dne'

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by 8man

Very nice.

Thanks man

Originally Posted by Tempest67

wow this looks so good.... love the seat, looks comfy.

I joke that the seats are more comfortable than how nice they look.

Originally Posted by Denee007

That is incredible!!!
dne'

Thank you..much appreciated.

Marc

[6DoF]

that seat is so pretty, whole inside is looking amazing

[youngrodder]

Further assembly of the front end. Trying to take my time and hide as many wires and stuff as possible. I like how hidden the AC lines are. Next is to finish wiring the front end (lights, AC and fans).

I'm also chasing down a pesky fuel leak at one of my fittings by the tank on the supply side. I finally took the fitting off and retightened. I hope that solved it.

Thank you
Marc

[6DoF]

i hope my engine bay looks half as clean as that, super nice.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

i hope my engine bay looks half as clean as that, super nice.

Thanks, I always try to apply the less is more approach and hide all of the unsightly crap. It takes way longer but you are left with a cleaner end product.

The vison I have had in my head for years is slowing coming into focus....

Marc

[lower50's]

It's a great feeling when your vision comes together as you where planning.
Great job!!

[youngrodder]

As I get closer to thinking about that first drive I have been busy getting this thing legal. I recently put insurance on it. I go today to order plates. Getting a appointment at ANY MI SOS is a choir in itself.

I installed my rear bumper with the aid of my son. I had my factory bumper brackets powder coated quite a while back with the satin black wrinkle finish.

We had to mount the bumper, get a placement for the hitch receiver hole. Unmount the bumper and then cut up said the new bumper. Then remount to check the hole placement....Spot on. I had done this process once before with a junk bumper so I had a general idea. The hitch receiver provied 2 functions. 1 - a lace to mount my plate. 2- Covers the hole in the bumper for the hidden hitch.

After that I gave the bumper a brushed finish (not pictured). I need to remount the finished bumper.

Marc