1969 SuperBurb build-up (Bagged and Blown!)

[NPilot1975]

Looks great!
Posted via Mobile Device

[C10_ustacould]

Time for a road trip to Niceville, you know to wring it out.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by NPilot1975

Looks great!
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks!

Originally Posted by C10_ustacould

Time for a road trip to Niceville, you know to wring it out.

Getting closer....

[CG]

Heated seats in Florida???

[drewskiren]

Rob!

It's looking absolutely fantastic! Your's was one of the Projects I read over and over again when I was contemplating my Young Frankenstein Crew Cab build, I kept thinking - ok all these guys are just tearing into these truck and doing custom sheet metal work and EVERYTHING else - I can do this. Congrats on seeing it through. I know how life can get in the way - didn't let it happen on Young Frankie, but it is definitely happening on my 57 Buick Roadmaster project right now.

Anyway, just wanted to say how awesome it is looking.

I'm also curious, what would you have done differently?

Drew Renshaw

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by CG

Heated seats in Florida???

Believe it or not, . I have lower back problems, so it's more like a "heating pad", .

Originally Posted by sbrban

This is really looking good....I'm excited to see it finished!

Thanks, I appreciatiate.

Originally Posted by drewskiren

Rob!

It's looking absolutely fantastic! Your's was one of the Projects I read over and over again when I was contemplating my Young Frankenstein Crew Cab build, I kept thinking - ok all these guys are just tearing into these truck and doing custom sheet metal work and EVERYTHING else - I can do this. Congrats on seeing it through. I know how life can get in the way - didn't let it happen on Young Frankie, but it is definitely happening on my 57 Buick Roadmaster project right now.

Anyway, just wanted to say how awesome it is looking.

I'm also curious, what would you have done differently?

Drew Renshaw

Thanks Drew, your truck has always been one of my favorites. As far as "different", I wouldn't change the overall theme of the Burb as I still love the way it looks and I think I've come close to accomplishing my original goal of building a Super Cheyenne Suburban that Chevrolet "could of" built. Sometimes I think I could have already been done if I wouldn't have messed with the taillights and tailgate or not been so particular on making everything look so authentic. I love how they turned out but they presented some big obstacles time and money wise and I'm still working through a few issues to get them to look and operate like I feel they should. And there are several things that have cost a considerable amount money that most people will consider small details or won't even notice. But, I think most of these feelings come from having taken so long to finish it up. Other than that, there have been so many advances in the number and quality of the types of parts that you can get now, especially for the LS swaps. When I started this, a 5.3/4L60 was the motor to have! While my setup will provide more than adequate power to do everything I want to do, I sometimes look at the new LSA's/LT4 connect and cruise setups and want to back up and install one of them! . But then I come to my senses and realize how foolish that would be. Anyway, my apologies for the long winded answer and thanks for your support!

[sbrban]

This is really looking good....I'm excited to see it finished!

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice! What brand are those seat belts?

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Very nice! What brand are those seat belts?

Thanks, I got all 8 of them from boad vendor MCBMatt.

[3drburb]

This looks great. Congratulations on getting it back on the road.
I would bet this build has inspired a lot of other builds trucks and Burbs.
You are going to need another project once this one is done. Lol

[5150]

I better see this thing in July at the Southeastern ALL Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals!!

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by 5150

I better see this thing in July at the Southeastern ALL Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals!!

You will. Just not sure what year....

[5150]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

You will. Just not sure what year....

Well, I hope it's 2017!

[WannaBe68]

Headliner turned out great! I'm almost to the point I need to get on this in my Sub. Did you need to use a heat gun, or something, to get the plastic to stay curved at the sides?
And was there a certain order putting them in that made things easier? One more! - looking at the plastic now, how would you rate the "look" of it?

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Street Smart

Headliner looks great !!! Let us know if the re-pop ribs work out.

Thanks, most definitely will!

Originally Posted by 5150

Well, I hope it's 2017!

I do too, but with everything lately seeming to take twice as long, no guarantees....

Originally Posted by HO455

I will try to remember on Monday to check and see if it is possible.

I would really appreciate it. I would really like to get that crossed off of my list, .

Originally Posted by WannaBe68

Headliner turned out great! I'm almost to the point I need to get on this in my Sub. Did you need to use a heat gun, or something, to get the plastic to stay curved at the sides?
And was there a certain order putting them in that made things easier? One more! - looking at the plastic now, how would you rate the "look" of it?

Thanks, I've been meaning to write this for a while but just haven't taken the time to sit down and do it. You don't need a heat gun, but if you think you need a little contouring in the front corners, just use a hair dryer just be careful and don't over do it. You mainly need a little patience and a extra hand if you have one, .

I installed them in this order, rear panel, front panel and then the two smaller panels (your choice on which one first). The front panel was the hardest and you really need help to work it in because of the compound curve in each corner. You really need help on this one because you will be "slapping" the panel forward and you need someone to help guide it into the 1/2" metal channel that the edges of each roof board goes in. That's why I did the rear panel first as it easier to install. You have to "slap" it to get it to move also, but not having the curve makes it little easier and it gives you some practice at it.

So the way I began installing each panel was to put one side into the 1/2" channel (L or R, doesn't matter). Then, I would let it sag in the middle, which allowed me to put the other side in the channel. The FRP is flexible enough to do this, just be careful. Once both side are seated in the channel, then you can push up on the middle until it fits the contour of the roof. If your panel is trimmed correctly, the tension created by the bow of the roof should hold it up and there should be no ripples in it. I cut my panels a little wide (1/8") to make sure I had plenty of material. Plus, it's always easier to cut more off than to add it back, . It took me several removal/installations and trimmings to get each panel to fit the way I wanted them to. Once you are happy with the fit, then you can start "slapping" it to slide it in the rear groove (front and back panel only). Be careful, because if you slap to hard, you can actually crack the FRP, which is a $35 mistake (don't ask how I know...). You can then fit the two center panels such that when you push up in the middle they are in place.

Bottom line, if you take your time (I played around with mine for a week or two), you can get a really nice finished product. Maybe not factory, but pretty close AND I think it will last longer as these panels are waterproof and should not warp. One more tip, If you take a marker and color the brackets where the screws go to hold the center of each panel up, you can gently rub the panel after you have fitted it in order to mark where your screw hole should go.

Also, if you don't have your original headliner boards to use for templates, there are some good diagrams and info in this thread that will get you started:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...install&page=2

[kvn1011]

Im just here to say that it still looks awesome!!

[Street Smart]

Headliner looks great !!! Let us know if the re-pop ribs work out.

[WannaBe68]

Rob,
Thanks for the great write-up, Man! I copied and pasted that into my headliner file so I can study it later. Looking forward to any thing else you might you remember!

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by kvn1011

Im just here to say that it still looks awesome!!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by WannaBe68

Rob,
Thanks for the great write-up, Man! I copied and pasted that into my headliner file so I can study it later. Looking forward to any thing else you might you remember!

No problem. Are you using Portheadlights diagrams?

On a side note, since I changed the door panels to 72, I had to change all the door mechanisms to the longer 72 pivot arm. This was fairly simple everywhere expect for the rear door window regulators. You can't purchase them aftermarket as no one makes them, and I gave up finding a good set of used ones. I happened to have a good set of 72 front door regulators, so I disassembled them and removed the longer 72 pivot arm. I then disassembled my original 67-71 rear door regulators, regreased everything and swapped out the pivot arm and put everything back together. Waaalaaahhh, it worked like a charm! As soon as I get my new window seals and door felt in, I'll be able to wrap up the rear window install, .

[WannaBe68]

[QUOTE=Hart_Rod;7923426

No problem. Are you using Portheadlights diagrams?

[/QUOTE]

I do have those handwritten diagrams with measurements, but I was able to recently pick up a set of complete original headliners that I'm planning to use as templates. They are not quite good enough to salvage and use, but complete enough to use as templates.

How are you liking the "look" of the plastic you used? I haven't settled 100% on a material yet, but that plastic looks pretty good, at least in pictures.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by WannaBe68

I do have those handwritten diagrams with measurements, but I was able to recently pick up a set of complete original headliners that I'm planning to use as templates. They are not quite good enough to salvage and use, but complete enough to use as templates.

How are you liking the "look" of the plastic you used? I haven't settled 100% on a material yet, but that plastic looks pretty good, at least in pictures.

Personally, I think it looks really good. No perforated holes to collect dust and it's easy to clean, . I'm glad I went with the satin looking FRP and not the glossy style. I think the glossy panels would have been too much. I think these panels are paintable, so that's always an option if you don't like the look as is.

[5150]

Thought I'd share a pic of Rob's burb from the Battle in Bama show today. I believe it was its maiden voyage. See you in July at the Southeastern ALL Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals, Rob

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by 5150

Thought I'd share a pic of Rob's burb from the Battle in Bama show today. I believe it was its maiden voyage. See you in July at the Southeastern ALL Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals, Rob

Would be nice to see it there. Looks awesome, Rob!

[ajgriffin]

Worth every penny!

[Palf70Step]

Wish I could have made it over there.