53 Surburban "Family Truckster"

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by lower50's

That's a huge cruise night. Would be a good night out though.

yeah the rain FINALLY broke so we are headed to Gilmore Car museum tonight for the season opener. It should be a big one.

Marc

[youngrodder]

Came across this while flipping thru this months Good Guys magazine. I heard the guy that I sold it to moved to Arizona. Good to see it is still collecting hardware. Looks like he's made a few subtle changes (headlights, mirrors and a wiper arm delete). And it was NEVER on a S-10 chassis. It was a modified G-body. Close but not quite.

It caught me off guard to see it again. Still have 0 remorse for letting it go tho.

I currently drive the Suburban about 3 times a week. We put about another 75 miles on it yesterday...Love driving the Suburban.

Marc

[Dieselwrencher]

That's pretty cool to see one of your old builds and I'm betting you'll be loving the burb for a long time to come.

[Tempest67]

that is cool.

it must feel good to know it is still winning awards and being enjoyed.

Glad you have no remorse, and the 'Burb' to occupy your time

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

That's pretty cool to see one of your old builds and I'm betting you'll be loving the burb for a long time to come.

Thanks I was surprised more than anything.

Originally Posted by Tempest67

that is cool.

it must feel good to know it is still winning awards and being enjoyed.

Glad you have no remorse, and the 'Burb' to occupy your time

Yeah glad it is out in the wild. I wonder about possible cooling issues now that is it in Arizona. It had a shorter than stock radiator due to the steering box interference. It always ran warmer than I like. Not my prob.

Marc

[lower50's]

It's cool to see it's still being loved.

[youngrodder]

Hello again....

There are a couple changes or redo's I've done since putting miles on the Truckster. I used 1/8" ABS backers for most of my interior panels including the headliner. It worked well everywhere except the interior side panels in the back. For one, the panels warped and I didn't like how they looked. Two, I also didn't use enough glue the first time so you can see the wrinkles in the material. I also changed the hardware size so I could match the fronts with the billet finish washer. For that I drilled out the 10/32 threads and tapped them to accept 1/4 - 20.

I had foam left over and I ordered another yrd of material. The new backer material will be 1/8" aluminum. Using aluminum allows the backer to conform to the shape of the body but stiff enough to hold is shape.

For this I needed to remove the 3rd row seat and take out some of the other seat springs to gain access.

I will take more pics as it starts to go back tougher.

Marc

[NorCalGal]

Been following you on insta gram the suburban is one of the best builds ever.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by NorCalGal

Been following you on insta gram the suburban is one of the best builds ever.

Thank you. I tend to post there more frequently due to ease of posting.

Marc

[youngrodder]

Here is the current progress on the aluminum panels. I ran out of glue or I would have glued the 1/8" foam down last night.

I like how much tighter these panels hug the sides of the body.

Thank you
Marc

[Rickysnickers]

In your third photo, the close up of the allen head and washer, where do you get those and what exactly are they called? Lastly, how or what do you use to thread them into the body?

[oldman3]

Marc, I agree with you, the aluminum will be a better fit...Jim

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

In your third photo, the close up of the allen head and washer, where do you get those and what exactly are they called? Lastly, how or what do you use to thread them into the body?

They are just billet finishing washers with a taper head ss Allen head. I have used them on my last 2 builds. They especially work great on trucks for the inside of the bed where the fenders bolt on. They help distribute the tension. I picked them up on Ebay pre-covid. They are expensive now. You can see bigger ones in my engine compartment as well.

On Suburban's there were already threaded 10-32 insets from the factory to attached the interior panels. It did drill those out and taped them to expect 1/4-20 bolts. I could not find the billet washers for a 10-32 bolt. If the factory inserts were not there I would have just used 1/4-20 nut-serts.

Originally Posted by oldman3

Marc, I agree with you, the aluminum will be a better fit...Jim

Thanks Jim. I should be able to get them covered in foam and material this weekend. Then it's reassembly time.

Marc

[Rickysnickers]

Thank you!!!

[joedoh]

beauty work!

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Thank you!!!

Your welcome..

Originally Posted by joedoh

beauty work!

Thank you

Marc

[youngrodder]

Here are a few pics of the final interior panels completed and installed. I was happy with the improvement.

I also decided on another improvement. Since I have been a pro a dropping the tank to gain access to the fuel pump I decided to make it easier on myself to get access to the pump without the need to drop the tank. I didn't think I had room due to the subfloor structure but since I had the 3rd seat out I took another look.

This is in case of a fuel pump failure, I can remove and swap out the pump from the top side. My friends with the hotrod shop make similar access doors in all of their builds.

Marc

[youngrodder]

More pics. The reason for the wood was to give the panel more weight and structure than just a metal panel. I used the same wood from the floor for the access door. Took more time but I was happy with the end result.

All that is left is to re-install the seats.

Marc

[oldman3]

Marc, came out super...Jim

[6DoF]

worth it! even if you never need it again b/c you now carry that umbrella ... worth it.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Marc, came out super...Jim

Thank you sir...

Originally Posted by 6DoF

worth it! even if you never need it again b/c you now carry that umbrella ... worth it.

I probably wont need it now. That is how those things normally work.

Marc

[lower50's]

Panels turned out real nice I like how the tapered washers look. Your access cover is nice, nothing better than having access to stuff that may have issues.

[mongocanfly]

that turned out looking great Marc..!!!
like the access panel...to bad the factory doesnt do that on the new ones.. seems like every one that ive had to do had a full tank of gas when i needed to drop it

[olcarguy]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

that turned out looking great Marc..!!!
like the access panel...to bad the factory doesnt do that on the new ones.. seems like every one that ive had to do had a full tank of gas when i needed to drop it

Ain't that the truth

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by lower50's

Panels turned out real nice I like how the tapered washers look. Your access cover is nice, nothing better than having access to stuff that may have issues.

Thanks, I always like to leave a way to access the major stuff.

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

that turned out looking great Marc..!!!
like the access panel...to bad the factory doesnt do that on the new ones.. seems like every one that ive had to do had a full tank of gas when i needed to drop it

Thank you. I think it is pretty much a straight shot down once I remove the bottom seat cushion. Yeah, I have syphoned off gas more times than I want to count.

Originally Posted by olcarguy

Ain't that the truth

We shove off Thursday to go to Columbus OH for the Goodguys show. It will be me and my two boys. My youngest has never been to a show of that size.

Marc

Marc