68 GMC 4x4 Suburban build up

[LockDoc]

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Looks like you are making progress. That is always good..... You will be driving it before you know it.

LockDoc

[68SWB4x4]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Looks like you are making progress. That is always good..... You will be driving it before you know it.

LockDoc

It’s real close just chasing down this clutch linkage issue but I think I know what’s wrong now

[68SWB4x4]

Clutch linkage seems to be solved.

the lever on my pedal was missing the pinch bolt and it had rotated up making the clutch not engage/disengage.

Got it off rotated it correctly and put a bolt in and I got a bit of pedal travel but it still seems like it is VERY far down.

I got my new Rancho shocks in which I will install tomorrow and maybe try to drive the thing under its own power this weekend!

[68SWB4x4]

Front shocks in

Didn't go as simply as it should have



The included spacers were way too thick I had to grind about a 1/3rd of them off




I did get it done but ran out of time. I will hopefully have time for the rears sunday and will hopefully try to drive it around the block

[68SWB4x4]

More new parts!

[68SWB4x4]

New hubs are in, job took all of 10 minutes.

I need to track down the right U joint bolts still though so far they have alll been off at the auto parts store.

[Average Joe]

Nice work!

[68SWB4x4]

Hit another snag

Went to install the other side hub and it won’t fit

Something is defective as one fits in either side and one doesn’t fit in either...

Returned and ordered another pair hopefully better luck with this one

[68SWB4x4]

Welded up a few broken seat springs and installed the saddle blanket seat covers today so the family is happy riding in the Suburban.



Checking all fluids, re checking all connections, fuel, etc and attempting a test drive later today

[68SWB4x4]

First drive in 10 years!

[LockDoc]

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I bet that felt good! Looks good. Do you have a front sway bar on it?

LockDoc

[68SWB4x4]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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I bet that felt good! Looks good. Do you have a front sway bar on it?

LockDoc

It did feel good.

Second drive was a bit more eventful but it made it home and gave me a new list which is almost scratched off now (just need to rebelled the brakes)

No front sway bar though I'd like to add one. The 4x4s never came with one so you have to make a mounting bracket to the crossmember.

I am heading to pick n pull Monday they have a later model K10 there which I will hopefully grab a sway bar off of.

[68SWB4x4]

So now that it moves my wife gave it a wash

used a little comet to get the oxidation off followed by a cleaning wax spray.

Ran out of chrome polish but got 3/4 of it done so far.

Detailing a Suburban is a week long job it seems.





Amazing how the white actually pops now







grill and bumper needs a second round of polishing



Favorite picture I got

[68SWB4x4]

Third shake down run today and we were able to go get gas ⛽️
Run to O’Reilys for parts for itself
Steering is fixed ✔️
Secondaries opened up good ✔️
Brakes ✔️
Went up to 55 ✔️

Still popping a little off and on (think it’s a vacuum leak)

The front of the plug going into the brake booster popped out at the end of the drive and I lost power brakes. Not sure what would cause that 🤔

Very excited on how well this went and confident I will make #concoursdelemons on the 25th

[68SWB4x4]

Picked up a couple of accessories for upcoming shows



I also stopped by Pick n pull and got some dodge dakota door seals and nabbed a SM465 chrome shifter while I was there.

[68SWB4x4]

My door handle broke and I fixed it...

Door Handle Fix

Fixed my turn signals and hazards turns out it was a few things.

Bad flashers, the brown wire for the turn signals has been poorly patched at one point and was loose and the hazard button was sticking and wouldn't pop back out causing the turn signals to not work...

Fixed all that and been driving it to the store and around town. Really enjoying it and ironing out all the little things that keep coming up as expected for a truck that hasn't drove on public roads in a few decades.

I also finally found the right PCV valve grommet on I believe the 5th try.

Doorman part # 42052 for those interested

[68SWB4x4]

first "highway" shakedown

Still popping at low rpm but I have a list of things to check today that hopefully fix this. It also has some exhaust soot on the front of the engine and I think the bolts are loose...

So I will be tightening everything, exhaust, intake, carb bolts, etc

using smoke test to check for vacuum leaks

rechecking timing

I also badly need to get an alignment

but hey at least it looks good.

[68SWB4x4]

figured out the stumble at low rpm

it wasn't getting enough fuel as the PO installed a inline fuel filter and it still had the filter in the Qjet which looked... Old

took that out and it seems like the Horsepower doubled.

Still some pop and hesitation as I need to tune it some more now.

Took it get aligned and now I can drive down the road straight but there is still a lot of play in the steering wheel so I have to chase down whats worn out.

I am going to start with adjusting the steering box as it seems to have some play there.

Also saw a K20 suburban down the street from the tire shop when taking it there had to get a picture

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 68SWB4x4

figured out the stumble at low rpm

it wasn't getting enough fuel as the PO installed a inline fuel filter and it still had the filter in the Qjet which looked... Old

took that out and it seems like the Horsepower doubled.

Still some pop and hesitation as I need to tune it some more now.

Took it get aligned and now I can drive down the road straight but there is still a lot of play in the steering wheel so I have to chase down whats worn out.

I am going to start with adjusting the steering box as it seems to have some play there.

Also saw a K20 suburban down the street from the tire shop when taking it there had to get a picture

I would put a new filter back in the carb inlet. They catch a lot of fine gritty contaminants that the inline filters don't. I'm sure it was just plugged up.

I don't know how familiar you are with adjusting steering boxes but if you do try to adjust it do not adjust the set screw more than a quarter turn at a time and try it. If you tighten it up too much the steering may lock up when you turn a corner and you will not be able to straighten it back out. Years ago I went through a fence and almost hit a tree because I adjusted the set screw too tight. Just a heads up.....

LockDoc

[68SWB4x4]

Appreciate the heads up

I’ve been searching this forum like I have any topic on these trucks before I do it for the last 18 years. I read similar so I’ll be careful with it.

Good chance the box and other parts are just worn out...

Going to it’s first show on Saturday so I’m not going to do anything too drastic in the next two days as it’s good enough to drive there as is.

[Travisarmenta]

Originally Posted by 68SWB4x4

Picked up a couple of accessories for upcoming shows



I also stopped by Pick n pull and got some dodge dakota door seals and nabbed a SM465 chrome shifter while I was there.

Nice, I got the same set up, green Coleman 70's cooler, as well as the green lantern.

I am still a ways off from it being presentable though.

[68SWB4x4]

Originally Posted by Travisarmenta

Nice, I got the same set up, green Coleman 70's cooler, as well as the green lantern.

I am still a ways off from it being presentable though.

You need that green lawn chair then!

[Travisarmenta]

Originally Posted by 68SWB4x4

You need that green lawn chair then!

True story, I didn't even think about 70's folding chairs until I saw your pic. Good call.

[68SWB4x4]

Took the Suburban to its first car show yesterday and longest trip as well Only about 15 Miles each way but it ran and drove about as good as can be.



I noticed the rear fuel brake line is leaking at a connection and I can't seem to get it tight enough to stop so I need to take that a apart and hopefully I didn't cross thread it or something. It is still stopping fine though...

Also still a lot of play in the wheel so it wanders a bit going down the road. Running down the list of worn front end parts that could cause that and assessing what needs rebuilding/replacing will be next on the list but for now I am going to take a slight break and enjoy driving it around town, little trips to the store, etc.

I need to get some projects done around the house and fix a few small things on our Pontiac as well.

It is a great feeling to be driving the Suburban for the first time after owning it 10 years especially how much my 4 month old son loves it

[68SWB4x4]

Haven't had too much time lately in the middle of a remodel...

Had to move it the other day so made this video

1968 GMC Suburban 327 Cold Start