1970 GMC Suburban... for the family

[Dieselwrencher]

Maybe we can talk my younger bro into picking it up on his way back to Ca in the next 2 weeks.

[jbclassix]

Alright, The Camry is going away this weekend... but I won't be going out to get the burb until after my sister-in-law has her baby... family always takes priority. But after that we are heading out to CO!!!!!

I posted this picture and got positive feedback, so I am feeling VERY confident about this grille mod!

before


after


So who wants to be my roadside assistant when I make this trip? Once I know dates, I will post my map and itinerary. The whole fam is excited about going back to the Springs.

[giles70chevy]

Originally Posted by jbclassix

Alright, The Camry is going away this weekend... but I won't be going out to get the burb until after my sister-in-law has her baby... family always takes priority. But after that we are heading out to CO!!!!!

I posted this picture and got positive feedback, so I am feeling VERY confident about this grille mod!

before


after


So who wants to be my roadside assistant when I make this trip? Once I know dates, I will post my map and itinerary. The whole fam is excited about going back to the Springs.

This is exactly what I want to do to my grille.... here are a couple of pics that I doctored up last fall.....

[pickup67man]

Nice mod on the grill. Is it very difficult to do? I would offer roadside assistance but if you go through Washington State I can only offer you directions.

[jbclassix]

Originally Posted by pickup67man

Nice mod on the grill. Is it very difficult to do? I would offer roadside assistance but if you go through Washington State I can only offer you directions.

For the seasoned body guy, no... for me, it might be pretty tough! I gotta figure out exactly what kind of metal I am working with. and then I need to see what parts I can cut and splice. I am going to pick up the old grille off the my 69 pick up this weekend. I am going to practice on that one.

[67chevy1series]

good luck jeremy! hope you can make it out and get the old girl back! the grille is different to me right now, cant say if i dislike or like it lol

[jbclassix]

I went and got the grille today!

A grille shell and a tailgate do fit in the back of an 08 Malibu.


Some of the major damage that I need to take care of first



Not perfect, but getting better



I just need to plannish it out a little bit, but the grille shell is ready for mods! The upper trim will get reworked eventually.





Here is my tailgate. I was thinking I would cut out the "GMC" and weld it into my tailgate, but after seeing how nice this one was I am not going to. I remembered that I got this tailgate to replace my original.



Here is what the grille and tailgate came off of. This was my FIRST truck. I bought it when I was 16 (1996). It got parted out right before I left for Wyoming back in 04-05. I kept the title, vin, grille, core support, hood, and tailgate. I still have the rolling chassis too.

[pickup67man]

Originally Posted by jbclassix

I went and got the grille today!

A grille shell and a tailgate do fit in the back of an 08 Malibu.

My wife would kill me if I did that with her Malibu. I would have less problems if I would set them on the oak in the back of my truck and did donuts with them unsecured. Luckily I have a trailer hitch on it and can pull my F*&d utility trailer in a pinch.

[jbclassix]

Drug another distraction home this weekend...

I have an addiction. Stay tuned for a build thread on this one. It'll keep me busy until I get MINE!!!

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by jbclassix

Drug another distraction home this weekend...

I have an addiction. Stay tuned for a build thread on this one. It'll keep me busy until I get MINE!!!

Did you use the Malibu to bring that home too?















Posted via Mobile Device

[pickup67man]

I thought about using the GMC on the back of my suburban but mine has barn doors. I even have a beat up GMC tailgate I could use. Still working on my idea.

Still have my truck I got when I was 16. Glad I didn't have to part it out. Its the other truck in the garage now.

[PHAT TONY]

Well,...I guess at least it's got a locking gas cap...

[Low Elco]

Whatever happened to the stuff in CO?

[Dieselwrencher]

Great work on the grill. I like the mod you have in mind for it. Sorry we couldn't get something worked out with my bro to get your burb home. Nice project shell. What's in store for it?

[jbclassix]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Whatever happened to the stuff in CO?

Unfortunately, it is still in storage. With everything going on, we just don't have the time to go get it yet. I have some projects that are making me money, so those have priority for now.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Great work on the grill. I like the mod you have in mind for it. Sorry we couldn't get something worked out with my bro to get your burb home. Nice project shell. What's in store for it?

Thanks! And no worries about not being able to work something out. As for the yellow suburban shell, that is up to my brother. This is his project.

[Tinkermc]

lookin good so far

[Dieselwrencher]

Looking good! At least it is some progress huh?

[jbclassix]

Thanks, Ryan! If something better comes along, I may just do this with the 700R4

[jbclassix]

So I’m going to talk religion here for a moment, automatic transmissions. I am building a 700R4 for the Burb for several reasons; choice (other than preference over a 3 speed auto) is not one of them. I really have very little invested in parts between the transmission and the transfer case so far, and I would like to keep it that way. In all honesty, the Burb would be rolling now if a guard rail hadn’t claimed the 350/4L80E/NP241. But cause, effect, and just wanting to drive it again have driven me to this road I leisurely embark.

Having barely any experience rebuilding anything lighter duty than a 4L80E, I set out in the pursuit of knowledge, which led me to purchase this book.



If you have never torn into an automatic transmission, and intend to rebuild your own 700R4, or know what you want a transmission shop to build for you, I recommend reading this book at least. If you have ever rebuilt an automatic transmission, ever, I wouldn’t waste your time. I was disappointed to say the least. I originally bought this book knowing that the 700R4 had several weak points for the particular year I am building (1985 built) so I was in search of what I could do to beef up the internals without going overboard. Honestly, I didn’t find what I was looking for in this book. When I was 16 I had another book that was step by step instructions for teardown, cleaning, inspection, and rebuild of GM’s TH350, TH400, (their variants), 700R4, and 200-4R. I wish I still had that book. I will be buying the ATSG manual for assembly.

I got more information from watching this video about what I should do to the internals from watching this video on You-can-build-your-own-nucleat-submarine-tube.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idB8VA1bVLk

But with every auto builder, there is a difference of opinion on certain internal part choices (religion). There are several components that the majority agrees on, so I will take them as sound advice. But things like the 5 pinion planetary, I’ll stick with my 4. In any case, when I am done with this transmission, I will have a stout unit that should last behind a bone stock TBI 350 and turning 4.10 gears with nothing taller than a 33” tire. Expect plenty of tech, probably the same way I did for the NP205.

[maynardtruckin]

Originally Posted by jbclassix

So I’m going to talk religion here for a moment, automatic transmissions. I am building a 700R4 for the Burb for several reasons; choice (other than preference over a 3 speed auto) is not one of them. I really have very little invested in parts between the transmission and the transfer case so far, and I would like to keep it that way. In all honesty, the Burb would be rolling now if a guard rail hadn’t claimed the 350/4L80E/NP241. But cause, effect, and just wanting to drive it again have driven me to this road I leisurely embark.

Having barely any experience rebuilding anything lighter duty than a 4L80E, I set out in the pursuit of knowledge, which led me to purchase this book.



If you have never torn into an automatic transmission, and intend to rebuild your own 700R4, or know what you want a transmission shop to build for you, I recommend reading this book at least. If you have ever rebuilt an automatic transmission, ever, I wouldn’t waste your time. I was disappointed to say the least. I originally bought this book knowing that the 700R4 had several weak points for the particular year I am building (1985 built) so I was in search of what I could do to beef up the internals without going overboard. Honestly, I didn’t find what I was looking for in this book. When I was 16 I had another book that was step by step instructions for teardown, cleaning, inspection, and rebuild of GM’s TH350, TH400, (their variants), 700R4, and 200-4R. I wish I still had that book. I will be buying the ATSG manual for assembly.

I got more information from watching this video about what I should do to the internals from watching this video on You-can-build-your-own-nucleat-submarine-tube.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idB8VA1bVLk

But with every auto builder, there is a difference of opinion on certain internal part choices (religion). There are several components that the majority agrees on, so I will take them as sound advice. But things like the 5 pinion planetary, I’ll stick with my 4. In any case, when I am done with this transmission, I will have a stout unit that should last behind a bone stock TBI 350 and turning 4.10 gears with nothing taller than a 33” tire. Expect plenty of tech, probably the same way I did for the NP205.

That is a great book. As someone who has rebuilt many 700r4/4l60/4l60e's before I picked up that book I found that book Informative when I picked it up for some light reading. It is nice to have it handy for customer questions.

[vectorit]

Full on respect to you on your endeavor to build an AT transmission like this.

Me... I look at any transmission, manual or AT and just sigh with a glassy eyed stare.

[y5mgisi]

Its funny after you rebuild a auto trans and are successful and look back at how easy it was. At least for the 700r4, th350, and th400. Crazy easy.

[Bigdav160]

Originally Posted by vectorit

Full on respect to you on your endeavor to build an AT transmission like this.

Me... I look at any transmission, manual or AT and just sigh with a glassy eyed stare.

Anyone wishing to rebuild your own automatic, I highly recommend this series of videos. He doesn't spend much time on upgrades but does a nice job of disassembly, inspection, bench testing and reassembly.

They also have transfer case rebuild videos.

[Longhorn 70]

REALLY ??? THEY ARE Easy? Which is more difficult, a small block Chevy or a 700R4?

I hope I'm not hijacking.

I like the 700R4 that has been in my C20 since 97. It withstood my Big Block Olds that was mildly built then mated to a mild SBC and is still in good shape. It has taken some abuse. Like roasting 12x33x15s.

I can't wait to see that Burb in its road ready configuration. The sink is cool but still want to see the truck on the street.

[jbclassix]

Yep... It's like that.