52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build

[BBEEP]

The rear is turning out really well. The differences in the floor height we made up with about 3 inch flat stock. The hole to the right is to lower the Envoy spare.

[JimmyFloyd]

Looks great. Loving the build and can't wait to see it done.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by BBEEP

What this did was give me a different shaped opening. The front opening of the 2-ton was too far forward, as well as the fender being 3.5 inches longer. Attaching the front of the Burb fender cured both things. The 2-ton also sits about two inches higher, which gives the hood a pancaked look. Still have to shorten the hood the 3.5 inches.
I will raise the running board to be flush with the body and shorten the rear hang of the front fender and the front hang of the rear fender. (say that 3 times real fast!)

So talk to us about the differences a little more, does the fender mount to the cowl the exact same way as the 1/2 ton? Looks like the fender may be taller, and the hood difference is pretty obvious. Did you achieve your clearance goals? Do you have to raise the running boards or are you just trying to avoid being too low?

[BBEEP]

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

So talk to us about the differences a little more, does the fender mount to the cowl the exact same way as the 1/2 ton? Looks like the fender may be taller, and the hood difference is pretty obvious. Did you achieve your clearance goals? Do you have to raise the running boards or are you just trying to avoid being too low?

The front fender mounts the same in the back. Once it comes of above the intersection of the fender and hood, it actually has an extra piece to attach the inside of the fender to the inner fender as the fender does continue about two inches higher. (although the inner fenders will be hand-built) I did achieve my goals for clearance, once I add in a lower profile tire. And no, I don't have to raise the boards, just think it will be cleaner for the front and rear and boards to be flush. I still hope to lay the body on the ground with bags. The added benefit of the higher fenders, because of the Envoy strut clearance, it should allow me to drop it that extra 2 inches.

The pancaked hood is also a bonus because I plan to pancake the top as well.

[nickp51chevy]

Looking good. I hope that when it's done you'll drive it up this way when you come to visit your family so that I can see it in person. Very cool stuff.

What are you talking about pancakeed hood? I've never heard this term before; or maybe I have but just don't recognize it as to the context in which it is being used.

[OrrieG]

"shorten the hood 3"? Or leave it and go for the over bite look, maybe use a late 30s-40 grille with custom side infill panels between the grille and fender? This thing is outside the box pretty far, why not go custom with the grille and hood? Or ignore me, I'm on some new meds to day that may be affecting my judgement....

[BBEEP]

Thanks, OrrieG. I'm shortening the 2-ton hood. Custom would be fine, but my goal all along is to show what I think the HHR should have looked like. Rear wheel drive, choice of 6 or 8 cylinder, etc

[Dan Bowles]

Nice meld of the two fenders. I was wondering how that would work out and it really lined up better than I thought. Can you take some more pictures of it when you get a chance? And that overbite probably looks like something Tow Mater would laugh at!

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by BBEEP

Thanks, OrrieG. I'm shortening the 2-ton hood. Custom would be fine, but my goal all along is to show what I think the HHR should have looked like. Rear wheel drive, choice of 6 or 8 cylinder, etc

I am glad that someone else feels that the HHR was a buzz kill. I remember the concept photos before the actuall HHR was built. The concept looked more like the SSR but what we ended up getting was a revised PT cruiser.

Looking good.

Marc

[VA72C10]

That worked out well....looks good and will keep people wondering what you did at shows

[BBEEP]

Originally Posted by va72c10

that worked out well....looks good and will keep people wondering what you did at shows

exactly!

[Dan Bowles]

Funny about the HHR. I work for a GM supplier and am in the tech center a lot. The guy who designed the PT did the HHR except he didn't know the history! There were concept drawings done starting with the AD panel and morphing into the HHR. The only thing was they ALL had 4 doors shown. I laughed every time I saw them. When I tried to get one of the posters, no one would let me have one. I wonder why...I'd still drive the crap out of an HHR. But I hope BBEEP goes into limited production with his because my Trailblazer has 270k on it and I'm going to get more tires.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

Funny about the HHR. I work for a GM supplier and am in the tech center a lot. The guy who designed the PT did the HHR except he didn't know the history! There were concept drawings done starting with the AD panel and morphing into the HHR. The only thing was they ALL had 4 doors shown. I laughed every time I saw them. When I tried to get one of the posters, no one would let me have one. I wonder why...I'd still drive the crap out of an HHR. But I hope BBEEP goes into limited production with his because my Trailblazer has 270k on it and I'm going to get more tires.

Yes, I did hear the samething about the designer. I didn't mention that in my previous post because I was not sure if it was accurate. Just what this world needed.............PT cruiser 2.0.....

[Dan Bowles]

GM hired him away from Chrysler!! To do THAT. Actually, it sold really well. Not PT Cruiser well...And it has more personality than a Cobalt (same platform!)

[355bullet]

more pics of the build! cant wait to see more progress

[BBEEP]

Originally Posted by nickp51chevy

Looking good. I hope that when it's done you'll drive it up this way when you come to visit your family so that I can see it in person. Very cool stuff.

What are you talking about pancakeed hood? I've never heard this term before; or maybe I have but just don't recognize it as to the context in which it is being used.

The 2-ton hood is actually not as deep, because of the raised fenders. I laid the 2-ton on top of the 1/2 ton to show the different shape of the bottom edge and it lay almost flush.
I guess it is an other word for sectioned; To remove a band of metal from around the middle section of a vehicle to reduce its overall height.

[nickp51chevy]

Cool! Thanks for the breakdown.

[BBEEP]

Delivering the running, mocked up 1952/2002 to a body shop on Thursday that has a heavier duty frame straightener than my current guy. If its raining, they will pick it up for me with their enclosed trailer. The body isn't in primer.

[Dan Bowles]

I love this thread!

[Sub-versive]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

I love this thread!

Me too!

Now that I have an '02 Traliblazer, it makes me drool!
Too bad the wife in not onboard yet! I'll work it. It doesn't have a 100K on it yet, so maybe down the road.

[BBEEP]

At the next body shop for frame straightening. Literally drove it onto and off of the trailer! We don't need no stinkin' winches!!!

[sparkydog]

Great progress!! You are getting ahead of me. I will have to work hard to catch up!

Go Beavs!

[jbjburbs]

i love that you're using a trailblazer to tow your project since you're essentially melding one to your burban (envoy/trailblazer are close enough, right?). Keep up the good work!

[Dan Bowles]

Originally Posted by Sub-versive

Me too!

Now that I have an '02 Traliblazer, it makes me drool!
Too bad the wife in not onboard yet! I'll work it. It doesn't have a 100K on it yet, so maybe down the road.

What are you waiting for? I've got an 04 with 269,895!!! Put new tires on it Monday.

[tobins 52 gmc]

Very very nice work ,i guess we know who the men are here.I wish i was that confident .... nice just love it