NJ Suburban

[pwdcougar]

Thought I'd start a thread on my project to put a 68 GMC body on a 70 Chevy 4WD frame.

This is how my 70 looked when I sold it 16 years ago.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1384360683

And how it looks now.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1384360683

[pwdcougar]

The cold weather has hit NJ and it's tough to work outside after I get out of work. That isn't stopping me from planning though. As soon as I can get the Cougar project in the garage moved out I'm planning on getting something started.

First up will be stripping out the 70 Suburban body. I'll strip off all the doors, hardware, glass, wiring ect so I can cut up the body and scrap it. The body is too far gone to salvage. Then I can get the frame in the garage and sand blast and paint it. At the same time I'll replace the brake and gas lines and generally get it ready for the 68 body.

This weekend though I'll tune the 68 and fix all the lights with the intention of putting it on the road.

The 68 needs a new windshield. A place about a half hour away has then new PPG glass for about $130. Is that a good price? I'm assuming that I should replace the rubber gasket. Are they all the same or are some better quality? Any recommendations on a vendor?

Paul

[zicc1835]

http://www.prp.com/default.aspx take a look here someone recommended this on the board i will be doing a lot of glass replacing very soon

Originally Posted by pwdcougar

The cold weather has hit NJ and it's tough to work outside after I get out of work. That isn't stopping me from planning though. As soon as I can get the Cougar project in the garage moved out I'm planning on getting something started.

First up will be stripping out the 70 Suburban body. I'll strip off all the doors, hardware, glass, wiring ect so I can cut up the body and scrap it. The body is too far gone to salvage. Then I can get the frame in the garage and sand blast and paint it. At the same time I'll replace the brake and gas lines and generally get it ready for the 68 body.

This weekend though I'll tune the 68 and fix all the lights with the intention of putting it on the road.

The 68 needs a new windshield. A place about a half hour away has then new PPG glass for about $130. Is that a good price? I'm assuming that I should replace the rubber gasket. Are they all the same or are some better quality? Any recommendations on a vendor?

Paul

[pwdcougar]

Put new plugs in the 292 6 today, drained 10 gallons of old gas, reset the points, adjusted the one barrel carburetor and set the timing on the 68 today. A new set of mirrors are on order from LMC and SafeLite is coming to put in a new windshield next Saturday. The "new" plan is to drive the 68 Suburban for a while and wait till spring to start stripping down the 70 4WD. This 68 nose is starting to grow on me!

Paul

[pwdcougar]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1384650107

[pwdcougar]

Worked on the 68 again today and replaced the non working turn signal switch with the one from the 70. The steering wheel nut and shaft were stripped and held on with a nail run through a hole someone drilled through them.

In the middle of tuning the carb the fuel pump quit. Next week Rock Auto will deliver the new one and a carb rebuild kit.

Next Saturday a new windshield will be installed by the local Safelite for just over 300 bucks. The new gasket is included too.

I noticed a strange thing when cleaning out the back of the truck. In the hollow spot just below the tail lights the cavities on each side are full of dirt. There doesn't look like any rust holes in the wheel well area either.

Paul

[zellway]

This should be cool. I just sold my 70 burb that had a 68 GMC front clip on it. I have wanted a 4wd ride for a long time. That GMC looks to be a vary clean body for you to work with.

[pwdcougar]

Sounds like you did the exact opposite of what I'm doing. The 68 will get a 70 front clip although the 68 grill is growing on me!

The body on the 68 is pretty nice. The bottom looks spotless with no rust except for the front cab supports. The lower rear quarters are a bit rusty but easily repairable. One rocker has rust too.

Just finished rebuilding the carb on the 68 so hopefully tomorrow we can go out for a drive.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1385178630

Here is the carb and my helper.

[pwdcougar]

I was planning on driving the 68 for fun but it is turning into a money pit and it just won't run right. The rebuilt carb is still not running right. Unless the choke is on, it won't rev up at all. With the choke open it just gasps and stalls out. Running like this points to a lean condition or a vacuum leak. I hosed down the intake and carb with carb cleaner and starting fluid and there is no change at all in how it runs. Even at 650 rpm the vacuum is high and stable.

It is kind of a beast to drive too. The lack of power brakes isn't too bad but non power steering? Holy crap what a pain. It doesn't help that it has very large tires on it and that it is a 4 speed. I can't imagine driving this in city traffic.

I think I'll drive it to a friend's house and store it for the winter and start back into this in the spring. I'll stick with my original plan to start stripping the 70 4WD truck down and get it ready to put the 68 body on.

[Average Joe]

That sucks about your carb issues. I hear ya about the no power steering. Both C10's Ive owned plus my dads truck never had it from the factory. I put up with it for a couple of years before adding it. Looks like a great project though. Keep us posted on your 4x4 swap when you get back on it.

[pwdcougar]

Scored a $40 Edlebrock Performer manifold today via Craigslist and a friend gave me a Rochester Quadrajet carb. Spring cant come soon enough so I can start stripping the 70 4WD body.

The manifold needs to be cleaned and sandblasted and the Rochester needs to be rebuilt.

Maybe that will be a nice winter project.

[pwdcougar]

Spent the day yesterday working on Hanna the 68 2WD. Found a buyer for the 292 6 on Craigslist so I decided to pull the entire front clip. Chevy must have bought 1/2 and 9/16 bolts buy the gazillion in those years. There must have been 100 bolts holding it all together. Now I need to tow it back to my storage place and try to sell the hood and fenders.

I am amazed at all the crap in the cowl area below the windshield. I hosed it out back when I first got it but it is still full of debris. Has anyone done a mod to the cowl and put screen or some kind of mesh underneath to keep the big stuff out>

Paul

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1388331707
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1388331707

[zicc1835]

looks good ....progress

Originally Posted by pwdcougar

Spent the day yesterday working on Hanna the 68 2WD. Found a buyer for the 292 6 on Craigslist so I decided to pull the entire front clip. Chevy must have bought 1/2 and 9/16 bolts buy the gazillion in those years. There must have been 100 bolts holding it all together. Now I need to tow it back to my storage place and try to sell the hood and fenders.

I am amazed at all the crap in the cowl area below the windshield. I hosed it out back when I first got it but it is still full of debris. Has anyone done a mod to the cowl and put screen or some kind of mesh underneath to keep the big stuff out>

Paul

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1388331707
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1388331707

[richard2717]

Paul,
Great to meet you today and thanks again for meeting me part way.

Richard

[bigrigpardo]

ha hey paul this is Andrew I was emailing you about the truck when you put it on craigslist. didn't know you were a board member or I wouldn't have hit you with the 500 offer on it. just figured you were another joe shmoe who got in over his head as usual. that truck is going to be sweet when its done. I wish my burb that I had wasn't as beat as it was. but it made me some coin in the end. still looking for a nice 3/4 ton to do d diesel swap in but that is so far back on the list that if I say diesel burb my girl will kill me.

[pwdcougar]

Hey Andrew. Well pretty much I AM another joe schmoe who got in over his head! HA!

When I got the 70 I was blinded by the fact that I owned the very same truck once before. Now that I have the other body that is in much better shape things still overwhelming but man, do I want to dig into this project.

I've been pm'ing Jess and we were talking about meeting up and taking a look at that white truck you are parting.

Paul

[bigrigpardo]

yea com on by. I got the truck for the frame to trade to another board member for a bed for my longhorn and the rest is being parted its rusty it needs the usual everything. but come on by check it out you never know what you may see.

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by bigrigpardo

yea com on by. I got the truck for the frame to trade to another board member for a bed for my longhorn and the rest is being parted its rusty it needs the usual everything. but come on by check it out you never know what you may see.

Andrew,
look forward to meeting you looks like Paul and i will meet up and get to you mid morning sunday how about I call you when we are about a half hour out
thanks again
Jess

[bigrigpardo]

pm sent jess

[pwdcougar]

Well the 70 is finally back home after being in storage all winter and I can finally start work on it. My friends have named it Babe the Blue Ox. Pulled the front bumper off tonight. Tomorrow maybe I'll start on the nose or the interior!

[pwdcougar]

One question I have is the wheelbase. In my picture taken in 1997 the wheelbase looks different than now. The rear tires look like they are a lot closer to the front of the wheelwell. I know that the PO put new springs on the front but not sure about in the rear. It also looks higher in the rear. My buddy says it is because of the running boards. Just realized that the pic in white from 97 is the left and the recent one in blue is on the right.

Paul

[zicc1835]

glad to see you back at it

[bigrigpardo]

did he do a shackle flip in the rear this will bring the rear wheels closer to the front

[pwdcougar]

How would I tell if he flipped the shackles or if the springs were replaced? The front leafs have a paper tag on them so they are newer.

Paul

[bigrigpardo]

it the rear shackle is under the frame mount its a flip. the stock mount has the shackle above it