Pick up to suburban, crazy idea?

[samdjr74]

Hi All,

I've had my 56 chevy for 15 year now and have been working on it slowly. But I'm sick and tired of this snails pace and I need to get cracking on it. My frame, suspension, drive train, brakes, steering and fuel system are complete.

The problem is when I first bought the truck I was single, now I'm married with 2 kids and a pick up doesn't really do much for the family, besides I already own a Corvette so having two two seat vehicles is just not practical. But I'm wondering, what about turning my 3100 into a suburban? Has anyone tried it? If so what does it entail? Also I see a lot more panel trucks out there then suburbans, can I convert a panel truck over to a suburban?

Thanks,
Sam

[OrrieG]

Except for the fact that the roof, side and back panels are different and not reproduced probably not a big deal. If the wheel base is the same as the burbs, it would be just a matter of a body swap and associated body work. Dash is the same so if you have worked on that it could be swapped. Front clip and mechanicals are the same.

the link in my signature will take you to a site with original spec manuals. It lands on a TF page, scroll down to the year index tab, pick your year, and look for the dimension pages to see if it will fit your frame.

[samdjr74]

Right, so no matter what I'm hunting the bone yards and want ads for a complete truck but in the end will have an extra frame from the suburban and body from my 3100. That could be bolted together and sold, no worries, but finding the suburban seems to be the tricky part, not many around and I assume they weren't high in production numbers.

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Except for the fact that the roof, side and back panels are different and not reproduced probably not a big deal. If the wheel base is the same as the burbs, it would be just a matter of a body swap and associated body work. Dash is the same so if you have worked on that it could be swapped. Front clip and mechanicals are the same.

the link in my signature will take you to a site with original spec manuals. It lands on a TF page, scroll down to the year index tab, pick your year, and look for the dimension pages to see if it will fit your frame.

[_Ogre]

there are many 4 door conversion builds on this forum
be warned that if you spent 15 yrs getting the frame done
it may take another 15 yrs to finish a 4 door conversion
and then the extra doors may be a moot point

i started truk when my youngest was in middle school
she had almost graduated from college by the time i finished my 2 door truk

[samdjr74]

Even at 15 years my kids would just be getting out of high school so they may still want to go for a ride lol

Originally Posted by _Ogre

there are many 4 door conversion builds on this forum
be warned that if you spent 15 yrs getting the frame done
it may take another 15 yrs to finish a 4 door conversion
and then the extra doors may be a moot point

i started truk when my youngest was in middle school
she had almost graduated from college by the time i finished my 2 door truk

[Advanced Design]

If the wheel base is the same and a Suburban will fit the family needs better go for a body swap. Keep looking and you may find the right one.

Been there with our kids...the 69 Corvette kinda lost its appeal when we had to find a baby sitter to go on a nice day cruise.

And if a Burb build ( or 4 door conversion) takes as long as mine has you can always take the Grandkids!

[samdjr74]

So it sounds like my idea isn't that crazy!

Next question, does anyone know if a panel truck body could be converted to a suburban body? The size, shape and lines are the same. The only difference is the lack of windows on the panel truck. So if one was to take a panel truck is it possible to cut the side and install windows? They don't have to roll down, I was even thinking about mini-van style windows that slide.

[_Ogre]

anything can be done with the proper skill and tools
this is a 4 door sub, all doors stretched 6'' and custom windows
doing all of this might stretch your project out where your son will need to finish it in memory of dad

[samdjr74]

Wow!

Very cool

Originally Posted by _Ogre

anything can be done with the proper skill and tools
this is a 4 door sub, all doors stretched 6'' and custom windows
doing all of this might stretch your project out where your son will need to finish it in memory of dad

[OrrieG]

Something else I was thinking about. Taskforce trucks have the Vin stamped on the frame and on the cab door jamb. When you find a good example burb you will need to get with the state DMV and figure out how they will want the two trucks titled since each will have two identical Vins. Burb body, og frame and truck body on burb frame.

[samdjr74]

I was thinking about that too but here in NJ the DMV is a little funny, technically my title states truck, not pick up, just truck. My jeep Patriot on the other hand is listed as a wagon, so who knows.

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Something else I was thinking about. Taskforce trucks have the Vin stamped on the frame and on the cab door jamb. When you find a good example burb you will need to get with the state DMV and figure out how they will want the two trucks titled since each will have two identical Vins. Burb body, og frame and truck body on burb frame.

[oldcouple]

http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/4452755160.html

[Highsider]

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...485654222.html
Good price.

[samdjr74]

Really good price but I'm going to hold out a little bit and see if I can find a 55-57 suburban. If I can't find anything in say 6 months or so I'll start looking at panels and 58-59 models.

Originally Posted by Highsider

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...485654222.html
Good price.

[1project2many]

I'm in the same boat. My truck was OK when we just had one child but with two it's just not happening. What to do? I keep looking at Suburbans but I probably won't be able to finish a project for years. I wouldn't try to convert a truck, though. There are just too many nice vehicles in the western half of the country.

http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/4452755160.html

I have a completely rebuilt 350 Corvette engine all balanced, etc

Why do they always have a Corvette engine to go with the truck? Why???

[samdjr74]

I agree, now that I own a vette there's nothing special about those old 350's lol

Originally Posted by 1project2many

Why do they always have a Corvette engine to go with the truck? Why???

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

Why do they always have a Corvette engine to go with the truck? Why???

lol agreed. a 74 vette had the same anemic 350 in it that many 74s had