72 Suburban Making it mine

[bowtieguy79]

Couple months back we picked up a super clean 72 suburban, needed a little TLC and some things changed, but it fit the bill, solid body, few imperfections that would allow us to not care as much about driving it possibly daily.

Our end goal is a Family Vacation / Power Tour long haul vehicle, and maybe since its currently bright Illini Orange a tail gate vehicle here and there

It currently has a the factory 402/400TH. It runs good but man it drinks to much fuel. It will be upgraded to a 5.3 LS and a 4L60E out of my 79 C10.

Should motivate the Sub for what we want. Click on pic for the vid of the 79



Don't worry the C10 will get upgraded after the sub is where I want it.

To date I have changed the second row seats out for front seats of a 04 Silverado

Came with a second row from an Avalanche nice seats, just didn't fit like I wanted them to. Sat way to close to the front seats. They could have been modified and moved back, but I was wanting captains chairs.


04 Front seats



The next issue that was causing driving issues was the dirty original gas tank. I had put 4 new inline fuel filters in it and it was just getting worse. I dropped the tank and I think I got about a half folgers can of dried gas chunks and rust. The sending unit was missing the float, I think it disintegrated... The old tank also had a couple of pin holes so it was time for a new tank.

I shopped and searched here, and man for another 10 gallon I just couldn't see spending $1000 on a fancy tank. I opted for a factory replacement LMC 21 gallon tank and sending unit kit.

Figured while I was there, I would prep it for the LS swap.






Moving forward, I intend to trade the factory front AC with a vintage air unit and T in the factory Rear air that is in place in the Sub now. The LS will remain a factory stock 5.3, no plans to mod, same with the transmission.

The interior we want to go with tan leather. Similar to what you would see in the 03-06 Z71 Suburbans, that lighter colored tan and add a third row seat. The audio system will be similar to what you would find in a newer suburban. I may go with an Ipad based system, but the rear will have DVD for the kiddo's.

Our goal is to drive this thing anywhere, Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Mertle Beach. Where ever, and I intend to have it as safe as I can make it, and as reliable as I can make it.

[LockDoc]

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Sounds like a good plan. I'm trying to do the same thing but I used a 350 GM crate engine and 2004r in mine.

LockDoc

[Advanced Design]

Awesome looking Burb and really like the direction you are taking the project. Seats look good too!

[YBNORML]

Nice burb, and a great plan too!

[bowtieguy79]

Thanks guys. I got the tank back in this morning. Nice to drive it more than 5 miles without having to change the fuel filter. Wrapping up another project then will start the LS swap later this year.

[Average Joe]

Cool build!

[Cobalt964ruf]

nice truck to start with

[BB72CHEVKT]

Nice rig!

[bowtieguy79]

Swapped the wheels and tires over from the 79 C10 to see how I liked the look...... Not to shabby if I do say so myself

[bowtieguy79]

Scored a pair of 70s vintage coolers this afternoon.



The smaller of the two is in better condition. I'll fix it first. Needs lid liner fixed and painted to match the sub.

[Advanced Design]

Wow, we use one just like the larger one. We've had it a long time....now I am beginning to understand how older folks have cool old stuff.

Nice score.

[bowtieguy79]

Didn't get anything done on the Suburban, but I did burn some fuel! Went to the home improvement store and got some fencing and a piece of plywood for my father inlaw.

Old big block did a great job with the trailer.


If you have never driven a pig rich big block suburban with the tail gate down, I don't advise it...... WOW....


And then had to snap a picture of my father inlaws fathers truck. I rebuilt the carb and installed it back on the truck yesterday. 1970 F100 XLT pretty rare old truck, but wow is she rusty!

[LockDoc]

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Good to see you using the old girl as she was intended. I hope you didn't have far to go with the tailgate down....

LockDoc

[bowtieguy79]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Good to see you using the old girl as she was intended. I hope you didn't have far to go with the tailgate down....

LockDoc

Only about 6 miles, and it was warm enough to roll all the windows down lol

[bowtieguy79]

Oh Craigslist was good to me today !

Scored these perfect 3rd row suburban seats








I plan to go tan with all the seats eventually.

[Advanced Design]

Nice find! Love the child seat in use too....really enjoying the Burb!

[bowtieguy79]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Nice find! Love the child seat in use too....really enjoying the Burb!

Thanks, we try and drive it at least once a week with the kids. They both really enjoy riding in it, I think because they can see out so good.

[bowtieguy79]

So I've been struggling with what to do with the drive line on the old sub. The 402 runs like a champ, and all of the AC being intact... I'm really having trouble yanking it all out for an LSx swap.

Well I got my answer last week, I got a deal on a Holley Commander 950 EFI set up. I'm planning a cam upgrade, might tickle the heads a little, upgrade the intake, dizzy and add some long tube headers.

For the Transmission I'm going to go ahead and install the 4L80E that I picked up, just have to settle on a controller unit that I like, leaning towards the MSD or TCI. Planning to pull apart the sub over Christmas/New Years time frame.

[Average Joe]

Sounds like a great idea. My long term plan is a 4l80 as well.

[70net440]

My wife wants a burb like this to haul our 4 young ones around. She misses driving her '63 c-10.

[Advanced Design]

Looking forward to the updates. Really like your Burb Bowtie.

[bowtieguy79]

Might be the last time I get her warmed up enough to come off high idle

[Number98]

Slick looking Burb you have, I love it! I am with you on the LS Struggles, I want to keep mine a little more original and I love the Big Block. That is why I leaning towards fuel injecting my 402 and adding an overdrive trans.

[bowtieguy79]

Pulled the burb in the garage last night to do the rear lift gate strut upgrade.







Only got one done as Amazon sent me one that was mis-packaged need to get that sent back. But just for one installed, it goes up nice!!

Found a few things in the truck I didn't know where there....

[davidfre21]

How much more room did changing out the avalanche seats give you? They look smaller than the front bucket. I have a line on a complete set front and back from an avalanche for cheap. Was wondering how they worked