New enthusiast looking for a Suburban... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

carterb · 07-10-2003, 02:26 PM

Hi all. I am new to all of this so bear with me.
I am looking to purchase a 1967-1972 (preferably 1972) suburban. IMy family has outgrown our custom GMC S-15 so I'd like to start playing with a suburban.

I am happy to see that there are a number of them out there on trucktrader.com. Are there other good classified sources?
Is there an e-mail group that you recommend for trading info or is this bulletin board the best way?
Are there some good sights and FAQ's you can point me to to start gathering info?

Plans for the truck would be to lower it and swap in a modern EFI V8 drivetrain. Most of the ones I see available are 4x4, can they be lowered successfully or do you recommend I stick with 2wd if that is my plan?

Thanks in advance for your help. Most usefull would be direction to FAQ's and other good info sights so I don't come here asking questions you've answered a hundred times before.
--carter

**CPNE** · 07-10-2003, 02:36 PM

Well you are on the right coast to find a solid burb!

The one in this pic is for sale and it's in Olympia WA

It's a 71 or 72 GMC (way cooler than Chevys) based on the grille. Not sure if it's a 1/2 or 3/4 ton but it's 2wd which lends itself to lowering. I would not get a 4x4 and lower it!

Guy's name is Frank. He goes by PICKMUP on this board and he's a straight-up guy to deal with. No

. It's a place to start.

Good luck.

carterb · 07-10-2003, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the quick reply.
Another question. What is the difference between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. Just suspension or is the frame actually beefed up on a 3/4 ton?
--carter

**CPNE** · 07-10-2003, 02:47 PM

Basically the frame is the same, The differences are in the suspension. 8 lug vs 5 lug, heavier duty ball joints and springs. Since it's a burb, it will more than likely have the trailing arm/coils rear suspension (vs leaf springs) regardless of whether it's a 3/4 or 1/2 ton. Coils ride better and are easier to lower!

I know Frank has spent some time on this burb so it's a driver, not a project.

**nightmare** · 07-10-2003, 02:55 PM

welcome to the board from the south. texas. anyhow, whilst i don't know any locations for any 'burbs, this is, i think, the best way to find leads on parts and whole trucks. like CPNE said, don't get a 4x4 and lower it. you would run into too many problems.

da-burb · 07-10-2003, 08:35 PM

Don't believe Jeff(CPNE). Those GMC grills are down right ugly. Egg crate 71-72 Chevy grills are much better looking, and 67-68 Chevy grills are just as nice.

GMC

bouncytruck · 07-11-2003, 12:03 PM

Welcome to the board from Bothell. Are you looking for 4x4 burb or 2wd?

carterb · 07-11-2003, 12:08 PM

Sounds like 2wd for what I want to end up with... A bit of a hot rod. How much of a pain would it be to convert a 4wd to a 2wd if I found just the right deal in the wrong configuration? I plan to pretty much put on new suspension all around anyway so as long as the pick-up points are there on the 4wd frame, what would be the difference?
I agree by the way, I much prefer the Chevy grill. In order not to rule out a GMC though, are there aftermarket grills available for these trucks, bar style or otherwise? Are there any other differences between the GMC and the Chevy besides grill & badging?
Thanks all!

bpmcgee · 07-11-2003, 12:44 PM

Carter,

Welcome. I believe that in 71 and 72 the front quarters are the same on GMC/Chevy. Thus, if you wanted to switch from a GMC to a Chevy grill, you'd have to switch the inner and outer grilles, and the radiator support (to get the headlight buckets).

Also, most people feel that it's enough work to switch from 2wd to 4x4 suspension that it's not generally attempted. Common wisdom has it that it's easier to do a frame swap. This also gives you the excuse to do a frame-off restoration!

Good luck,

Brian

carterb · 07-11-2003, 12:51 PM

More great info, thanks.
By the way, how is parts availablilty for the suburbans?
If I find a good truck with a bad 3rd door or rear hatch, do I leave it alone or are there plenty of good parts out there? When should I walk away?
--carter

**raggedjim** · 07-11-2003, 01:11 PM

Not a Burb , but theres a post in the for sale section called "FREE PANEL" you may want to check (free is a good price...) It's in Oregon I think...

Roger

bouncytruck · 07-11-2003, 01:30 PM

If you get a 4wd, your probably going to be paying for the 4wd. It seems like there are more 2wd burbs around anyway.

I remember seeing a post (I think it was on CK5.com by Greg72) that showed there is a difference between Chevy & GMC front fenders (Blazer vs. Jimmy). I don't know if this applys to the burb too, but you may want to check it out before jumping on a GMC and planning on swapping just the grill.

07-10-2003, 02:26 PM	#1
carterb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 50	New enthusiast looking for a Suburban... Hi all. I am new to all of this so bear with me. I am looking to purchase a 1967-1972 (preferably 1972) suburban. IMy family has outgrown our custom GMC S-15 so I'd like to start playing with a suburban. I am happy to see that there are a number of them out there on trucktrader.com. Are there other good classified sources? Is there an e-mail group that you recommend for trading info or is this bulletin board the best way? Are there some good sights and FAQ's you can point me to to start gathering info? Plans for the truck would be to lower it and swap in a modern EFI V8 drivetrain. Most of the ones I see available are 4x4, can they be lowered successfully or do you recommend I stick with 2wd if that is my plan? Thanks in advance for your help. Most usefull would be direction to FAQ's and other good info sights so I don't come here asking questions you've answered a hundred times before. --carter

07-10-2003, 02:36 PM	#2
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	Well you are on the right coast to find a solid burb! The one in this pic is for sale and it's in Olympia WA It's a 71 or 72 GMC (way cooler than Chevys) based on the grille. Not sure if it's a 1/2 or 3/4 ton but it's 2wd which lends itself to lowering. I would not get a 4x4 and lower it! Guy's name is Frank. He goes by PICKMUP on this board and he's a straight-up guy to deal with. No . It's a place to start. Good luck. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all Last edited by CPNE; 07-10-2003 at 02:38 PM.

07-10-2003, 02:41 PM	#3
carterb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 50	Thanks! Thanks for the quick reply. Another question. What is the difference between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. Just suspension or is the frame actually beefed up on a 3/4 ton? --carter

07-10-2003, 02:47 PM	#4
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	Basically the frame is the same, The differences are in the suspension. 8 lug vs 5 lug, heavier duty ball joints and springs. Since it's a burb, it will more than likely have the trailing arm/coils rear suspension (vs leaf springs) regardless of whether it's a 3/4 or 1/2 ton. Coils ride better and are easier to lower! I know Frank has spent some time on this burb so it's a driver, not a project. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

07-10-2003, 08:35 PM	#6
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Don't believe Jeff(CPNE). Those GMC grills are down right ugly. Egg crate 71-72 Chevy grills are much better looking, and 67-68 Chevy grills are just as nice. GMC __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

07-11-2003, 12:03 PM	#7
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Welcome to the board from Bothell. Are you looking for 4x4 burb or 2wd? __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-11-2003, 12:08 PM	#8
carterb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 50	Sounds like 2wd for what I want to end up with... A bit of a hot rod. How much of a pain would it be to convert a 4wd to a 2wd if I found just the right deal in the wrong configuration? I plan to pretty much put on new suspension all around anyway so as long as the pick-up points are there on the 4wd frame, what would be the difference? I agree by the way, I much prefer the Chevy grill. In order not to rule out a GMC though, are there aftermarket grills available for these trucks, bar style or otherwise? Are there any other differences between the GMC and the Chevy besides grill & badging? Thanks all!

07-11-2003, 12:44 PM	#9
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Carter, Welcome. I believe that in 71 and 72 the front quarters are the same on GMC/Chevy. Thus, if you wanted to switch from a GMC to a Chevy grill, you'd have to switch the inner and outer grilles, and the radiator support (to get the headlight buckets). Also, most people feel that it's enough work to switch from 2wd to 4x4 suspension that it's not generally attempted. Common wisdom has it that it's easier to do a frame swap. This also gives you the excuse to do a frame-off restoration! Good luck, Brian

07-11-2003, 12:51 PM	#10
carterb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 50	More great info, thanks. By the way, how is parts availablilty for the suburbans? If I find a good truck with a bad 3rd door or rear hatch, do I leave it alone or are there plenty of good parts out there? When should I walk away? --carter

07-11-2003, 01:11 PM	#11
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,453	Not a Burb , but theres a post in the for sale section called "FREE PANEL" you may want to check (free is a good price...) It's in Oregon I think... Roger __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

07-11-2003, 01:30 PM	#12
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	If you get a 4wd, your probably going to be paying for the 4wd. It seems like there are more 2wd burbs around anyway. I remember seeing a post (I think it was on CK5.com by Greg72) that showed there is a difference between Chevy & GMC front fenders (Blazer vs. Jimmy). I don't know if this applys to the burb too, but you may want to check it out before jumping on a GMC and planning on swapping just the grill. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L



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