new 'burb build thread

[kbeefy]

So I decided a while back I needed more seats than my lifted '99 f350 was providing, and frankly, was getting a bit tired of the payment anyways. So I sell it and start lookin, I figure the only thing I'm gonna be happy with would be a 73-91 1 ton chevy crew cab or a suburban. I find a '70 suburban that needs some work...
The previous owner did me the favor of swapping out the front axle for a disc equipped one, but failed to match the gear ratios... stock was 4.57 and front as recieved is 4.11. So, no 4x yet. It's got a fair amount of cancer, pretty typical for anything around here, unfortunatly. The rear brakes are also junk (as reported by previous owner). 400 small block, 465/205, D44/HO72 drivetrain. Got it for $2000. Thus starts my journey...



First off I look for brake stuff, only to discover the PO was correct, eaton stuff IS hard to come by up here. OK, so I find a friend thats got a 14bolt laying in his yard, he gives it to me for free. Brief examination reveals that it has 4.11 gears, perfect! This will match up with the front nicely. Since I've allready got this wild hair about rear disc breaks and the 14b is free, why not? So I order up the disc conversion stuff for that as well.



That goes very smoothly, although I also decide I need a 76 vette MC and disc/disc proportioning valve, so theres some extra cash as well.
I then find some seats (existing are a joke) from a 93 suburban, nothing fancy... vinyl benches front, middle and rear.

Now the cool stuff...

Well, I do have a thing for big trucks, so I start looking for something to make this thing look and ride nice. I wind up with a company called Deaver Spring(http://www.deaverspring.com), they make some really nice leafs, from what I can gather. I order them up and wow, these are some sexy springs! I can't wait to put them on...
I'll obviously need new shocks, rims and meats to go with my gucci new spings so I order up some rancho 9000's, Super Swamper 37x13.5r16 SSR's and Mickey Thompson simulated beadlock rims. The above parts combined with just the right amount of swear words and I'm on the road!





So, now I have a great big box of patch panels from Wes @ ClassicHeartbeat.com, an auxilleray heater or two, some more fender trimming to tend to, and a serious case of oxidization but there she is, wish me luck!

[olblue60@aol.com]

Great looking truck. I like the disk conversion that you did. Hope that you get many years of fun out of your new truck!

[special-K]

Just the way I like them!That`s a nice Suburban.I have a`91 3/4t,6.2,4L80E,6"TuffCountry springs,35"MTRs...It`s nice and all,base model,faded paint,a few dents.None of that bugs me,but I won`t be happy`til I swap it all into a 67-72.I have my eye on a`72 GMC now,but no money,yet.It`s a 1/2t,4spd.It`ll be a 3/4 or 1t after I get it.

[4x4Poet]

A man after my own heart. Start with the axles, lift, and tires and rims before hitting the body.

The burb has a mean stance. What's the *official* lift height of those springs? Deaver makes great custom springs, from what I've heard. I'd like to see a close-up pic of them as I've never seen a pic of them outside of a mag and never for one of our burbs.

If you hadn't gotten that 14b for free, I'd have recommended keeping the Eaton and its 4.57s and change out the front R&P. I think the 4.57s would have been a better ratio with 37s. You'll know what you need and want firsthand, of course. Just discussing alternative possibilities for my own entertainment.

Those M/Ts look like they belong under your burb. Must be the retro slot look.

I'm jones'n over the rear disc brake conversion. Looks great. Did you paint or powder coat those calipers? If not, where did you source them? Are they 78 Eldorado calipers, or another app? I don't see an emergency brake. You goin' with a line lock?

[Frizzle Fry]

Right on! Jacked or dropped for me. Anything but stock. Looks awesome.

[special-K]

I have to admit.My fetish is for unrestored mechanically upgraded/modified rigs.They got "Patina!" and just an overall veteran look.Once restored,there`s no turning back.I keep my vehicles(not long/forever),so there`s always later.That thing shines in my eye!

[Biggred8]

what size leaf springs did you get to clear those 37's? Reasonable price on them?

[Joe67]

Great project. Thanks for the updates

[kbeefy]

Originally Posted by 4x4Poet

A man after my own heart. Start with the axles, lift, and tires and rims before hitting the body.

The burb has a mean stance. What's the *official* lift height of those springs? Deaver makes great custom springs, from what I've heard. I'd like to see a close-up pic of them as I've never seen a pic of them outside of a mag and never for one of our burbs.

If you hadn't gotten that 14b for free, I'd have recommended keeping the Eaton and its 4.57s and change out the front R&P. I think the 4.57s would have been a better ratio with 37s. You'll know what you need and want firsthand, of course. Just discussing alternative possibilities for my own entertainment.

Those M/Ts look like they belong under your burb. Must be the retro slot look.

I'm jones'n over the rear disc brake conversion. Looks great. Did you paint or powder coat those calipers? If not, where did you source them? Are they 78 Eldorado calipers, or another app? I don't see an emergency brake. You goin' with a line lock?

Thanks for all the positive comments guys! I have had a lot of really nice lifted trucks (several jeeps,72 blazer and 99 f350) and this one, suprisingly enough, is the biggest head turner. I can predictably be parked beside one of my friends late model trucks with $20k+ in mods and extras and people always look at mine first


I thought pretty seriously about keeping the eaton, thats what started me looking at the disc brakes (besides the fact that my f350 was 4wdb and I couldn't stand goin back to drum) but lockers and parts are getting very hard to find for those things. With the 4-speed it still feels too low geared for the highway, after my planned th700 swap that'll change a bit. My jeep has 4.56's and my blazer also had 4.56's, I feel you really need overdrive when you get that deep. Did 4.88's in the ford w/38's and OD, that was about perfect.

I agree about the MT's, I usually prefer welds but something about them just seemed right, plus the fake beadlocks really gives it a 70's kinda retro-wheeler flavor.

I just used some hi-temp rattle can for the calipers, but have since found an epoxy based caliper paint kit that works quite well and yeilds near powdercoating results. I'd heard a few drawbacks (aside from $$) about the eldorrado calipers so I went with mid 70s chevy k20 hardware, now I have identical stuff front and rear, right down to the caliper bolts. No e-brake yet, I'm thinking about a line-lock as a temporary soulution, possibly going to a t-case mounted brake in the future. For now low gear works alright.

Next on the have to do list is a rear heater and some insulation, it's gettin cold around here!

[RANDY COX]

Yes,Yes,looks awsome I'd drive it,can't wait to get a lift for mine.I need to learn how to post pixs,someone lead me to the right direction,and i'll post em.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Very nice looking ride.... Saw it on wes' board awhile back..

[special-K]

Originally Posted by RANDY COX

Yes,Yes,looks awsome I'd drive it,can't wait to get a lift for mine.I need to learn how to post pixs,someone lead me to the right direction,and i'll post em.

Go to the fax section.I went with Photobucket.It`s pretty dang easy,well explained.

[1976K5CHALET]

My buddy in phx bought my 72 Burb project when we moved to co. Its currently getting the Cummins treatment with D60 up front and 14B FF out back....he fabbed in my old 31G fuel tank from my 79 K5....and a wiring harness from a 89 Burb so far...The cummins with banks kit is going to feed a NV4500 to a NP205....suppose if someone wanted to chat with him i can put you with him....

Doug W.

[special-K]

That`s funny you mention that.I was going to put something about,"all that thing needs is a Cummins",in my post yesterday.After owning my`91 diesel-o/d Suburban I know what I must do.I have my eye on California K/10 with original paint.I have 6" EZ-Rides,D60/14-bolt,35"Xtremes,and a fresh NV4500(needs case) laying around.

[83Diesel4x4]

Thats pretty sharp looking, its nice to see an older 'Burb with some love put into it.

[RANDY COX]

Hey special-k Iv'e tried to load some pixs but keeps telling me my files are too large,I'm computer iliterate can't spell either,but who cares,somehow I managed to get a pix in my avatar,Hmm.Must be doing something wrong,I went to fax but couldn't find anything.NEED HELP.Thanks Randy.

[RANDY COX]

70 burb 4x4

[matthufham]

bad linkage

[kbeefy]

Originally Posted by special-K

That`s funny you mention that.I was going to put something about,"all that thing needs is a Cummins",in my post yesterday.After owning my`91 diesel-o/d Suburban I know what I must do.I have my eye on California K/10 with original paint.I have 6" EZ-Rides,D60/14-bolt,35"Xtremes,and a fresh NV4500(needs case) laying around.

I found a wrecked ford, thought about swapping in a powerstroke... most readily available swap is a 454/th700 from a 94 sub thats local.

[hilljob26]

thats phat yo,i want one,please,please santa,oh well,iv still got my 72

[NO LONGER DISTURBED KONCEPTZ]

Looks like a nice little project man.

[86swb]

Wes board? I knew I saw that burb before. Good looking burb.

[kbeefy]

thanks for the comments, been busy w/ winter activities and not much happening with the 'burb. Working on some interior bits and an aux heater, it's been 0 +/- 5f for the past few weeks, need more heat.