66' Suburban..what i've been up to....

[Eagletucky]

Although I am a daily visitor to the site, I rarely post. First off I would like to thank all of you who contribute. i have learned loads of great info regarding these trucks since I have joined. Based on others projects, i have performed tasks that I wouldnt have had the guts to try without your help.

Anyhow, this all started a little over a year ago. I bought 4 60-66 trucks, all for less that $300 each off of craigslist and built this with the best parts:



It was a fun truck, but had some rust issues with the cab around the windshield and down the passenger door post. This is what it looked like:



So...based on that amount of rust, I decided to look for a new cab. Well, a 1966 suburban showed up on craigslist about that time, I thought, why not. After a week of negotiating the burb was mine. Here it is the day i brought it home:



All my good stuff that i put on the truck would transfer over, no problem. So the mechanical portion of the build should be simple. I knew the burb needed a "little" floorwork, so I went to tearing out the mouse urine soaked plywood floor and carpet...and this is what I found...........

[Eagletucky]

Here was what i uncovered when I removed the carpet and wood floor:



This thing was rotten almost to the trans tunnel. dont let the appearance of rocker panels fool you, the previous owner tacked a set in years ago to make the burb look halfway solid. There was literally no floor or supports left to salvage. Luckily, the floors of the truck were in decent shape, so i cut out what i needed, bought some patch panels from LMC, bought a mig welder, taught myself to weld, and here are the results:



I'm not a pro by any stretch of the imagination, but for my first welding project, I feel that I did Ok. The burb is now very solid, all the floor braces and mounts were replaced. Its not the prettiest welding job in the world, but i plan to install carpet at some point this year, and that will cover all of the welding seams nicely.

I am currently on vacation from work so I can get the burb up and running. With the help of a buddy of mine, we will get this baby finished and hopefully driving by friday, (4/16/10). I bought a 12 circut wiring harness that we will install wednesday, then its on to the odds and ends to get it ready for the road. Here is how it looked today:



Thanks everyone, more progress reports to come.

[DPowers]

Wow- great work and looking good

[CHIZZLER]

nice lookin pickup. don't change a thing.in my opinion rust and cancer give it character.that hood is not easy to get a hold of.

[lownslw64]

looks good! your off to a good start. keep us posted on your progress

[protrash64]

Bet it rode nice with the floor adding some extra bounce!!! Nice work on putting it back together.....it's looking really good.

[Eagletucky]

She's on the road!!

I got all of the sheetmetal hung, installed the new wiring harness, replaced a couple of bad switches and plugs, and now shes road worthy! Here are a few pics:







Still a LOOOONG way to go, but I got her on the road and driving by the date I was shooting for. I just need to transfer title and plate it, and I'm good to go!

[Eagletucky]

By the way, scraping old window tint off sucks the high hard one!

That job took 5 hours!

[Alan's Classic]

Nice progress. Nice choice on the burb. I'd like to do one to haul the family someday.

[Jonboy]

I really like the look of your 'burb with the early GMC front. Looks sweet!

[Street Sweeper]

Nice looking 'burb. great start to your project. I really like the stance - where are you on the drop front/rear?

[Eagletucky]

Well, It has 2.5" drop spindles and 1 1/4 coils cut off the front.

The rear is leaf spring with the 3 leaves removed, and a 2" shackle drop.

I'm guessing it has roughly a 5" drop in front with a 4" drop in the rear.

I would like to go lower, but it will take alot of work, so I guess i'll have to get used to it.

Thanks for the compliment.

[Clyde65]

I know it is too late but window tint comes of with 409 and a razor blade.

[xratt]

Just found this post. Man, i love a suburban. I've built my 1966 C10, and would love to do what youve done. Get a burb and use all the things I've learned along the way to fix it up. Now I just have to find a burb.

[65Custom]

Nice work on the floor and I think that we all love these old burbs they are just cool

[Dinos63]

NICE JOB!! MAN I GLAD I LIVE WERE THERE NO RUST ISSUES

[Eagletucky]

Thanks guys,

I had this out at Goodguys here in Indy this weekend. I got a lot of positive feedback from other truck guys. Keep your eyes on the classifieds, I have an opportunity to buy one of my dream cars, so I may let this one go.

[LILRED66]

'60-'61 GMC hood on your 4-5-6 Burb...nice touch.

[Dustin07]

can someone explain this hood to me?! it is custom?? I am looking all over and I just don't see that version of the 'bug eye' hood anywhere... whats up with that? its pretty cool...

[Corts60]

She is looking great man! Nice work!

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by Dustin07

can someone explain this hood to me?! it is custom?? I am looking all over and I just don't see that version of the 'bug eye' hood anywhere... whats up with that? its pretty cool...

That is the '60-'61 GMC only hood. It is a hard one to find these days.

[gostranger]

Great looking suburban! also great work on it. i will be watching the progress
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[McMurphy]

Surburbans and Panel-Delivery rigs are just too cool!

[Dustin07]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Surburbans and Panel-Delivery rigs are just too cool!

yes they are. we have a '96 chevy van we use now for delivery vehicle and next year we're thinking of replacing. I told my dad we should consider an old school burb or panel

[piratexpress1369a]

any updates