New 68 Suburban

[mlevario99]

I found this 68 Suburban this Friday, and I bought it, it cost me 1400 I think the price is right. It has the 350 engine on it, the guy told me it was running, but that was a while back. I did not see a A/C compressor, do they all came with A/C or was this an option, and if it was an option, how hard will it be to install A/C on the Suburban. My plans are to make it pretty, but that might take a while, so for now I just want to drive it. It has only the front seat, but I plan to replace them with some seats out of a Tahoe. Thanks for any advise.

[Average Joe]

Looks like a great project! I dont think rear AC was an option on the 68's however a standard front system was. Personally I like the aftermarket systems from Vintage Air, Old Air, and others. This is the route I will take if I can ever afford it for my '67. I really dig the idea of Tahoe seats. I think they look great and are real comfy. Keep us posted on your progress and welcome to the board!!!

[67chevy1series]

wow they really wanted some privacy when they tinted the windowsnce project look forward to seeing it transform

[C20-67_N_MO]

From what I can see of the body, it looks to be descent and a LOT less rust than mine!

If you want to sell it I will make you an offer!

But hey it's a good project so go have fun with it!

[C20-67_N_MO]

Originally Posted by mlevario99

I found this 68 Suburban this Friday, and I bought it, it cost me 1400 I think the price is right. It has the 350 engine on it, the guy told me it was running, but that was a while back. I did not see a A/C compressor, do they all came with A/C or was this an option, and if it was an option, how hard will it be to install A/C on the Suburban. My plans are to make it pretty, but that might take a while, so for now I just want to drive it. It has only the front seat, but I plan to replace them with some seats out of a Tahoe. Thanks for any advise.

Hey I can tell you a thing I learned from the limited experience I have so far.

If it came with an A/C then you would either:

1. Have an A/C Dash vents
2. Have the A/C unit mounted on the back ceiling area.
3. Have the A/C lines running on the passenger frame rail and under the 1st bench passenger bench seat (like mine).

Heck there maybe a 4th or so on option, but mine as a US Corp of Engineer vehicle and has the switch on the lower dash just under the instruments with a small A/C switch to turn my unit on. The fan is on the box itself under the seat.

I can posts pics if you would like to see my setup.

[mlevario99]

Thanks to all. from the pictures that I took I don't see any vents and no compressor, so I guess no A/C. I will find out more when I go and pick it up, is about 100 miles from where I live, hopefully this Friday.

[mlevario99]

I have another question, on the back of the suburban, do they have wood floor like the trucks, or they have metal floor

[jorgensensc]

I sent you a pm.
Posted via Mobile Device

[eyebuzz]

Yes, plywood floor for the back is the way they were built. Floors seem to hold up surprisingly well.

[mlevario99]

If they have plywood on the back, is there a kit to install hardwood just like a truck

[Number98]

Nice... I agree with the others, good place to start!

[mlevario99]

I have a question, do the suburbans came with manuel tranny, mine has one. But I dont think it has the original, the steel pan that goes on top of the tranny it was not installed, and the hole on the steel pan for the stick is in the center and this tranny has the stick shift on the driver side. The tranny case has this number on it C-15390. Does anyone knows what tranny might be.

Thanks in advance

[capev86]

that truck would look nice just cleaned up with a fresh coat of paint and some better seats. it was certainly a good buy and i think it has a hei swap already done. the 67-68 slant nose trucks are really sharp with a snappy factory-new paint job and the chrome lower molding that loops around the wheel wells.

i think the factory style in dash a/c looks the best and the rear a/c is butt ugly. if i was going to do a rear a/c system i would find a way to route it above the headliner and just have the vents show. my dad had an 87 burb with the same basic rear a/c module and there are a few items that we wanted to haul that would have fit otherwise.

if you have a manual trans already, it would be cool to swap in a modern 5 or 6 speed with a good overdrive ratio....gas prices suck bad enough when you are getting the best possible fuel mileage.

burbs had wood floors from behind the second row seat (aka the elevated cargo platform). stock wood was long lasting marine grade plywood. should be doable to install a fancier floor material and affix stainless strips. be really cool if you had a panel truck done up like a hearse!

[mlevario99]

Thanks capev86. What modern manual tranny will fit behind the 350 engine, I was trying shifting gears on the tranny and is really hard, specially to get the reverse, I am not familair with manual trannys, so any help will be greatly appreciated.

[capev86]

any trans with a chevy v8 bellhousing should work. only considerations are that the o/d trans are longer so you will need a shorter driveshaft. you may have to modify yours, have one built or there may be one the right length for a different drive train configuration.

if my burb had been a floor shift model instead of a novelty 3 on the tree, i would have kept the 4.57 rear instead of swapping to a 4.10 and put in a 6 speed with a .52 6th gear. instead i did the rear axle gear swap and have since picked up a 66-69 saginaw 3 speed with the borg warner overdrive on the back instead of a conventional tail housing so it is an easy 100% bolt in job.

i hear the 5 speed in certain year camaros is pretty stout and there are aftermarket suppliers that build some nice boxes. do some research on here and around the net. you may find something that fits your budget and dreams.....

[dan76]

Nice find.....

Lots of potential. I'll predict you'll need A/C when late spring rolls around.

[mlevario99]

thanks capev86, I will look for some trannys soon. I just order some small parts from LMC, I also need to buy the two rear glass, and the hatch galss.

You are correct dan76, but that might have to wait until next year.

Another question, where can I buy a kit to replace the body mounting kit, I could not find it in the LMC catalog, unless I miss it.

[zac]

Good question on the body mounts. I thought I had seen them somewhere, but I don't see them in the LMC catalog either. May be another case where we have to make creative use of pickup and blazer parts--again. I bet someone here will know.

As for the trans, check out the option list on your glove box door. It should say what it came with originally. It sounds like you may have a passenger car manual trans installed now. Post some pics if you can. Lots of options there, as has been mentioned. I've always liked the close-ratio T-19, but it's rare and a hassle to install on Chevy's, I think. It was the only thing I liked about a Scout I used to have....

It was nice of the guy who stole your heater core to totally destroy the air box. I predict you will be able to pick up many of the parts you need easily and reasonably on these boards.

Good luck, welcome, and keep updating!

[70cst]

As others have said that was a good buy on a very solid looking truck!

[rondog4416]

you can try THE TRUCKANDCARSHOP.COM for the mount kit . nice starting point

[mlevario99]

I found a 72 chevy truck rear differential (5 lug), I thinking of buying it, will it fit with out any problems in the suburban, or is it norrow than the suburban. I am also planning on changing the front end to the 5 lug by replacing the crossmember. Any thoughts.

Thanks

[mlevario99]

I was looking under the front suspension and I founf this. The engine has power sterring pump, but the lines do not go the sterring gear, they go to something else, it looks like a rack and pinion, does any one knows what is this, was it common on this trucks, or is this something that the previous owner installed.

[67chevy1series]

this was on 67 this was the only way you can get power steering in 67

[project 67 sub]

yup, thats an original 67 power steering set up

[71gmcburb]

i think i saw a set of body mounts at brothers trucks you have to look under "cab mounts" you can get both rubber and urethane for the burbs

http://www.brotherstrucks.com