Our "What are we going to do?" 66 Suburban Build

[RockTonka]

Well, we weren't actively looking for a burb, but then this really clean "survivor" popped up on CL just a few hours away.

Some of yall' may have seen this thread, http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=506592 pop up a few nights ago...Thanks perro13

I called my boy immediately and the gears started spinning. We both recognized that this was a unique opportunity that shouldn't get away (I imagine a few of you were thinking the same).

We started chasing the owner that night but couldn't make contact until the next morning. After a couple calls back and forth, a plan was hatched to try and get it that night...we were anxious to move fast and lock it down if it was as clean as it looked in the ads.

It was a solid 4 hour drive from OKC to Quinlan, TX were the Burb was patiently waiting for us.

We arrived at the owner's place a bit past 9 p.m. and began crawling all over and under the burb with flashlights to see if there were any major issues that would prevent us from bringing it home. It really was cleaner than we had hoped for!!

What we got is a one owner, 66 Custom Cab Suburban with 67K miles. It was bought new by the current owners FIL who lightly used the burb in his carpentry business before parking it in the 90's due to health issues. He gave it to his SIL (current registered owner) last Oct. where it sat until now...hence my interpretation of being a practically one owner ride.

It has all three rows of seats, the third seat is in near pristine condition due to being pulled out and stored to create extra space. Basics are 283 w/ power glide, power brakes, all sliding windows (unbroken), clam shell rear doors, original wheels/hubcaps, custom cab trim, chrome front/rear bumpers, Al. grill...and so on. Everything is in exceptionally nice condition.

Beyond getting it running again, we don't really know what we're going to do with it...just knew we had to have it.

Anyway, enough rambling...how about some pics!

[RockTonka]

Ran it by the carwash for a quick rinse before pushing it into the garage...trying to keep it out of the elements until we can address a few issues.

So more pics, less talk...

[RockTonka]

More pics...

[Narxoleptic Customs]

Sweet! Now drop it 11" and touch anything else....
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[gostranger]

That is one incredible find!!!what are your plans for it and thanks for all the pics!!

customfeatures are all there!!!unbelievable find!!!!
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[protrash64]

Super Kool!!! Cant wait to see more.

[RockTonka]

The immediate plans are just to see if we can get it running safely and address some of the rust issues.

The gas tank had been hit slightly on the passenger side, denting it and causing a crease that split a bit and is leaking. So pulled the tank for repair...needs cleaning anyhow.

The floor looks pretty good from the bottom side though, at least to my untrained eye. Been spending hours looking at all the burbs on here, trying to figure out how they're supposed to look.

Few more pics...

[RockTonka]

Yall' can see that I like lots of pics, so how about some more...

[hopped up]

great find!! nice burb!! you can send those hubcaps my way when you buy new wheels!
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[RockTonka]

Ha, I think I might be a bit partial to them. They're kinda growing on me, my son threw a bit of polish on one of them before heading back to school and it looks like they will clean up well.

[protrash64]

If you have any fuel delivery issues when you start it up, there is a small rubber hose about 1/2 way up the frame rail connecting the two hardlines FYI. I replaced all my hose and found it later.......

[chevyrestoguy]

I've just noticed something in your pictures:

Do the Suburbans use the same bumper on the front and the rear? It sure looks like they're the same. If it is, I never knew that. But then again, I've never owned a Sub, although it's on my Wish List.

That Suburban is one cool truck. It looks like it's never been abused, which is amazing. I am always amazed at what you guys find out there! Can't wait to see more pictures when you get it running and all shined up!

[allaboutchevelles]

it looks to be all stock and unmolested. real nice find.

[sean1969c10]

Nice find!!

[Captainfab]

Awesome score

[RockTonka]

Originally Posted by protrash64

If you have any fuel delivery issues when you start it up, there is a small rubber hose about 1/2 way up the frame rail connecting the two hardlines FYI. I replaced all my hose and found it later.......

That's where we're going next, thanks for the heads up!

[oem4me]

You were smart to act fast on that one, as I'm sure it was on the radar for a few others. If it were closer to me, I'd have raced you to it.
I looked for the rust you mentioned but can't see it in the pics ...must be minor? Is the original color dark blue? It all looks very worthwhile, congrats!

[RockTonka]

chevyrestoguy,
The bumpers are very similar but not exactly the same...the rear has some indentations inboard of the frame mounts that aren't on the front, but nothing else jumped out at me??

[RockTonka]

oem,
The pass side lower door jamb is the worst with all the lower window channels a close second...one even growing moss A bit of mild surface rust across the top but no other issues so far.
I believe the darker blue is original...you can see an area that was cleaned on the firewall with what I think is the original hue. The burb has been repainted a time or two, by the owner from what we understand, and has a bit of bondo across the top of the driver side front wheel opening. Nothing major, but you can feel the hammer work on the inside.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by RockTonka

chevyrestoguy,
The bumpers are very similar but not exactly the same...the rear has some indentations inboard of the frame mounts that aren't on the front, but nothing else jumped out at me??

Actually, the bumpers are the same except for hole locations. Those useless indents on the burb rear bumper are where front bumper bolts would go. Hard to find Suburban rear bumpers can be made from easy to find front bumpers. But sshhhh, don't tell anyone ... (I have one for sale). lol

[RockTonka]

Originally Posted by oem4me

But sshhhh, don't tell anyone ... (I have one for sale). lol

Gotcha, it's just between you and I Not that I doubted you, but I did go and throw a tape measure and an eye on it...when you're right, you're right!!

On a side note, also got some extras with the burb. Buried in the repair manual were some polaroids/invoice of some tranny work in 76. Kinda cool.

[Dinos63]

OMG !! congrats that is as awsum find!!!

[Mr Pops]

Nice! Subscribed.

[RockTonka]

Originally Posted by Dinos63

OMG !! congrats that is as awsum find!!!

Originally Posted by Mr Pops

Nice! Subscribed.

We sure hope we can do this burb justice. It's been difficult finding time for the projects we have going already, let alone throwing another in the mix.

We would really like to get it cleaned up, running, and just enjoy cruising it around as is for a bit.

On that note, I pulled the rear diff cover to check the R&P (good 3.73s) and clean, paint, and reseal the cover.

[RockTonka]

A couple minutes with some polish went a long ways...