'65 Suburban build has started

[My65's]

First off I would like to say hello to all on the forum, this is my first post and first adventure in the 2wd classic truck world. Sooo...thanks in advance for all the info I have been finding on this board and any people are willing to hand out!
Now....I picked up my '65 Burb about a month ago as a project for me and my 2 daughters (6 and 3...got to learn sometime!) She is a C10 with a rebuilt 292 i6 4-speed on the floor.
Plans:
Clean up rust, straighten body, possible paint
C-notch, porter strong arms, and accuride
some type of modern seating

[My65's]

...ok...so first thing was to do a little tear down to see what I had to play with. Interior was ripped out, then doors, hood....

...and of course I found some interesting things that I could use a little advice on. Both door sills (inboard of the door seal) are rusted through. I am replacing both rockers sets and am currious if I need to pick up full pack panels for these bad boys? Is it truely a 3 piece joint?...outter rocker/inner rocker/floor pan



Second...the driver side door header and roof have some rust issues, the roof should be a simple patch job but I was wondering what options I have in terms of new metal for the header...or am I onto metal fab?



...more pics to come as I start going through this...

[Southcity]

Welcome to the board from a fellow 66 Burb owner, I've always liked that color on the 60-66 trucks/burbs, looking forward to progress pics. You're in good hands on this board for a wealth of info.

[hemifalcon]

Just responded to your IM you sent me, and now I came here..
Looks like you've got some work ahead of you if you're doing a complete restoration. Am I correct in guessing the suburban was restored at one time in the past?

Also--your roof issue is concerning on the driver's side--have you checked the front eyebrow area yet over top the windshield? You'll be fabricating that upper door frame area for certain. Also--check to see how bad the water damage is as you'll likely find the caulking around the perimeter roof seam is dried and cracked allowing that damage to start.

Also--the rockers are basically a two-piece job. The inner rocker/floor piece and the outer rocker are separate and joined with spot welds. In order to get at that area you've posted pictures of you'll have to remove the outer rocker (good luck saving it...) and work out out from there. As I asked before regarding it possibly being restored previously--you need to really start checking to ensure there was no half-ass covering of rust. Check the area around the front cowl vent area on the firewall as my suburban which came from northern CA had bad rust there, along with the roof rust you are getting to enjoy.

Good start to your project.

[My65's]

Thanks for the feedback and tips hemifalcon, the burb was "restored" about 10 years ago but he just fixed what was needed at the time. After that it sat under a tree for about 5-6 years with some use. The passenger side is solid and the rest of the roof looks good but I'm still hunting. Going to try to do the rust the correct way without taking the body off so it will be a challenge. Fenders come off next and then I'll start drilling the spot welds off for the rockers. I already have new metal for the outside so I guess I need to pick up the outer floor section.

[My65's]

Ok, here is a little update...my daughter took her first body panel off, she did great and loved doing it!




...I also went ahead and removed the rest of the front end, need to replace the structure support in both fenders and will be sending the rest of the engine bay panels to powder in the future:

[My65's]

now onto the rough stuff...started cutting about the door header and found a nice section of rust:





I know a bunch will have to be cut out, I think I am going to back and finish the floors and rockers so I dont build a laundry list that is too large too quick.
A few questions though...I think I will need to remove all the glass, its all in pretty good shape...any tips on how to do this while maintaining the glass? Also, where do I find all the replacement rubber? I dont want to rip it out if I cant get it back in

[Grandpa54]

Originally Posted by My65's

now onto the rough stuff...started cutting about the door header and found a nice section of rust:





I know a bunch will have to be cut out, I think I am going to back and finish the floors and rockers so I dont build a laundry list that is too large too quick.
A few questions though...I think I will need to remove all the glass, its all in pretty good shape...any tips on how to do this while maintaining the glass? Also, where do I find all the replacement rubber? I dont want to rip it out if I cant get it back in

I have a rust free roof that might be easier to replace that all that patching. You can email me at gmc47@hotmail.com if you want to come and look at it. Most of it unbolts, Mark

[My65's]

My local watering hole contributing to the cause

[MikeS.]

Good luck, you definitely have your work cut out for you. Good thing you have the helpers.

[ChiefRocka]

Oh ya ... you have some rust too !


If you need more, just let me know ....

[My65's]

Thanks John! Told you I had some but your rig made me feel a little better about my task!
Thanks for the hood!

[MikeS.]

When I see Rigs like John and this one from my65 I am so happy with what I got two years ago. Minimal rust and that in places that was easy to fix.

[Sick5]

subscribed

[My65's]

Well...wow...didnt realize the last i added updates to this was 3 years ago!!! Well...a third kid will do that to you! So, actually started the burb back up last year and started making some progress again...
Got her loaded up to take to my buddies shop to pull the body...

My oldest with her first run at air tools..she is a big fan!

...body off with the help of my buddy Al and Ellie...

...frame ready to roll back home to start work...

...home ready for more fun!

[My65's]

Some frame work and another helper! Love these girls!


More power tools!...air turned down and nuts already cracked for safety but dont tell her that

Ready for the Ridetech gear to go in the back...thanks to Travis at Pro Performance!


Rear suspension and cross member all test fitted and moved outside for more cleaning and to clear up space in the garage...

[My65's]

...finally up to date after a few months off to do house work....time to start striping the 292. Its been rebuilt already...bearings/seats/valves/etc...next step...lump ports, cam/springs, intake (current thought is a 490 edelbrock 4barrel with clifford intake), and headers (current thought is for Clifford shorties)...


More to come...more parts coming from Travis at ProPerformance and CPP to get a rolling chassis so we can strip it down and go to powder.

[pimpston65]

whats your plans for the original gas tank?

[My65's]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

whats your plans for the original gas tank?

Current plan is to clean it up, paint it, and throw it back in. Id like to get it hot tanked first. Still up in the air if i want to go with a larger tank...I have a new rear cross memember to allow for a larger tank, just not sure if Im going to run one or not.

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by My65's

Current plan is to clean it up, paint it, and throw it back in. Id like to get it hot tanked first. Still up in the air if i want to go with a larger tank...I have a new rear cross memember to allow for a larger tank, just not sure if Im going to run one or not.

if you ever wanna go big and dump that one im a buyer.

[My65's]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

if you ever wanna go big and dump that one im a buyer.

Sounds good! Ill let you know.

[65chevysub]

Great to see your girls helping. Tried to get mine to help with my 65 but since she's 15, helping dad doesn't come into play anywhere. Nice Nova! 63 or 64? I used to have an all original 65 4 door.

[My65's]

Originally Posted by 65chevysub

Great to see your girls helping. Tried to get mine to help with my 65 but since she's 15, helping dad doesn't come into play anywhere. Nice Nova! 63 or 64? I used to have an all original 65 4 door.

Yeah, they are up and down on it but when they show interest i jump on it! It has been fun to have to work on it
Thanks...65 actually. Its a blast to drive

[65chevysub]

I love driving mine as well. It's my daily driver. Mine has a 283 in it right now but going to a 350 next year for better mileage and power. I had a TH350, power steering and a tilt column from a 72 pickup put in it. I installed the discs on the front in 1996 and converted to a 5 lug setup. My rims are 86 Suburban rally style which will be body color. I will be watching your build.

[My65's]

A little more progress with fit check to get ready for powder...
Power steering box...
Chopping Block upper and lower arms narrowed 1" to allow a little deeper wheel dish. Thanks Travis! Also drilled out the lower ubolt mounts for the newer 5/8" bolts...nice and beefy!

More to come....