A different Suburban

[bigblock73]

When I tell friends and family about my next project, a 1950 Plymouth Suburban...everyone says "Plymouth Suburban?". Yup, it's a Plymouth and they had a Suburban too...produced from 49-78.

Picked this gem up a couple years ago in North Dakota (found on the HAMB), and have been resisting the urge to start on it until I finish up a few other projects first. This will be a pretty simple build, with the intent to build a low budget, family friendly and simple 50's cruiser.

PLANS: Replace the rusty floors and rockers, late model v8/auto swap, convert to 12 volt, disc brakes, mild drop, steel wheels & wide whites. Once I get the car running, driving and working the way I like...I'll blow it apart and "finish" it up nicely.

[hopped up]

Those Plymouth suburb and are great cars, my homie has had one for 10 years

[bigblock73]

Side shot. I love the patina. My daughter named the car Sally...Sally the Suburban.

[bigblock73]

First order if business...pick up a donor for the driveline swap. Found this '84 Dodge Ram for $600...318, auto...just over 100k on the clock and runs like a champ. I will be using the engine, trans, driveshaft and hopefully the cruise control and AC. I sold a few parts off it it, the rest was scrapped. After all was said and done, I only had $300 invested in the above mentioned parts I will be using.

[bigblock73]

For the rear, picked up this 8 1/4 rear axle assembly for $100. It is the correct width, bolt pattern, and better gears...and keeps this car all Mopar, which is important to me, as I like my vehicles to be brand loyal.

[bigblock73]

Here is the 318...somewhere under all the smog equipment, wiring and other crap. As mentioned above, I would like to keep the CC and AC, but will need to find a way to clean this mess up as much as possible. I have already purchased a used M1 4 barrel intake, gasket kit, small cam, double roller timing chain, and early 60's A body exhaust manifolds (to clear the steering shaft). Need to buy a carburetor (500 cfm edlebrock), and find a suitable 4 barrel air cleaner. Plans for the engine are to re-gasket it, cam/intake/carb, clean, paint and drive as-is. Once the car is blown back apart, then I can rebuild it if needed.

Next to the engine is a 904 trans, traded the 727 from the truck for this one. 904's are a little lighter/smaller, and don't rob as much HP as the 727.

[bigblock73]

Here is a visor that I purchased with the car. After a little research, I believe is is a late 40's or early 50's Oldsmobile visor. It fits real well, but haven't entirely made up my mind on running it yet.

[bigblock73]

Found thighs NOS fender on eBay for a very fair price, so I nabbed it up to replace the damaged fender on the car.

[Russell Ashley]

I will follow this build. We had a 50 Suburban like that back in the fifties and both me and my brother abused it through our teenage driving years, LOL. We never tore it up although sometimes we tried. We finally made a pickup out of it by cutting the top off from cab back and moving the upper tailgate forward to make the rear of the cab. We did a nice job and people would ask if it was factory made. It was still running around Savannah, Ga into the late sixties but we lost track of it after that.

[Keith Seymore]

A Plymouth Suburban?

Seems like GM would have gotten all bent out of shape about anybody else using that name (especially long term).

Looks like a fun project and a novel approach.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

...and keeps this car all Mopar, which is important to me, as I like my vehicles to be brand loyal.

You could put a New Process A833 trans in it....



K

[68Timber]

Cool project! I like that it'll be all Dodge, but man that drivetrain donor looked nice... Subbed.

[Jonboy]

It's gonna be cool, Jeffrey. Looking forward to see it coming along.

[nlped]

I'm gonna follow along. I love rides like this...

[bigblock73]

Spent the day today gutting the interior of the wagon...a NASTY NASTY job! Out came the seats, door panels, rear panels and headliner. Mice nest and droppings everywhere! I am not surprised by this, but didn't expect quite as much as I found. Floors from the rear seat forward are toast, as are the floor supports. All interior panels are junk, but will make perfect templates for new ones. Here is a teaser pic for now, will take more tomorrow.

[bigblock73]

Took all the junk off the 318...and have begun cleaning the block (not shown in the pic). Looking better already. Planning on keeping the AC, but losing the smog junk. Monday I will be spending unhooking the flathead six and trans...might even try to yank it out if time allows.

[bigblock73]

Was doing yard work today, in nothing other than a 1972 Sears Suburban...ironic right? This was purchased new by my late grandfather, and I was lucky enough to inherit it when he passed. This past summer I spent some time getting it running and operating 100%...sure felt great! Below is a photo taken on its new maiden voyage...kids in tow, just like I used to ride as a younger squirt.

[bigblock73]

The trailer wheels and axle were completely shot, so I rebuilt the axle/frame asembly, powder coated it, new wheels/tires, and rebuilt the dump mechanism...works just like new once again.

[bigblock73]

Circa 1978, I am the handsome fella in the Micky mouse shirt

[Jonboy]

My grandpa had the same cart! He had a small gold sears tractor with a center tiller steer, but I made short work of that when I was about 12. He also had a '62 Cadillac convertible in the garage that needed major work. I was a lot better at taking stuff apart than putting it back together. Some things never change, I guess!

[Grizz1963]

I love these.

We have two locally.. One neat, one rough.

[bigblock73]

Been a while since I've posted anything on the suburban, but have made a little progress. The flathead six, trans and rear are now out of the car, and the 8-1/4 rear is in on top of 2" drop blocks (just bolted down for now, have not welded them yet).

[bigblock73]

Can't upload more than one pic at a time...so here is how she sits today.

[bigblock73]

Next up is to mock install the 318/904, then set the pinion angle and weld the spring perches on. I should mention that I purchased the engine, trans and rear install kits from a place called Butch's Cool Stuff...and have been super pleased with the quality of their parts and customer service. It will make retrofitting the late model driveline in the 'burb a piece of cake. Nice that there are some companies that support the smaller and least popular of the big 3!

[Advanced Design]

Kids were having so much fun! Great history on the cart, the Sears Suburban and cool build you have going. Every CL search I do for a Suburban typically pulls up a number of Sears and Plymouths too.

Have fun!