Well, I knew I had a small window of opportunity to do this before my 61 takes residence in the garage, so it was now or who knows when...

After countless photochops to play with the proportions, I ended up using the longbed-to-shortbed conversion dimensions. For those who aren't familiar, it's -12" in wheelbase and -8" from the back end for an overall reduction of 20" (that's a LOT of garage space)

This is the rendering that really sold it for me:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/72Tahoe5.jpg?t=1178507606

I would have posted pics in process but I literally had two weeks to get this done and it ended up taking three...

Here's the final pic of the Sub life; the before pic:
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1550Medium.jpg

Here we go...:hm:
Tear Down:
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1552Medium.jpg
Gates off
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1553Medium.jpg
That's gonna have to go...
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1554Medium.jpg
These were nice while they lasted... I'll make new ones
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1555Medium.jpg
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1556Medium.jpg
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1557Medium.jpg
Roomy...
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1558Medium.jpg

More tear down:

Too bad I just filled this:rolleyes:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1568Medium.jpg?t=1178507824
I'd been wanting to get rid of this nasty home-made receiver hitch (PO install)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1570Medium.jpg?t=1178507824
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1571Medium.jpg?t=1178507824
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1572Medium.jpg?t=1178507824
Rear bumper and hitch gone:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1573Medium.jpg?t=1178507824
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1574Medium.jpg?t=1178507824
This will become a one-piece
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1575Medium.jpg?t=1178507824
Quarter windows out
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1578Medium.jpg?t=1178507824
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1579Medium.jpg?t=1178507824

I found the easiest way to remove the rear wood is with a little help from Mr circle saw. Then I cut around the bolts with a sawzall so I could remove them with the sawzall. Pics should make it clear...
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1581Medium.jpg
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1582Medium.jpg

You can see how I cut around the bolts here so I could then just hack the bolts instead of fighting with them.
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1583Medium.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1584Medium.jpg?t=1178508482

Buh-bye spare tire well...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1586Medium.jpg?t=1178508482
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1588Medium.jpg?t=1178508482

Rear 8" cut layout. That ledge is a great place to reference level:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1597Medium.jpg?t=1178508482
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1599Medium.jpg?t=1178508482

I'll be needing these soon:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1602Medium.jpg?t=1178508482
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1603Medium.jpg?t=1178508482

This body cross brace/seat mount and the frame crossmember behind it were less than 12" appart. So the seat mount had to get a little trim:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1607Medium.jpg?t=1178509212
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1608Medium.jpg?t=1178509212
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1604Medium.jpg?t=1178509212
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1605Medium.jpg?t=1178509212

Making room for the wheel wells to move forward: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1613Medium.jpg?t=1178509212

Bracing for what's to come with a little help:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1609Medium.jpg?t=1178509212
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1616Medium.jpg?t=1178509212
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1617Medium.jpg?t=1178509807

You can't simply take 8" and 12" slices out of this thing and weld it back together like a truck bed. These have C-Pillars, a third door, and rear quarter glass to consider.

This is where all my Tahoe Photo-Chopping really paid off. I found when I did the renderings that it was easiest to just move the rear wheel wells forward 12" and then the rear and roof forward 20". I also knew from that experience that the roof was slightly domed, so the further forward the slice, the better.

Here are the exterior layout lines:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1619Medium.jpg?t=1178510730


No turning back now!!!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1625Medium.jpg?t=1178510730
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1626Medium.jpg?t=1178510730
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1633Medium.jpg?t=1178510730

By including the braces and fuel filler passage in this section I can just move it all forward as one unit:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1632Medium.jpg?t=1178510730
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1635Medium.jpg?t=1178510730

Ouch :lol:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1637Medium.jpg?t=1178510730
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1638Medium.jpg?t=1178510730

This whole area required a redesign:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1639Medium.jpg?t=1178511228

Here's where the wheel well is going to end up (blue line):
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1646Medium.jpg?t=1178511228


That's gonna have to move;) (see blue line again):
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1650Medium.jpg?t=1178511228

Thank God for bracing...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1653Medium.jpg?t=1178511228
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1654Medium.jpg?t=1178511228

Test fit of wheel well section:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1655Medium.jpg?t=1178511228
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1660.jpg?t=1178512313
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1661.jpg?t=1178512313
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1662.jpg?t=1178512313

Making room...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1664Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1665Medium.jpg?t=1178512547

POR 15 Time!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1666Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1667Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1668Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1669Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1670Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1671Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1672Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1673Medium.jpg?t=1178512547

...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1674Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1676Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1681Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1683Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1684Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1685Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1680Medium.jpg?t=1178512547

This is a "bolt-on" mod :lol:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1690Medium.jpg?t=1178512547
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1691Medium.jpg?t=1178512547

Tacked in place:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1694Medium.jpg?t=1178513170
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1692Medium.jpg?t=1178513248

More to come tomorrow...

Thats going to look sweet when you get done with it. Looks like you had a couple of good hands helping you out to.

oh my god...this is going to be so sweet.....i was waiting for someone to hunker down and get this done.....i'll be watching, i got 2 extra burb bodies that i think are wanting to get cut up soon too......looks sweet so far!!! keep up with the pics.....

Well...wow...I have three extra burbs I was going to just going to get rid of. This makes me want to just cover em up for now and see what yours looks like finished. I think if I destroyed two of em trying to figure out how this works the third one may get finished...lol...someday.

i assume this is going to stay a 3 dr for now?

:jdp: That's just incredible! Can't wait to see it completely finished. :metal:

Way cool!!.. cant wait to see more pics..
I can really appreciate a guy who is not afraid to cut one up!!
I love it!!

FINALLY, someone is going to build one. I was wondering when this was going to happen!! Looks awesome, the fun part is going to be the other side with the door!!

dont like it, i saw one at a show last year,looks like a swb with a burb roof on it.

Awesome project, Mike! It just makes me feel badly about going fishing this weekend...LOL!

I think that is will be real cool. Nice work. Looks like lyou are having a good time with the kids. Keep it up.

FINALLY, someone is going to build one. I was wondering when this was going to happen!! Looks awesome, the fun part is going to be the other side with the door!!

The 3rd door is pretty much done. Just needs some finishing work. The truck was 90% done and driving before I even started this thread. I just don't have the time to post all the pics in one sitting :o More to come today. But ya, you're right. It did take some on-the-fly-engineering. That's why I did the driver's side first ;)

dont like it, i saw one at a show last year,looks like a swb with a burb roof on it.


Well, I appreciate your honesty :) Are you sure you saw one with a 115" wheelbase and notched 3rd door? I have looked and looked and have never seen one done this way. I've seen this:
http://customclassictrucks.com/eventcoverage/0506cl_maria_15_z.jpg

...and I've seen them with a some rear-end trimming, but never the way I'm doing it; "Tahoe Style." If you or anyone else has pics of one done this way I'd love to see them!

<click> Subscribe.....

Killer build. That had to take some serious cajones to bring the cutoff wheel to clean original sheet metal. The progress looks great. I like the on the fly engineering too.

Don't worry about the one guy that hates it. Your building for yourself, not him. Anybody that doesn't like it can click the back button and go look at another thread.

I like "phantoms" or versions of trucks/cars that could have been made but weren't. If done right (and it looks like its going in the right direction) its probably going to look like it was factory when completed. Then you'll get the folks coming up saying they remember having one like that as a kid or an uncle had one a long time ago.

Very unique, keep up the good work!

I know you did this just so you can place in the top 10 at that Porsche auto cross!!!!!!!!!!

You NEVER asked for anyone's opinion about this but I think this is an awesome project and a great idea. I still can't believe you got it done in 3 weeks while losing one weekend to an injury! That is one "stinking" complex conversion!

thats goign to be freakin sweet

Nice job Mike!:metal: . Can't wait to see it completed!:)

That is an insane amount of work, can't wait to see the finished product. :D

You've got more guts than I do. That looks good sof ar,cant' wait to see the finished product.

Thanks everyone :) And I don't mind opinions, for, against, or even suggestions.

Now for the 3rd door...

This side obviously takes a different approach than the drivers side. I did the driver's side first because I wanted to build some experience level before tackling the pass side.

Here you can see I already started cutting. The blue line (center one) is level reference:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1696Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

Again, this ledge/cap has to go:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1697Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

Prep'ing for surgery:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1698Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1699Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1705Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

Here we go...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1706Medium.jpg?t=1178562334
Rust repair via elimination of the area :lol:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1707Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1711Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

You've got more guts than I do. That looks good sof ar,cant' wait to see the finished product.

X2

Your "test fit" looks better than the majority of body work I've ever done, so I'm sure it'll be sweet once you get done.

Thanks for sharing.

...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1716Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1717Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

This will later become part of the 3rd door:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1718Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1722Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1723Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1725Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1724Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

I want to leave as much of the door jam in place as possible:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1726Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

Man, that's hard to look at:eek:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1727Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

Measure 17 times, cut 3... :hm:

Test fit of pass side section:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1730Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1735Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1732Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1734Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

I ordered two of these trailer fenders in preparation for this project. I only ended up needing one.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1729Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

And here's where I used it:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1742Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1744Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

On to the rocker.

Old one removed (left the front turn up section in place):

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1745Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

POR 15:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1753Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1755Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

I had a front/pass side rocker replacement laying around, so...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1746Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

You can see here that I had to extent the rear of this rocker by about an inch. Also added the outer lip to the wheel tub:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1759Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

On to the door.

Here's where the wheel well will come through (black line) and some blue cut lines:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1747Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

I didn't take a lot of pics of this, but here's the door cut and POR 15'ed:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1752Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

I moved the inner door corner forward and tilted it back slightly to line up with the rocker:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1760Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

Last shot of this rig with a square 3rd door...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1762Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

Cut the outer skin to accept the panel I cut from the wheel arch earlier:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1763Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

It's coming together now... :metal:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1764Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1765Medium.jpg?t=1178562334

Man this thing is looking good! Cant wait to see it finished.

Crazy, just crazy! Gonna be a sick ride when it's done.

Mike

On to the frame. First, 8" from the rear:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1766Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1767Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1768Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1769Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1770Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1771Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1772Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1775Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1777Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

For those who have yet to replace your body mounts :lol:

These are the rears:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1773Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

12" from between the trailing arm member and tranny member:

I envy you guys that got to do this on a bare frame...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1779Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

Coming together. I used a floor jack on the trailing-arm member and a trailer strap between that and the front susp member. Getting this all to line up took several hours and some help. I don't have a shot of it, but 12" put the trailing arm member just in front of a floor support. Like it was meant to be...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1797Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1798Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

ECE Boxing plates in. I was only able to use 13" of it. Not sure what the other guys are doing?
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1806Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1807Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

All POR 15'ed up
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1811Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1815Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1818Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1813Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

Body mounts:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1817Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1812Medium.jpg?t=1178566233

Sweet project I will be watching this one.

To make room for the rear frame kick-up I had to notch the body/floor brace (front of cargo area) pretty severely. I also had to take quite a bit out of the rear passenger floor and seat mount (front of middle row seat).

The body mounts for this position were on the side of the frame before; like the ones in the previous post. But because I notched the body member to clear the frame I had to do something to restore strength in those areas.

I came up with one solution for both issues: Reinforce with 1/4" plate and use that as the new body mount location. So now, the body mounts sit on top of the frame like the rear do.

You can see in this pic where I cut 1-1/4" holes in the frame for this purpose (already POR 15'ed). You can also see the Flintstone treatment in the rear floor...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1790Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

Here's how that all came together:

The plate is angled to match the frame.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1784Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1791Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1822Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1821Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1820Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

And back down on its wheels. Looks like one of those drag cars when they move the rear wheels forward :lol:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1799Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1800Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1801Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1802Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

AWESOME!!!!!!
makes me want to start cutting , better get a plan 1st
how long did you sit and stare and invision this before you cut ?

Time to lose 20 inches...
I made my cut lines on the inside of the roof because I was able to use one of the roof support members as a guide.

I wanted to make the cut as far forward as possible, but also wanted to keep it slightly back from the C-pillar to ease future bodywork/sanding. On the inside I noticed the factory 3-point seatbelt mounts and decided to make the forward cut just behind those. The rear is 20" behind that.

You can see here that I cut some wood scraps to use as a guide for the sharpie with the roof member as the fence:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1828.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1829.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1833.jpg?t=1178567653

After making the cuts from the inside I move to the outside and figured out where to cut based on the previous cuts:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1841.jpg?t=1178567653

...and there she goes:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1842.jpg?t=1178567653

That thing is heavier than you'd expect; 50-60lbs I think.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1852.jpg?t=1178567653

AWESOME!!!!!!
makes me want to start cutting , better get a plan 1st
how long did you sit and stare and invision this before you cut ?


Thanks, over a year at least!

And the last remaining metal holding the back on.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1837.jpg?t=1178567653

I cut this side at an angle so I could lose the spare tire "dish" completely:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1838.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1839.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1840Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

Last shots before separation:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1844Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1845Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

...and separation complete. The rear section didn't even move one bit when it came apart. The cherry-picker and jack stands did there job beautifully.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1846Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1847Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1848Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1849Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1850Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1851Medium.jpg?t=1178567653

I have to admit I was tempted to drive it around the block like that :lol: But there was no gas tank in it:o

I went ahead and POR 15'ed everything I could access at that point including all in behind the tail lights and even up the D-pillar.

Then I put her back together:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1853Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1854Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1855Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1856Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1857Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1858Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1859Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1860Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1861Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1863Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

The roof didn't match up as I expected, but is should just take a couple longitudinal relief cuts:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1865Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1866Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

These didn't match up either, of coarse, but a little tweaking of the inner panels got it:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1867Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1868Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1869Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1871Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1872Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

That's like the most amazing thing I've ever seen! I wish I had half the talent it would take to do that! And you're updating like every 10 mintes, with what seems like giant progress! You're the man!

Here's how it sits today. It still needs the roof done, third door finished, rear floor covered, complete all body welding (its all just tacked right now), and all that fun bodywork... But I've driven it :) and I'm very happy with the results. The rear needs to come back down and I think there may be some 20's in the near future ;)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1876Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1877Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1878Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1879Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1880Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1881Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1882Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1883Medium.jpg?t=1178570041

Before:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1550Medium.jpg?t=1178571249

Photochop:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/Tahoe3wheels.jpg?t=1178571303

Real thing:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/e78999/69%20Suburban/Tahoe%20Project/CIMG1881Medium.jpg?t=1178571355

you are TALENTED beyond belief....

what othe vehicles have you done- err,.. REDONE ??
THANKS for sharing..
-41-

Man, the "real thing" looks better than the Photoshop. That is great. I like it. .......................Bamm!

I'll say it again, just incredible!!!!! Do you plan on leaving the trim on? I hope so, I think that will help maintain the "factory" look. Keep them pictures coming!!!

you are TALENTED beyond belief....

what othe vehicles have you done- err,.. REDONE ??
THANKS for sharing..
-41-

Well, this one's been on hold for a while, but I had to get the Tahoe done because I'm going to start again on this -> http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=179289
Man, the "real thing" looks better than the Photoshop. That is great. I like it. .......................Bamm!

I'll say it again, just incredible!!!!! Do you plan on leaving the trim on? I hope so, I think that will help maintain the "factory" look. Keep them pictures coming!!!

Thanks guys!

I do plan to keep all the trim and the roof rack. The roof rack will be shortened just like the photochop. The upper trim will be easy, but the lower will get tricky. Should be able to use lower rear pieces off a SWB truck, but the strips in front of the rear tires will have to be custom or modify mine.

very cool, I agree that the real thing looks even better than the Photochop.... How long did that take?

Where are the picts? Am I missing something???

absolutly bad ass. I can't belive how fast you ripped through that burb. The look is right on the money. Stock trim should complete the phantom vibe well. You got more done in a couple of days than most can accomplish is a couple of years. What's the secret? do you have a starbucks iv line or a never ending supply of red bull? All I know is to duplicate that type of quick progress all that caffeine would have my cut lines as squiggly as a river drawn on a map.

Keep it up!

FF, I made a spare for you ;)

Looks great. Any plans to get the roof line at the right height (maybe -2")??

Very well done! Now just add in that 4th door so I can show the wife the new kid hauler:metal:

Kevin
LFD inc.

So if I drop one of mine off for the weekend how much would you charge to get it right where yours is at ? :)

Looks incredible.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think you should chop it now:metal:

Wife to Mike: Honey that looks so sweet. Now that you have wasted all morning on it, you need to mow the lawn, take out the trash, trim the bushes clean the gutters. etc.:lol: :lol: :lol:Awsome work:gi:

you, my friend, are a rock star!

awesome work here, and huge balls to take on a project in a 2-3 week timeframe.

:jdp: Oh My God!!!!:jdp:
That's absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!! I may have to drive to Oregon just to check this beast out, in person.
Keep up the great work; I can't wait to see the "Tah-old" done.

Dude! I live in Oregon! Awesome...

So... Are you like a super body man for a living? Or you just do your own stuff?

So... Are you like a super body man for a living? Or you just do your own stuff?

Yeh :confused:

Also what are you using to make you sheetmetal cuts??? - they look very clean and straight - do you use a fence like a block of wood clamped to the long sections of metal like the roof and wheel well cut-outs?

Looks Awesome - not sure I would have the guts to do it to a Burb that clean though.

very cool, I agree that the real thing looks even better than the Photochop.... How long did that take?

Thanks, 19 days to get it to this point. Obviously there's still a lot of work to do, but this is my driver:hm: :lol: (seriously).

Where are the picts? Am I missing something???
Firewall at work :confused: Hopefully you can see them from another comuter.
absolutly bad ass. I can't belive how fast you ripped through that burb. The look is right on the money. Stock trim should complete the phantom vibe well. You got more done in a couple of days than most can accomplish is a couple of years. What's the secret? do you have a starbucks iv line or a never ending supply of red bull? All I know is to duplicate that type of quick progress all that caffeine would have my cut lines as squiggly as a river drawn on a map.

Keep it up!
It took three weeks of every spare moment. Though I did also have work, three kids for 1/2 the week, and got a piece of metal in my cornea during the process that killed a couple days :rolleyes: Funny thing is I just completely quit all caffeine intake just before starting this project... Maybe that's the secret;)

FF, I made a spare for you ;)

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Looks great. Any plans to get the roof line at the right height (maybe -2")??

For now I'll just make the roof match up and see how it looks. I'm going for a clean "stock" looking body, but dropped and on 20's all around.

Very well done! Now just add in that 4th door so I can show the wife the new kid hauler:metal:
Kevin
LFD inc.
When can I drop it off for the 4th door install?;) I was tempted to tackle that, and I would have referenced your crew cab build for sure, but the short timeline had no room for it. I know my limits:)
So if I drop one of mine off for the weekend how much would you charge to get it right where yours is at ? :)

:lol: I'd love to do another one. It'd probably take less time and turn out better!
Looks incredible.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks guys

im still absolutely bedfuddled at how quick you did that, you make this stuff look way too easy. that is awesome.....

I think you should chop it now:metal:

Those look cool.
Wife to Mike: Honey that looks so sweet. Now that you have wasted all morning on it, you need to mow the lawn, take out the trash, trim the bushes clean the gutters. etc.:lol: :lol: :lol:Awsome work:gi:

Not married (maybe that's part of the formula :lol: ) But I do have an awesome girlfriend who picked up all the slack while I was buried in this project :metal: to her
you, my friend, are a rock star!

awesome work here, and huge balls to take on a project in a 2-3 week timeframe.

Ya, I knew it was aggressive but had to go for it if I wanted to get it done.
:jdp: Oh My God!!!!:jdp:
That's absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!! I may have to drive to Oregon just to check this beast out, in person.
Keep up the great work; I can't wait to see the "Tah-old" done.
Let me know when you want to come by. I always enjoy meeting board members.
Dude! I live in Oregon! Awesome...

So... Are you like a super body man for a living? Or you just do your own stuff?
It just a hobby.
Yeh :confused:

Also what are you using to make you sheetmetal cuts??? - they look very clean and straight - do you use a fence like a block of wood clamped to the long sections of metal like the roof and wheel well cut-outs?

Looks Awesome - not sure I would have the guts to do it to a Burb that clean though.

Thanks man. Angle grinder with cut-off wheels. Just following a tape line.

I think all of us Oregon guys gotta go see this.
Man.. great work! BBQ at Mikes house!

Brian