My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

We found ourselves leaving our hounds at home more than we wanted to during the summer cruises, car shows etc and I started looking for an A.D. truck. We were selling the 55 wagon that I built (way to nice of interior to haul dogs in) and I stumbled onto a partially restored, non running Suburban from AZ. Via Bellingham Wa. I asked the owner if she might be interested in a fully restored road trip proven drive anywhere 55 Chevy wagon and she wanted to trade. We loaded up and headed to Bellingham to check out the Burb, made the trade and pocketed some cash to boot. I spent the first few months getting it running, driving, installing all of the seats and dash items, painless harness and polishing the 10 years of "sitting" dust from it. I found a grille guard for it and some other cool trinkets. Here it is by the end of September this year and about when I found this forum.
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps427aaf20.jpg
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/suburban.jpg
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...628_205252.jpg
.
I ordered a drop axle from Sid att www.droppedaxles.com and just returned into the house from nearly completeing it today. This months plans are to drop it 4 to 5 inches with Sids kit and mabey pull a couple leafs from the new 8 stack packs. Change the " cannot get parts for it " Dana 45 to a 69 2wheel drive chevy truck rear ( which I did today)and convert it to a 700r4 with a tall Lokar shifter.
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...201_103803.jpg
My plans were to find an older patina truck, clean it up and drive it while I was spending the December weekends working on the Burb so I could still have a pre 60 truck todrive back and forth on my 70 mile commute. I picked up a 59 appache http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548089

Then mid clean up, I found a completely rebuilt 250 six with all of the cool guy mods. Big cam, shaved head, flat tops, behive z28 springs, 202 intakes, HEI, cast ceramic headers, Clifford 6=8 with a Holley 4bbl, high flow water pump etc and had to have it. Adam, the owner had just built an engine run stand and with the help of the machine shop, broke it in. I threw the apache on 3bay and craigslist and within a day had it sold. Bam....engine money. You could swap 2 V8s into a truck for what a full tilt 225hp 250 six cost, but I think the sixes are too cool for school and had to own it. I should be finished with the front and rear axles tomorrow and will start on the engine /700r4 swap next Friday after work. The Burb ought to be able to move out pretty good with the posi 3:73 rear and haul the trailer a little better with the added H.P.!
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

:three:Where is the "like" button!?! Your dogs better hold on for dear life when you get all that work done!

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

after looking at this suburban as your avatar for 2 months it's nice to be formally introduced :D
nice find on the hot 6 when do we get to see it?

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Awesome!
I have a soft spot for AD burbs, obviously.
We miss the baresteel 53 we built a few years ago.

But lets talk airstream....;)
I, too, have one. We have a 63 Globetrotter.

Great combo! Your burb is nice and will only be better with a altitude adjustment.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Thanks Divine
Ogre, at first I couldn't find an intro section and wanted to start a build thread when I started back in on it. I was in such a hurry this summer to get the thing on the road to catch a couple late cruises that I didnt have much time for a build thread.....I was just building!

Grumpy, I was Chasing the "bare metal clamshell" over a year ago on the Hamb,lost it, found this one , found this forum and saw your bare steele 53 and LOVED IT! I know most of you will probobly stop following this build if I did this, but I have actually thought of stripping the paint off of this one and going bare metal. 1) I love the industrial look 2) this thing has virtually no filler in it. My wife would kill me, so it will probobly stay painted.
Our trailer is a 60 Avion. I tried to find a super clean unrestored airstream, but couldn't. They all needed something. Jumped on the Avion out of Missoula Montana. We spent most of last years weekends in it. The truck/camper is now mothballed after my wife and hounds fell in love with having a lot more room to get out of the weather in the trailer, especially after making them camp in the teardrop (restored 1945 KIT Mfg.) behind the 55 wagon :)
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...504_173549.jpg
Posted via Mobile Device
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...505_105612.jpg

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

You have some amazing looking auto's and I love that little trailor you have in the pictures.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Cool avion!
In my profile page here, my bare burb is parked next to our old 63 avion.
We sold it not long after selling the burb, due to plant closure and job loss.

My wife has always wanted a airstream, but as you said, theyre crazy $$$$

Well, as the saying goes, right place at right time.
My wife was riding along with me one day in my work truck, which she shouldnt be doing..
Then I was out in BFE for a job, and hit a detour, taking me even farther off beaten path.
As Im going down this road, she yelled...LOOK!! Old old airstream camper.

So she begged me to turn around and drive past slow.
I gave in and did so.
All we could see is front, so couldnt tell how long it was etc. And as everyone knows, the shorter they are the more they cost.

She worked me over pretty good asking if Id knock on the door and inquire.
I gave in again and pulled in.
Sat with truck idling, waiting for dogs to come running. When none did, I slowly walked to front door, knocked and waited.
This lady answered and I asked if the camper may be forsale? As I could see then it was a 19' globetrotter of 60s vintage, but...
sadly neglected and sunk in ground.
She says..Well, actually, I just told my boyfriend I was going to sell it.
He didnt want her too because he used it to play his guitar and smoke weed!
:lol::lol::lol:
Anyway, because it was her Ex's, and she didnt want to look at it, she'd sell.

So we looked at it pretty good. Great bones. very solid. No dents. Interior intact and solid. Just neglected and dirty everywhere.
So having spent years looking for a Bambi, Caravell, Globetrotter, I know what they sell for, even in bad bad shape.
So I ask: Any idea what you would want for it?
She says, well, ya know, it is old. I know these old things sell for alot of money, so if I sell it, Id have to have 2500....

I almost fell down. I had 600 on me and wifey wanted to give deposit right then.
Me being me, I said, Ok, let us talk it over and I'll call tomorrow.

So we leave, and the whole way down this road, Im getting the "eye"...lol
That was at 330pm. I dropped wifey at home, took truck back to shop, and called lady on way home.
I said, can I come at 6pm and get it? she said yep, if you have cash. No checks.
I said Cool, see ya at 6.
I get home, and wife is still salty. She has to work at 5, and I drop her at work.
Last thing she said as she gets out of burb is, Call her please!!!! ;)

I left there, went to the ladys house, had to put my 99 burb in 4lo to unearth the camper, put tires held air, lights all worked...woohoo.

I drag it home, park it next to garage and go in house.

My 19yr old daughter goes to pick my wife up at 1030pm from work, and as she pulled in driveway, she said my wife SCREAMED OMG he bought it!
:lol:
That was a week before Laborday weekend. Our 20th wedding annv was Sept.5th, Laborday weekend...
Score one for me!!!:lol:

She spent 10hrs a day cleaning it, and we camped at a 3day weekend carshow over laborday.
Then again at a weekend show the first weekend of Oct.

Its safely in indoor storage for winter now. No more outdoor storage or neglect for that little camper. She loves that thing.

Its not fully restored or even fully polished, but that will come.
But bought me at least a years worth of brownie points!;)
:lol:

Sorry for the long post...lol

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Here it is from Oct, along with the 69 Scotty camper I bought for my 16yr old son. His first vintage toy.


Posted via Mobile Device


Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Great story! You son has a great start with a Scotty. Here's a better pic of the Avion. Its neat to here you guys had one, not many out there anymore.
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5329e275.jpg
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/intavion.jpg
.
.
And a cool burb shot at Billetproof
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...623_210357.jpg
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Thanks, guys.
Love the stories and photos.
I never paid attention to Burbs, until Newfisher joined the board.
Really getting into it. We camp, so the trailers just add spice!

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Verry cool i love the dog part!
Funny I cant remember seeing any burbs around here older than early 60s.
love the burb and the trailers

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

the scotty is the perfect size.:metal: both are really cool :metal:though

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Sorry for the long post...lol[/quote]

great story Tim, It makes the trailer more interesting!

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/suburban.jpg

this one is my favorite! It am a big fan of monochrome photographs!I looks like you lean towards the dark side as i do on my black and whites.:metal:

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Newfisher,
VERY nice Suburban. I love that you're going with the straight 6!

Hey, since you'll have it all apart anyway have you considered putting Teflon between the leaves while the'yre apart? I have always heard it makes a huge difference in ride quality.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Nice pics. And nice Suburban.. Love the visor, looks like one of the more rare model Fultons?? Looking forward to seeing that thing lowered!!

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

I was after a truck and when we stumbled on the Suburban my wife says " now the dogs won't get stollen, wet or jump out when we are parked or driving". They now each have their own seat and go everywhere. We go on the weekends or after work. Kids are grown and gone , but still dealing with drool.:smoke:

Dan.....the leaves are brand new 8 pack, military wrapped stockers. It rides really nice now, but I have played around with those "discs" before on a couple rgs and they do work well.

Headed out to finish up the install today. Should have some altitude adjustment pics later.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Can't wait to see the pix.

Just fyi, I wasn't referring to the Teflon disc's or "pucks" ala Posie's Super Sliders - though I'd love to have them, just not at $500 a crack. I was talking about the bulk Teflon sheet you cut to fit. I don't know who sells it anymore but heard good things back in the day when keeping the leaves was more common.

Now get to work. Us guys sitting on their butts need something to look at!! ha ha.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Haha "get to work"

had a late start, too many birthdays and the whole jump up ,crawl on the florr, lift this push that game yesterday was killing my back, ok no excuses.....I slept in. Got started on it about 10:30. Made rear brake lines, replaced all other rubber ones, packed and set bearings, installed new shoes, hardware and cyls up front. Rear stuff was new last week, I had to keep occupied on the lunch hours rebuilding the 10 bolt. Installed all of the zerk fittings on the upgraded steering tie rods and the backside of the spindles for the king pins. Bleed the brake system and replaced a blown brake light (the only one I have ). Pulled a tape across the front tires and checked the toe. Pulled a tape across the back axle to make sure it was squared to the frame and centered in the wheel openings. Adjusted the pinion at 3 degrees and burned in the saddles. Retorqued the u bolts front and rear and basically just put a hand on everything. Filled the rear diff with oil,adjusted the steering arm to center the wheel and backed out about 2pm. Took it for a 4 hour test drive and stop by all my buddies houses to show it off hehe

http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...202_154037.jpg
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...202_154029.jpg
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...202_154023.jpg
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...202_154011.jpg
.
.
The 68 2x 1/2 ton 10 bolt worked out perfect. It has auto brake adjusters, ebrake cables that will adapt fairly easy and the same pinion yoke/ujoint as the original dana 45 that came out. Overall WMS is 1/2 wider,so 1/4 each side. I still have 3 1/4 inches from the tire to the fender lip.
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...202_181310.jpg
.
.
Driving around was so different than before! The tapered bearing upgrade smoothed out any noise or vibration through the column. The old ball and socket steering joints were so loose I thought it was my box before the upgraded ball joint style tie rod upgrade, no steering box needed now. The old rr was 3:08, the new is 3:73 which will be perfect for the 700r4 swap, but until then its like a go cart! Zippy and plenty of power on the freeway.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

:clap:

Looks great!

Glad someone is motovated....;)

My wife got me on Instagram, and I spent the entire day playing on it.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Instagram? That sounds too much like pintrest. LOL
Quick, walk out into the garage and say something mechanical, grab a tool and repeat after me...." I love working on my cars, I have more tools than recipies, grease gas and gear oil make me happy"
You'll feel better tomorrow
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Im all against FB etc.
tell my wife and kids FB will be the end of civilization....:lol:

But instagram is kinda cool. Basicly nothing but pics. You can follow badass fabricators and builders from all over country.
And people can follow you, if you add pics of anything worth-while...lol

But I did look out the window towards the garage awhile ago. Truck still resting quietly...;)

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

That sounds better than the name, I'm against fb too and share the same thoughts.
Instagram wouldn't work for me, I am HORRIBLE about taking pics as you can tell, 2 photos with tech in this thread ...one yesterday after I yanked out the rear end and one tonight showing the tire clearance with a 10 bolt. Its more about progress on a project as a whole and when I'm greasy, the last thing I'm going to do is stick my hand in my pocket to get my phone and snap a pic, most of what I'm doing I learned here or on the hamb, so tech pics on my build are kinda redundant. I can't wait to start tearing back into it Friday night to swap the new motor and the 700r4. I'm driving it every day this week to work, getting it aligned, rechecking the bearings, adjusting brakes etc and am going to try to have the whole conversion done by Sunday. I may have to pull the seats out and just sleep in it to get it all done! :)
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Wow that looks great. You got more done in a day than a lot of us (well, me anyway) get done in a month!

You've installed a drop axle or just pulled some leaves? Maybe I missed your mention of either(?) With the top of the front tire tucked like that (perfect) , do you experience any rubbing? Sorry for so many questions.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Thanks Dan, I work 50 hours a week 35 miles from home, so I have to plan ahead on the weekends and don't have much margin for error as The shop that I can use allows me to work on stuff, but it has to roll out for Monday.

Its a Sid's www.droppedaxles.com set up. 4.5 inches front and 4 inches rear. All leaf packs are new and OE style 8 leaves per pack. No rubbing, even entering an exiting driveways with full turn. It's perfect for a DD. It has about a 1 inch rake to it and I think its due to the rear leaf packs being slightly stiffer for hauling, plus the 1/2 difference in static drop. Looks way better in person than on my cell camera. If you go with the drop axle, make sure you upgrade to the taper bearings and the tie rod style steering joints.....HUGE difference in driving, handling etc.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

You nailed it, that is the perfect stance and a great look. Not only a huge driving improvement but a huge appearance improvement on an already great looking burb.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Thanks Mr48chev, I'm liking it better evry time I drive it. Kinda lit a fire and I'm stoked to do some of the little things. Stayed late after work and put a couple hours tinkering.

We have a drive through hot dog cart in the town I work in and I frequent the chili cheese quite often. Normally the guys next door give a wave or a nod when I'm sitting in the burb ordering and waiting for the mouth watering goodness to arrive, but today they came over and struck up a conversationnoticing it was lowered. The burb used to get some attention, but since yesterday its been thumbs up at every intersection and its not like we moved to a new town. Dropping it just changes several things, not just geometry lol.

My Sids dropped axle Tshirts came in today along with the rest of my Lokar stuff. Last night I must have pulled the motor and trans 5 times in my head before I fell asleep. Hoping to do both this weekend and be lighting up some wide whites on Monday!

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

love your suburban... one day i will find a nice one like yours

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Excellent information, thanks.

I noticed on the Sids website that he offers to modifiy your drop link, etc to minimize bump steer with the dropped axle. Did you go that route with yours?

I already have the tapered roller bearings in my disc brake conversation kit which I've not installed yet after getting "stuck" thinking about IFS. I just think in 20 years maybe we'll be regretting cutting frames in half for clip installs-I may be wrong. Yeah, I know an MII cross member is reversible.

I'll definitely do a king pin rebuild and modern tie rods if I use a drop. SEEMS like it would be fine; true not IFS "fine" but still really nice for most driving.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Beautiful Burb.

I love readin this stuff since I am in the process of prepping my axle for some of SID's magic very soon.

Are you refering to the newer style drag link?

Thanks!!

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Dan do it! no regrets
I ordered all new steering rods, arms, pitman, drag etc from Sid for 2 reasons. It all comes from the same source new and I dont have to modify or blame a component if there was a problem or a feeling the way it drove when I was done. It far exceeded the ride and drive that I was used to or anticipating. It's been a balmy 50 degrees and INCHES of rain comming down since Sunday, but I am so tickled about how it drives I have been driving 75 miles round trip to work, running errands after etc.

I can tell you that I was on the fence on a IRS set up too. It's not much more money than doing what I did and getting EVERYTHING new, but it came down to how I feel about keeping the nostalgic / classic vehicle in the nostalgic and classic way. I'm not knocking those who go s-10 chassis, MII etc, those builds are super cool and I respect those who have made the change to modern technology but mine is what it is.....a 1950 Suburban with a solid axle, straight 6 and the original frame that I am preserving. Sure, tapered bearings and new style tie rods are "newer" stuff, so is our gasoline and oil, but they are safer than the old.

I would do the swap again on the next truck too. The Drop axle, steering components, springs, shackles etc are almost the same cost for everything, actually alot more than clipping one with a camaro/nova etc. and I am sure the ride when doing a MII or clip is like driving a new car, but if i wanted to drive a new car I would jump into one that we we have.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Coach,
Yes , you toss the old ball and socket assembly ( complete) and either modify your pitman arm or buy a new one from Sid with the 7degree taper set up for the new style tie rod, new drag link to the modified left steering arm and the new cross steering link with new style tie rods and modified or new right steering arm. The only thing in the "steering system" I re-used was the box and column. The only suspension or chassis items I reused were the backing plates and modified the hubs with tapered bearings. All new springs, shackles, brakes, cylinders, hardware, greasable pins, bushings, center pins, ubolts , axle with new kings and spindles and shocks.

It sounds like alot, but even with routine maintenence over the years and it still driving as a daily driver, it needed a makeover and after installing it all, its a huge difference. You can just buy an axle for $400 + shipping and $100 core and swap your stuff or you buy the king kit, spindles, tapered bearings, tie rod conversion etc. and jump in with both feet. Just depends on what you are after in the end. I drive it 75 miles a day minimum on todays interstates most of the way ( the roads were much different and slower back in 1950) and wanted to feel as safe as I could, ride and steer as best as I could using a little technology and trying to keep it as traditional as I could.

Hope it helps

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

I am 100% on board. It close to doubles my budget, but I feel it is for the best. I am not replacing my springs, but pulling them apart and cleaning them up and painting them. The shackles will be rebuilt or replaced.

I have the tapered bearings with my dsc brake kit.

Kingpins will be replaced.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

burb looks great.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

I have been driving the Burb all week to work and getting some little bugs worked out before I start the engine/trans swap plus I just love driving the thing. One thing I was fighting was increased effort to turn the steering wheel at slow speeds. I spoke to Sid and we talked about caster, how it plays into steering effort and when dropping a truck 4.5 inches things change. I did buy the 4 and 6 degree shims so I would have some adjustment if I needed to. I swapped all the shims around last night and the test drove each time to see what would change, still tough. I had remembered the Pitman arm hanging off the box slightly to the rear, but quickly forgot about it as the front steering was blown apart and thought that I hadn't changed the geometry when I was pulling parts and tossing them out of the way. I pulled the arm, clocked it back a tooth and lengthened the drag link so the tie rods had roughly 1/3 threaded area in the tube, they had been screwed in most of the way into the tube so the overall length was short at first. Settled the steering/suspension and then popped the steering wheel to center it. I took it for a test drive and what a difference! It's like powersteering with these skinny Coker's again.

My plans were to swap the engine and do a 700r4 conversion this weekend, but the shop I had lined up to borrow just became unavailable this weekend. So, it's 45 degrees and raining here and I have the Ez-Up ready to go and the driveway cleared for at least an engine swap. My plans are scaled back a little, but obtainable....get the new engine in , Lokar pedal, cables and get it running with the 4speed. next weekend tackle the 700r4 swap and spread it out on a couple cold driveway weekends.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Holy crap! An Engine/trans and pedal swap in a weekend on your dd. Man i need friends like you to give me a swift boot in the rear!
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

^^ GIT R DUN!

I'm not the "relax" guy, I'm the ADHD adult that is always cleaning, organizing, planning, re-planning and organizing. My wife says I'm gonna look good in the coffin after my early heart attack LOL

The pedal swap looks pretty basic. Removing the mechanical system, template the Lokar, drilling 4 holes and cutting out the swing arm section. Pulling the motor looks like removing the hood, draining the fluids, 4 hoses, cable, coolant temp bung, oil pressure bung, 4 wires, 6 bell housing bolts a fuel line and the cutting the exhaust as I am going to run cast headers. Figure in a parts store run, I'm shooting for mid day Sunday to fire it up with the shorty sprint car mufflers hanging from the header flanges as a temporary exhaust. I have it scheduled for the exhaust shop next week and will bring the Summit cross member to locate the tube down the drivers side. Going with 2.5 inch 2 into 1 about 18 inches from the headers, into a large 3 chamber magnaflow and 2.5 inch out 45 degrres at the left corner 45 down to the pavement.

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Pressure washed the grime off the bell housing and trans at lunch, washed the rest and it cleaned up pretty well after a week of rainy roads. I want to try to keep as much of the grease from getting on me during the swap. I think it's settling a little since last weekend, the nose is sitting perfect.
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...207_133737.jpg
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/a...207_133659.jpg

overlook the hood gaps...I have a plan later

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

I get tired just watching your updates...:lol:

Im in my comfy chair, watching Elf and trolling the net. Keep us posted on your progress...;)

Re: My 1950 dog hauling, trailer towing, daily driver Suburban
 

Grumpy, grab a flight and come on out this weekend. I could use a hand!