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My Wife's 55.2 C4 Carryall / Suburban build
Hello again....
Well, I thought I would start a build thread EARLY for my next up and coming project once I finish my 58 fleetside build. A lil history and why: This build is for my wife of 25 yrs, mainly because she supports me in my various hobbies and because SHE SAID SO!!. :hm: (just kidding) It is a 55 carryall (2nd edition) We purchased this suburban from her dad when we found out he had terminal cancer (R.I.P. Tommy). This suburban almost cost me ALOTT, you ask how much? It almost cost me my marriage until he had past away then my wife realized why I risked everything, it was for her to have something of his but she didnt see it at the time. This suburban was built by my close buddy Lenny(w/ red bagged Panel), and of course my father in law Tom C., and I helped a little on the electrical and odd & ends with him after work. Right now it has a 350 H.O. and 700r4 from a 92 Chevy Caprice Police car. Engine, trans, wiring, fuel tank, axle, just about the whole car including part of the front Carpet. :lol: It is sitting on a just about complete frame from a short bed 71 C-10 truck with the swing arm rear suspension. It runs like a champ, I drove it home in the middle of summer of 04 from Bullhead city, Az during the middle of the day. It was 6 or 7 different colors and you should have seen the faces on the people I passed on I-40 doing about 85 mph with their jaws dropped wondering why this old beater was flying past them. :haha: I have since found the original seats all the way back, the stainless side window handles, and the locking tabs. Our plan is another frame graft of some sort either C-10 that I already have, a 67-69 Camaro, or maybe even a C-4 Corvette just not sure yet which route I want to go. Great News is that today I bought and brought home a near perfect STOCK frame (at least it looks that way until further inspection) although it is a 3/4 Ton long bed, so I will have to shorten it 1st. I will post alot of pics of this suburban in its current state as I didn't have very many of my truck when I ripped it apart. |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Sounds like a cool build.
Kim |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Sweet man, can't wait to see it.
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
ok, the only progress made on this project is that we have desided to go full C4 corvette suspension front & rear. It will be awhile B4 I get a donor car or parts though as we need to get this truck done. :)
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
:wop:
:D just funning you |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
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I have managed to get most dimensions needed for clearance from the C4 rear assembly for a custom aluminum gas tank that will be a rear mount, although I will be extending it to the rear by about 10". I am assuming it would get me another 8 - 10 gallons of fuel. I am hoping to get the aluminum by end next week and at least shear it down, knotch, then bend it up on the brake, I was thinking of using .090 wall (3/32") or maybe even .120 wall (1/8") just not sure yet. I have also started to get down all the measurements for the shortening of the longbed frame. I might just do it under the cab floor so it wont be seen, although on a suburban it doesnt really matter due to you have to be under it to see it anyway. |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Ok,
so everyone wanted to see some pics of the suburban so here it is: http://henderson6.com/images/55wwall.jpg http://henderson6.com/images/suburban.jpg I have since replaced the grill, bumper, with driver chrome pieces. Yes, those are the whitewalls I put on the truck, hers has the original 71 C10 wheels on it for right now, they arent too bad as I even have the center caps for them. I will try to get some interior pics soon and of the engine compartment etc soon. And this is what I picked up today for my wife's old suburban. http://henderson6.com/images/vetterear.jpg I SCORED on this baby, I believe it is just a dana36 although dont care as this burban won't be a race car and don't plan on driving a slalom with it. LOL and YES, I got the wheels as I couldn't find the key for the lugnutz so I had to buy them. I have since took it by the car wash and pressure washed it ( didn't come out very good because of lack of pressure) down. It is sitting in the shop ready for when I finish my truck and get her back on the road. I have to make a jig so I can shorten the frame 9" since it is a longbed frame that I picked up for it. My wife was almost as happy as I was after I got it. She said once the kids get back in school she might head to the shop a couple hrs a week to scrub it down so it will be clean during install. My wife has already picked a powdercoat color for the frame LMAO, she wants the frame a dark blue metallic powdercoat, and all the suspension parts polished up. :lol: I told her it wont be easy for HER to polish it up once it is complete because she will have to lay under it to do it. . |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Looks real nice.
Kim |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
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Posted via Mobile Device |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
can't wait to see more of your skills!! your a lucky man to have a wife that want's to drive a classic!!
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
That thing is bad!! I woulda left it like the first pic but do what you want. It's great that its so special to you and your wife
Posted via Mobile Device |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
ok update as to the progress of the build. I have started shortening the frame by 9" yesterday and will finish it up tomorrow.
on a side note for a future project : i have acquired a 1986 C4 corvette complete and running. My daughter will drive it until I finish the 55.2 suburban then after that it is into the shop for a good tearing down for the suspension. |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Sweet Burb, and cool story behind the build.
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Looking good! What did you get that rear end out of?
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
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Ok all I promised pics a while back and here they are. These first ones are of the frame shortening from a longbed to a shortbed. Yes this is my shop, it is a general fabrication shop that I house my toys in, so its actually just a 2500 sq ft extension of my garage. http://henderson6.com/truck/frame01.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/frame02.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/frame03.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/frame04.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/frame05.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/frame06.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/frame07.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/frame08.jpg . |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Here are a few of the body and interior.
She ain't pretty but she is fun to drive, and I love takin her places and at about 20 mpg it aint too bad either. http://henderson6.com/truck/body01.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/body02.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/body03.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/body04.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/body05.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/dash01.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/dash02.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/interior01.jpg . |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
And now for the dredded engine compartment. She has a throttle body 350HO with a 700R4 behind her. I think it needs a 460 HP 383 cid but the wife says not yet.
here it is: http://henderson6.com/truck/eng1.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/eng2.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/eng3.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/eng4.jpg . |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Very cool.
Kim |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
body is pretty good, needs some serious decluttering under the hood
but you have to wonder what they were thinking on that dash :D and i never thought to paint my radiator hoses... http://henderson6.com/truck/dash02.jpg |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Cool build, would love to have a 'burb!
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Thank you all.
Ogre, the radiator hoses aren't painted, that's how they are |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Okay Fabguy when can I come and pick up my new to me Suburban?
On the real its really nice and will be great when done. I had a 1964 Suburban and a 1956 Panel that I sold for a little of nothing years ago. I never should have let those things go. Live and learn I guess. I use to drive that 64 Suburban everywhere. |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
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Bam, I might be getting a couple panels soon. I am sure we could work something out as I won't have any place to store them. :D |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Looks good as is.
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Thank you Katrina10.
I have been working on mocking up the rear suspension brackets for the C4, and laying out the intermediate cab mount. Does any one have any pics of finished stance of a 55-59 with C4 suspension, as I have been measuring this out and think that it may sit higher than I would like. I am hoping to get te front crossmember kit soon from flat out engineering so I can have a roller frame alot quicker. I have desided to cut the firewall and move it back 2" to gain a little more space on this one. |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
2 Attachment(s)
Here's one I saved from the web many years ago.
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Thank you Chuckdriver,
I wonder if that is lowered or a stock stance, either way I love it. Also love that color too. |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Update to the build:
I made it down to FlatOut engineering today and bought the front kit for my burban. I also started fabricating the rear mounts for the C4. Now I just have to figure out if I need to notch the frame 1" to mount the rear section. When I get to do the front I am probably going to notch the front in also to give it a meaner look. I have been trying to find pics of a stock install of the flat out kit with the stance so I can get an idea how it will look untouched. http://henderson6.com/truck/carshop.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/framebracket.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/framebracket2.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/framebracket3.jpg as for the setup I am making, 3"x3" x .188" wall sq tubing. width at top of slot is 1-1/2" tapered out to 1/4" height is 2-1/2" just in case someone wanted to try them. I made them a lil shallow as I might be boxing & notching into the frame. . . |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Cool! Please take some more pictures of the C4 IRS install. I am doing the same in my 51 and the more idea's the better. Nice big shop! Mine's not as big (36'X40'X12') Nice to have the room.
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
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my shop is 50' x 50' total, then i lose alot of valuable space because of the offices, and Bathrooms. |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Update:
I welded in the C-Notch for the axles, and for the wing mount. I decided to lower the frame onto the suspension/support wing by 1". I will box it in for added strength. I C-Notched the frame around the axles to give it a little more travel since it usually has about 3-1/2" - 4", I wanted it to have 5" since there isn't any bump stops. I also started to relocate the rear sway bar on top of the frame and found that I will have to fabricate a different mount so that it doesn't travel high enough to hit the body if the rear wheel gets compressed up. I will post pics soon of the progress and notches etc, etc, with all necessary info incase someone else wants to do the same. I spoke to a buddy today about my frame and what my suspicions where, and he told me I had a GMC frame. It explained alot once he told me about the differences in Chevy & GMC frames and products. I want to say: Thank You BAM. :D |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Nice work . What is the difference in the frames? I have a GMC. Thanks Rich
my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185 |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
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The difference would be the radiator support mounting as GMC is on the crossmember while chevy is on the frame rail, and the thickness of the metal. Mine is 3/16" |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
ok all,
Pictures as promised with descriptions: these pictures will bounce around abit to give you an idea as to why/ how I did it. this pic is is of it installed but not welded yet to give you an idea of where I had described the notch placement. The round tubing is a gradeB seamless tube that is 5-1/2" OD x .190 wall to match the frame thickness. FYI; the height of the round notch is 2" high in the center from the ends. http://henderson6.com/truck/notch3.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/notch4.jpg --------------------------------------- In these pic's it shows it welded in place before I cut the frame. I did it this way to keep the frame as straight as I could in the rear. As we all know, when you weld something up it tends to pull it. I welded the tops last, and havent cut the frame yet to keep this at a minimum. My next step is too cut the frame out in the notch area, then add the boxing plates to it last.( I might add a piece of 1-1/2"x1-1/2" x .250 wall square tubing to the inside above the notches to re-inforce this area, then add the boxing plates) http://henderson6.com/truck/notch5.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/notch6.jpg ------------------------------ **This is a simple tool I made up to be able to check the level ness of the rear of the frame during notching. the front part and the rear part on both sides of the axle hump should be level through the whole process. Mine has only pulled down almost 1/16" or a heavy 1/32".( YES, I am a little anal about these things, but I was taught from the old school of " do it once, and do it right, but measure 100 times to get there") Keep in mind that I haven't cut the frame yet either, so image how hard it would pull it if it was already cut. http://henderson6.com/truck/levelers.jpg ------------------------------------------------- So finally how I got to that point in the previous pics is: This square tubing is 3"x3"x.250 wall. I have measured from the side 1-1/4" for cutting on the one side. (both pieces will be from this 2-1/16" long section) Other side is split right down the middle. I used a grinder with a cutting blade from HF, those are very inexpensive and do a great job. http://henderson6.com/truck/notch1.jpg ----------------------------------------- Then in this pic it shows that I cut it with coping the ends where it will sit in the frame (bent areas). http://henderson6.com/truck/notch2.jpg -------------------------------------------- So what I am trying to do is match up these 2 parts so I can in essence weld them up together on each side of the frame http://henderson6.com/truck/notch3.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/framebracket2.jpg Top of this bracket should be very close to the top of the frame rail after all is welded up. . |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
These pics are of the Crossmember I bought from flat out. As you can see in pictures the unit is worth the money they are asking, not to mention the time saved by having someone else engineer it. The welding it has is beautifull and will make a nice garnish next to my ugly welds. :)
http://henderson6.com/truck/xmemberlt.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/xmemberrt.jpg http://henderson6.com/truck/xmemberside.jpg =================== This picture is of the suspension wing at corvette ride height of 16-1/2". I have a Complete car sitting here so it has made my life alot easier to get measurements from it. Part of why I wanted to notch the stock 55-59 frame to get it lower. Body rocker is about 5-1/2 below this line so I desided to lower it another 1" - 1-1/2" to give it a meaner look when complete. http://henderson6.com/truck/corvettewing.jpg . |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Very nice fab work.
Kim |
Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Nice work, very well thought out!
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Nice job fabguy! I just finished a c4 suspension conversion in a 62 corvette for a customer. I like the c4 setup and plan to use it on some future projects as well
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Re: My Wife's 55.2 Carryall / Suburban build
Really nice work.
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