Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Well I couldn't resist. I had my eye out for a 64-66 Carryall for several months. I love my K10 pickup and it gets good use as a pickup, but it isn't very practical for hauling around my dog and multiple friends and gear on camping trips or in inclement weather. Anyway, I saw this at the Pomona swap meet, passed on it, but then just couldn't stop thinking about it. So after some figuring and negotiating a deal was struck with the current owner and I'll be hauling it home in a week or so!

Aside from some usual rust and dents it is a very complete 1964 Chevy Carryall with three seat and custom comfort options (it think?). It has a monster aftermarket AC unit in the cab run by a big old York compressor (cool), has power brakes using a remote mounted vacuum brake booster mounted to the outside of the frame right below the driver's seat, and power steering.

Its a little bit of an odd bird because it was originally a 2wd 1/2 ton, but was converted to a 4wd using all 69-70 3/4 ton drivetrain and suspension components. The conversion was done back around 1970 and was done pretty cleanly. It also has a 327 from a mid 60s car, backed with a sm465 and np205.

Future plans include a 5.3l, nv4500 and np205. I'll probably just convert the external hub Dana44 from drums to disks, keep the eaton in the rear, and keep it close to stock 4x4 height. I'm going to pull the massive winch bumper and go back to a stock chrome bumper and trim this one out with the stainless windshield moldings, chrome bead in the rear window, stainless mirrors, etc. Hoping to turn this into my daily driver eventually.

I call it, The Seahorse!

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...l%20-%2001.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...l%20-%2002.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...l%20-%2022.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...l%20-%2005.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...l%20-%2017.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...l%20-%2009.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...l%20-%2010.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...l%20-%2011.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...l%20-%2019.jpg

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

That's a great find Congrats, would love to see some shots of the drive train if you get it up on the lift.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

That's a nice burb, Like the front bumper. :metal:

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

sweet burb

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Dude those back 2 seats are horrible, just send em my way and I'll bare the pain of them!!! Awesome find...

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Very nice

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Great find the front bumper is a over kill IMO

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

KOOL burb Jason I've always liked them Burbs too. At one time I owned a 70 Burb 4x4 with 250 six 3OTT less than 1,000 made that yr with these options...
http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/cox_randy_1970.html
I still miss it, it was waaaaaaaaaaay KOOL...

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

That thing is killer!

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Very cool, Great find congrats.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Nice, was eying that one out of Fresno. Do you have a bumper?

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

3/4 ton axles ?

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Congrats on a nice score :thumbs:

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

That's a great find. Looks like a good solid suburban. I have been kinda looking for one around Oklahoma.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Pretty cool Jason!! will be a nice rig after you do your mods, and the fun begins lol.

Kimble

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to like it too!
I plan on pulling that front bumper and putting a factory chrome one back on it.

They are 3/4 ton axles. Dana44 front with external hubs, drum brakes and open knuckles. Rear is an Eaton of some sort. Never messed with one before. Hope they aren't geared too low.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

The Dana 44 being an open knuckle should make for an easier disc brake swap. The rear differential should be a Eaton HO52. I would say that more than likely they have 4.57 gears. You might be lucky and have 4.10's

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

What I'm not sure of on the dana 44 with the "external" hub is whether or not the spindles and outer axle stubs are the same for the drum and disk? I'm hoping that I don't have to disassemble both my pickup and the carryall to measure them and find out.

Then I'm also curious as to whether mid-70s Ford "external" style hubs are the same as the Chevys. This would mean more parts to choose from. But I read that they might be different lengths?

I hate to pay for something I can't use. Plus the supply of these hub parts is much smaller than the regular internal style hubs. I want to stick with this old type so that parts are common between the carryall and my pickup.

I think that 3.73 gears would be perfect for what I plan to do with the Seahorse. I'll only go with a 32-33" skinny knobby tire, and will have overdrive. But I think both of these axle carriers may stop at 4.11?? I'll need to research the HO52.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

There are no aftermarket gears available for the Eaton HO52. In fact you are lucky to find bearings. The one pinion bearing is typically $200-250. If your Eaton doesn't have the 4.10's and you feel you can work with that. I would just go with either a 10.5" FF 14 bolt or a Dana 60. There is lots and lots of aftermarket support for those

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

NONE available!? Freaking great. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll be 4.11s... we shall see. Thanks for the info.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Jason--that is the trouble with my 1/2t eaton 32/33 no ring and pinion except 3.38's and i have 3.90's. Bearings for the 1/2t are the same as 55-64 car eaton drop out. capt, why is the one pinion bearing so much? nothing avl from a bearing house? there is a lot of 3/4t ho's out there. will the 1ton ho72 bolt in the 3/4t housing? not much info on these old rears.

nothing is easy Jason lol!

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

I imagine since it is a huge bearing and that bearing likely doesn't have many other applications. The Eaton HO52/72 just isn't that popular any more (some will argue that) so most parts are either not available or difficult to find and spendy when you do. Same thing with the HO32/33.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Moderators, can you please move this thread to the "projects and builds" section for 60-66s? Thanks!

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Picked up the Seahorse in Bakersfield today with helping hands from Big Ugly, and my dad.
Looking at this picture, I realize that the carryall has a big butt, compared to the pickups!

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...e%20-%2003.jpg

Stopped for lunch in Castaic after a slow crawl over the grapevine. Kind of neat towing a 64 carryall with a 66 pickup. We got the thumbs up from multiple passers-by along the way. :c2:

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...e%20-%2007.jpg

Made it home without incident. This was Ugly's first time towing and the baby big block did well despite the huge tires and no overdrive. Averaged nine mpg up, unloaded, pulling only the trailer of 2,200 lbs. And averaged nine mpg again coming back, loaded, pulling ~7,200 lbs. Huh.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...e%20-%2009.jpg

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Checked the tab on the front axle. Turns out I'm not so lucky: 4.57
Soooooo I'm be on the lookout for a 4.10 ring and pinion set for the HO52 :)

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Nice burb Jason, I'll be watching this one.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

The 454 in my Suburban gets the same mpg whether empty or loaded pulling a trailer. I think it's kind of a big block thing.

Too bad about the gears. Good luck finding a 4.10 third member for the HO52/72. I still think you'd be way ahead to just find a 10.5" 14 bolt with 4.10's. Much easier to find.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

KOOL pixs Jason I'm sure that was a good feeling towing that Baby home, I finally got see to some pixs of where I sold my 70 Burb a few yrs back and it's been changed to 3/4 ton Diff's.. Don't do like I have in the past and have too many Irons in the fire and seem to never get anything done. But if you have a family then a Burb will more suited... can't wait to see the progress of this one, I know you've put a lot of hard work into your truck..
I will be checking in as I'm sure everyone else will be to... Oh and you know how we LIKE PIXS...

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

hope gas stays under $2. we can all drive more miles, and enjoy these vehicles and not get hosed and the hose!!!

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Awesome score on the suburban. Looks really nice.
I just picked up a 68 longggggggggggggggg truck with the same 457 gearing. Not sure yet how I will address that. Pretty dang low.:help:

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Congratulations! Wish I knew you were picking it up in Bakersfield, would have liked to look it over in person. Enjoy.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Really digging the burb, i need to find one.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Another nice save !!
Watching you and Bomp and Clemdaddy with your additional rigs has me pretty envious right now.

Wife and I hope to find a burb or a panel to restore.
Hope your Holidays are being fun !!

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

You wouldn't be as envious if you saw the rust and dents!!! :P

Nah, I am glad I picked it up. Hoping that later today I can get that big winch bumper off and slap the chrome on one.

I'm also in the market for 67-72 K10 Engine and transmission crossmembers. They did some weird things when they swapped the powertrain

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Jason--glad you made it home ok. that's a pretty big tow up over that mountain. will keep a eye out for a 4.10 up here.

And the fun begins again!------Kimble

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

I did use it as an excuse to see how Big Ugly performed as a tow vehicle. And it did fine as long as I didn't expect to go over 40mph up the grade when loaded... And having the low 1st gear was nice and easy on the clutch and for maneuvering.

I would like to keep the eaton rear axle. I know that coporate 14 bolts are plentiful but I like the idea of having an axle from the same era as the carryall. So if I can locate a 4.10 ring and pinion set in good condition I'll keep it in.

I don't plan to put big tires on this one. Probably some 33x10.5 all terrains or a 235/85r16 all terrain. I want to keep the skinny, knobby style and function. I suppose I could easily find a cheap set of 1/2 ton axles with front disks to swap under it but I kind of like the idea of having common hardware and parts between Ugly and the Seahorse.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Tried to get the winch bumper off last night in the remaining minutes of daylight after work. Score is bumper: 1, my busted knuckles: 0. Should have known better; just cut the dang bolts off!

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

I couldn't stand going a whole week without tinkering on the new baby. So after work today I pull off this beast of a 200+ lb winch bumper and replaced it with an original chrome bumper. Don't be fooled by the shiny photo, it has scuffs and scratches but hey, its a driver!
Anyone want a free winch bumper/battering ram??? I doubt it'll even fetch $20 at the scrap yard.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...r%20-%2001.jpg

I also pulled off an old school trailer brake controller, bled the brakes and got the remote vacuum booster working. I think I still need to adjust the drums all the way around because it has a vicious pull to the left when I get on the brakes. I haven't actually pulled the drums to check for worn pads or frozen or leaking wheel cylinders since it requires yanking all four hubs, which I'm way to lazy to do right now.

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

Kinda looks like mine, but mine is welded on and the frame horns were cut off. so it's staid. I don't know, might have been a good thing on the freeway down there lol!

Re: Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse
 

If you were not 2,000 miles away I would come get it. I have a perfect use for it.