'60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Hello everyone! Here is my new project. I bought from the original owner's son, Dennis. I am calling the project D-Daddy because it was his "Daddy's" suburban and all the stories he had about it started out "Daddy"....So I figured it was apt. Dennis is a super nice man and I am glad to have met him. His Father bought it new in 1960 and it was in eastern Oregon until about 10 years ago. It sat in Newberg, OR for the last 8 years without being driven.

When I got it, nothing worked at all. It has 116,xxx miles on it. I have had it two days now and I got the engine running, and the rear wheel cylinders replaced. As soon as I save up some more money I will replace the front wheel cylinders and master cylinder and then I will be able to see if this old girl will drive and stop.

My plans for it are quite simple. Get it running, lower it, keep everything else close to original. Then I will move on from there.

I'll stop jabbering and show you guys some pics:
The Day I got it-
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16278.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16279.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16280.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16281.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

The interior (I do have all the original seats!)-
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16282.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16283.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16284.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

After I replaced the rear wheel cylinders, I put the WW's from my truck on her. When I do the fronts I will then put the WW's on the front as well. You will start to see a trend soon about things coming off my truck and going on the suburban....
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16290.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16291.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16292.jpg
After I put the wheels on, I started thinking "those don't look that great on here", and then I realized; it needs to be lowered!:metal:

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

So, the only major rust on the whole truck is in the floor boards. The roof is excellent, as well as the windshield area, and besides a little rust through by the fender wells, everything else is just on the surface.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

VERY sexy

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Nice! We need a PNW get together this spring so I can see everyones truck in person (but I need to do more to mine before)

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Okay, what's the plan, lowered and ? Nice unit. Lucky you that you got all the original seats. I am missing the middle seat on mine. Look forward to seeing what you are up to on this unit.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Nice truck Corts60. I do have a question..... What is the round knob located just above the radio delete plate?

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Sharp

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Hey Cort,

That is one great find, but I hope ya got it cheap since both of the cup holders are broke... :haha:

The deal above the radio plate doesn't concern me, it's the piece next to the driver's door.
Is that a gun rack...? That would be a good place for one and really handy for cruise'n the log roads in deer season... :splat:

As they say, "The only thing better than a new girlfriend, is a new project"... ;)

Keep the photos com'in....
Danny

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

haha...that is a thermometer above the radio delete plate. I've already done away with that and the gun rack and broken cup holders. The poor girl was a farm truck for 50 years.

Oh, I forgot to say the price...I got it for $1100. I am pretty happy with it. Even though the cup holders were broke.;)

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

OK, got a little more done today. I pulled the front pass. wheel off and dug into the brakes. The wheel cylinder is completely frozen (just like the back two) and the inner hub seal was the original rope seal! That stuff is almost like packing gland material, if you're familiar with that. Needless to say, I am picking up two new front wheel cylinders, inner hub seals and a master cylinder this weekend. That should be about it for the brakes. All the pads still have about 50% life left so I will just use them for a little while longer.

I also cleaned out the back and scrubbed the very back seat. It is the only one left that has all the original material. I super excited that it is in such good shape. I can't say the same for the front or mid seats.

Here are some pics:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16293.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16295.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

That is awesome!!! You got a great deal on a super nice truck.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

That's one great project!!! Very clean and a great starting point. How are you going to lower it? Will adjusting the torsion bars make the front end too soft?

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Nice job on the new score!! 'Burbs are fun:D!!!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

very kool!! was this the truck on craig list??

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

awesome suburbon cant wait to see what you do with it!!!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

cool burb!!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Yuppers. I picked it up last sunday, I couldn't help it. It has the three things I have been waiting for, for a couple years now: GMC, 1960, and the tailgate in the back.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Cort, glad to see you got the truck for cheap and are having fun with it. I think you totally scored! What you don't know is that early on, I had everything in good order to make the purchase myself, including: my wife's approval, vehicle transporter lined up, and a check ready to send. I told Dennis that I'd take it for the full $1500 he was asking.
Being the swell guy that he is (not kidding), he suggested that I wait for the additional pictures that I had requested before sending the check. I agreed, and waited for him to take some pictures and send them to me. He got the pictures to me late, the night before you were going to see it in the AM.
He and I were both surprised to see the rust. It did not exist the last time he looked (8 years previous). I called him the next morning to thank him for the photos and regretfully decline the purchase, due to my strong aversion to vehicles with any rust issues... plus, I knew you had a real interest in it from your posts on this site. You may have even been looking at the truck when I called him around 8:00 am.
Anyway, I'm glad it worked out the way it did... although it's a shame to know you are going to have to rob your current cool ride for parts. Maybe there's a way around that, you think?

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Yeah, I am re-thinking using my truck for parts. I'm starting to get attached to the beat up look of the suburban and I may keep it that way, at least until the summer. I think once I lower it and get white walls on it, I'll be happier. The only thing stopping me from tearing into my truck is that it only has 88,000 miles on it and it rides so beautiful and quiet! Not one thing rattles on that truck and I just don't think I have the heart to tear off the front end and doors for the suburban. We'll see....

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

I wouldn't either Corts. I would find some other wheels/tires to put on it, make sure everything is mechanically safe and sound and then i would just drive it. I would definitely not rob parts off your other truck. That pickup of yours is too nice to strip down IMO. :)

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Are you going to redo the seats in the orig fabric?

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Cort, I noticed in the dash picture that the bezel is cracked. I have the one out of my truck (61) which has been in a box since my truck turned 10k miles ( I guess 1963) in perfect condition, the orig owner changed it out for a chrome one. PM me. Your burb is such orig. condition!!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

A little CLR and scotchbrite on that exterior, and you're good to go!

I'm glad that you're rethinking parting your pickup- it's just too nice, and it's one of my favorites on this forum. You can use some of the money you saved on the purchase to lower the burb ;)

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

VERY COOL!!! YOU SAVE ME SOME MONEY AND SPACE :lol::lol:GREAT BUY BROTHA

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Thanks guys! I'll be taking some pictures tomorrow as I redo the front brakes. Now if I can just locate the damn inner hub seals locally....

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Dude, save the truck. You can have both, look at Dino. :D

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Well, I got the front wheel cylinders on today and changed the oil. Check out this bada*s old delco filter:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16296.jpg
This truck is definitely unmolested. I am just waiting on the new front brake hoses and hub seals to move this 'ol girl around. I take that back...I still have to clean out the gas tank. Ugh! That is what I am least looking forward to.
Heres a pic of the engine. Anything that is shiny is all I had to change to make her run:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16297.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Have you looked into where you can get gaskets for the 305 yet? I just went through an ordeal with the local NAPA guy and finally got fed up and ordered everything on line. Felpro is out of stock and don;t knoe when they are going to get them. Valve cover, oil pan and journal cover gaskets are what I'm looking for since I can't stand oil leaks. Ordered water pump, fuel pump, plug wires, thermostat and tried to order gaskets. about 325 to my door. Kind of pricey but that's what you get for not having the most popular engine on earth.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Hey Surfdaddy,

try www.Kanter.com. They used to sell entire rebuild kits for about $1500 I think, but I know they have recently stopped listing them. They might still have some stuff left though. Anything for these engines are expensive. Just the price you pay for standing out in a crowd.:metal:

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Well, I've decided not to part my truck for the suburban. I am keeping the hood and tires from it though and the suburban hood will be sold with it. I have a thread in the 'trucks for sale' section. If you guys are interested at all please contact me, I really need to sell it now...just did my taxes.:smoke:

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Not a whole bunch new today. An updated pic with all 4 wide whites installed and I found the this tag under the original rear seat! Also, the license plate you see in the pic is the original plate to the truck. The reason I know this is because not only did the original owners' son tell me they were, but the Pacific Wonderland plates were only offered from 60-64 and only the 1960 plates had special holes to install metal year tabs. Mine has those holes. I am super excited that I got those plates and get to use them. I restored that plate over the weekend (very amateur) and I am quite happy with how it turned out. It was all beat up and bent before. What do you guys think?
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...rts76/IMG2.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16300.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Plate looks good to me, Cort!:thumbs:

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

you know you can register it as as a classic car and its $81.00 for life.plus title transfer.i did it a month ago on my 53.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

yea but then there are restrictions about driving it. I plan on driving this one a lot.

And thanks protrash!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Well, I got the new brake lines on, new hub seals installed and the bearings re-packed today. No pics, sorry...just waiting for a friend to come over so we can bleed the clutch and brakes. All I have left to do now is clean the gas tank out and fix a couple electrical bugs behind the dash and she should be road ready.

I'm getting excited!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

I drove it today! A friend came over and helped me bleed the clutch and brakes. It took FOREVER to get the clutch to break free from the flywheel. I had to adjust the rod between the slave cylinder and clutch fork almost all the way out before I could build enough pressure to free the clutch. But it is all good now!

I drove it up and down the block a few times (still don't have brake lights or gas tank:lol:) but she crept right along nicely. I am not liking how low the gears are in the sm-420, so that might have to go in the near future.

Next up: fine tune the brakes, fix tail lights, get fuel tank cleaned, figure out other little electrical bugs and maybe some new shocks. Oh, and the exhaust needs some major attention.

Stay tuned....

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Great to see some progress!! Do you need to replace the gas tank or just clean it out? I found that O'Reilly is better than NAPA for getting parts for this. NAPA really didn't want to sell me the parts. O'Reilly had them the next day. I had a 63 in '79-'82 with a V6. so I know how tough things can be. Got the water pump, fuel pump, gasket set and plug wires. The emblems on yours look like they are in great shape. I hope to bring mine home on Friday.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Thought you guys might like this. This was last week, the first day I got it running...after over 8 years of sitting. I love GM.