1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

My dad passed away from cancer on July 20, 2012. He was the true form of any car guy and one of my best friends. When dad passed he left us some projects, this one had been his dream truck since '91. I wasn't old enough to remember the truck prior to the top chop, but the burb has sat in the same spot in the shop for at least 15yrs. Dad always helped my brothers and I work on our stuff before his and we left him little time for his truck.

Now, my brothers and I have learned the importance of making time for the things that matter. We've started scheduling weekends to work on cleaning the shop and building the 48 for our mom. This week we finished sorting/cleaning the shop and dropped the motor/tranny in for mock up. We've schedule another weekend and invited the car club (dad's friends) out to help...Here's dad with my kids (his first and only grandkids).

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

You might want to see the sub, too. The motor/tranny is a 95 LT1 out of a wrecked cop car with a 460LE trans. Dad has a 9in Ford rear end to go under the truck. The front has a mustang II on it. The top was chopped 3.5" and the all the handles have been shaved. the dash is smoothed. Our plan is to mock up everything, blow it apart, paint and assemble (like every build).

Thanks!

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

That's awesome you and your brothers are finishing it for mom. Waaaay better than selling it. Keep at it !

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

Great story. I will be watching. Good luck with the build

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

Chopping a burb would be no small task. Keep the pics coming.
Good luck on the build.

Marc

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

Overhaulin--bro style!!

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

there was never any doubt that we would take on this project. all of us boys are into to cars/trucks, so we're just proud to be working on dad's baby. He left us a couple 39 chevys, a 71 suburban, and enough parts to building something else after those :). He also had a 65 and 84 corvette, but they're mom's now.

I'll get some more pics when we work again and i'll try to hunt some old ones up too. Thanks for checking out the thread.

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

very cool. chopping a suburban is not for the weak of heart :D
that's a lot of roof to massage, looks good.

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

hey guys, haven't done any work yet as we're waiting for the car club guys to come out and work on the sub. all of these guys are dad's friend and some of them probably know more about what was done and what he wanted than we do...my memory doesn't go all the way back to when i was 6...

anyway, here are some more pics.

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

yesterday we rallied the troops and had about 15-20 guys at the shop helping us with dad's suburban. we made tons of progress, but we also made a long parts list. it was awesome to have everyone over just digging in (it felt like overhaulin'). dad had accumilated a bunch of parts in his years of plotting and planning the burb, so people just started pulling them out and putting them on. we have a long way to go, but the wiring, AC, front clip, rear bumper, rear end all got mounted, ran, test fitted and modified. coming along and we scheduled our day to work already.

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

more pics from the day...o and by the way i was corrected on the chop. it is only about 2 3/4" maybe 3" according to the guy who did it.

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

Very cool what your doing for your mom in memory of your dad. Im sure he's right there with you lending a hand. I lost my dad to cancer as well many years ago. I wish we had more time to spend together sharing what we loved. It's unfortunate that it takes a big loss to realize what you have here and how important it is to enjoy every moment. I look forward to the project progress.

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

thanks wheelie, i talked to our body man this week and after asking him about the chop over the weekend he said no more than 3". however, he called and said he pulled a section from the top when he chopped and measured it. the burban has 3.5" chop (official now).

he plans to send some pictures my way of the chop process...stay tuned.

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

Subscribed....this will be a great project. dug

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

jbjburbs, It is great that your brothers and you are working on your dads suburban. Also that his club is helping out too. Your dad would be proud. Keep up the great job and putting up the pictures.

Shannon

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

thanks guys, we're working again in couple weeks (back to back weekends) should make some more progress.

xpickup - i've showed my dad your panel thread in the past. i kept trying to talk him into your wheels and stance. he thought it looked good, but never bought in. :)

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

Subscribing to see this one finished. Love how everyone is pulling together to preserve this memory!

Chad

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

Well, had another great day of working on the suburban with a stellar turn out from the car club, too. We made some major head way and got the LT1 to fire up.

Some of the projects completed:
taillights cut out and lens fitted
radiator fitted
headers installed
continued with wiring
1ST FIRE UP!
mock-up dash panel
drop spindles installed
front brakes installed

OK, now for some pics.

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

more pics...

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

more pics...and motor video. by the way, the last picture is some of the brain trust discussing our next get together and some interior ideas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viJ6O...ature=youtu.be

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

Love it!
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Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

Nice progress. I might suggest at some point you get a new set of injectors or get your set professionally cleaned. If your LT1 has been sitting for any length of time (like mine was) it will probably make a hugh difference in how well it idles. Just my two cents....

Keep it up

Marc
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Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

I am the mechanic in the family and believe me the motor will be thoroughly gone through before this project is completed. I am the middle of the three boys doing this for our mom. I just want to thank everyone for the kind words and continued encouragement!
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Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

Sounds like you have it covered. Good luck and keep the progress going.
This is a nice tribute project.

Marc

Re: 1948 Suburban - finishing what dad started...
 

very cool build ,love all the help.Keep it going