Here's my work in progress (72 suburban)

[72steel]

I bought this beast in November of 06 to restore to the best of my ability. I am a total amateur when it comes to body restoration but I think I am on the right track. It is to be used as a tailgating vehicle and other recreation. The beast had some modifications before I purchased it. Still has the original 350, but brand new exhaust and transmission, the guy put in a fourth gear as a kind of overdrive to save gas. The body wasn't in good shape, alot of rust and rot, it was originally orange and white. It runs like a champ and is mechanically sound after minor repairs to the brake lines, new rotors and drums. I will need to replace the head gasket and radiator at some point. My concern is not the body or the mechanical issues. I was underneath it and I see that the frame is a bit rusty but no holes, but the underneath near where the doors are there are rotted (i guess it would be frame mounts?) I guess I should take some pics. I want to know how much of a pain in the @ss it is to fix, I do not have welding capabilities. I am probably going to have to have them repaired but want to know the cost.

[bad_turbo]

that looks like a great project to start with

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Is the badly rusted part on the body or is it the actual frame mount which is riveted the frame?

Jim

[72steel]

Bad Turbo: Thanks, I have been working on the body for months.

Jim, The really bad rot is on the rocker panels and the frame mounts where they attatch to the body near the rocker panels. (maybe they are not called frame mounts?) I found a guy yesterday by my house that will repair the rot for around $300. Is that a good price?

on another note, he has a 1972 Chevy truck and wants to trade for my original grill and rims, what are these worth? He wants them for his complete restoration for the 72 truck and wants all original. I on the other hand do not care if everything is original. Grill and rims are in great shape. he offered the aftermarket grill and rims that he has in perfect shape. Should I do it and do I have leverage for him to lower his labor price?

Thanks,
eric

[72steel]

BTW, I will post pics later tonight or tomorrow of where the worst of it is.

[72LoBurb]

Originally Posted by 72steel

... he offered the aftermarket grill and rims that he has in perfect shape. Should I do it and do I have leverage for him to lower his labor price?

Thanks,
eric

If it is the chrome steel outer grill on his truck, stay away from it, they fit like crap. I have one on my 'burb and I will have to do some slicing and dicing to get a half-decent fit.
Keep your original, if it's nice...there's no fit like original parts!!

[72steel]

Here are the pictures of underneath. How bad is it? The rest of the truck is worth me fixing this stuff, what do you think?

[72armyswbtruck]

Originally Posted by 72LoBurb

If it is the chrome steel outer grill on his truck, stay away from it, they fit like crap. I have one on my 'burb and I will have to do some slicing and dicing to get a half-decent fit.
Keep your original, if it's nice...there's no fit like original parts!!

I totally agree with you on this matter, however with that being said. You can still get an original one from GM for $450. Go to GM Parts direct.
I would do the trade and take his new replacement parts and sell them. Use that money and a little more for a new original part from GM. Maybe he will trade plus do the panel replacement work.

Oh Yeah and $300 bucks for the cutting, welding and parts sounds like a good deal if it is done correctly.

[Dave67]

Hey, 72 Steel, welcome!
On the bright side, your rust doesn't look any worse than mine did when I started. I just took the "learn as you do" method.
What part of the 'Burgh are you from?
Dave

[72steel]

Originally Posted by Dave67

Hey, 72 Steel, welcome!
On the bright side, your rust doesn't look any worse than mine did when I started. I just took the "learn as you do" method.
What part of the 'Burgh are you from?
Dave

Hey Dave, we are neighbors, I live in South Park near the high school.

[Dave67]

How 'bout that, huh?
I'm in the middle of Bethel, near the community center!

[72steel]

Originally Posted by Dave67

How 'bout that, huh?
I'm in the middle of Bethel, near the community center!

Small world! That's a sweet truck in your avatar, do you have a larger photo? Also, is there anywhere around here where I can find parts for my suburban?

[Dave67]

Thanks
I'll have to look for more pics, but a lot of them are on 35mm. This has been a slow, 12 year project, because life/ job/ house/kid/ wife all want my time

I'm just now starting to work on it again after over a year of down time! With any luck, I'll have it on the road by summer.

[bagged91]

Doesn't look too bad to me. Needs the inner rockers fab'd up and a little patching on the floor braces. I see it has Rear A/C too That's nice... Check the rear of the body underneath where the tailgate hinges are. The cross sill tends to rot on them there... Also, pull your back seat out, there is going to be rot on the bottom of the blank door and probably were the floor rises up to the wood floor. Also, while your into it, check the B pillars where they "bolt" to the floor brace. My Ohio burb on the drivers side was completely rotted off in that area... All in all, looks like you have the makings of a fun truck! Welcome to the board...

L8R - Joe

[72steel]

Originally Posted by bagged91

Doesn't look too bad to me. Needs the inner rockers fab'd up and a little patching on the floor braces. I see it has Rear A/C too That's nice... Check the rear of the body underneath where the tailgate hinges are. The cross sill tends to rot on them there... Also, pull your back seat out, there is going to be rot on the bottom of the blank door and probably were the floor rises up to the wood floor. Also, while your into it, check the B pillars where they "bolt" to the floor brace. My Ohio burb on the drivers side was completely rotted off in that area... All in all, looks like you have the makings of a fun truck! Welcome to the board...

L8R - Joe

Thanks Joe, Yeah the tailgate area was a mess, the guy put in the verticle doors which are ok but I'd rather have the tailgate. I patched up that mess to the best of my ability. It looks like I have my work cut out for me. I will keep you posted on the progress!

eric