72 suburban "3drdwn"

[RunninLo]

I wanted a project page for this and since there isn't one for burbs I'm hoping I can hang in here with you truck guys. I already posted a little about the burb here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=255958
I'll post pics as fast as I can.
Josh

[RunninLo]

These pics were sent to me by the PO about 3 weeks before I picked it up.





even though the body is rough in the pics the price was right so I agreed to drive up and pic it up.

[RunninLo]

these pictures are what I ended up with after the trip home:

[RunninLo]

more:

[RunninLo]

last four:




As you can see the body is rough but I have seen worse. Once PO wrote it off as a work truck it served duty as a firewood hauler then once the carb let out it was a rolling storage shed. Sold stock 307 to a someone wanting a period correct motor. I have a TBI350/700R4 from a 94 2wd burb going in.
concentrating mostly on frame/susp./drivetrain first then tackle the body.
more to come.

Josh

[RunninLo]

most recent work included installation of the world famous Dropmember. I started with a stripped front clip and previously removed and sold motor leaving easy access to the stock front susp.


After removing a few brake lines and some bolts I was left with bare rails. I'm basically doing a test fit this time around and plan on stripping and powdercoating the frame later so POR-15 will help keep things looking good for now.


the next step was to lay out the cuts for the steering notches as per the instructions sent with the dropmember.

[RunninLo]

out of excitement these next pics skipped some of the steps. After cutting out frame and welding in notches for steering I decided to smooth the notches to the outside edge of the frame. they're fully welded inside and out and I decided to leave the welds on the inside. figured it would look better with the frame smoothed. the drop member is actually easier to install than the factory cross member. just followed the instructions. here is a pic with the DM, frame gussets, and upper bag brackets installed.

close ups of the notches:

[RunninLo]

then the first oops. once I started installing the LCA's I noticed a lil irregularity. this is the pasenger side:

all is looking good until:

things don't line up right at all on the driver side.

[RunninLo]

turns out that due to a small error I had recieved two passenger side control arms from ART.

After a quick phone call to ART and about 2 weeks turn around I had my arms replaced. On a positive note I was upgraded to the new style ART lower with the updated shock mount. Thanks guys!
After that minor delay I was back on track. YAY!
Slid the mustang II rack into place while I was waiting for the arms. It's basically two alumin. bushings and a pair of bolts to secure the rack to the dropmember. It's self locating.

[RunninLo]

didn't take any after shots but here's the 2.5" MacGaughey's spindles getting prepped for a coat of high temp black.

got excited and forgot to man the camera during the next few minutes but I was so excited to be completing the install. I got all the pieces together and a set of wheels bolted up.

[RunninLo]

grabbed some spare line and fittings I had and plumbed it up. couldn't wait to play.

one of the things you'll notice in that pic is the wheel is slightly toed out. After talking with Nathan at Porterbuilt it was determined that approx. 1" needed to be cut off the ends of the steering rack. I moved the jam nut a lil farther up the rod and taped the threads marking off the inch. using a cut-off wheel made quick work of the job and then I backed the jam nut off to clean and restore the threads.
first air put in.

[RunninLo]

the back end has the stock frame sitting on the axle tubes but this is the front aired out.

went ahead and test fit the front sheet metal. Needed to trim the inner fenders for tire clearence. here's a pic of it air'd up:

and down:


a couple more with the rest of the clip on.



well that's pretty much where I sit. I'm working on the rear suspension and will add more to this thread as things progress. I still need to button up a few things up front too. I'll try my best to keep the pics coming.

Josh

[N2TRUX]

Nice progress pics! It looks like your off to a great start. When the excitement settles down, give us a laundry list of your plans.

[Frizzle Fry]

You just started and you're already way ahead of the game! Can't wait to see more

[RunninLo]

Thanks frizz. this board has been a great source of both knowlege and motivation. As soon as KP is ready I've made plans with Clint to test one of their 6 links for the rear. They are 100% percent on truck applications but haven't tried a burb yet. BTW thanks again for the heads up on the body mount and dip in frame. Once that is complete I'll bolt in the motor and trans with the stuff that came with my DM and then take the burb for a new 1 piece driveshaft with slip yoke to account for varying lengths as the rear suspension swings through its arc. From there it's
1:get the motor wired and firing
2: exhaust
3: windows
4:lighting
5: drive it around in primer a bit to knock out the bugs
6: Body ( shave hinges on barn doors ) suicide hood ( found cool tech here for parts I already have)
7: paint HOK true blue and orion silver two tone. silver top blue middle silver rockers.

also have room for 22's and my wife's 66 conti looks killer with those 20's on it so I may switch wheels.
Josh


PS anybody see any cool rigs in the backgrounds?

[68burb]

josh- those are 20"? any fitting issues with your heater box?

so you only have drop spindles with drop member and bags?

I'm converting my 68 and I'm trying to see how low i can go without spindles.

[RunninLo]

Originally Posted by 68burb

so you only have drop spindles with drop member and bags?

I'm converting my 68 and I'm trying to see how low i can go without spindles.

yes only DM,2.5" spindles, and 224c firestone bags.
My frame lays hard in fact I think with the tiny rubber I can slide a 2x4 flat under the tire and still be on the floor.
I know that Nate from PB says that to lay out the designed formula for the DM is 29" dia. tire+ DM+ 3" spindle= frame flat on ground.
change any part of the formula (say no spindles) should change the end result... ( 3" from laying out.) Ideally know how much ground clearance you want as an end result BEFORE you start ordering parts. My burb will probably drive with about 2.5 to 4 inches depending on my mood but I've been driving lowered cars for close to 15 years and like it.

Josh

[68burb]

I'm hopeing to be running a 2" chopped member and my k series frame so I'll be sitting 4" lower between those. then bags.
I'll end up monster notching the rear with bags and a trailing arm/panhard design suspension.

I could always add spindles later but I'd like to keep my heater, beings as I'm in the northwest and need it 8 months out of the year,LOL.

[PBFAB.COM]

Looking great Josh!

There's just something about a Burb laying on the ground!

Have the guys at KP got the rear figured out for you?

[RunninLo]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Looking great Josh!

There's just something about a Burb laying on the ground!

Have the guys at KP got the rear figured out for you?

Clint gave me a few dates that they hope to have certain parts ready by and I've got funds set aside. now I just play the waiting game. probably get notch soon since that is ready to go now and that way I'll have something to tide me over till the rest passes KP quality assurance and hits the streets.

[Frizzle Fry]

56 effy

[RunninLo]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

56 effy

yup big window custom cab been in my family since I was 4.....

that's one, the other is sneaky....

[RunninLo]

TTT

[1sik7t2]

Nice Work Keep it "down" Love Em Down Wish I Could Do All That My Self Mite Check Out A Drive Shaft With A "double Cardan" Helps With Vibrations And Angles Lots Of Race Cars Use Them It's Like A Double Jointed U-joint Works Great L8tr

[67_C-30]

Awesome! Nice project!