Finally got my 'Burb

[Dragsterbus]

Hi , well i finally picked up my 69 suburban, it's a 350 4 speed manual, i was sad to see my '92 C1500 ext cab go but i'm really pleased with the suburban,
My plans are
1, Lower it (a lot)
2 , disc brakes on the front and convert from 8 stud to 5 on 5"
3, probably swap out the rear axle to get the 5 on 5 wheel pattern and to increase the gear ratio (very slow at the mo and really thirsty)
4, replace the top tailgate which is made of fibreglass/filler/newspaper etc
5, new bumper and grill, the previous owner crashed it (drum brakes and no booster)
apart from these bits it's really good, the vinyl roof will have to go too,

right question time, are the drop spindles the same for the 1/2 ton as the 3/4 ton ?
Which disc brakes do you use with the dropped spindles ? (i've got some C1500 5 on 5" ones already)
Is anyone making replacement top tailgates or shall i look for a s/h one ?
who does those cool 8 lug slot mags ?

Thanks for any help !
Wayne

[lutherb69]

Welcome to the family not a 100% sure but I don't think anyone make a replacement hatch so I think you will have to get 2nd hand one. Best of luck to you an I know someone will chime in with all the info you are asking for.

[72BlckButy]

Can't wait to see some pics of the new burb.

[kev2809]

4. ...newspaper...? they used that for body work? lol

put some pics up! and welcome to the burb side of the forum!

[vectorit]

Congrats on your burb! and welcome to the burb family

That top gate is a salvage part, since as far as I know it's not reproduced.

I saw these guys with a good one at the local swap meet.

http://www.kingstrucks.com/index.html

Hit them up and see if they still have it.

I've done business with them, and they are a cool couple to do business with.

Tell em I sent ya. Uh, wait maybe you shouldn't

If they don't have it anymore, they are probably able to find one for you.

[capev86]

convert a somewhat rare 3/4 ton to a 5 lug....sounds like a step back to me. and why does everyone want a lowrider? i have my car for that! you can get lowering springs and drop spindles for 3/4 ton trucks......no need to get drastic to get a street rod stance. also, 3/4 ton trucks had bigger brakes.....i love the big discs on my 72....bigger than a 1/2 ton. i plan to swap from a 4.57 gear to the 4.10. you can get a dana 60 rear from this era that had a 3.54 gear....plenty low, especially if you have an overdrive. my experience is that the 3.08 rear is just too lame (unless you have a diesel or bad boy big block). my dad swapped his 87 burb 1/2 ton 2wd to a 3.73 and didn't lose any fuel mileage.....still around 18 on the highway. apparently they don't have any hills in texas (where the truck spent its first 12 years).....maine is a bit different, especially when you are towing a 6,000 pound trailer.

[Dragsterbus]

Yes they had used news paper to stop the filler falling into the holes in the top hatch ! , My burb is my daily driver so it needs to do more mpg so i'll probably fit LPG , petrol here is $7.80 per gallon (!) my old C1500 was on lpg and was affordable to run every day.
pretty much every car i own is lowered or modified as it's my business, i build dragsters, hot rods ,do custom bodywork, wheeling panels etc for a living and the burb will be an advert and the tow truck for my dragster, I'll pay the fee and post some pics soon i promise !,
I'll email the guy about the top tailgate Vectorit and see if he's still got it, Thanks for the help !
Wayne
Oh just remembered I'm going to need a headliner if anyone does a kit otherwise we'll make one also are original style trim sets available ?
Thanks again

[PanelDeland]

Your hatch problem is going to be a big one.I can easily see it costing you almost as much to have it shipped to the UK as to buy it.You can always look in the classifieds on the BB to see if anyone is parting a 'Burb.

[Dragsterbus]

If i can find a decent hatch i'll probably get it shipped to a friend in California and wait until a car or truck is being shipped over here and stick it inside it, No real rush at the moment but it does let the burb down a bit, also need a back window as some kids threw stones at it before i bought it, will get one cut here though .
Are those cool 8 lug slot mags available or were they modified for that white suburban ?

[Longhorn Man]

slam it, don't slam it, don't let someone's opinion get in the way of what you wanna do.
I converted my burb from a 3/4 ton to a 1/2 ton and slammed it all at the same time and have not regretted it once.

[Dragsterbus]

Ha ha, i don't let people influence me , i want it to be a good useable truck and at the moment it's hard work, bagged and with taller gearing and LPG will make it very useable , my C1500 did 11000 miles in 7 months (hard slam 4" ground clearance) and the burb has got to do the same, I'll probably stop using it for a while in the winter as they put salt on the roads here and it's too good for that, some £100 banger will do that stint !
Thanks for your support !
Wayne