Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Newfisher-

Thanks for following along. I'm looking forward to the suburban to so the whole family can cruise in style ha ha.. I have followed both of your builds. Your very tallented.

The plan will be to sink most of the money into the drivetrain/chassis and interior at this point. Later down the road if I want to blow it apart and put a really nice paint job on it I will.

As for the plans for PB rear notch, I'm a little undecided at the moment. I talked to Dave Porter about the rear notch and they can make me a more mild notch like they do for the blazer builds. The deal is I want to be very low but I really want to run a 3rd row seat. I need to meassure it all out but I have an idea of what I would like to do.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

If you go through the floor with a medium notch that is the same height as the rear seat riser and lay the seat bottom on the notch tunnel you might pull it off, but the tunnel falls where the 3rd seat passenger feet area is. PM chizzler and have him get yousome measurements. You might be able to have a raised floor and the kiddos won't mind and still lay frame

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That was kind of what I was thinking as well. I have e-mailed Chizzler a few different times. I think that he told me that he is not running a 3rd row seat.

I even considered cutting of the legs off the seat and mounting it to the notch. Again I'm just spit balling here as I need to measure stuff out and see where everything lines up. I have plenty of time for that. It will take me a little bit to save up for my PB stuff.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Subscribed.

This is my bucket list build.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thank you. I have wanted to build one for quite sometime myself. I haved followed along with your Henry build. I would like to have the burb turn out closer to your look than my 48. A cool daily driver that can fit the family.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

After feeling like crap since Christmas and not feeling motivated with the frigid temperatures I finally got back out in the garage this afternoon.

I completed making the cardboard floorboard templates. Next step will be to make the floorboards out of the 16g steel I bought.

I also removed all of the front suspension. I found someone local would agreed to buy the front and rear suspension.

I felt good to be back out in the garage wrenching.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, glad your feeling better, now get to cuttin...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looks like a good start.
I am bascially doing the same. Finished a '53 truck a few years back and just picked up a '53 burb. Plan on a LS3 , Mustang II and leafs in the back. Looking for a great cruiser that can carry 4-6 people.
I will keep an eye on this thread

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Iceburgh, I'm interested to see what you got cracking as well, PA reppin. It would be a very hard decision on weather to get and do a COE or burb first. I'm really itching to add one to my long list of to do's. Perhaps I should ditch the 53' belair family cruiser build for a burb!! can't wait to see more youngrodder.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Dang, you don't waste no time.... Burb is lookn good!!!!!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Iceburgh- sounds like you need to be sharing some pics. Don't be holding out on us the locals will get restless.

Thanks 99

Thanks, It will slow down once I have to throw big $$ at it. Hoping that we see yours on the road this year.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looks like some good progress going on. Keep it up!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Mike. Once the weather warms I will get more accomplished. Not feeling too motivated with the cold temps.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I feel the same way man, too hard to work when you cant feel your hands or feet.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Subscribed! Love these old burbs. Yours is looking great and I like the plans you have for it. I guess I should start a thread on mine I have it tore down right now swapping a 5.3 4L60E combo in it.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thats right. I'm going to fire up the heater and do some more cutting this afternoon.

Yes, please do. That way I can learn from all of your challenges when installing my LS motor. ha ha. I would like to run a 6.0 or 6.2 but the 5.3's are much more budget friendly.

I never tire of seeing pics of your burb. Still keeping it naked after the power plant upgrade?

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I will try to start a thread. I need to upload some pics off of my phone. I plan to stay bare metal. Although a faux patina would be nice and a lot less work. So I don't know I have been leaning toward switching it up some. Guess I will see when I get the motor back in and get it fired up and running again.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looks great, Marc. Keep it up.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Hi Marc,

I haven't kept tabs on this thread so I apologize if you've answered these questions before.

What IS the going price for a complete, relatively low mileage 6.0/6.2 versus a 5.3? I ask because I think there is likely one in my future.

My good running 283 has one weaker cylinder - not bad enough nor do I drive it enough to address it now but later when it time to do something about it I wonder if an update to a modern engine won't be comparably priced or even cheaper?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Dan-

I have not done a lot of research yet on the princing for the 5.3/6.0 or 6.2. I do know that the 5.3 you can get for pretty cheap. Under a $1,000 with not a ton of miles. I will research motors more when I'm closer to needing one.

I can tell you it will probably be 2 - 3 time more expensive then rebuilding your motor or getting another 350 small block to throw in. The reason for this is all of the "other" stuff you need for fuel injection. Fuel pump, reworked fuel lines, possibly a different gas tank, a new (or reworked) wiring harness, reflash of the stock computer, different transmission, reworked drive shaft due to a different length just to name a few. All of this "stuff" really can add up.

Plan out your system out and price out some of the "stuff" I listed above then look to Craigslist or Ebay to get a better idea of the going price for these modern motors. In the end you will see rebulding your 283 or upgrading to a 350 will be more cost effective.

Good luck
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc ,
Welcome to the fold !The burb will be a blast ! I drive mine to Daytona, Columbus , east coast Goodguys & the NSRA Nats in York. 2 Kisd 2 dogs the wife n all their gear.. On mine I used 3 sets of 2011 Honda Odyssey second row seats they clip to u-bolts in the floor fold forward are removable nice leather & removable head rests for safety or the old school look and are comfortable as all ,o yea built in cup holders...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks 48 GMC-

It sounds like yours definitely gets used. I have always liked your burb. If I recall correctly you are running an LT1 just like I am in my 48 truck. My friend is trying to drag me to Columbus this yr..

Thanks for stopping in.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looking good, look forward to seeing more.

As for going to Columbus, it's fun but Iowa GG is REALLY a great show. Much better venue.

Keep it up...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Wood1 will do. Good to know about GG Iowa.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

cool build