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-   -   1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=623847)

ChevyBot 04-06-2014 12:25 AM

1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
2 Attachment(s)
Hey guys so here's the deal; I picked up a 1968 Chev C10 LWB pickup last summer and have decided to do a conversion to a 1989 GMC suburban front clip and drivetrain (with the exception of rear axle) and was wondering what you guys think? And what problems I will encounter! I have already figured out the suburban has a mechanical speedo and I need electronic for the gauges to work. Any help on this project will be much appreciated. I can post updates as well if wanted. Thanks!:chevy::gmc2:

67_C-30 04-06-2014 12:50 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevyBot (Post 6614230)
Hey guys so here's the deal; I picked up a 1968 Chev C10 LWB pickup last summer and have decided to do a conversion to a 1989 GMC suburban front clip and drivetrain (with the exception of rear axle) and was wondering what you guys think? And what problems I will encounter! I have already figured out the suburban has a mechanical speedo and I need electronic for the gauges to work. Any help on this project will be much appreciated. I can post updates as well if wanted. Thanks!:chevy::gmc2:

Is the '89 Suburban still the square body style (like the '81 - '87 was)?

ChevyBot 04-06-2014 01:07 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
1 Attachment(s)
See for yourself

67_C-30 04-06-2014 02:17 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
Yep, that's a squarebody. The front crossmember is an easy swap. IIRC, you have to drill 1 or 2 holes, but once you get them both off, you'll see what you need to do by comparing both frames.

If the Suburban has a mechanical speedo, it should just be plug and play to make the speedo work. If your '68 has factory gauges, the oil pressure gauge is mechanical so it will work anyway. All you'll need is the '68 sending unit in the newer for temp gauge to work. You will need a kit to make the lockup converter work in the Suburban's transmission, if it is a 700R-4, unless you are putting the computer and wiring out of the Suburban in the '68.

If the engine in Suburban is EFI, and you want you run that, somebody else will have to help you on that, because I don't do fuel injection. Unless it's a diesel! ;)

ChevyBot 04-06-2014 02:23 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
Ok well I'm planning on using whole wiring harness and computer out of the suburban and I am not using stock 68 gauges. I'm getting aftermarket ones. The problem is finding 5" ones that are also metric. Thinking about going digital but lmc' new cluster is only imperial and intellitronix create a kit doesn't have an indicator gauge! I don't know what to get

special-K 04-06-2014 07:16 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
I didn't understand at first,but by "front clip" you meant front suspension and not the sheet metal (which is what the "clip" is). Alrighty then,getting easier now. As Jamie said,you can do all you planned and fairly easily. The speedometer is cable drive,so no issue there,except the one you invite by not wanting to stick with the original KPH unit. Good luck with that. You're on you own there.

ChevyBot 04-06-2014 11:01 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K (Post 6614398)
I didn't understand at first,but by "front clip" you meant front suspension and not the sheet metal (which is what the "clip" is). Alrighty then,getting easier now. As Jamie said,you can do all you planned and fairly easily. The speedometer is cable drive,so no issue there,except the one you invite by not wanting to stick with the original KPH unit. Good luck with that. You're on you own there.

Yeah, I should have been more clear on the whole front clip part.

special-K 04-06-2014 10:59 PM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
I've heard clip to refer to the front suspension,too,but I think the title started my confusion. I was wondering how someone could convert a 68 Chevy into an '89 GMC Suburban :lol:

ChevyBot 04-08-2014 12:06 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K (Post 6615996)
I've heard clip to refer to the front suspension,too,but I think the title started my confusion. I was wondering how someone could convert a 68 Chevy into an '89 GMC Suburban :lol:

Man why would anyone want to do that lol?

imjeff 04-08-2014 12:12 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevyBot (Post 6614626)
Yeah, I should have been more clear on the whole front clip part.

Would've saved me some horrific thoughts!

special-K 04-08-2014 07:48 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevyBot (Post 6618084)
Man why would anyone want to do that lol?

There is no explaining the thoughts and ideas of some minds out there. I've seen some trucks where my only thought was "WHYYYYYYYYEEEEE??????????:lol:

ERASER5 04-08-2014 08:49 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
I was a little worried there myself. Whew! Putting the vodoo doll away now...

Keith Seymore 04-08-2014 09:04 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K (Post 6615996)
I've heard clip to refer to the front suspension,too,but I think the title started my confusion. I was wondering how someone could convert a 68 Chevy into an '89 GMC Suburban :lol:

I was right there with ya on that one...

Whew!

K

ChevyBot 04-13-2014 12:00 AM

Re: 1968 chevy to 1989 gmc suburban conversion
 
Just got motor in today and boy she is a tight squeeze


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