Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I hope you guys don't get the ice storm! Those clean and painted parts will be nice to work with. Ready, set, go!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Too late. As I type I hear the ice hitting the windows....Yes, I can't tell you how excited I am to work with clean frame parts. No more dirt and crap falling in my eyes.... I also brought home the welder (yes I know I should own my own welder by now....I'm looking for a deal on one).

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

painted parts! -- looking good

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I got hit with ice tonight. Hey marc, been in your shoes with the welder. I bought a 90amp craftsman years ago (things pretty good for small stuff) needed a bigger welder and looked on CL, every time a good deal came up I had no money or someone bought it. I finally just put a Eastwood 175 on my CC which you can't beat the price. I used it for a bit, had problems with the gas solenoid a few times, but other than that it works great. I bought a used Hobart and I use that the most. For me, I need back up welders for 1. I have several working locations, so tools spread way out, and 2. if one goes down its nice to not ruin your whole work day bc you need a welder. I'v had a tig on my radar for a while, that's next. but then you need another tank and more space and the list goes on.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I need to buy a welder......I always borrow one from work.

Leaning towards a Hobart 140 since it is rated for 1/4", but a bigger 220vac machine would be nice.

Those stripped parts look great!!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I found this setup on ebay for $800 and I am really happy with it all so far. Its does all the work for anything going on with these trucks.

I am welding 3/8" with it and not even at full blast! it works well.

http://www.eastwood.com/mig175-and-v...FQErHwodE1QNEw

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Yea, I was eyeing a Lincoln combo welder (capable of Mig/Tig/Stick) on CL. My wife even approved of the purchase then guilt set in and it sold before I could take a look at it.

Good to see I'm not the only one. The one I barrow is a Millermatic 150 and my garage is wired for 220 so I would like to get a similar welder as I'm comfortable with this one.

Thanks for the tip. Did you get both the welder and plasma for $800? If so that sounds like a great price.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I got out in the garage today. Worked on welding shut the inner and outer gas fill hole. I also followed Advanced Design's lead on removing a broken exhaust manifold bolt. I drilled out a nut and slid it over the broken exhaust bolt. I welded it up when I was able to spin it out.

I also started welding closed some of the various holes in the frame.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That primer frame looks good! On the welder, not sure how thick of metal you plan on burning, but my buddy bought a new miller 211 and it's a sweet little machine. Best part it's easily converted from 110 to 220. So you can do body work and weld 1/4-5/16 and it's a small machine. I have a old miller 200 and would never give it up and for body work I use a Home Depot Lincoln 3200hd. Good deals to be had on the miller 211 on eBay.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Good deal on the broken bolt Marc. That is one I learned from my Dad and relearned from a good friend. Yeah, I had forgotten. Glad it helped you.

Think of your welder as a lifetime use purchase so get a good one. 10 or 12 years ago I bought my Miller for @ $1,500 or so. A non car guy friend of mine asked what I paid for it. "Wow" he said, "will you get that much use out of it? ". Well Chuck, I responded, how much did you spend on golf last year? Oh, about $1,500.....and I still have my welder.

Gotta do something with my gas fill too. I don't remember, did you figure out your tank?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc where is the gas filler going to be located?

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I agree with Advanced Design's point - a welder is a long term purchase. I bought a Craftsman stick welder when I was 15 to build desert buggies and fix dirt bikes. I just got rid of it after owning and using it for almost 45 years because the cabinet was rusting out and the electronics were getting corroded. This fall - after buying my '51 truck - I bought a Miller 211. Awesome machine and I'm happy everyday I work on the truck that I have it. I bought it at the local welding and gas shop. But there are deals out there like this:

http://store.cyberweld.com/mi211migw...AccaAl9R8P8HAQ

Miller is still offering their $400 rebate which helps a lot. I got a helmet, tools, wire, tips, gloves, etc. and the rebate check actually came really fast. $1100 isn't cheap but it's a killer welder. Yesterday I switched back and forth from welding 18 gauge to 1/4" and 1/8" material repeatedly (floors and braces) and it worked beautifully.

I do think the Eastwood setups are tempting. I would love to have a plasma cutter as well but may just add one to my Miller setup once the budget recovers from the holidays.




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Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Whitehead, I will check out the 211.

Did not figure my tank (kinda of waiting for you to figure it out for me) out or my fill ...ha ha. I just know that it wont be in the stock location.

Thinking about inside the back doors and use a small motorcycle pop up cap. The thought is less is more. Make it so it is not very noticeable.

Thanks for the welder recommendation. I was thinking of spending $800 for a used welder so I might as well kick in a few hundred more dollars for a new unit.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That is a sweet little welder. They are getting smaller and smaller. I have seen them as low as $1050.00.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Ok...I'm looking for a small piece of inside door window trim from a NON-VENT door. I need a piece like the one picture that I can weld into the rear side window trim to repair my OE trim. I had purchased one previously but it wasn't until I went to weld it in this weekend that I realized they sent me trim from a vent window.

If anyone has some old trim laying around let me know. I will be willing to throw you some money for shipping and such.

This afternoon was spent welding more holes shut in the frame. Nothing too picture worthy.

Thanks
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I will check tomorrow and see if I have some spares.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Sorry Marc, I checked and don't have any extras.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks for checking Doug. Back a few years ago I always found all sorts of them at swap meets to $20, but not when you need one. I hate to spend $40.00 on something that I will cut up and only use a little piece.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I have a Lincoln mig pac 15. 220V 160A. It came with gas valve and regulator. Bought it for $600 13 years ago, have not done anything to it ever other than clean it out once. A lot of wire has gone through this machine. I also modified it to take a 44lb wire real of .035 almost time for a new one of those. Easily weld 1/4" single pass no prob. Frame looks real nice and solid.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Lower50

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

So I have been working through some minor set backs with my chassis. Nothing too serious. I have also been collecting some parts.

First I received my 13" big brake kit. Man these rotors and calipers look huge. I wanted to go with the 14" set up but I couldn't justify the extra cash when I still have so much money to spend...

I also found a ZR2 rear end for cheap about an hr away. We are taking a short roadtrip on Saturday to pick it up...

Here is a current shot of my frame..

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, Frame is looking good...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

looking good

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Those brakes do look huge! Way more stopping power than anything the Burb ever had.

Chassis is looking good. Good luck with the ZR2 rear Marc.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I have not been on in a while but the burb is looking great. Keep it up.