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

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks duallyjams.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc
I did the Burb first now Shannon is helping me on the Pickup ..See Shannon 51 c4 build , that one has the LT1 like yours plus full vett susp.
Columbus is a blast ,more AD Burbs N panels than any show I've been too.

4 your inspiration ..

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That's right. I know all about the truck build that Shannon is doing for you. I always enjoy seeing his work/progress on his many builds.

I appreciate the motivation. It's just what I need with over 18" of snow on the ground an sub zero temps....

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

youngrodder, Thank you Marc. Tell me about it. We have had snow on the ground for awhile now and weather in the single digits. I am so ready for spring. We should all meet up in Columbus. I was there a few years ago and it was the best show I was ever at.


Shannon

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Yes, but you hardcore, you work outside quite a bit. Yes all of my car buddies are tired of this. One is a plow truck driver and is on the verge of going postal..JK. I will keep you posted if I make it to Columbus. I coach youth football and it interferes with my later summer free time.

Keep up the great progress
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

youngrodder,Thank god for the carhartts. But at least this weekend is going to be a high of 40, way better than the 13 it is now. I would not mind going to Columbus this year but I have to see.


Shannon

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I finally made it over to my friends hotrod shop. It is called Dutchboys Hotrods. I used there metal brake and bead roller (and their heat) to finalize my floor pans.

Overall happy with how they turned out. I will take some more pics once I start to istall them. I made them out of 18g sheet metal.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Here are a couple pics of what is being worked on at Dutchboys. There is currently (6) first gen Camaros being built at one time. My friend Paul (one of the owners of Dutchboys) is building the 2nd gen Camaro. It is full of Detroit Speed goodies.

I know eveyone enjoys pics so here goes.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

One more..

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, those are some great looking rides going together, nice to have friends in the right places...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Nice floor pan. And nice pics too, thanks for sharing.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

They do some nice work, I've been following them on facebook. Floor pans are looking good Marc!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks guys. It is little progress but once the outside temps improve, I can get out in the garage and install these.

Yes, Dutchboys does great work. Paul's 67 Nova (since been sold) was on the Nov 13 cover of Popular Hotrodding magazine. His 71 Camaro is destined for stardom as well.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc...go to Ocean City in May. I have been to Car Shows all over the country.
Ocean City Md. in May in my book rates only behind Back to the '50s and Frog Follies

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, great job on the floor pan. That shop makes some good looking rides. Thanks for the pictures.


Shannon

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks for the tip Jim. I might have to check it out.

Thanks Shannon. I appreciate fabrication and they do nice work. It is crazy the amount of work they get done with (4) people. The Camaro might get completed for SEMA. If if does we're making a road trip....

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Jim I saw your truck at OC ,you may recognizes the pic in post 102 of my burb & clan. Also I cannot see any pic of your burb ?? If I'm in town for OC this year maybe we could get a bunch of PA & MD AD's together.
KC

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

The weather has been warmer as of late, so I have been working on the suburban some.

Nothing pretty, but I did manage to remove the rear suspension. Boy was that a filthy job. I want to get the floors in before I take the bosy off the frame.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

hey atleast you got something knocked off the list. no matter how heavy light clean or dirty, big or small its all gonna need done. spring will bring back my sanity for a while, as will many of us on here.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

It's progress. like said before, that's one more thing done..it all adds up.