Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Your panel looks good towing the burb. Can't wait to see more of the progress.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

looking good, I expect to be over in Portland in early June, want to drop by and see how its going then.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

lovin the build, but I gotta know where are the weeds in your gravel ? :lol:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

This is coming along rather nicely, I am in Love with yur panel, that is the best looking one I have seen to date, keep up the progress.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

come on by!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Can you say PHOTOSHOP?? No, just good prep ;)

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

i like the concept, but aren't parts for newer vehicles more expensive? With all of the after market parts for these trucks today (48-5?), it's hard to justify limiting yourself to a trailblazer/envoy parts selection. Then again i see you own a trailblazer SS, so i guess to know more about the reliability and available parts than i would.

Good luck and i will be keeping an eye on this as i've been looking at my dad's 48 street rod suburban project for last ten years and riding to shows in his mostly original 53 panel. once i finish my 96, then his 71; we will have no choice to crank another burb...luckily i'm only 24..lol

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

I don't know what parts you are referring to. I bought the complete, running, rolling chassis for less than the cost of a crate small block. It included the drivetrain, four wheel disc brakes, heated seats, a/c, nonrusty floor, carpet, wiring, and on & on.
If I just build a driver, I think I could have LESS in this than my 48 GMC Panel. The Panel is your typical hotrod build: stock frame, TCI front clip, wrecking yard seats, donor 396 & 700r4.
PLUS, other than going to the next level, is this concept any different than using an S-10?

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Ya know; when ever I see this thread come up in my subscriptions I get real excited to see what happens When I scroll through to the last thread and see that people are just commenting on your awesomeness and there are no picture updates I go into a slight depression. Then I go to the next thread and I'm over it. :lol:

Keep the updates coming!:metal:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

DIP SHOP PICS! Should have it back next Friday. Wow, thats a lot of parts on the trailer. No front clip or front doors!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Yeesssss!

I need to get one of those forklift cab lift dealy thingys. :lol:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Hi BBeep. Just discovered your build thread. I guess Oregon boys have extra creativity... I live in West Linn. I'm transplanting some 67 & 68 International Harvester body parts onto the donor chassis/body of a 97 GMC Z71 Extd Cab. And how weird that I am at almost exactly the same stage - getting ready to graft the firewall from the 97GMC onto the cab of the 68 IH. Dealing with the same thoughts you are - how to blend the old cowl air intake - what to do about wiper motor and wiper post mounts.

We probably have similar goals - I want the modern technology but under some older skin. I hope to be cutting my firewalls in about 2 weeks. Still have a few things to strip off the Z71 before the sawzall fires up. Here's a couple of pics.

Sorry for the hijack - can't wait to follow your progress. Great project! :metal:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

using a frame off a truck vs. a unibody truck seems to be a lot different...I haven't priced out wrecked cars lately to know that cost. I guess I was thinking about maintenance parts being more expensive and limited over the aftermarket world for the mustang II, 9in rears, etc.

If you can do it cheaper that's cool, my preference to build a frame and drop the body on, but i'm not known for being the smartest.. again not ripping just curious.. good luck.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

SORRY JBJBURBS! The Envoy is NOT unibody. In fact, as stated before, it is a TRUCK and the frame is WAY heavier duty than the original frame, aftermarket frame, or S-10.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Proof again that skimming and assuming don't make for good threads comments.. thanks for clearing it up.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

BBEEP I know if I were you I'd be all excited to see that fresh from the stripper. I'm looking forward to pics !

sparkydog, you should add a thread on Alternate tinkerings thats a cool build !

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

OK good idea. Just did it. I had never seen that section of the site.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Yup, pretty exciting--back from the dipshop!!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

WOW! That's is definetly the way to go if you have the money. Very nice and keep the pictures coming.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

About $1800 for all the sheet metal. Compare that to a month hard labor at $10 an hour!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Awesome! Did the dip take any of the led out? It's kinda hard to see from the small pic.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Nope, doesn't effect it. Thanks!!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Wow - nice...nice Suburban you found, to begin with!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

The body fits!!! The 52 rear inner fender is acutally sitting on top of the Envoy inner fender. The front wheel in the pic looks like it sticks out, but that is just the pic. Couldn't get a pic with the front fender on it yet.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

The body already sits an 1 3/4 inches lower, measured from the middle of the top of the door opening, than my 48 GMC Panel. Still has all stock 2002 Envoy suspension. Pic taken at a little bit of an angle. The rear wheel is a 17, and centers up nicely. The front fenders, doors, & hood are still wating for the 'dip'.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

You just changed up the game for burb builders.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Glad to see it coming along as planned ! only wish your pictures would increase in size.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

very neat looking project.....love outside the box thinking.....subscribing...

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Any smaller pics? :rolleyes:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

:two:That is looking awesome!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

That is killer, I love it!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Test fitting the front fenders. The drivers side wheel is set back some because the Envoy frame was bent in the accident. Once the body is where we want it, I will take it to get the frame straightened. This thing sits LOW, so therein lies a problem. The bottom of the front fender is only about 7 inches off the ground. The track on the Envoy is wider than the AD, and the fenders sit so low that I can't turn the wheels side to side. We will raise the cowl about an inch, which in turn will raise the fenders--just not enough.
Do I:
1) section the original fenders & make them a couple of inches wider to accomodate the wheels turn radius.
2) find some larger 'truck' fenders and adapt them.
3) change the radius of the wheel opening altogether.
I do plan to widen the rear fenders about 2 inches to allow for a bigger tire. I want to delete the 'welting' and weld the fenders on. Later I may decide to even bring the running boards out slightly.
And what do you think of where the rear wheel fits in the opening? Also, the 17's are about the smallest diameter I can go because of the brakes. Looking at the back, I can probably go with a 20x10 wheel after the widening--and you won't see the tire above the top of the rim.;)

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

I've got a set of big truck fenders that are about in the same condition as yours that might work better without cutting up those fenders.
You might think about welding a flare on the front fenders while raising the opening to give a bit more clearance and not have to widen the fenders.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

I'm going to drive my bus over this week and see if we can make the larger fenders work (I won't rob those, though) Thanks, I'll let you know if I need some truck fenders.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

if you make everything 2 inches wider (front, rear and boards) i doubt many people would even notice. well, other than 100s reading this thread. i think the uniformity would make the mod very subtle on the burb...of course the widening piece is easier said than done.. looks good so far!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

wow, this is an awesome build. good work and keep it up.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

I totally agree with jbjburbs. I think you should widen the front fenders. I think that very few will notice it, and I also think that it would look cool.

Is there a way to narrow the front width? Possibly changing out the A-arms? It would appear to me that different back spacing on the wheels isn't an option.

Good luck with what ever you chose.

+ I do like how the wheel looks in the fender for the back. I don't think that I would change it.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

I think the rear wheels need to move a back in the wheel opening. Widening the rears will look ok. I'd try the larger big truck front fenders before widening the regular truck ones. Make a decision on the running boards after the fenders are resolved.

It's looking great, I sure hope I can get down there in June to see it in person.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

OrrieG, we will probably move the wheel opening in the back slightly as we widen. The wider truck front fenders should be inexpensive, usually a whole truck for a couple hundred. The running boards will definitely wait. Slightly wider should make it look a little lower.
Do you think anyone really reads these boards?, naaaaa . . .:lol:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

An idea from a different perspective, how about a body lift? It's a lot less work than sectioning panels and might solve a couple problems. Combinr that with a change in wheel back spacing and you might be close to where you want it.