Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

I guess I should add that there is about one inch of the rear of the cab still attached, so I could also butt-weld that, but the alignment isn't perfect... would it be a good idea to do the but weld then cut the spot welds and align the panel? You should be able to see how much is left in one of my previous posts. I cut the cab right in front of the fuel neck grommet.

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

It'd be ideal to hang the door, tack the quarter to the new metal, drill the spot welds, align everybody at the same time then start stitching it all up....that's alot of balls to put in the air at once, but then you know it all fits as you want it to.

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Got the passenger door I needed! This gives me everything I need to finish the left rear door! I decided I am going to build the B-pillar, build the door, then finish the C-pillar. That way I am not cutting it back off later. The B-pillar is probably going to be the most difficult part to squeeze into my budget. I don't have a break so having someone do my bends might get pricey. I'm going to get the rest of the door frame from the same cab I got my C-pillar piece from. I am thinking I can use the section of the passenger door around the vent window for the section around the small window... I sold the original panel because I intended to use a door skin like Rokcrln did, so I don't have this piece.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0...0/DSCN4558.JPG

The extra truck left door will get restored later and stored for my brothers truck.

For those wondering when I am supposed to be moving to CA, I am too! The company does not have a start date for their contract yet, so I am holding onto my mining job for now.

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Sounds like you are just collecting more junk for the move.:lol:
Thats why I can't move.

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Made a little progress on the burb door while the kiddos were napping today.

I had hacked off the window frames of the two truck doors. you may be able to see that the grey one is cut in 3 parts already

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f...0/DSCN4992.JPG

Here you can see that I hammered the screw holes for the wing windows flat. I will weld up the holes since this will now be the top of the window frame

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k...0/DSCN4982.JPG

I Started with the grey door for the upper front corner of the window frame. I cut frame at the upper edge, and then trimmed both sides at 45deg to get the 90 needed

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I...0/DSCN4980.JPG

This is the front of the Right Rear Suburban door.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h...0/DSCN4920.JPG

This is the rear of the right pick-up door, which will be the front of the Left Rear Suburban door.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L...0/DSCN4921.JPG

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

looks good! keep it up!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Thanks Rick! Glad to see you following along!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

oh i always am! love this build!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

I built my window frame before I had the door fitted to the suburban. Once I had the door jamb fit closer I found I was close (the gaps were not gaps but contact points) and had to adjust the size of the window frame. My final fit isn't done yet so I haven't finish welded the corners of the frame and the frame isn't welded to the door yet.
Just trying to save you some cutting wheels to undo some welds.

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

yeah, i plan on making a mirror of the right, but for now I am just working on pieces. That is a great piece of advice. Also I just thought that I should make sure the inside of the window channel is the right shape since this used to hold the wing window seal!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

yes tweak everything how you nee it before you tack it! well maybe it will be a little tighter and seal better with it being for the wing window seal?

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Great work. I really want to do one of these soon. Um, yeah, ok some day when all other projects are done. Is that possible? :lol:

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Tonight I worked on the rear of the window frame. My wife helped me work out the pattern (and let me use her cutting board ant cutters) for cutting the door. There's a strong possibility that I will get it cut tomorrow... maybe tacked

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N...0/DSCN5209.JPG

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

This is how I am getting the corners for my window frames. Sorry for the slow, uninteresting posts...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d...0/DSCN5369.JPG

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

I really cant wait to see this thing done. Its impressive how much work it is just getting one extra door!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

I like what you are doing with the door. The only thing is now you would have the RARE 3 door that everyone talks about. LOL Good luck on your move maybe I will see you in colorado before you move. the family and I are going to cruz the burb out in 2 weeks and spend some time with a buddy near loveland then hit the diesel drags then back home. If you need any parts let me know I may have them.

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

AAAHHH!! Not fair! I won't be there! I will be in Cali for about 3 weeks and I'll be missing it! I have some friends that are going, I will tell them they need to bring me some pics! I really wanted to see your burb in person!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

I have corners!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J...0/DSCN5403.JPG

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Beautiful!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

very nice now just make a frame.

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Like this?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B...0/DSCN5448.JPG

I finally figured out why my camera was taking blurry pictures. Does the picture look clearer without toddler finger prints?

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

HAHA! yep! Window frame is looking tits man!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

UMmmm....I wouldn't weld 'er like that...lol. Double paned glass?

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

For anyone with the capabilities, a jig or fixture on a table would be perfect. I fit it against the other door so many times when I was fitting it and tacking! I am within a 32nd of an inch from where I want to be. I have some tweaking to do because the shape of the bends is just 1/32 of an inch different!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

are you keeping track of the countless hours this door is taking so you know what to charge when you start selling door kits?

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

I am keeping track... but it won't take me as long next time because there are a lot of things I would do different. As for kits, I guess there would be a market for that!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Yes there is. It's looking great by the way!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Saw this at the last Brothers show.
Some inspiration for ya!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Aw man! That's sweet! That's what I love about Cali! Yep, that's inspiration!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

move over here to a t w a t e r jeremy!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

I'm back, and back at it! welding this frame up took a whole lot of time. The frames were slightly different in size, and the heat would pull the pieces every which way. A jig would be so nice! I may just have to build one! I am having a hard time getting into the sides of the inside of the window channel. I'm not sure how i am going to weld those up yet. Any suggestions? I just cant get a good angle on them. I really want to get them welded all the way around, so I am open to suggestions!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p...0/DSCN5811.JPG

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Aw man, I dream of this every time I put my kids in their car seats, although, they will be out of car seats before I could get it built.
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Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

very nice jeremy! keep it up!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

What about brazing the inside seam after the outer is done? Might be easier to get a small oxy/acet tip and some brass rod in there than a mig.

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

That's the best idea! I may use silicone bronze though (thank you Ron Covell). I will just have to find someone with a torch!

I have mad a little progress so far today. The handle on the right rear door got replaced with the one from the donor right truck door. and the new front of the left rear door got rough cut! I'm watching the kids today and giving Momma a break so progress may be off and on.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z...0/DSCN5939.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D...0/DSCN5940.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m...0/DSCN5941.JPG

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

its coming along keep it up! that was a nice 67 68 door!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Thanks Rick! It was a nice door! I do have a little bit of rust that has to be taken care of. I'm using most of the skin off this door! It was a 68 door! You know your trim holes! So far this truck has vintage 67, 68, 70, 71, and 72 parts!

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Good progress! Can you have the inner area of the window frame tig welded?

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

My biggest problem with that is I can't figure out how to get my fill rod in the channel! But, since you asked, I went out and took a picture of what I am fighting. Once I took the picture, I got the idea to drill a hole in the top of the frame so I can run my fill rod through the hole and still get a good angle on it! Thanks Ryan!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...0/DSCN5966.JPG

Re: 1970 GMC Suburban... for the family
 

Glad I could help. :lol: