1963 suburban build
 

I purchased this suburban about 5 months ago and is fairly good condition. It has a 327/4 spd saginaw with 307 gears in it currently with around 5k on it. Originally a 292/3 spd column truck. The interior is pretty much stock which was one of the reasons i bought it. All three rows of stock seats are there. I currently took out the small seat for more room in the back. It has had one repaint on it. originally a fawn exterior with white top. I have had to do some small stuff since i have purchased it like rebuild rear brakes, install new master cylinder, new fluids/gasket on rearend and new valve cover gaskets. Plans.... lower it a little, find stock hubcaps, Aluminum 63 grill, gathering parts to put in my ls1/4l60e combo in it next winter hopefully. Drive it with my family!:chevy:

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Nice Suburban! :chevy:

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

lowered it a bit!

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

you could sell the middle seat quick

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Nice!

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

thanks! yeah, I'm planning on keeping the middle seat for a while. when i was looking for a suburban that was one of my items to have due to the lack of them out there. thanks for the heads up though.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Sweet burb..very clean
Defiantly begging for some altitude adjustment...

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Been working on my suburban a bit. Cleaned up a aluminum grill and put it on as well as a new to me chrome front bumper and hubcaps. I have been collecting parts to do a ls swap on it this fall so started to install them. I pulled the stock tank and added a boyd welding tank with pump inside and plumbed new stainless line with filter and AN lines for supply and return to tank. Next I will pull my steering column and install a auto column out of a 70's van that i had rebuilt.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Here are some pics!

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Some more!

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Looking good!

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Did you order a burb specific tank for your build or did you use the pickup version? Any issues mounting it?

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

What is the fuel capacity in those stock suburban fuel tanks?

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

ajck87- I think they are 16-17 gallons stock. The boyd tank is 19 gallons with a fuel pump in it.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

out with the old and in with the new. Installed a 70 van tilt column and custom steering wheel.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

one more.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Great looking Burb and great progress on your recent improvements. They'll make a big difference in driving enjoyment and reliability. Keep the photos coming!

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Thanks Southcity! Yeah, that's my hope to make it more driver friendly. Next is a ls1/4l60e and a 89 suburban front suspension in it.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Great looking Burban !!

My favorite year :metal::metal:

Great improvements so far !

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Thanks chief! Any progress on yours?

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Hi all, wanted to update this thread on the fairly recent upgrades i have done to my suburban. I have installed ls1/4l60e (finally after 10 yrs haha), psi harness, new gauges, aluminum radiator, rebuild rearend to 3:73/posi, rebuild and installed front end out of 89 suburban with disc brakes and power steering, high hump trans tunnel, filled holes in firewall and painted engine bay and all new components. I decided to keep my og wheels so i bought 6 lug discs for the front. i lowered it another 1.5 all around. all new brakes lines, fuel lines, trans cooler lines and tires. i did it all about 6 months ago and have put about 3k or more miles on it and what a different vehicle it is....sorry about the sideways pics....

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Pics

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

More pics

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

next will be deadend garage c-notch, adj. panhard bar and rear shock relocation brackets, vintage air and american autowire wiring kit. Main goal is to keep it on the road and enjoy it!

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

"Main goal is to keep it on the road and enjoy it!"

I'd say you've done a fine job so far to achieve your goal. And that new stance with the steelies and caps - outstanding! Curious on your tire size 235/75/15? keep the pics and updates coming and stay safe out there!

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Thanks Southcity! the tire size is 215/85/16....

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Your whole scheme sounds very similar to my '66 Sub. I'm interested in your radiator/cooling fan setup and also your engine mounts.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

"Main goal is to keep it on the road and enjoy it!"

Yep, good job! That's a nice ride, too bad this year's cruising and showing off is is on hold... a lot of events have been cancelled.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Victoria Hardware- Thanks, the radiator is a griffin with dual spal fans that can be controlled independently that is made for our trucks to do the swap. so both inlet and outlet are on the same side. i am very happy with it. I am running performance online frame motor mounts with dirty dingo sliders. I went this route because i had to move the engine to the front holes in the frame then slide back due to if mounting in the rear holes i hit on the passenger corner of the cab.

Rock tonka- Thank you much! yeah, this year has not started out the way that it was supposed to but we still go out driving around for a while and enjoy what we can during this time. It will get better soon and we will be back to our norm. ps..Your burb turned out killer this round.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Sub looks great man! Really clean job.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Thank you much!

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

so i recently was tired of my spare tire just sitting in the back of the burb hanging out so i took a 72ish in bed spare tire bracket and bolted it to the passenger rear side wall and floor to support the tire. Turned out pretty good. gives me a lot more room.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Pics!

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Great idea and well done! I can certainly relate to freeing up that room.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

yours as well looks good! Did you make that mount? or did it come out of a vehicle?

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

I can't take credit for it, it was in the vehicle when I purchased it and I'm quite certain it's custom built. fyi - I purchased a stock roll of outdoor carpet/matt at Home Depot, already has nylon ribbing on two sides. Trimmed it to sit between the wheel wells to carpet the rear area. Worked out great, holds up well to abuse and is easy to clean.

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Nice, thanks for the heads up....

Re: 1963 suburban build
 

Next up on the burb is new emergency brake cables, new fuel tank sender to get the correct level to my gauges, lower the back of it 1 more inch, c-notch, rear shock relocation brackets, and adjustable panhard bar!