72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Well, here we go. :smoke:

This truck started as a 72 Ochre GMC 1/2 ton 2wd 350/350 Suburban. I bought her with the existing red paint (decent), running, driving, and solid as pictured. Now, here's the direction she's going with parts gathered to date:

- 68 Chevy front end/hood
- 68 lower side GMC Trim (red striped)
- American Eagle 20x8's/20x10's
- 255/40 fronts and 295/40 rears
- Porterbuilt new version of the "Touring" front dropmember setup with Mustang rack, etc...
- Porterbuilt tubular upper and lower control arms narrowed 1" each side
- CPP drop mod spindles
- Porterbuilt extreme rear dropmember setup
- Porterbuilt hood hinges
- Slim line heater plate on firewall to allow clearance (a/c deleted for now)

This is going to be a frame off, well more like a frame transfer build as I picked up a '72 Burb frame from fellow member "Uncle" (thanks Tim!). Most of the PB stuff has already returned from the powdercoater, and the frame will hopefully be on its way for powder later this week.

Pending:
- factory buckets instead of bench
- which air management system to go with
- whether I'm going to upgrade the brakes now vs. later (swapping to braided lines vs. rubber regardless)
- fuel tank/fuel management
- ...and everything else that comes along the way

Stay tuned...

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

I apologize in advance for the poor quality iPod pic's. That's all I had at the time. I'll take some better quality pictures in the next day or so.

As mentioned, the majority of the PB parts are back from pc. The frame is about there. I'm about done with all of those stinking rivets! To you guys who tackled all of this while keeping the body on the frame, my hat's off to ya!!! It sure is nice being able to flip her over to get to the bottom of the frame! :metal:

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

A few more pic's of the progress so far...

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

...couple more

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Looks like you got a good start

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

I got off to a good start only after studying killer build threads like yours!!! Thanks Brett!

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Looks great.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Thanks! I'm hoping to make some progress later in the week. You know how that goes though...

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Updates???

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

looking good, cant wait to get my front dropmember and get it installed :)

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

My apologies for the delay. I've been out of town the past week and a half. I plan on jumping in head first this weekend and hope to get a lot done over the next couple of weeks while out of work. :metal:

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Looks good man.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

I guess slow progress is better than no progress. I finally got my rear notches mocked and secured for the ride over to the powder coater. I'm going gloss black on the entire frame with the PB goodies remaining the beige color as originally pictured. I have since received my PB hood hinges with shocks, but I'll POR 15 those when the time comes for assembly. :metal:

More pic's to come once the frame comes back.

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

nice

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

In for the long haul...

What is the timeline on getting it done?
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Good question Jeff. The frame will be done by mid next week. The suspension will hopefully be all together in a few weeks minus the air management. As far as the body to frame assembly, driveshaft lengthening, final paint on the '68 hood, etc... I'll have to ask my four kids' recreational activity organizer (my wife) to free up some time to really jump back into the project full force "uninterupted". Between the family events and a 2001 Viper GTS on the way, it will be a miracle if the Burb is drivable by spring. :lol:

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

During this intermission, I figured I'd show off my fancy garage addition complete with security system! The second picture shows the first Porterbuilt item installed, aligned and ready to go. ;)

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

:lol:, can't beat the price!!!

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

You've got that right!!!

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Well, the frame is back from the powder coater!!! :metal: For any of you guys in the Charlotte, NC area needing some killer powder coating done, Hot Box is THE PLACE!!! Send me a PM if you need their number. These guys are the best of the best and truck guys through and through!!

The notches are both welded and bolted in, so I don't believe they'll be going anywhere. The other crossmembers pictured are just sitting there for now but will be bolted in this week when I have some spare time.

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Below are a few more pic's of the ball joints pressed into my lowers, my drop spindles with other goodies that I just painted, and the rest of my PB stuff waiting to be installed.

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

wow frame looking good i like the colors

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Thanks Erick!

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Looks good!!!

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Looking good! I like the color combo.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Looking pretty sick bro, keep it up :)
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Any action lately? I'll want to watch this one come together. That beige on black looks sick!!!

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

I had the project on hold for a couple of months while we got some things squared away here at the house. However, I have started back on her and worked for a few hours this weekend. I'll take some pic's and drop them in here this evening.

The dropmember is finished along with the supports, motor mount brackets, etc... The rear step is finished along with the bridge and support bar. I have a 12 bolt posi unit I just picked up and will be mocking my lower bag plates in the next week or so. I'm just about there. Just a few little things like tracking down two more bolts for one of the lower control arms. Just sent a note to Nate at PB asking for those.

I've pulled the back carpet out of the Burb, and will be dropping the gas tank in the next few days I hope so I can start cutting the floor and the rear tubs. I'll also do the BB tranny hump at the same time to get that knocked out. It's all down hill from there. :metal:

Also, this past weekend, I added a new toy to the stable! She's an all original '68 short bed fleet side, all original paint with lots of patina, but really solid. I need another project like I need another hole in the head, but it was too sweet of a deal to pass up. :lol:

I'll drop in a couple of pic's of it as well.

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

A couple of pic's of the '68 SWB before I got her to the house... Suburban pictures coming this evening.

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Sweet pickup man!!!

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Thanks! Here are some pic's as promised.

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

A few more. The last pic is a set of original '67 belts I just picked up. Not sure what it is about these, but they will DEFINITELY be going in the Burb!!! ;)

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

I made some progress this weekend:

• Rack and Pinion is in
• Upper and Lower Control Arms are in
• Bags are mounted
• Dropmember, truss supports, frame supports, secured
• Ball Joints Installed
• CPP Tubular Drop Spindles in
• Tie Rods on but loose for now until aligned
• Shock relocators installed
• Shocks mounted

I've decided against using my existing brake parts and will be going with new caliper packs, rotors, bearings, etc... The new spindles are supposed to allow me to use the '73 - '87 setup.

All went in fairly straight forward except I did have to trim one of the driver's side truss supports to keep the rack from rubbing against it. Not the end of the world, but it's something that may or may not need to be addressed when doing your own build if doing something similar.

Question: I know the PB Extreme front drop version requires about an inch cut off of each side of the rack extensions. Has anyone had to do the same with "Touring" version? If so, how much did you have to take off?

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Man that looks good!!

My drop spindles also accepted the square body calipers and rotors. I guess there's standard and heavy versions and I used the heavy, which have 1-1/4" thick rotors.

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Looks great, I have the touring drop member too and just installed my rack this weekend but still haven't installed the tie rods as I have to drill out the spindles first. Hopefully will have that done this weekend. If you find out the rack has to be shortened please let me know.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

Thanks guys! Will keep you posted.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

As far as drilling out the spindles to accept the tie rod ends, double check first. Mine went right in without drilling.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

subscribed, very cool build

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

So, I went ahead and ordered the CPP brakes for the front. I put those on today hoping to get my front wheels on, but it looks like I'm going to have to do some shaving on the hub. They stop short about a half an inch when I try to put them on no matter how much convincing I try.

Re: 72 GMC Burb PB Build
 

After hours of sweat and beers...uhhhh tears, the wheels are on, FINALLY!