How should I rock my ride?

['72 Chevy Suburban]

Ok, I may be getting the cart before the horse here, but I thought that I would get a jump start on ideas... *Assuming* that I win the contest, what do you guys suggest for $10K worth of improvements? I realize that in today's world, $10K can get eaten up pretty quickly on a project, so we will have to be careful of what we spend our money on. One thing worth mentioning is that I don't have a clue as to how this will all unfold... I certainly hope that I will have some say in what is done to the truck!

So, would you bag it, slam it down or lift it? It is a 3/4 ton 2WD, so would it look dumb if it was lifted? I realize that the 8-lug rims will present their own set of problems... The Interior is green, so I was thinking about going either Midnight Green or Black with it, assuming that they are willing to put enough hours in the body to get it good enough for a dark color.

For starters, sheetmetal work will be a priority as this is in Ohio Truck and many patch panels will need to be sacrificed in the making... Please give me your suggestions on how you would do the truck, even if it is just a minor detail that we should do to it. Post pictures if you have some.

If you have no clue as to what I am talking about, follow the link in my sig.

Here are some pictures:





Thanks,

[drivethechevy]

if i was in your position i would have all the body work done, and i would have what ever of the intirior done after the body and paint are done, the engine would come next. i would leave it all stock but redone in the color u like, imo stock is the best wiht subtle modifications done
good luck i hope u win
nader

['72 Chevy Suburban]

Originally Posted by drivethechevy

if i was in your position i would have all the body work done, and i would have what ever of the intirior done after the body and paint are done, the engine would come next. i would leave it all stock but redone in the color u like, imo stock is the best wiht subtle modifications done
good luck i hope u win
nader

Bodywork is definitely the highest priority. I assume that labor will also go against the 10 grand and this could eat it up pretty quickly.

The 350 runs pretty well in the truck, and the bottom end was gone through about 1000 miles ago. Mostly it is just a little puff of smoke from the valve seals that shows up at startup or when I get on it. The trans is a 4-speed with the granny gear.

One option would be to put a set of aftermarket heads, a cam and intake on it to pep it up. As it sits, it only has a 2 Barrel on it. Another option is to drop in the 468 out of my '73 1 ton Crew Cab that is eaten up with rust, but the engine should probably be gone through. Either way, I would like to go with an OD Tran, if it is in the budget.

Tempting as it may be, aftermarket wheels and tires could seriously attack the budget and I realize that will have to stay in check. I appreciate the input,

[bouncytruck]

I think a lot depends on your abilities. Body and paint is probably going to eat up most of that budget and I think those would be top priority. If the engine runs solid, I'd probably get some rims or make sure the interior is livable. After that, I'd look at a drop kit, you can always bag it later and start stock piling the parts for an engine rebuild (or buy a crate).

['72 Chevy Suburban]

Bump! I think we have to jumpstart this thread... Things are looking pretty good for "The Pickle" right now!

[IvelDesigns]

parts for a bag stuff and all new suspension, plus 2 days labor @ $50/hr = $2300
depending on how bad your rust is, figure 5-10 days labor into rust repair and paint prep @ $50/hr = $2000 - $4000
Paint and Supplies = $800
Day Labor to Paint = $400
decent interior work = $1000
O/D Tranny and engine bay clean up = $1500

roughly $10k. you could save a good chunk of $$ if they give you a better rate on labor, or if you could do some of the work your self, along side them.

I have a feeling they are going to want to blast their shop logo and the radio station logo all over the side of your truck. Hopefully they'll be fair about that whole thing.

[72BlckButy]

I think Ivel layed that out quite nicely...

If you want to save a little $$$ on lowering it you can always go with an ECE static drop kit.

This thing is going to look sick!!!!

[IvelDesigns]

i should clarify that the bag stuff includes 4 bags, lines, fittings, valves, compressor, tank, switches, gauges, drop spindles, ball joints, tie rod ends, trailing arm bushings, U bolts, U joints, 4 shocks, bolt in C-notch and a new carrier bearing.

[72BlckButy]

Wow... that is a steal for that price!

[Ackattack]

The thing is, with "only" $10k it is still definatly a budget minded build.

I think body work, maybe some nicely painted stock style wheels or some cheaper aftermarket wheels would be a good start, see what you can do with the interior, and go with the OD transmission.

After they're done with it, then you can swap in your 468 yourself when the funds become available to rebuild it.

I'd hate to be in your predicament

[c10addict]

To me it would all depend on who was doing the body and paint work... I would rather have it look like it does now that getting something back with bad body and paint work... I would allow them to do things like the suspension, wheels, brake upgrade and interior.... If it comes back wavey with tons of orange peel will you really be happy??? I know I wouldn't...

[nightmare]

I would say after the bodywork and paint has been done, get the OD tranny. Then decide what else. If it's then in the budget to do something else, maybe raise it. It is a 3/4 ton. I'm kinda partial to the Pre-Runner look for a 2wd.

As for rims, I think that those Hummer rims would look good on there, with the accents painted the body color.

By the way, do you have any more pics of the interior, and engine?

[mvfd70]

I'm kinda with the majority here. Body work, paint (I like the darker green and if it were mine I'd go one solid color instead of the white roof), freshen the engine/engine bay, and a static drop to start. Then if money allows OD tranny and maybe wheels/tires.

[Ackattack]

Oh, BTW, you can get airbags for a few hundred dollars, just without the compressor and tanks. Probably just about as cheap as a static drop.

[Woody]

What I would do is see what they have in mind for it. I'm sure the exterior is going to be redone. Then some interior upgrades...But let them know that with gas prices so high, that you really need some better MPG upgrades such as O/D Tranny, fuel injection ect.....Being in the greater Cincinnati area there are a lot of places to find a drive train upgrade for a good price. I'm starting on a transplant for my 69 with a '99 suburban (350 FI w/ 4speed auto) upgrade. Look around for a 3/4 ton 354 rear end for it and cruise into some much better MPG.

Congrads!!!!! Glad we could help you out!!!

Oh!!!! It must have a '67-72chevytrucks.com' logo somewhere on it!!!

[72BlckButy]

I would go with body and paint... the rest is pretty easy, and a lot less expensive!

[exmonkeypunk]

Yeah, everyone's got a good idea. Since your motor is strong and it seems the rest of your drivetrain is solid. I'd focus on body and suspension. You should easily be able to bag it and get some panels replaced with a nice paint job for 10k.
I'd assume you could help out with "some" of the work being that it's your truck. I'm just glad that you get to pick what gets done. Whatever you choose to do, just be sure it's what "you" want done to it. Don't give em an inch. Good Luck.

[Jerry Jones]

I am not a Sub expert by any means, but is it going to be as easy as some say to drop it since it is a 3/4 ton? I would say its a no brainer if it was a 1/2 ton. Just curious.

Other than my above sidebar, I would make it as pretty as possible on the outside, the rest of the rig is a lot cheaper and easier to mod up.

[67shortie]

I say body/paint for sure, this get very pricy very quickly and if your skill levels are not up to par here this will be money well spent. Rust repair is expensive, paint is expensive let someone else flip the bill on this.

Suspension/engine/wheels etc is all bolt on/parts gathering (to me anyway) so that can be done on a more spread out schedule as time and money permits.

Just my $.02

[bad6772]

Looks as if you won..............SO now get to work..............And congrats............

[jayharrell]

Cant wait.

[CrashPro993]

You should turn it into a Short Wheel Base Tahoe.... check out Frizzle Fry's!
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=239896

[c10addict]

We need some updates??? DId you win??? Or did they hit you with the old fine print??

['72 Chevy Suburban]

Originally Posted by c10addict

We need some updates??? DId you win??? Or did they hit you with the old fine print??

We did win and the truck left to go to the shop today. I'll start a build thread, but unfortunately there won't be any update pictures. I meet with the shop tomorrow and it will be the last time that I see the truck until it is finished!

[71swb4x4]

Did they give you an idea of when it will be finished?