55 burb

[bigtoe2u]

Hello to all,
Today is the day that I officially become a non-lurker. For years I have been admiring the skills and bravery of so many of you. After having some bad experiences I have decided to give it a shot.
My project is a 55 Suburban. I got it from a coworkers dad that used it in his painting business. Before that it served the Compton School District. Ive owned it since 1989, and during that time its had some upgrades. The front has a 78 Camero sub fame installed, rear end is a 9 inch, center section is a Progressive auto unit. Shockwaves push it up and down.

[Advanced Design]

Welcome Bigtoe2u. Cool, another Suburban! Looks good....looking forward to more updates.

[bigtoe2u]

Jumping around, here is the motor and trans, the first fitting. The motor is a LQ4. Its 030 over,TSP cam 243 heads, most of the goodies. The plan is to attempt to look old skool as far as the engine. Thats the Chevy orange paint. The tranny is a 700R4 with a PTC converter.

[ChuckDriver]

Nice Burb! How big are those rear tires, they look huge!

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Looks like a real cool project.
Kim

[bigtoe2u]

The tires 20x10 don't think I'm gonna use them. I really like the look of the Corvette Rally.

[bigtoe2u]

Here are some of the pictures that i managed to find. This is some of that paid for work. My rookie mistake.
The first photo was supposed to be a simple C-notch,… that came with the C. When installed the rear axle was waaay forward. Can you believe the guy that installed it wanted me to pay him to fix it. This iOS what I got, something that was gonna fail.
The second is well didn't understand how to get radiator support back on. The third is skill set improving with the help of a very talented friend.

[bigtoe2u]

Well here's what was done to fix that mess. The housing came from Moser engineering. That 8 inch C-notch with the plate welded on was cut out. A new curve notch was made. While I was back home paid a visit to No Limit for the 4 bar system. With the shockwave, we set it up so when the rear is completely deflated the tire comes to the top of the factory indention in the wheel well.

[bigtoe2u]

Well Im still fitting the engine. Im gonna have to move it forward about an inch. I was trying to keep it where the big block once lived, but the valve covers hit the fire wall. Good thing I got the slider engine mounts. Looks like if I move them all the way foward i'll have enough room for the valve covers to fit. Down side have to move the tranny mount.
Looks like everything is a go. Exhaust manifolds will clear and starter fits

[youngrodder]

Looks like a good start. I dig the looks of it.. Keep up the good work

Marc

[Kim57]

Looking real good.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Nice work, I especially like the tubular structure between the frame rails!

[bigtoe2u]

More photos for those that are addicted to this stuff. Got my 5 gallon air tank from Accuiair. Looks like its gonna work fine under the passenger side stepwell. The plan is to hardline from the compressors to the tank. Ill use the plastic line for the rest.

[bigtoe2u]

The body, when I bought my truck it had several coats of paint. The top coat was house paint. Off to the blaster it went. When I got it back DP90 was shot on the bare metal. this is the passenger side

[Kim57]

Doesn't look all that bad.
Kim

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by bigtoe2u

For years I have been admiring the skills and bravery of so many of you.

my wife calls it a stupid addiction

welcome to the forum
nice suburban the body looks relatively rust free
i'm partial to the burbs and panels

[bigtoe2u]

Well here is the other side. Its not as bad as some. Ill have to find somebody the can make the lower section. I have not been able to find any burbs that have what I need for parts. A few friends say try it yourself, I think that by the time I buy the tools and learn how to use them I could have just paid someone and moved on.
Im gonna put plywood back in. Im going for the just clean build. Over the axle I'll run some sheet metal over that. The plan is to have a compartments on each side and then mold that into the hump. The middle of the floor will remain even with the rear deck. Tall order.

[bigtoe2u]

The other side is where the real work lies

[bigtoe2u]

_Ogre, love the fiberglass work. I got inspiration for all the "molding" i want to do from you.

[Kim57]

The lower rear wheel opening looks like it could be fixed using a section from a step side fender.
The rest should be able to be straightened by a decent body man.
Kim

[bigtoe2u]

Trying to catch you guys up to where I'm at today.The first picture is just how the Camero stub was installed. The brake lines will be redone.The next photos are with the front aired out. The last is from the back side, don't think its to low …chime in give me your opinion.

[bigtoe2u]

Well here it is before I said I would not separate the frame from the body again. Please forge me for the horrible photo, its a picture of a picture.

[bigtoe2u]

Originally Posted by Kim57

The lower rear wheel opening looks like it could be fixed using a section from a step side fender.
The rest should be able to be straightened by a decent body man.
Kim

I thought the same thing but some say they are different?

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by bigtoe2u

I thought the same thing but some say they are different?

They may be. I'm sure someone on the site knows for sure.
Kim

[Advanced Design]

Nope, that isn't too low! Looks really good and the Camaro subframe lays down nice. LS looking good.

Might not be too difficult for a metal shaper to make the inner fender that is rusted through. There are probably several in your area.