Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Looking real good. How many leafs you take out? I took out 4 and sits about the same as yours an I'm not on the bump stops. An I also have an extra set of back doors if you need anything. Yours look complete though.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Mine has a trailing arm rear suspension since it is a '60.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Looks great!! are you going to air shocks or airbags inside the Jeep springs?

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

I'm not sure what I am going to do about the rear yet, right now this gas tank ordeal is slaying my wallet.

So, I just got the tank back from the cleaners and it looks amazing...but, the process melted away the solder for the neck filler (see pics) and now that is one more thing to have put back on. I don't have the tools to do this repair so I have to take it to a shop.

Now, it is going to need a liner (because it is bare steel right now) + neck filler re-soldered + 1/8" drill hole filled + sender modification to flip the pick up tube 180 degrees. I am going to be over $350 into this tank. No me gusta. But, I will have the factory tank in brand new condition so I guess it's not all for nothing.

Here are some before and after pics:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16325.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16358.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16326.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16357.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16359.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Looks great......your doing a great job....lots of fun soon I am sure

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

I hate it when that happens. You plan on spending so much on one thing and then in order to make it happen you keep having to spend more. Your going about it the right way though. Looks like you will be driving around in no time.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Wow that tank looks almost new. What process was used to clean it? Too bad the filler and vent tube came off.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

awesome job the sub is looking great!!!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Well, I know they had to "burn out" the old liner to ash and then remove it. I think from there they had some kind of acid dipped staged. I'm not sure which process melted the solder joints; the acid bath or when they were burning out the old liner. At the end they washed it and heated it up to get all the moisture out. I am pleased with the way it turned out though. I'm sure I'll be happier when I get it back from the radiator shop all assembled, lined and ready to go. Hopefully by next week!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

OK, gas tank still isn't finished but that hasn't stopped me from driving it a mile to work...:metal:

Anyways, I lined the suburban up with my camper today to get measurements to see if I need to modify the location of my hitch (which I do) and I took some teaser pics.
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16364.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16366.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16365.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Very cool Suburban. I love the GMC grille. I hope to be getting one of these as soon as my 86 pick up sells.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Cool pictures with the trailer. My dad used to pull our old Shasta with our 60. This is the only picture I could find so far...

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

I love that picture man. I was thinking of that one when I parked my truck by the camper. If you find anymore, definitely post 'em!:metal:

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Cort,

Your Burb is absolutely awesome and inspring me to get off my a$$ and get after mine. I was thinking of selling it for another hot rod but seeing yours and the others since I got on this site a few days ago has me itching to do mine the way I want it.

Keep the momentum going and thanks for sharing your build.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Thanks Mike! I see you live in Roseville, I'll actually be down in Sacramento this week visiting family. I am originally from there.

I hope you keep your burb. I am looking forward to seeing it lowered.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Thanks Cort. I've just been looking at pics of lowered burbs and keep envisioning what mine will look like once I get it down where I want it. I'm leaving this week for a mini vacation but as soon as I get back it's full steam ahead on the burb. Will you be coming down for the Sacramento Swap meet on April 17th? There should be lots of great deals on some of the parts you may need for your burb. You can find out more at www.SacramentoSwapMeet.com

Have a good trip to SacTown.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Cool Combo !! Restoring old trailers are almost as much fun as the trucks. Matching paint on the trailer with whitewalls and baby moons.. Cooooool.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

nice burban wish my paint was unmolested, looks great with the trailer!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Alright, here are some pics of the tank ready to go in. Tonight I hope to install it and actually drive around for a little while.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16370.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16369.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

:bling:.....that thing turned out nice!!!! Get it in and go for a cruise.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Well, I got the tank in and the new fuel pump installed but it started to get late and just when I thought I was almost done, I realized the new fuel pump didn't have the soldered on fuel tank connection so I have to get a fitting tomorrow at work. Dang. I guess I can drive it tomorrow.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

:metal:
Good for you. That thing is sweet!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Alright! I got the fitting this morning and drove to work with a REAL gas tank! It is a nice feeling. The gas gauge works and everything. I am super stoked that I now have a driver. Monday when I have some time I am going to hit the highway and get her up to speed to see how she does.:metal:

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Drove it on the freeway tonight. The engine cruises at a way lower rpm than my truck did. My truck had 3.90's and a SM-318 and the rpm's were around 3000 @ 60 mph.. I'm not sure what the axle is in this but I know the tranny is an SM-420. I don't have a tach but from the sound I would guess she was at about 2200 or so rpm's at that speed. I love it.

She did great though. Here is a pic after I got the license lamp wired up before I took off.
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16374.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Very cool. Can't wait to see what you find when you get it on the road. I'm hoping to get mine on the road by next weekend. Have to redo the whole brake system.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Cort,

You probably have 3.73 or maybe even 3.42's in the Burb. Great buy! I think GMC still used Dana 44 rear ends in these years so parts are easy to get. Your rear springs have plastic spacers in them that help when they get old and sag. Knock those things out of the springs, clean them up and reinstall them. It will probably drop over an inch or more with those spacers out. I would suggest going to standard 1/2 ton pickup springs if the originals don't drop it enough for you. Chevelle springs are taller and softer, a set of Chevelle wagon springs may work. You will need some additional support in the back while towing, maybe airbags inside the springs? If you look at most 1/2 ton Suburbans, the rear springs are generally heavier than a 1/2 ton pickup (especially in the newer ones) that why I suggested 1/2 ton truck springs. Are you going to install a 2 barrel carb on the burb or put your twin carb setup on it? Don't sell that old SM 420 short, besides being a little noisy that trans is bullet proof and the granny gear is great for the slow crawl through the campgrounds or cruise night! Sorry I have not kept up lately, been pursuing other interests, but I am retiring this year so I'll be around more. Were your front wheel bearings roller or tapered? I think the originals were rollers, my 61 Chevy was I know. The replacements were tapered Timkens.

P.S. I looked again at the spring spacers, you may have the old 2 piece metal style that bolted together, anyway those are a Mickey Mouse fix for sagging springs. Take them out you will definately lose an inch or more.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Thanks Justcuz! I thought about taking those things out of the springs and seeing what happened. Haven't done it yet though. As far as the wheel bearings they were ball/roller bearings and I just re-packed them and put them back in. They were in great shape. Those tapered replacements are damn expensive and I didn't see any reason spending money on something that wasn't broke.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

OK, I've gotten quite a bit accomplished over this last week. I pressure washed the engine, cleaned up some other stuff, straightened up the bumper (FINALLY!) and installed my new grill I got for a $100. I am super excited about the look now. I also decided that riding around on the bumpstops was not for me so I put the factory springs back in. I do miss the way it sat when it was lowered though. Oh, well. When I get some money later, I will bag it.

Here are some new pics:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16380.jpg
Old vs New
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16388.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16389.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16391.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Looks good cort.you got that grill at the swap meet this weekend.lots of goodies there this year.i got www with about 1000 miles for $180.truck looks good.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Thanks man. I actually got the grill from a guy that lives a few blocks away. I saw a couple venders at the swap meet that had some stuff but I only got about a 1/4 of the way around. Next year I want to try and do the whole thing but may need to buy a damn golf cart.:lol:

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Great buy on the grill!!! What a difference!! Looks real good.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Thanks!

I was working on the instrument cluster that I got at the swap meet for 10 bucks. I got the oil gauge from ebay and the "motor minder" from a close friend who has had it since he bought it in the 50's.

For a 51 year old engine, 30 psi and 19" of vacuum at idle are pretty damn respectable. I love these V-6's!:metal:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16395.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/SDC16400.jpg

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

How much did it sag with the spacers out of the stock springs?
Needs some stock outer mirrors and brackets. Black brackets with chrome round mirrors. Get some old fashioned clip-ons for towing, they set in the window sill and had a strap to the bottom of the door.
You'll learn to love that trans, it give the truck character with gear whine!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

yeah, the tranny isn't as loud as the SM-318's though. When I downshift to 3rd coming to a stop, it is much quieter than when I would downshift to second with the 318 in my old truck. It's not bad though.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

The new grill looks great; good job on the dash, Cort.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

If you change the gear oil once every 5 years that trans will outlive us!

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

I remember a vacuum gauge like that on the early 80's caprice's The gauge would let you know when you were not getting the best milage. Trying to get you to keep you foot out of the gas. We used to make a game out of trying to keep it in the green all the time. Great addition.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Lookin sweet man. I hear ya on the golf cart. I'm no slouch but walking that swap meet definitely wore me out. You comin out to hillsboro for the cruise in on Sat?

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Didn't know about it...when/where? I work until 6 so I'll probably miss it.

Re: '60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)
 

Think I walked past that grill......looks great man...
I walked around the track twice looking for a good hood....I saw a red one at the expo but one of you guy's probaly got to it before me cause it was sold when i got to it...lol...