Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

very cool project....Im staying tuned for sure......I have a genuine '99 Winston Cup car that Im going to put a 69 Chevelle body on and make it into a roadcourse trackday car and eventually make it quasi street legal.....I can relate to all the measurements and planning your doing......One question....will you register it as a '52 Sub?

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Oh yeah, still registered as a 52!;)

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Ah Lawd this will be a sweet build!:metal::metal:
Subscribed.

Any more pics? :D

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Thought I would chime in on this one as I see one angle that no one has mentioned. Whats the curb weight on a stock envoy. Not the gvw on the door tag but if you roll it across a scale what does it weigh in at. How much does it weigh now after the cutting. Im willing to bet that even after putting the 52 body back on and full interior its several hundred pounds lighter than stock. And because alot of that weight is up high its going to corner better. Both of those are going to make it faster and handle better without trying.

The 02+ t chassis used on the trailblazers and envoys is so much better than the s-10. Way better front end geometry, rack and pinion steering, better brakes. Im on my second traiblazer now and my only complaint on this one is that it has 3.42 gears. Extended trailblazers with 3.42s are kinda poochy on 60 mph hilly roads. Other than that im looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.

Nick

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Thanks Nick. If I end up bringing the Envoy chassis home for the few weeks the Burb is in the dipshop, I'll run it across the scale. Didn't weigh the Burb before I dismantled it, but I have my 48 Panel with a big block 700r I could compare it to. Also, if there is room I will channel the body a little, then do some lowering with aftermarket parts.
My bodyman has done an S-10 conversion, & he would most definitely agree with you. He says they are actually a little narrow to be premium.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Makes me wonder if the Canyon/ Colorado would make a decent alternative to S10 chassis swaps. They are on the same platform as the trailblazer and also have rack and pinion steering.

I know it will tick people off but the 05 and newer Frontier has a fully boxed frame, 4 wheel disc, rack steering, and a 260hp V6 that can run with quite a few V8's...so it would also make an interesting choice as well.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Both may make good donors, but aren't nearly as cheap and easy to find. IMHO, this is what makes the s10 swaps so popular.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Sorry man. The colorado chassis is a completely different isuzu chassis and in my opinion is junk. Yea its got rack and pinion but the front end geometry is horrible and the rest is not much better. Sorry. I just despise them.

Nick

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

I guess mine is the guinea pig! Of course I used the Envoy because I wanted to use the floor, and the way the seats bolt in. Also, it had to be GMC to GMC ;)

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

BB,

IDC what you used or why, just glad your trying something cool! :metal:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Bummer, I was hoping for more pics. Looks like a fun build!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Was just passing by from the 73/87 section and stuck my head in, WOW what a project !!!

Couldn't help but to subscribe for the ride..... :metal:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

yeah that I-6 motor is a dog. doesnt have any potential.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Any updates on this awsome project?

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Just bought a bare firewall from an 04 Trailblazer. Will use it to create a pattern for the permanent Envoy firewall. The hardest part of the build is to get the measurements correct the first time! Will post pics of the fun after New Years.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Hey, while you are posting pics, can you throw some up of the Impala wagon? This is going to be a cool build, I dig the bus, too.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

61 Impala Wagon. LT1, 4L60E, leather, a/c, airride, dechromed, dropped two taillights

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

That wagon is awesome. I had a 61 Impala in college (3 actually), and have loved them ever since. Beautiful, and a wagon, to boot.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Dropped 2 tailights ? Before pics ?
Oh and DAHUMM !

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Yup, Impalas had 3 on each side, used a Brookwood tailgate--so lost two. Oh and THAHUNKS!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Nice ride .................

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Decided it would be easier to practice cutting on a scrap firewall first. We'll make a template first before we cut the firewall on the Envoy that has wiring, master cylinder, a/c, etc. Should all this work out, I will save the template in case there are others on here who would like a template for future builds.

Firewall fits!!
 

Firewall fits pretty good, floor level good. I won't be able to use the cowl vent, but I have front & rear a/c. I will have to use an aftermarket wiper unit of some sort.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Dang I wish I could see that going on in person. :thumbs:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

You are what, 3.5 hrs away? I'll let you know when I need help placing the 52 body onto the Envoy!:lol:

The 52 body & sheet metal go to the 'dipshop' next week!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

3.5 ! I wish ! It takes about 3 hours to get to West Linn were my son lives.
How far from West Linn ?

I recall some 20 or so years ago acid dipping a 66 Chevelle body lying awake at night thinking to myself I just spent $1300.00 dollars on acid dipping !
Which at that time was more than I had ever spent on a car :lol:

Thanks for the thread ! lots of fun.
Who knows West Linn to Eugene....... possible ?

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Very cool build! Guys like you inspire guys like me to just go out and cut stuff apart and hope we can figure out how to get it back together. Thanks

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

very cool.

Re: Firewall fits!!
 

How far into the body mounts are you? Will the frame fit between the rocker panels / inner cowl area?

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

What did you do with the envoy body parts?

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

great job, Very inspirational

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

How far into the body mounts are you? Will the frame fit between the rocker panels / inner cowl area? The rear body mounts are no problem. It looks like the front ones we'll have to modify slightly. I will post when we get there. The rockers/inner cowl fitment with the frame is NO problem at all. The rear inner wheel house appears to be in EXACTLY the same place.

What did you do with the envoy body parts? D&L Trucks parts in Junction City, Or sold me the Envoy without the sheet metal that unbolts. I volunteered to return the quarters, top, etc. They treated me right on the rest of it, figured it was the least I could do.

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

I wouldn't mind getting a copy of your template some day. I wouldn't want it any time soon though.


And; Damn! That looks real good. Nice fit. I can't wait to see the body on there. Keep those pix comin :metal:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

My wife and family are from Arlington. So of course, no problem! May even deliver!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Wow! Its refreshing to see a real build that thinks outside the box instead of the ol' "bag and drag" build!! I'm looking forward to seeing your progress!:metal:

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

If I was 3.5 hrs away from you I would for sure come help put the body back on! Again I say, Way cool project. Keep it up!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Progress Report???

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

definately a sick build i can't wait to see more on! Keep up the good work!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

Progress! Off to the dip shop!!

Re: 52 GMC Envoy Burb meld/build
 

all right glad to see this project back on top