Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, what's the process you're using to acheive the brushed look on your grill? I really like the look and I'm taking notes...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks I'm digging it..

Thanks Jim

Just take a red scotch bright pad. I apply a little penetrating spray to the pad then use elbow grease. The key is to go the same direction with your strokes and keep the even lines. If you don't the grain of the metal will be messed up.I suggest starting on a junk piece first and practice. That's what I did.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

We the exhaust got pretty much wrapped up this weekend. My fabricator friend had 31 hrs into this exhaust. keep in mind he would haul the pieces back to the shop to cut/fit/weld. All we have left is to add a hanger to the ends. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. It's not quite a full system but longer than a shorty system that ends under the body.

The body will go back on for good In about a week.

Thank you
Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That's looking great, can't wait to see body on (I know you can't either)...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Exhaust looks great..!....I'm ready for the body to go on to...!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That's one good looking frame!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

You know it Jim...ha ha. I have done a fair amount of pre-assmebly so I think it will go together swiftly.

Thanks, me too...

Thank you, it needs a good detailing before I drop the body back on.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Coming together real nice Marc!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

beautiful attention to detail

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Here's where were at. The exhaust is complete and fully bolted in (O2 sensors and all). This Sunday some buddies are coming over to help me drop the body on the chassis for the last time. I still need to detail/clean the frame before Sunday

In an effort to gain more radiator clearance I need about 5/8". Modifications were needed to the radiator and core support to gain some room. I use cooling components fans for a couple reasons. 1. they are a 2 speed fan that move some serious CFM's. 2. They come with a shroud. 3. They are quiet. They are not cheap but on my 48 it solved my overheating issues.

http://coolingcomponentsinc.us.com/p...ucts/cci-1770/

I did a similar modification on my 48 but this time around it was better executed. I notched the flange on the top of the core support to move the radiator forward. I then broke loose the welds and I will realign the mounting flange to be vertical. As you know they have a slant from the factory to lean the radiator back. My fabricator friend Josh will weld it back together. These mods should create the space I need.

While I was looking at things it became apparent that the top of the factory core support was ugly the way the ends terminated. So I trimmed them back some and capped them off...

Now for the bad news. Both my radiator and core support were already painted. Some touch up will be needed here.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

More pics....

You can see from the exposed aluminum where the brackets used to be aligned. This is a few pics of the capped core support.

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Looking good Marc...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

I've never liked how the radiators stick up past the factory shroud on these trucks. Since I'm on a S10 chassis the front frame horns and steering box rerally limit the depth of my radiator and made my Champion 4 core stick up way too much. I've since sold it since it wasnt working for me. I would like to find a rad that can fit within my dimensions and sit below this little sheet metal shroud I have.

https://live.staticflickr.com/7867/4...a5b493ba_k.jpgUntitled by Spencer Wiedeman, on Flickr

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Jim

On my 48 I used a G-body front clip which is petty much the same as a S-10. I lost 4" in radiator height because of the steering box. I used a Champion 4 core from a mid 60's mustang. it will still stick up some otherwise your radiator will be so small it wont offer adequate cooling.


The hose outlets even lined up for my LT1 (which I think are the same as an LS). Since you are running a shorter radiator you will need a good "sucker" electric fan (see my recommendation in my previous post) and build a shroud at the bottom of your core support to direct air up into your radiator. Before I did that my 48 always ran hotter than I would have liked.

Thanks

Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks Mark...I'm good on door seals. I used universal ones. I did the same on my 48 and they worked great. I need to get front and rear door window seals. ordered. I'm having all of my glass cut locally and it should be done in a week or so....thanks for the suggestion.


Marc

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Ok, so I hit a major milestone this weekend. I asked a few buddies over to help drop the body back on. A few areas I was worried about as far as clearances go was the following: The coil clearance to the firewall. The shifter clearance coming thru the floor. Everything turned out better than expected. The only exception was the floor by the tranny. I had to cut more of the floor than I wanted/intended. The thing that changed between mock ups was the drive line angle and the height of the tranny mount. I will just come up with a trans tunnel..

Overall I was stoked with the outcome. Keep in mind that these rims are 20's. I plan to run 22's.

Considering that I painted the body panels separate from each other I was pleased how they look next to each other.

Here are a bunch of pics.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

That is looking great.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

More.....

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

More....

For comparison here is a before and after my paint distressing.

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Marc, looks great, nice job on the paint. Onward and upward...Jim

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

dude.. so sick. Awesome work!

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Thanks for tagging along Jim...


Thanks man...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

now that's what we've been waiting/wanting to see..!!!!...looks great Marc..!!!...

Re: 53 Surburban "Family Truckster"
 

Happy to oblige

Marc