Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

-
OUCH!.... That sucks. I have had a couple of my bits catch on me but so far I haven't broken anything except the "D" handle on my big 1/2" drill. I hope it doesn't slow you down too long.

LockDoc

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Sorry to hear that Jason, hopefully you heal up soon!

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Damn. I’ve had mine kick a few times, but it hasn’t managed to hurt me too bad, yet. Just a few heavy bruises and plenty of blood. Sorry to hear

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Very cool new project! Looking forward to following along with this one. I didn't realize you had sold the GMC. Subscribed...

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Thanks for the well wishes. I’m still in a little disbelief that it actually happened. I don’t think this drill will be pulling Suburban duty any longer. I’ll stick with the battery drill from now on. I’ll be back at it as soon as the ortho releases me.

Thanks for checking it out and following along. This thing will never be as nice as the gmc but it’s going to be equally as fun. The kids are so excited about riding in it. I hate that it’s postponed a little but we’ll be making the daycare parking lot cool very soon.

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

I’ve really been slacking with updates. After healing up, I jumped back on the Burb. Instead of installing the c-notches, I decided to just wait until winter. I installed new poly bushings in the rear trailing arms and bolted on the new shock brackets from DeadEnd Garage along with their panhard bar. I had some vibration in the driveline so I pulled the carrier bearing, which was falling apart, and stuck in a billet one from CPP along with a new driveshaft rear section from Denny’s driveshafts that has a slip joint. No more vibrations! At this point I pulled this old rubber mat in the rear to check out the plywood flooring. It has a few soft spots but overall is pretty solid. Bolted some new seatbelts to the rear two seats and we’re ready for a family cruise!

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

For the next stage, I tracked down a clean Gen3 5.3/4L60 from an ‘07 Classic Sierra. Made my first drive across the Mississippi to NE Arkansas on the flattest, straightest road I’ve ever been on. I’ve started putting a parts list together to get this stabbed in this winter! I’m not he only one planning an LS swap.

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

-
Yup, I see why you need a Suburban....:)

You will love the 5.3/4l60e combo.

LockDoc

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

The 5.3 will be a very nice upgrade. Looks like the kids are getting serious with the little Chevy.

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

I see the LS bug bit you :lol: Going to be a nice upgrade and make a really fun driver out of that Burb.

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Very nice looking powerplant! looking forward to watching this one.

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

It’s hard to believe I haven’t had an update in 4 months. I’ve started tearing down the 5.3 for the cam swap. I’ve pulled the heads and swapped valve springs but have not pulled the front cover to stab the cam yet. I’ve been waiting for a day when I have a couple consecutive hours to spend. I’ve also been pondering engine colors. The obvious choice is Chevy orange but I was thinking of maybe trying something else. Any color recommendations from anyone?

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Looks like the helper is getting pretty serious there.

It's funny how the time flies by. I have been working on the '70 SWB for 8 or 9 years anyway. Not steady but between other projects. I am going to try and get busy on it this Spring.

LockDoc

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Nice new powertrain for the burb! Black will look nice on all the cast iron stuff or maybe paint the engine body color. Or even black block and accessories with body color valve covers and a body color shaved truck intake.

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Time sure does get away from you quickly! Do you have any build threads of your projects, previous or current?

Thanks I’m excited about the power upgrade! I think I’ve finally decided on a paint scheme for the drivetrain. I hope to have some paint on them soon.

Last weekend I finally made a little progress. New cam, oil pump, timing chain, lifters and oil pan installed. Loosely sat the heads on but still need to torque them down. This cam should be good for some good low end power!

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Great choice on cam, I went with there 216/220 .550 lift and love it.

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

I'm not too good on the build threads. I post threads from time to time when I am working on something but they are usually sporadic. I will see if I can find a couple tomorrow.

LockDoc

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

My little helper and I have been making some progress on tear down. Also plan on getting some color on the power train in the near future. More updates coming soon!

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

It’s been a long time since an update. After getting the burb torn down we made the decision to sell our house and move across town so I rushed to throw it back together for the trip. The drivetrain is sitting in the position it will likely stay in. Once the new garage is semi organized I plan to pull the engine for paint and get back on this pretty quickly. This boat is almost too much for a rental trailer to handle.

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

That cam will work well in the burb. I have comp's version (similar specs) in my '50 pickup 5.3L. Originally I had a TH350 with 3500 stall, it didn't pair well. 700R4 with 2500 stall is perfect...

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

We are finally settled after the move and I’ve been back at it. I recently primed/painted the engine, cleaned up and painted the front rails, cleaned the nasty firewall, removed old brake/fuel lines, pulled the fuel tank, welded in a new passenger rocker panel, and reinstalled engine. It’s been a busy few weeks. The progress on this old girl should (hopefully) go pretty quickly now!

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

I like the choice in engine color. Weird, I was thinking gold when you asked earlier for recommendations. Looks good.

Marc

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

My next project is going to be this mangled mess on the dash. Has anyone tackled a cut radio hole with success? I think I have a couple different options with this one. I bought the middle dash patch panel from nsanepartz a while back, so option 1 is to cut out and replace the whole radio hole. Option 2 would be to stitch the vertical cuts back together and just try to recreate the round holes and the bottom lip without cutting out a substantial portion. I'm open to any ideas.

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Your dash looks salvageable. Check out my build thread, I fixed a similar issue. Optimally, you’d use a full center section and seam it behind the dash pad and under the glove box/gauge panel. In your situation, I think I’d try to repair what you have before going that far.

Love this ‘burb! Love to have it in my garage ;)

Re: Project: '72 Family Hauler
 

Looking good, cut it out and weld new one in. It's only metal