Just got my 62 Burb 4x4

[burbluv]

Hey Everyone,
Long time reader, first time poster. I've had my share of classics but after a 10 year hiatus, a wife and 3 kids I needed to find something with great lines, classic style, tons of space and power to pull our pop up trailer. Enter the Burb.
It needed to be 60-66 and I really wanted the 4x4 and in decent shape. I finally found the one I was looking for on Craigslist just over the border in Oregon 400 miles away from me in the Bay Area. After countless calls, photos and emails I decided to make a quick 24 hour jaunt back and forth with my cousin and his son to close the deal and haul it back. The original plan was to drive it back but thought it was better to be safe than sorry.
The owner has had it for the last 25 years and really took care of it. I have records since day one. He started with the original 283 and then swapped it out over time for a rebuilt 283 and finally went with the crate Goodwrench 350 with the Edelbrock manifold and carburetor about 7,000 miles ago. He also rebuilt the transmission and went through the original 4x4 equipment, set it up for towing and added a 4 core towing radiator, alternator, rebuilt the brakes, replaced the leaf springs and had a ton of parts.
Since getting it home yesterday I have been cruising it all day.
It still definitely needs some love but I could not be happier. I am taking it to a local shop tomorrow to have it gone through mechanically, probably needs a master cylinder, need to get the gauges running and just finish dialing it in. After that it is off to the interior shop. It has the front bench seat and I have the 2nd row that needs to be redone and the frame for the 3rd back seat that I need to build or find the seat for and then I will have all three redone at the same time. Finally off to body and paint. This is where I am a little stuck. I found the VIN on the driver side door frame but it does not break down paint schemes. Is there another location to find that info? Also would it tell if this originally came with the clamshell or barn doors. I am thinking of switching to the barn doors but want to know if it is tracked anywhere on the vehicle. Not really that worried about the paint since it does not have original engine but looking to use one of the original colors from that year and if I like the original maybe that one.
Sorry for writing a book but I am pretty pumped.
Looking forward to getting her done with help on the forum.
Thanks,
AJ (Burbluv)








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[cb1965]

sweet ride!! man looks real clean .

[jocko]

wow, that is NICE! Body look awesome. Congrats - looking fwd to hearing your plans and watching them come to life. But it's so nice, you really don't need to do a thing.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

That is a really nice Suburban. It's not often you find a 4x4 let alone in that good of shape. Plus you got the original seats too!

Seeing this brings back some fond memories. My first Suburban was a white '63 4x4.

There should be a metal tag riveted on the drivers side kick panel that will tell you the original color and trim. There really isn't any way to determine whether these burbs originally came with a tailgate and hatch or the cargo doors.

[Sillyoldman]

Very nice!

[fishmunger]

that is a beautiful rig

[62 short step]

Very nice!

[63chevyll]

That is way cool, there is a guy around here who has one with a cummins in it, I love it
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[burbluv]

Does anyone know the production numbers for this year?
Thanks,
AJ
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[LT1 Burb]

Hey, nice suburban, how'd that one sneek buy me. Production was pretty well 5K each of the panel doors and the tailgate for each year.

[gostranger]

that thing is awesome looks clean!!!

[61_FL_Apache]

I want one!!

[k1rodeoboater]

WOW that rig is CLEAN!!! Is there any rust damage at all on it??? Looks to me like all you need to do is the prettying up part of the build.

[burbluv]

Thanks for the thumbs up guys. It is really clean, just a little bit of bubbling on the doors. The engine only has about 7,000 miles on it and runs like a champ. Right now I have it at the shop getting set up with a new Magnaflow exhaust system. The one it came with was starting to rust out and already had a small hole. Other than that I am planning to set up a build link for us all to follow. Redoing the dash console and trying to get the whole thing back to original. Looking to do a whole new rewire. Looking for suggestions on kits but not looking at the crazy expensive ones. Once I get it mechanically dialed in I will move on to interior and paint.
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[Corts60]

Great score! I just bought a suburban myself. I love these things!

[burbluv]

Nice Cort!
I was reading through your emails before you made the decision. You have got some serious moxy to tear up the other truck to get the burb going but I love the call. If you could dial in the truck that beautifully just think of what you can do with the burb! Have you decided what you are going to do with the flooring. I love the rubber in the back but it is aged and I really can't find it so I am probably going with carpet all the way back. Any suggestions?
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[Corts60]

Originally Posted by burbluv

Nice Cort!
I was reading through your emails before you made the decision. You have got some serious moxy to tear up the other truck to get the burb going but I love the call. If you could dial in the truck that beautifully just think of what you can do with the burb! Have you decided what you are going to do with the flooring. I love the rubber in the back but it is aged and I really can't find it so I am probably going with carpet all the way back. Any suggestions?
Posted via Mobile Device

I'm not too sure yet about the back. I guess eventually I will probably go with carpet, but for now I'm just going to scrub it really well. Also, I had no idea that the floor in the back was wood! That is crazy! This is all knew to me too.

I look forward to your build man.

[66Gilbert]

Nice to see another 4x4 survivor. Go on over to the 4x4 forum and check out the the thread "Let's see how many 60-66 4x4's are out there" it is a sticky thread at the top of the page. Post a picture of this nice find over there.

[likaroc13]

really nice Burb!

[Mr Pops]

jealous!

[65panelrat]

Nice!

[oem4me]

Very nice Suburban!
When you go about re-doing the interior, try to save those original seat covers for someone that needs them to complete a stock restoration. They are impossible to find and look like they might clean up well... and could even help pay for part of the new interior.

[SS317]

That's sweet!! I need one of those for my hunting rig... all decked out of course.
Welcome to the board.

[burbluv]

This passion is truly a sickness. I somehow just convinced my wife that I need to go out tonight to pick up a second 66 Suburban so I can get some extra parts and barn doors for my 62 suburban. About to hit the road for a two hour drive, load andf haul!

[Demmit_Hemmit's 65]

Welcome to the board from another burb owner who has the sickness...............Nice find..........................The 4x4 60-66 burbs are really rare............I have a book of production numbers but it doesn't break it down. It just shows the total prodution for all the trucks in 1962........1965 is the first year my book has totals for 4x4 burbs.....444 with barn doors and 433 with the lift gate.............1966 had 530 with doors and 418 with gate................That's less than a 1000 each year.........I'm sure yours follow in that same catagory..............The back floor in the burbs all had marine plywood under the rubber mat...........It's pretty easy to change out the lift gate for barn doors if you have all the parts.............all burbs had the attachment points for both.............look for the plastic hole covers on the frame of your door opening.................The only difference is the lift gate rear valance panel will have two indents in it for the lower hatch hindges to attach to the frame..............done the conversion myself a couple of times.............I, myself , love the grill and headlight doors of the 62.....I had a 62 burb I sold a few years back with a perfect grill and shabby headlight doors...............Again, great find and am looking forward to follow your build..........Hemmit