My new 1971 Burb 4x4

[POS1]

About six months ago, I fell into the purchase of a rare and very driveable 1965 Chevy C20 longbed stepside.



I started breaking it down for a 'restoration'. Well, really I was going to redo the chassis, the engine bay, and the interior and leave the exterior alone. I'm not a rat-rod guy, I just thought that the 50 years of Texas sunburn looked cool. Anyways, I finally came to realization (before getting too deep into the restoration), that I really don't want to spend all that time and money to end up with a project that's kinda cool to me.

So I started searching for another Chevy to do. I was going to do a Blazer or something like that, but then I started looking at the 67-72 Suburbans and and just loved the clean lines (I own a 2009 and a 2011 Suburban now - love them) more than the 63-66 pickups. Plus, with my two boys, I can really make an old Suburban interesting whereas a pickup only half-way does it for me.

I found this one up in Oregon. Restored nine years ago by a nice man who loved his old Suburban, and then finally sold when he moved to Portland to live in the city. It needs WAY less work than my old C20 does. I received it yesterday - 95% rust-free. Shiny paint with lots of little flaws, but hey - it's a truck! No need to be perfect. Runs and drives very well. I'm going to restore the chassis to beautiful and new and get all the mechanicals working top-notch. Then I'll work on making the interior more comfortable.

I drove it to Cars N Coffee Houston this morning, and I'm very, very happy with my purchase. I bought it sight-unseen, and I got lucky to get a good one. I've owned lots of old classics over the past ten years, so I do know how to mitigate the risks of buying sight-unseen, but it's still one helluva risk. In this case, all is great. Engine idles very well, there is no rust to worry about, and someone already spent the money on the body and interior. Redoing the mechanicals ought to be easy!

I'll keep adding to this thread as time goes by - progress notes of sorts.









First up - new starter, new battery, new lenses/bulbs, and a side-view mirror so I can get it inspected and registered into Texas.

PS - I really need a stock air cleaner assembly that's in very good shape - anyone got one?

[vectorit]

I think you did good!
That is a fine looking 4x4 burb!
To me, there is nothing like a 67-72 4x4 Suburban. All of the good things of the this truck era, all balled up for the entire family to enjoy.

[semeehan17]

I was also checking this one out on E-bay. It looked really nice. Congrats! How much did he end up letting it go for?

[POS1]

I don't tell pricing, but it was for way less than I thought he would. Nice seller; honest too. I also found the owner of the past 10 years, and he corroborated everything the seller was stating and showing in pictures. I wanted a 4x4 and preferred a 1/2 ton; so when the dark green on green popped up, I had to buy it to make up for the green 3/4 ton that was being sold here locally that I just could never get my hands on.

[hopped up]

Nice burb but I really like that stepside
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[briank]

I love that burb! I don't know the price but am guessing you did good. I bought mine sight unseen from the pacific northwest as well and was happy but its not a 4x4. Congrats and enjoy!
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[nate_g_2003]

Nice to see another Suburban in the Houston area!

[doubleb's69]

I want to do the same thing. But I would have to sell my 95 Siverado daily driver and add cash and find a Burb in great shape like that. Dark Olive is a great color too.

[70cst]

That is one Burb

[bullington]

Nice 1971 Suburban.. That is a great year!

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice suburban! You did well!

[POS1]

I'm quite happy with it too! First up is a bunch of little stuff - battery, starter, some bulbs, new mirrors - then I'm off for Texas Inspection (safety only in Texas) and registration. Then the real fun can begin.

[crazyb0064]

congrads, i wish my body was in that good of shape

[71meangreenc10]

Very nice

Smitty

[ADub]

Burb looks great in person, saw it at CnC

[POS1]

Nice to hear.
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[Jay Pee Dee]

*&^%$# GREAT lookin truck, Nice color as well.. (me drooling)

[POS1]

Well, coming around now. Since I bought it, I've focused on Task #1 which was getting it running/driving as well as possible. So I got this July 24 last year, and since then:

* New starter
* New radiator and hoses
* New lenses all around, new emblems, new side mirrors
* New plugs and wires
* New grill (frivolous, but I like the new grill)
* Reseal transmission and transfer case
* Replace all fluids
* New shocks
* New flexplate
* New drag links and sleeves, ball joints (up/low), tie rods (all)
* New front rotors, front pads, rear drums, rear shoes, wheel cylinders, front wheel seals, front wheel u-joints, brake hoses (all), calipers.
* 1" lift due to new blocks all the way around. Frivolous too, but I like it! Still runs great like the stock truck would.

Here's a couple of updated pics; still have further to go, but at least she's a very well running and driving machine. Coming up is Dynomat for the interior and replacing the rubber floors with carpet. Needs a new stereo system throughtout too, actually.

[4shongo]

Looks like a solid Burb. Love the color

[daves72C10D]

Wow, two great chevys you have there.

[RANDY COX]

Congrats on your new burb,Man I love those things,I miss mine.

[CG]

I like the new tires and side markers better.