Project 1969 Seattle Search & Rescue Burb

[Burbs]

Hi, I'm new here.

I found this gal rusting away in upstate New York, I don't know a lot of the history of the vehicle other than the PO told me it's old Seattle Search & Rescue suburban which a few pictures on the internet seem to backup.

The rust has gotten pretty bad as you can see but I'm really hoping I can save her. I'm not going to be restoring it to original. I just don't think it's worth it. My ultimate goal is a good truck for myself and the wife to take out to the 4wd beaches, and have around the farm. I want it to be nice, but I'm not shooting for perfection. I do want to retain the history as much as possible but it's a evolving outcome in my mind.

I can't wait to hear ya'lls feedback, even if it's to tell me she's not worth putting back straight again. I've saved / budgeted about $15K to do it by selling off some other vehicles.

44'' tires look interesting, but are way too big for that dana 44.








The good news: Someone took the time to upgrade the transmission to the NV4500, and a NP205 transfer case is installed. The engine is also in good shape, but I haven't really had time to "dig into it".

On my to do list -
- Get the rust out!
- New suspension all around, shocks bushings, leaf springs possibly air bags if budget allows and to get it back to a more "reasonable" height.
- The body will probably have to come off, the frame just needs so much work. I've never done this before, but I hope it's not too bad.
- New ignition system, harness is good but the dual battery setup was a home brewed nightmare.
- New braking system
- New exhaust system, headers are good.
- I'm concerned that the dana 44 front might not hold up to my desired tire size for beach trips, which would be a 38'' so I might have to plan a swap there. Dana 60?

Thanks and looking forward to being a part of what seems like a cool community.

[chewiebarker]

Nice! Looks like you will have your hands full with that one! Did the PO actually cut away the fenders to fit those wheels? The look cool as heck, but you are probably right, they are a little too much with that standard running gear. That winch looks good and beefy.

Good luck and welcome! Sounds like you have a healthy budget to work with. I will be interested to see what you do with it!

[LockDoc]

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.. Wow, those have to be about the biggest tires I have seen on a street driven vehicle. Looks like you have a good starting point though....

LockDoc

[tedfrk]

I have a 4" lift on mine with 36" tires, but its not enough lift for those tires in my opinion.Those are 8 lug rears im no expert but that could be the heavy duty dana 44 so the rear should be a 3/4 ton also.I wouldnt go over a 35-36 inch tire.

[Burbs]

Originally Posted by tedfrk

I have a 4" lift on mine with 36" tires, but its not enough lift for those tires in my opinion.Those are 8 lug rears im no expert but that could be the heavy duty dana 44 so the rear should be a 3/4 ton also.I wouldnt go over a 35-36 inch tire.

The rear is a 14 bolt, which is kind of odd. The fronts definitely a D-44 but beyond that I'm really not sure. The PO said he had worked on the gears.

Got a little work done today... Pans better than I hoped but still pretty bad.

Pictures coming up...

[Onelefttoget]

How did it leave Washington state ? I leave near Seattle just wondering

[Burbs]

Originally Posted by Onelefttoget

How did it leave Washington state ? I leave near Seattle just wondering

PO said he drove it across Canada, sleeping in the back.

[Burbs]

A few updates - gutted the interior.



Clearly, this truck has yellow, green and turquoise... turquoise being the original color.





If you don't have a welder..... sheet metal screws are apparently the same. Smh.


All cleared out.



Front pan seems OK

[tedfrk]

Dont damage that back moulding near the hatch thats very desirable. How is the plywood floor in the back?

[Burbs]

Originally Posted by tedfrk

Dont damage that back moulding near the hatch thats very desirable. How is the plywood floor in the back?

The plywood is actually really solid. I saw somewhere on the interwebz someone had taken the floor and put in ribbed wood track, which looked really slick. Next step is take apart the front clip, and I think the door will be easier to weld off the truck.

[Burbs]

How much rust is TOO much rust to save? Today's sobering thought....

Starting to think I might need to be looking for a donor body.

[LockDoc]

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That has rust in some odd places. Must be from the salt air & rain? You might want to consider a body swap. From what I hear about your state be very careful on the VIN numbers and titles. You might want to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles on it first.

LockDoc

[Onelefttoget]

That's the gift from Washington RUST. fighting it always I have 2 suburbans and one donor rust sucks

[tedfrk]

If you ever want to sell that bumper and winch with everything for it I would be interested.

[chewiebarker]

If you are thinking of a swap, you might want to check out this Sub in Baltimore. I would buy it in a second, but can't do the 13+ hr ride right now. Looks like a great donor for the price. http://baltimore.craigslist.org/pts/4379566662.html
Kills me to give up the chance to buy it, but it is better than this truck getting crushed.

[Clrussell]

Cool burb. I wouldn't worry about the axles to much if your just going to be driving it around. They will be fine with those tires unless your rock crawling. Especially if the tires are as good as they look. I'd give it a little more lift and fix the rust, good to go!

[tedfrk]

Any updates?

[Burbs]

Thought I would get a little farther than I did this weekend, but this is all I managed. Really wanted to get the whole body off so I could start in on the frame.

Wife's truck had a seized front brake so I replaced rotors and pads all day Sunday, starting in the parts store parking lot...

Already procured my donor axles, they should be shipping to me in a few weeks to replace these, going to beef them up a little so I can stick with the larger tire if I want. Also working on a few other ideas but waiting to see how the body pans out when I remove it from the frame.





Shiny new rotors & calipers for the wife's truck...

[Clrussell]

Did your wife's truck have a caliper locked up or a slider froze? I do about one a week and it's usually a 50/50 shot of what it is.. Seeing how it's a superduty.

Good progress on the burb!

[RANDY COX]

Wow that's a Big Burban, I agree about the rust that's serious, rather odd to see rust that bad on that third door up that high..I think I would find a donor body too.

[Burbs]

Hoping to get the body off this weekend and then we will start making some decisions

[tedfrk]

Any updates??

[Burbs]

Yes, I'm bringing this back from the dead and I only have a few photos to update everyone. Unfortunately I dropped my phone into the Bushog and lost a lot of my progress photos.....

All the body work is done. Had to use donor doors, and this is just coming back from being painted. She's definitely no Barret Jackson car, but I'm really happy with being able to save her from a rusty death in the woods.







and here's a before photo since the others have died off:

[LockDoc]

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Props to you on the save. It looks good and it will be a fun rig for sure.... I ran over my phone with my Scag Zero turn mower and made plastic confetti out of it....... I just bought a new case for it two days before.

LockDoc

[RANDY COX]

Kool I miss my old Burb?.