'52 Suburban - Vette suspension help

[tygaboy]

Hi all,
I sold my '61 Suburban a while back and just got a '52. It's getting the serious once over/hot rodding and I'm looking at 'vette suspension all around. The 'burb is remarkably solid so I've pretty much decided to keep the frame, fully box it and go with a front/rear kit.
Anyone have any experience or know anyone who can comment on which vendor may be the way to go?
I've talked with Progressive and Flat Out. Any other vendors who may be able to help?

I'm also open to suggestions as to other ways to go. Budget isn't the major driver here and I really like the vette solution. About all I don't think I'd do is the entire new chassis thing... at least at this point, that's my thinking.

And I'm sure I'll be posting pics as I make progress. And if anyone was interested, I do composites fabrication in my spare time and am planning to use lots of carbon fiber on the project - something I haven't seen in many rods/trucks.

Anyway, any info on the vette stuff would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by tygaboy

Hi all,
I sold my '61 Suburban a while back and just got a '52. It's getting the serious once over/hot rodding and I'm looking at 'vette suspension all around. The 'burb is remarkably solid so I've pretty much decided to keep the frame, fully box it and go with a front/rear kit.
Anyone have any experience or know anyone who can comment on which vendor may be the way to go?
I've talked with Progressive and Flat Out. Any other vendors who may be able to help?

I'm also open to suggestions as to other ways to go. Budget isn't the major driver here and I really like the vette solution. About all I don't think I'd do is the entire new chassis thing... at least at this point, that's my thinking.

And I'm sure I'll be posting pics as I make progress. And if anyone was interested, I do composites fabrication in my spare time and am planning to use lots of carbon fiber on the project - something I haven't seen in many rods/trucks.

Anyway, any info on the vette stuff would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

Chris-

Welcome to the board! Are you looking to install the kit yourself... or have it istalled by a qualified shop? We will be developing a kit for the 47-55 first-series trucks, that is similar to our DropmemberC4 for the C-10 chassis, in the near future. If you are in a "hurry" the Flat-Out Engineering is a nice piece... if you are interested in waiting... you might be able to get one of first Dropmember C4s for the 47-55 first-series trucks!

[tygaboy]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Chris-

Welcome to the board! Are you looking to install the kit yourself... or have it istalled by a qualified shop? We will be developing a kit for the 47-55 first-series trucks, that is similar to our DropmemberC4 for the C-10 chassis, in the near future. If you are in a "hurry" the Flat-Out Engineering is a nice piece... if you are interested in waiting... you might be able to get one of first Dropmember C4s for the 47-55 first-series trucks!

Nathan,
Yes, I've e-mailed with you. I'm really impressed with your work and would go "PorterBuilt" in a heartbeat, particularly if I could get a front/rear package.
And while I'd like to get going, I'm not in a huge hurry - so what sort of time is involved in "waiting"? It sounded like you had your hands full with current work.
I'm all about expectation management. Let me know when the kits will be available and I'll make a decision.

As far as doing the work, I'm blessed with access to some pretty sophisticated equipment. I'll be using a portable CMM arm to digitally map the chassis, ensure alignment and position all the components. And a good friend who's a world class fabricator/welder with CAD skills just got his CNC machining center, etc. so it's looking like we'll be doing all the work.

But I'm always more of a "buy vs. build" guy - when the parts are available.
Let me know and maybe we can do some business. Keep up the great work.
Chris

[robin58]

My son has a 51 Suburban and ended up going with the FlatOut Engineering setup for a variety of reasons (mostly speed of response to questions, what was included in the package and the like).

We haven't gotten around to installing it yet, but the quality of the setup is firstclass.

Make sure before you buy it that you know what year Vette the donor parts are coming from as there are some minor differences and Flat Out will need to know.

[solidaxel]

Welcometo the board

As far as heavy, high profile trucks go (Suburban) you might want to talk to Steve at industrialchassisinc.com, he makes a crossmember kit for heavy AD trucks. This is the foundation for 86 to 90 Dodge Dakota which is the right width for our trucks and comes with a 1 1/8 sway bar 5 lug 5- 5 1/2, 11" rotors and rack & pinion and all over the counter replacement parts. This is on a 53 Chevy that I am in the process of building

[fuchster]

Chris:
I went with the FlatOut set up. I recently finished installing and putting the "Old Lady" on the road. She handles very well. As a matter of fact I drove it around without alignment for a while and it did not pull at all. I had it aligned a few days ago and it got even better.
I did all the welding and installation myself. I recommended the Flatout stuff for quality and simplicity to install. The only issue with the Flat out is the front install where welding is required.
I will be updating my Cardoamin page for more info. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2330005
I hope this helps.

[tygaboy]

Originally Posted by fuchster

Chris:
I went with the FlatOut set up. I recently finished installing and putting the "Old Lady" on the road. She handles very well. As a matter of fact I drove it around without alignment for a while and it did not pull at all. I had it aligned a few days ago and it got even better.
I did all the welding and installation myself. I recommended the Flatout stuff for quality and simplicity to install. The only issue with the Flat out is the front install where welding is required.
I will be updating my Cardoamin page for more info. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2330005
I hope this helps.

Great stuff, thanks! You're lucky in that the Flat Out 55-59 rear set up is bolt in - not so on the earlier model so I'll be welding front and rear. Ah well.
Good to hear everyone is happy with Flat Out's product.
And thanks again for the info. Drive safely.
Chris