1972 3dr Suburban Build Thread

[19723DR]

I took some pictures with the Suburban and the Cheyenne together.














Plans are to remove the front lower bag brackets with cups and make new rear brackets. I will also modify the inner fenders so the tires will tuck.
I also need to finish up the air system.

[gmbpmidway]

great pictures. great progress

[nuke1]

gotta love the look of the two of them just sitting next to each other loving life and knowing they have a good home, awww family. well done

[babyblueoval]

Originally Posted by 19723DR

I also need to finish up the air system.

WHAT?!?!

The compressor and tank just sitting in the back wasn't finished???



It looks much better with the spacer in the back. I'm probably gonna do it the same way on mine.
And no, I haven't started yet. I know, I know. I will. I promise.

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by gmbpmidway

great pictures. great progress

Thanks. It's nice having a project you can take the whole family in.

Originally Posted by nuke1

gotta love the look of the two of them just sitting next to each other loving life and knowing they have a good home, awww family. well done

I am so lucky that I came across these two trucks. I know that both would have become parts trucks. It goes to show the potential these trucks have. And with an insane amount of work, a lot of patience, and some help from your friends, you can save a truck from the crusher.

Originally Posted by babyblueoval

WHAT?!?!

The compressor and tank just sitting in the back wasn't finished???



It looks much better with the spacer in the back. I'm probably gonna do it the same way on mine.
And no, I haven't started yet. I know, I know. I will. I promise.

I never said I was moving the tank and the compressor.
With all the empty space in the quarter panel, you'd think I could hide it in there.

[capev86]

i like how you got that low rider look without butchering up a beautiful classic truck(no c-notch). a street truck is better looking than some hack job scraping on the ground anyway. air suspension is supposed to give good handling and you can make it sit up like a stock truck too. i think i would have gone with corvette yellow personally......keep it a little more true to gm, but still a beautiful show quality truck. keep the body mods and interior to a minimum. these trucks were just sooo sharp from the factory.

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by capev86

i like how you got that low rider look without butchering up a beautiful classic truck(no c-notch). a street truck is better looking than some hack job scraping on the ground anyway. air suspension is supposed to give good handling and you can make it sit up like a stock truck too. i think i would have gone with corvette yellow personally......keep it a little more true to gm, but still a beautiful show quality truck. keep the body mods and interior to a minimum. these trucks were just sooo sharp from the factory.

Thanks. My intentions were to make this build my way. I wanted to retain the classic style these trucks are known for. I was looking for a yellow that had a green tint similar to the original color, I had my paint shop custom mix a color for me. It seems like the corvette yellow is a common choice. I wanted to have a color no one else has.

I do have a bolt in C-notch. That is the only thing I've cut. Most people will say it doesn't devalue the truck. I am going to make a few improvements to the air system, like bag brackets. I did make the mistake of ordering the wrong kit--or should I say the kit from the wrong company. I am going to be replacing those parts with some that function more efficiently. This suburban has been in my friend's family for 26 years, hopefully it will be in mine for 26 more.

[19723DR]

Well I finally found some time to fix the air brackets. The old bracket that the original kit came with is for any coil spring application and not specifically designed for our type of trucks. Not to badmouth AIM industries, I started with the rear, cutting the bottom plate and then welding a four inch pipe to make the new one. I only gained a half inch so the next step will be to make some blocks.

[19723DR]

Over the winter I made some cups for the front. I took the top plate from the same bracket I made the rear cups from and a four inch rigid pipe. I also cut some of the bump stop bracket to clear the bag but still retain the steering stop.

Then I pulled out the inner fenders, which I'll mod latter. If you haven't been following this thread, my front brackets were two plates from AIM ind. I would not recommend using this kit. After I installed my cups, I gained an inch and a half. During the short drive to my brother's house I noticed the ride is much smoother both front and rear.

[Frizzle Fry]

Looking good! Why use a bracket in the rear at all? Mine are mounted right to the frame, no issues.

[38chevyhotrod]

That looks very simple to do, what type bags are using.

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Looking good! Why use a bracket in the rear at all? Mine are mounted right to the frame, no issues.

Aww come on, I spent all that time making those brackets for nothing? Thanks, I'm glad you're watching out for me.
Next week I'm going out to my father-in-laws shop to make some 1'' blocks. That should put me on the bump stops.

Originally Posted by 38chevyhotrod

That looks very simple to do, what type bags are using.

It took about 3 hours to make and install the brackets and a lot of that was waiting for paint to dry. My bags are Firestone 2600 front and rear.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by 19723DR

Next week I'm going out to my father-in-laws shop to make some 1'' blocks. That should put me on the bump stops.

You'll be golden then. I just honestly don't see the need for the brackets. Unless you simply want to avoid more holes in the frame. Here's a thread that shows it done bracketless. Nice job on the brackets anyway.

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

You'll be golden then. I just honestly don't see the need for the brackets. Unless you simply want to avoid more holes in the frame. Here's a thread that shows it done bracketless. Nice job on the brackets anyway.

Yeah you're right. The time and money spent on blocks and u-bolts would be worth it alone. Thank you for the link, I will probably end up doing that.

[Slick67]

Yep....these Burbs are making me drool. I want one! You did a great job with it! Love the panels you made, guess I gotta do mine custom now.......you're making more work for me. Oh yeah...it's good to see some other artwork out there, you got talent!

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by Slick67

Yep....these Burbs are making me drool. I want one! You did a great job with it! Love the panels you made, guess I gotta do mine custom now.......you're making more work for me. Oh yeah...it's good to see some other artwork out there, you got talent!

Well when the old panels are warn out and the new one are 500 bucks you'd make your own too. Dude your truck is going to rock. I'll have to take picures of the rest of my art work.

[19723DR]

Well since you brought this to the top, I might as well share the pictures from a car show me and my family attended a few weeks ago, it was a blast. The wheels are off my Cheyenne they are 18/20 MB Old schools with 245/45/18 275/4520. I really like those wheels. Hope you enjoy them.

[babyblueoval]

I like the wheels.

Truck still looks good too. lol

How is that carrier bearing holding up?

[Frizzle Fry]

Still looks super-nice. Those wheels work on there too.

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by babyblueoval

I like the wheels.

Truck still looks good too. lol

How is that carrier bearing holding up?

Thanks Jim. They ride 10X better, very smooth. Carrier bearing; there's no clunk when I take off, I guess its holding up.

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Still looks super-nice. Those wheels work on there too.

Thanks Mike. I'm thinking of selling the wagon wheels and buying another set of MB's. If they start making a 20X10 I'm going for it.

[kyull67]

Those wheels look great!

[r1lorenzini]

Wow one of the best build threads ever. I actually read every page (im a geek about to get a burb) anyhow one of my favorite things is your kids growing up through the pics very funny. Your daughter by the wheel then way older in the car. Awsome .sweet truck! Showa how long it takes to do it right!

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by kyull67

Those wheels look great!

Thanks kyull. Sorry for the delay. Congrats on the magazine.

Originally Posted by r1lorenzini

Wow one of the best build threads ever. I actually read every page (im a geek about to get a burb) anyhow one of my favorite things is your kids growing up through the pics very funny. Your daughter by the wheel then way older in the car. Awesome .sweet truck! Showa how long it takes to do it right!

Thanks. I've enjoyed working on my Suburban for the last three years. I still have a few more things to complete before it's finished. That is my youngest, she loves to steal the scene.

Good luck with your suburban purchase. Maybe you should start your own build thread. Remember, if you need any advice, it's always free!

[yawdie1]

You are very talented! I like that fact that you did all the work yourself. The burb kicks ass! I like it alot.

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by yawdie1

You are very talented! I like that fact that you did all the work yourself. The burb kicks ass! I like it alot.

Thanks. How else can I learn all this stuff but to do it on my own? Plus I'm too cheap to pay somebody. But now, it's put away for the winter.

I noticed that you have a build starting, I'll have to check it out.