1978 Suburban

[BMERDOC]

So I've been looking for a donor 73-87 truck to use as a donor for my 67. I stumbled across this 1978 Suburban Estate. It has a 454/TH400. It has less than 76k miles on it, rear a/c, 8 track and what looks like a built in CB radio. The truck is somewhat weathered so as a keeper its not as good as I initially thought.
The wood grain is faded, the headliner has a 6 inch rip in the center of it, it has a cheap pieced together exhaust on it, some of the side trim had screws in them (I dont recall these things being screwed in), the outside trim is faded, peeling and dull and thereis rust around the upper trim on the dr's rear quarter.
I'm gonna ask you guys. Is it too good to part in your opinion or is it a good donor for the BB/tranny, crossmember conversion, p/s, rear mount gas tank, etc. Sorry about not getting a lot of pics, we were talking too much.

[BMERDOC]

...

[old Rusty C10]

In my opinion for a northern truck that is way too nice to part

[78 Big10 454]

I'm with old Rusty C10 on this.

[BMERDOC]

Ok, thats two votes for keep in one piece. It ran great, one pump of the pedal and two or three featherings and it started right up, let it run on fast idle for a minute and it idled right down. The inspection sticker expired 6/07 and hasn't been driven since. Its another story of the owner getting too old to drive.

[thepenguin99]

Do you want a burb is really the question imo. Value wise I would say it is definitely worth more for parts.

[RandyP]

The odometer has probably been around the horn at least once, if not twice I bet. When they've sat for a few years, all sorts of things will need to be addressed to make a driver out of it. You just have to back up and consider what it will take money wise to refurb a few items to make it nice enough to sell and see what your profit margin would be. I'd venture you'd be money ahead parting it out and not having to worry about sinking money in to it for your investment return.

[BMERDOC]

I will not argue the mileage. The truck has 76k on it. Period. It shows. I know how to look for mileage wear and it does have any of that. As far as wanting a Burb, I wouldn't mind having one but I thought I might clean it up and resell it to someone who can appreciate it if I didn't bust it up for parts. I need the parts but if its worth more in one piece than I will end up paying for it I could still finance my 67 build.

[old Rusty C10]

the sad part is you cant really refurbish the woodgrain panels.. i know alot of people think they look cheesey but hey they were part of the era and i like em

[BMERDOC]

I've seen a bunch of trucks with the wood grain intact, even bagged w/ big rims. i like it, kinda nostalgic!

[68350]

well if you part out, i need the grille

[thepenguin99]

It will be a hard sell to get it to someone who actually wants and appreciates it for what it is. If you put a good price on it someone else will just bust it up into parts. If you put a high price on it, it just won't sell. Burbs just aren't that sought after.

As far as the woodgrain, I also kinda like it. I really like the idea of that burb slammed with 20s and woodgrain now that you mention it.

[nekkidhillbilly]

i wouldnt part it

[bigblock73]

Another vote for too nice to part out...but then again, I am a sucker for original 73-87's, especially with woodgrain. That Burb looks to have a lot of neat options, would be cool to let it see the road once again and take a family on a few road trip vacations.

Who cares if the "wood" is faded...I bet overall it cleans up real nice and would be a great driver.

If you were closer, I would consider buying it from you if the opportunity arose.

[qksilver]

I would buy what left if you pull the drivetrain, depending on the price. LOL , only 3 1/2 hours away from you and am trying to get parts for my 78 blazer and burb.

Steve

[nekkidhillbilly]

what would you want on a 67 from this anyhow not much would fit minus say the engine trans and maybeye the rear

[BMERDOC]

Thanks for the responses and opinions guys. If I parted it I would want the engine, trans, complete front crossmember, power steering and power brakes. I am looking for a donor so I can get every nut, bolt, clip, bracket, hose, belt and whatever else to do the swaps. I am getting a deal good enough to equal the cost of the long block and transmission alone. How much would all the stuff required to piece a swap like this together cost? I think a running/driving donor is better than pieceing it all together. This truck just showed up and it has a BB. Ida been happy with something lesser but I had to go look at this one.
Seeing the general condition has made me rethink things. This is why I posed the question to you guys, to get opinions. I could put plates on it, clean it up and drive it over the winter and deceide what to do with it next summer. If I did want to sell it, unless I wanted to wait forever and not clean it up, I would have to put money into it to make it nicer. Then I'd still have to advertise it on a national level to garner enough interest in it to get real money for it. Or, or...I could start parting it to get my money back and more to finance the build, keeping the components I want. This would be a good reason to actually subscribe to this forum so I could sell stuff
As far as Bagged and Biggies go i'd love to see that! If I got my stuff out it would be a perfect candidate for a dropmember, bags and a big LSX!

[Pop's C-10]

Roof rack & woodgrain..that is a beauty..

[Corts60]

I think that suburban is the quintessential survivor and it would be sad that it made it all those years intact to get ripped apart now. I vote it goes to a home were someone could do it justice.

[BMERDOC]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

Roof rack & woodgrain..that is a beauty..

Originally Posted by Corts60

I think that suburban is the quintessential survivor and it would be sad that it made it all those years intact to get ripped apart now. I vote it goes to a home were someone could do it justice.

Well said Guys. I think I used the word "time capsule" while I was there.

[meter swinger]

Thats a tough call. Its hard not to get hung up rigs like this. Ive been offered a 78 a guy bought for the BBC drivetrain. He wants 300 for it. It has new paint, 3/5 drop, everthing shaved and new intierior, minus engine and trans. The burbs are so under valued, even more than crew cab duallys it seems. I think you should just go get it. How can you loose? Big block burbs are awesome.
Posted via Mobile Device

[pat386]

I don't think the blue goes well with the woodgrain look, but that thing is cool! A survivor, needs some lovin'!
Posted via Mobile Device

[MalibuSSwagon]

Love me a 2wd Suburban, hard to find in decent shape around here

[motornut]

looks awesome shape
keep it together and drive it
if it had quirks you will find them
my first burb was a 78,not that nice
don't think it would be too hard to replace the grafics
see all kinds of decals on cars/trucks now

[BMERDOC]

Ok. So I gotta ask. What do you guys think this unit is worth?