Adopting a Suburban Carryall, The Seahorse

[argonaut]

Oh, also, a local guy from the neighborhood cruiser by in his '39 Panel. Its a super cool truck. I didn't snap a pic because I was filthy but i'll snap one the next time I go by his place. He stopped and introduced himself and we talked trucks for an hour or so. That's the third time in the past few months that neighborhood folks have stopped by either with their trucks or to just talk trucks. The suburban really attracts attention. I'm surprised, but I love it!

[argonaut]

After much deliberation and surfing of craigslist I finally found some wheels that I'm happy with at a decent price! Now I need to hunt down, or just buy new, some 33x10.5" tires.



Sometime in the next couple of weeks I should have time enough to swap in the 1/2 ton axles, and a little lift. 2" lift blocks in the rear and a 6" shackle plus 1" zero rate in the front. If that isn't enough clearance for the tires I'll go ahead do a 4" lift with rear shackle flip and front lift springs that I already have.

[66Gilbert]

[QUOTE=argonaut;7136562]After much deliberation and surfing of craigslist I finally found some wheels that I'm happy with at a decent price! Now I need to hunt down, or just buy new, some 33x10.5" tires.

Awesome Suburban. You just can't go wrong with Chevy Rally Wheels! I love the look of 6 lug Chevy Rally's. They make it any old classic Chevy look great!

[Average Joe]

[quote=66Gilbert;7137302]

Originally Posted by argonaut

After much deliberation and surfing of craigslist I finally found some wheels that I'm happy with at a decent price! Now I need to hunt down, or just buy new, some 33x10.5" tires.

Awesome Suburban. You just can't go wrong with Chevy Rally Wheels! I love the look of 6 lug Chevy Rally's. They make it any old classic Chevy look great!

X2!!!!

[65chevysub]

[quote=Average Joe;7137382]

Originally Posted by 66Gilbert

X2!!!!

Agreed. But I have the 5 lug version on my Suburban. They are off of an 86 Suburban. They are black now but will be body xolor+(light green) when I'm done

[pat english]

Nice build.Looks even better in person..Thanks for the springs.

What did you end out doing with the winch bumper?

[argonaut]

Propped the frame up 4" on jack stands to get a view of it. I like it!
I have some front 4" springs in the garage. Just need to order up some shackle flip brackets for the rear. Trying to decide between ORD and DIY4X.

[duallyjams]

tomato tamoto

[whitels1]

Nice truck, coming along!

[argonaut]

Put some old 4" lift rancho springs on the front. Took two of the five leafs out to make them a little more compliant. Also ordered up some rear shackle flips from DIY4X so hopefully those will come in soon.

Trying to decide between 235/85s and 255/85s. I plan to put an overdrive trans in eventually and am worried that the 255/85s will be too tall a tire for the little 327 when in overdrive gear. What do you guys think?

I also picked up a Heartthrob dual exhaust kit from autoanything for about $200. Had to wait a month for it to arrive but with mufflers and mandrel bends I think it was a decent price. Since this thing was a 2wd at one time I need to cut two through holes in the center crossmember for the pipes to pass through.

Need to figure out parking brake cable routing too. The rear axle is from a late model suburban so has one long and one short cable that run over to the outside of the driver's side frame rail. So I guess I'll have to go to a similar setup.

[mattbert56]

shaweet! Got any pictures of the front height? I'm debating if I should lift my 65 k20 4 inches or not. I have the lift springs already and my old ones are worn out. But 4 inches seems a bit high if I plan on still using the truck for work.

[argonaut]

the thing is, 4" of lift is all relative. a stock 60-66 k10 sits higher than a stock 67+. And my burb was 2wd converted to 4wd with 69 parts.

Stock 67+ have two leafs, or 3 for "heavy duty", but have a negative arch when loaded. From what i've seen the early 60s springs have a positive arch. i think my 4" lift is more like a 2" lift. Anyway, I'll see if I have a pic.

[mattbert56]

Awesome thanks. yea the spring I have are positively Arched. There the same brand rancho.

[argonaut]

And we have video!
Installed the Heartthrob exhaust today. I modified the driver's side to be symmetrical with the passenger side, cut some (ugly) penetrations in the center trailing arm crossmembers, welded the pipes and clamped on the turbo mufflers. I won't make any attempts at the tailpipes until the shackle flip is completed and I can get in there to figure out how to route them.

2015 05 17 1964 Carryall Heartthrob Exhaust ...

[argonaut]

Got the shackle flip brackets swapped onto the back. Need to make some shackles tomorrow. Also need to install zero rates on front and back to shift the axles back into better position. I have one pair for the rear but need to order another for the front.

Eventually I'll have to get some taller tires too, to fill up those gaping wheel wells.

Also a fellow member who lives in the neighborhood, zamboni2354, stopped by to say hello and chat.

[1976gmc20]

^^^^ Actually I think that's about factory height for that vintage of 4x4.

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

^^^^ Actually I think that's about factory height for that vintage of 4x4.

I think you're right!

[argonaut]

Decided to spend a little time working on the brake system today while I wait for a set of zero rates and some new U-bolts for the front and rear axles. Fabricated a little custom bracket to mount the brake booster to the factory firewall holes and made a new pushrod too.





I also finished bending and routing new front hard lines. We'll see if I have time to get the rears done tomorrow, or if not then maybe after work this week.

I really like the burb a lot better now that it has a little higher stance.

[vectorit]

Hey Jason, are you going to bring Seahorse to the Brothers show?
I'm thinking about going, it would be very cool to be next to another 4x4 Suburban.

[argonaut]

Got most of the rear 1/4" lines run today, from the master cylinder, down, around, and back to the rear crossmember. Now I just need to do the rear axle 3/16" lines and get three hoses made up at the local shop.

[argonaut]

Chris,
The current plan is to bring the seahorse if I can get her done enough to drive up there. If not I'll bring Big Ugly.

Still on the to do list are:
- Finish brake lines and hoses
- Paint booster bracket and master cylinder
- Exhaust manifold gaskets (not a requirement, but annoying as hell if I don't)
- Install front and Rear zero rates, U-bolts and driveshafts
- Buy and install front and rear dampers
- Re-gasket and gear oil for front and rear diffs

So if I can get that done, hopefully it will make it to Corona without any other surprises. It'll still be rocking these tiny 255/70R16 tires though.

[RANDY COX]

Lookin Good Jason...

[argonaut]

I FINALLY got the rear suspension done and put together. First I pulled the springs and was surprised to find that my little 12 ton harbor freight press popped them right out, with ease! Put poly bushings back in place. I took off the overloads and put on a set of zero rates and moved the axle back 1.5"

Then I had to cut up and modify the spring hanger. Because the frame on a 2wd widens to the rear of the cab, the factory spring hanger was on a skewed angle, and also was wider. Turned out well but later on I'll need to add some plating to extend the gusset back up to the top of the bracket.



Got some shackles fabricated and put them on too.



I painted the master cylinder and booster mounting bracket while I was painting everything else. Reassembled everything and cinched down the fittings.



It will be a tight race for me to get this thing ready for the Brothers show in two weeks. Still need to rework the front springs and shackles, regasket and oil both diffs, rebuild one of my spare quadrajets and swap out 2bbl for a 327 4bbl intake.

I also finally decided on 255/85R16 Cooper Discoverer S/T tires for this project. If I get enough done by next week I'll order them.

[argonaut]

I've been getting anxious about getting this thing back on the road, so I left work at a reasonable hour (5pm) and took advantage of the long summer day. Got the front zero rates in, poly shackle bushings, shortened the shackles, lifted steering arm and new U-bolts and drilled plates. All in about 3 hours; Not bad.

Unfortunately I have to go out of town Weds through Fri so won't make any progress until at least Friday evening. Next weekend's agenda is finish brake lines, drums and calipers, reseal and fill differentials.

[vectorit]

I feel lazy reading your progress reports

Makes me want to get out and do something on my burb...