1966 Suburban...Sort of...Trailblazer SS SWAP

[Eagletucky]

Here is a little background on my most recent project. In May, 2015 I purchased a Trailblazer SS locally as a doner vehicle. At that time, I wasn't completely sure what Body I was going to use. My intent was to use as much of the Trailblazer as possible. Since this vehicle came with a 400hp LS2, 4l70E trans, 4 wheel disc brakes (Drilled and slotted rotors), nice 20' Wheel with good tires, leather interior, all wheel drive, etc I felt that buying this as a doner vehicle was most likely more cost effective than sourcing all of these parts individually. The price was right on the SS, so I pulled the trigger. I will remove all of the SS wiring, run stand alone engine and transmission computers and wiring harness from PSI.

A few weeks later I found a '66 Suburban body for sale. After verifying a few critical measurements (wheelbase, track width, distance from firewall to grill) I decided a 60 to 66 Chevy would fit pretty well. That was good news for me, as I have owned at least a half dozed of these in either the truck or suburban form. I picked up the Suburban and started cutting...

Over the last few months I have repaired rust down the driver side of the Suburban, and shortened the body 3" so the wheel wells would line up with the SS. I actually only needed to shorten it 2", but noticed that the wheels seem to line up better on these when an additional inch is removed. Same amount of work, so why not?

Last weekend I removed the entire steel floor section from the Suburban. I will remove the wood floor soon, but wanted to leave as much structure as possible there. My reason for removing the floor from the suburban is I will utlize the floor and firewall from the trailblazer. It allows me to channel the burb as low as I want, retains the proper brake booster, steering shaft locations, as well as seat anchoring points, and NO RUST!

I have just started the process of dismantling the SS. I will cut the body off down to the inner rocker panels and firewall, then drop the burb body over the SS and begin the process of filling the gaps and extending the SS floor bracing to the burb inner rockers.

While this is alot of work, its the kind of stuff I like to do. Its really not difficult, just alot of measuring, cutting and welding.

I will post up pics as I progress. If you have questions, post 'em up!

[Eagletucky]

Pics....

[Clyde65]

HOLLY RABIES! that is sick and cool! Im along for this one for sure!

[Layne]

Very cool project

[jonzcustomshop]

this gonna be cool!
I remember your last build came out nice. signing on...

[Palf70Step]

This is going to be a very interesting build.

[flashed]

Im in .

[65sub]

Old body on a new base. Sounds like a cool idea

[Free Candy Inside]

This is going to be kickass

[wjjeeper]

Watching closely here too

[Eagletucky]

I had a very productive day!!!

I drove this to McDonalds for breakfast today, no joke.

[Eagletucky]

Sorry, wrong pic

[Captainfab]

I'm shocked at cutting up a Trailblazer SS, but I imagine there is reason for that versus driving it as is.

[Zane M]

Looking forward to this as it progresses.

[Palf70Step]

Down here they would not think twice about seeing that in the drive thru.

[wjjeeper]

Wow. That happened fast.

[ibrown50]

In the words of Billy F Gibbons "anyone can put one back together, but it takes a real man to cut one up"

I'm signed up!

[donthekawguy]

Well that escalated quickly! LOL Takes big brass ones to cut up a 20k rig!

[pimpston65]

what did you do with the old burban floor?

[Eagletucky]

Gave it to a board member, trying to pass on the good will i have recieved in the past.

[Eagletucky]

Alright, back at it today. I finished removing the remainder of the sheetmetal. Funny thing, it took 4 hours to remove 90% of the body, and two weeks to remove another 5%.

So at this point, im ready to begin welding in the 2x4 box tubing along the rockers to create the structure to connect the two bodies. I may actually have to remove the burb rockers, to install the box tubing, no big deal.

Anyhow, here is a picture, more info to come

[Modges'66]

Wow!
All that I can see there is commitment!!!!
You must be pretty sure about this, or you are gonna have a bunch of scrap layin around!
I am pretty impressed so far!
I can't wait to see this build develop!

[ricott]

I'm in, can't wait to see the body get fitted.

[matt_l]

Wow, I can't wait to see this one come together. The members of this board never cease to amazing me. So much skill and creativity.

[CHIZZLER]

Very cool. Im in.