1962 GMC Suburban Build

[HarrisonsRodShop]

I am starting this thread to document the buildup of a 1962 GMC Suburban Custom 3 Seater. I am the owner of Harrison's Rod and Custom in Afton, TN. I have attached a rendering by Eric Brockmeyer of where the project is heading. The build has received support from the logos on the drawing and each is a product I sell and use in my shop. We will be using American Racing VN409 TTO Two-Piece wheels, QA1 Coilover Suspension, Powermaster Starter and Alternator, VibroSolutions Sound/Heat Insulation, Trique Manufacturing Altman Easy Latches, Black Label Coatings for the Powder Coating Work, Ididit Steering Column, American Autowire harness, Lokar parts throughout, and we will be sealing everything up with Steele Rubber Products. Paint work will be handled by Ryan Akers of Dublin, VA. and Insurance on this and all our vehicles is through Farris Insurance Agency of Valdese, NC. I plan on updating the thread as often as possible. Thanks for looking!

The first pics I have attached show the Rendering, and the Suburban as we received it in July of 2015. I drove out to Lee's Summit, MO and picked it up after buying it from Jim Streebe on eBay. It was a pretty solid truck. Had good bones. It is a three seat, Custom cab with factory Hydromatic and 305 V6. At some point, someone had added power steering.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

So the truck ran really good as-is and we chose to drive it around like it was for a couple of seasons while we sold another project, a 1969 Camaro SS, and located some good dry climate doors and lower tailgate. Both doors had some rust and the lower tailgate had some rot as well as dents. The only real upadates it needed was some belts, hoses, a battery and a mild ride height adjustment. Since it came originally with torsion bars, the front was simple. For the rear we added some 2" blocks from my friend Boris at Street Machinery in Ohio. We didn't want anything too extravagant since we knew we'd be blowing it apart anyway soon.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

So in the last pic, you can see ahuge dent below the left rear taillight. After searches didn't help in locating a suitable donor for that corner, I chose to remove and roll my own replacement panel for that area. The depth of that dent had the surrounding metal really stressed so I removed the major part of the panel and welded in the replacement with new metal. Now its good and sturdy and the body man can take it from here.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

I got in touch with member 60-60 on here and purchased a really clean rust free lower tailgate and later two great, rust free doors from Steven Aguilera-Martinez (ScavengerSteve on Instagram) and had them shipped from Las Vegas. Both guys really didi a great job in seeing that my stuff got here in good shape. The items were better than their description in both cases.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

So this week we began teardown of the truck and it was nice to take one apart that didnt wrestle you with every bolt seized or snapping.

[60burb4me]

great looking project wish I had a middle seat. I am going to love to se the progress.

[Captainfab]

It looks like you found a good candidate for your build. I'll be watching.

[sirJim]

Nice, looking forward to seeing your build.

[KIC]

Looking forward to watching this build. Looks like you are already cranking on it.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

The first of many parts started going on yesterday. These ae the Gas Strut Hood Hinges from Switch Suspension. The installation on these was really straightforward and went as planned. This is definitely a job that you'll want to do VERY precise marking and cutting so the end result is correct. The hinges are well made and the instructions included are really good.

[GAc10boy]

Killer progress. Can't wait to see this one as it progresses!

[HarrisonsRodShop]

Some other parts that have arrived for the project are a Powermaster XS Torque starter, Steele Rubber Products weatherstrip kit for the entire truck, and an Ididit Automatic/Tilt Steering Column. These are all some products that I have sold and used for several years. NOTHING comes through this shop, for a starter or alternator install, that we don't use Powermaster. We use their gear drive XS Torque starter, even though its overkill for a street rod motor, because its tiny and it has an infinitely adjustable clock position that you adjust by simply loosening two screws. This solves alot of problems on close quarters exhaust clearances. Steele Rubber Products is the only company that makes the side window rubber for the suburban that doesn't have to be glued on the ends. Its one continuous loop on these. The Ididit Column is a replacement mount thats shorter for rack and pinion linkage.

[mongocanfly]

looks like a solid build....this one is gonna be killer

[HarrisonsRodShop]

Some additional parts for the build that have arrived...... Vibro Solutions sound deadening and heat insulation, and Trique manufacturing Altman Easy Latches.

[Bennett68C10]

Awesome build, I'm following along on IG too.

[Ol Blue K20]

I'm in and following .

[raylube]

Based on the photo of the starter I assume the v6 will not be used? Sad. Make sure it gets a good home. The auto trans and power steering parts are also coveted.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

Originally Posted by raylube

Based on the photo of the starter I assume the v6 will not be used? Sad. Make sure it gets a good home. The auto trans and power steering parts are also coveted.

I sold the PS set up yesterday but the Motor/Trans is up for grabs. I need it gone.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

Its been a while since I posted any progress on the build. Customer stuff and shows have gotten in the way. The front was torn down to the bare frame for some mockup before the body comes off. Wilwood brakes came onboard for the build and we are going to be using their forged drop spindles and 6 piston front brakes along with their master cylinder. I will be showing the truck mocked up with some 18x7 American Racing mockup wheels but the actual wheels will be different in design. Also, we used a really clean 63 C10 crossmember on the build and I made an adjustment to the location to help center the wheels in the front fender well. I hate to see these when they are dropped significantly and the wheel looks too far back in the fenderwell. Also, Sanderson Headers came on board for the headers on the build. These are the CC10AP which allow for room to run the plug wires below them and up the back of the heads to the distributor. We've used Sanderson exclusively for years with zero issues. Also, there has been some mild firewall smoothing since last post prior to removing the factory crossmember.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

Nu-Relics Power Windows will be used on the build also. I will be showing the install of their product once the doors go on for mockup. We are using their switches that retain the original window cranks for the up and down switch. Passenger window operation from the driver side is via a switch under the dash.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

I have added some pics of the QA1 coilover conversion install. Even with changing the truck to a 63 Crossmember the install went flawlessly. I removed the old upper mounts from the crossmember prior to attaching it to the frame. Once installed, we began brakes mockup with a trial fit of the Wilwood Forged drop spindles. As expected everything went together like it should. The sealed bearings on these are really nice and the overall look and heavy appearance of the spindles match the heavy tube control arms really well.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

The last of the updated pics are of the Wilwood brakes and American Racing mockup wheels in place. No ussies with fitment at all. Their stuff does what its supposed to and works with the QA1 stuff as planned. They make a killer total package.

[Getter-Done]

Nice work.
I'm in for the build.

[Advanced Design]

Cool project, tagging along.