47-59 Add windows to panel - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PDW HOTRODS · 12-09-2021, 07:49 PM

I have been looking for a 50's Suburban and have found a few panels. Has anyone here added side windows to a panel to make it a Suburban? Anyone add a door or 2 also? Thanks.

**mongocanfly** · 12-10-2021, 12:09 AM

Not saying it cant be done, folks have made 4 door AD trucks..and I think there was a burb on here a few yrs back that had multiple doors..
as for windows, seems like youd need all the frame work for the window to pull it off..
I'd think youd be time/money ahead to wait on a burb...I've seen several pop up lately for sale..I kinda wanted one ever since Marc and Doug started theirs..and almost bought a restored one a few yrs back
Then I found my white whale, IH A series travelall..
Nothing like a challenge...as they say ...its only metal..

**jweb** · 12-10-2021, 01:07 AM

Not sure of your budget but this is a nice Suburban.
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/...407712784.html

**youngrodder** · 12-10-2021, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDW HOTRODS

I have been looking for a 50's Suburban and have found a few panels. Has anyone here added side windows to a panel to make it a Suburban? Anyone add a door or 2 also? Thanks.

I don't think you'll find any that have pulled it off as it would be a ton of work (as you probably know) to make it look right. I have seen where people punch in smaller windows but it looks like a custom van from the 70's. Also all of the interior window tracks and trim are hard to come buy and people selling them charge a premium. I did see a shop over in another country add (2) doors and it was very nicely done.

Your better off holding out for a "real' Suburban than try to recreate one.

Thanks
Marc

**youngrodder** · 12-10-2021, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jweb

Not sure of your budget but this is a nice Suburban.
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/...407712784.html

That's pretty sweet and not a bad price. Personally, I would rather have seen stock seating but to each their own.

Marc

**mr48chev** · 12-10-2021, 02:36 PM

I've got a set of window openings for one around here that I have had for 30 something years that I took off a burb that we drug home out of Roslyn Wa 20 something years ago. They are cut into sections rather than being the whole sides though. I don't have any of the moldings though. I drug the burb home or what was left of it because I wanted part of the window openings for quarter windows for my stretch cab before I decided to not go that way. There should be enough there after getting them cleaned up to use for a conversion. They have been laying around for all those years but I think they are still usable.

MiraclePieCo · 12-11-2021, 02:49 AM

I can't imagine anything more heinous than cutting virgin panel truck sides to install windows. When I was looking for a panel truck I rejected any that had had those cheesy side windows installed. You will destroy the value of the truck; anyone who wants a panel won't like it, and anyone who wants a real Suburban won't like it either. If I knew a buyer wanted to cut windows into my panel truck, I wouldn't sell it to them no matter how much they offered.

I'm with youngrodder Marc: hold out for a real Suburban. There's one on Ebay now, but the price is ridiculous.

**mr48chev** · 12-11-2021, 03:13 AM

I'm thinking that by the time he gets done he would wish he had hunted down a usable burb to start with. You are looking at a lot of hours of fitting, welding and grinding to make it work, the inside moldings and window hardware are hard to find and not cheap.

Even with the pretty well free window sections it isn't going to be cheap or easy.

PDW HOTRODS · 12-11-2021, 07:03 PM

I have been watching out for a Suburban and saw a panel for sale. The sides do not look to be in very good shape and would take a lot of work to make straight, so I thought if someone had a good idea to save it, it could be worth it. I thought there might be some high end canopy or motorhome side windows that would work. This panel may not get saved otherwise. I wouldn't cut up a nice one. I have not bought it and wouldn't without a good plan on what to do with it.

**mr48chev** · 12-11-2021, 10:11 PM

That would probably Burn MPC's pie crust to no end.

The pieces I have are free but they would mean a lot of work.

MiraclePieCo · 12-11-2021, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

That would probably Burn MPC's pie crust to no end.

I've seen too many panel trucks ruined during the 70's "Shaggin' Wagon" love van era.

**Rickysnickers** · 12-12-2021, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miraclepieco

i've seen too many panel trucks ruined during the 70's "shaggin' wagon" love van era.

hahahahahahaha!!!

**mr48chev** · 12-12-2021, 09:34 PM

There is a TF panel with a small RV window in the side that has been sitting in the same spot beside a garage five miles from me for the past 30 or 40 years. It's a short ways from a 54 pickup that has been sitting in the same spot for 40 years.

MiraclePieCo · 12-20-2021, 10:51 PM

Here's a Suburban for ya:

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/an...422714524.html

**mr48chev** · 12-22-2021, 12:20 AM

I think I still have all the sheet metal pieces out here as far as burb window openings go. I sold the molding a couple of years ago after I decided I wasn't going to make quarter windows for an extended cab with them. https://app.photobucket.com/u/mr48ch...b-9e5db283dda0

12-09-2021, 07:49 PM	#1
PDW HOTRODS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutherlin Oregon Posts: 502	Add windows to panel I have been looking for a 50's Suburban and have found a few panels. Has anyone here added side windows to a panel to make it a Suburban? Anyone add a door or 2 also? Thanks.

12-10-2021, 12:09 AM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,674	Re: Add windows to panel Not saying it cant be done, folks have made 4 door AD trucks..and I think there was a burb on here a few yrs back that had multiple doors.. as for windows, seems like youd need all the frame work for the window to pull it off.. I'd think youd be time/money ahead to wait on a burb...I've seen several pop up lately for sale..I kinda wanted one ever since Marc and Doug started theirs..and almost bought a restored one a few yrs back Then I found my white whale, IH A series travelall.. Nothing like a challenge...as they say ...its only metal.. __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

12-10-2021, 01:07 AM	#3
jweb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,215	Re: Add windows to panel Not sure of your budget but this is a nice Suburban. https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/...407712784.html Attached Images __________________ 1951 Truck, LS1/4L60 1964 Suburban, current project 2014 Silverado daily driver 1953 Westerner "canned ham" trailer, rebuilt 1974 Prowler trailer, rebuilt

12-10-2021, 02:36 PM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Add windows to panel I've got a set of window openings for one around here that I have had for 30 something years that I took off a burb that we drug home out of Roslyn Wa 20 something years ago. They are cut into sections rather than being the whole sides though. I don't have any of the moldings though. I drug the burb home or what was left of it because I wanted part of the window openings for quarter windows for my stretch cab before I decided to not go that way. There should be enough there after getting them cleaned up to use for a conversion. They have been laying around for all those years but I think they are still usable. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-11-2021, 02:49 AM	#7
MiraclePieCo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: USA Posts: 2,249	Re: Add windows to panel I can't imagine anything more heinous than cutting virgin panel truck sides to install windows. When I was looking for a panel truck I rejected any that had had those cheesy side windows installed. You will destroy the value of the truck; anyone who wants a panel won't like it, and anyone who wants a real Suburban won't like it either. If I knew a buyer wanted to cut windows into my panel truck, I wouldn't sell it to them no matter how much they offered. I'm with youngrodder Marc: hold out for a real Suburban. There's one on Ebay now, but the price is ridiculous. __________________ 1951 Chevy Panel Truck Last edited by MiraclePieCo; 12-11-2021 at 03:15 AM.

12-11-2021, 03:13 AM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Add windows to panel I'm thinking that by the time he gets done he would wish he had hunted down a usable burb to start with. You are looking at a lot of hours of fitting, welding and grinding to make it work, the inside moldings and window hardware are hard to find and not cheap. Even with the pretty well free window sections it isn't going to be cheap or easy. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-11-2021, 07:03 PM	#9
PDW HOTRODS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutherlin Oregon Posts: 502	Re: Add windows to panel I have been watching out for a Suburban and saw a panel for sale. The sides do not look to be in very good shape and would take a lot of work to make straight, so I thought if someone had a good idea to save it, it could be worth it. I thought there might be some high end canopy or motorhome side windows that would work. This panel may not get saved otherwise. I wouldn't cut up a nice one. I have not bought it and wouldn't without a good plan on what to do with it.

12-11-2021, 10:11 PM	#10
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Add windows to panel That would probably Burn MPC's pie crust to no end. The pieces I have are free but they would mean a lot of work. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-12-2021, 09:34 PM	#13
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Add windows to panel There is a TF panel with a small RV window in the side that has been sitting in the same spot beside a garage five miles from me for the past 30 or 40 years. It's a short ways from a 54 pickup that has been sitting in the same spot for 40 years. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-20-2021, 10:51 PM	#14
MiraclePieCo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: USA Posts: 2,249	Re: Add windows to panel Here's a Suburban for ya: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/an...422714524.html Attached Images __________________ 1951 Chevy Panel Truck

12-22-2021, 12:20 AM	#15
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Add windows to panel I think I still have all the sheet metal pieces out here as far as burb window openings go. I sold the molding a couple of years ago after I decided I wasn't going to make quarter windows for an extended cab with them. https://app.photobucket.com/u/mr48ch...b-9e5db283dda0 __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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