New project...

**Grimpala** · 03-04-2011, 01:50 PM

It's a 71 Suburban, going to rest it on a late model 3/4 ton chassis with a duramax and 35s.

**cuervo25_1** · 03-04-2011, 02:07 PM

You just killed me a little on the inside knowing you are planning on butchering that beast.

**tommyJ** · 03-04-2011, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by cuervo25_1

You just killed me a little on the inside knowing you are planning on butchering that beast.

You'll get over it.

**cuervo25_1** · 03-04-2011, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by tommyJ

You'll get over it.

I said a little, meaning I don't like to see it happen to something in that good of shape, however I want to see it done because that set up deserves that body style.

just out of curiosity which trans does it have now?

**HOBS** · 03-04-2011, 02:16 PM

Interesting how much chopping are you gonna have to do to get it to fit on a newer frame?

**cuervo25_1** · 03-04-2011, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by HOBS

Interesting how much chopping are you gonna have to do to get it to fit on a newer frame?

None if done right. He will just have to make mounts and weld them to the frame.`He would probably be better off boxing in the frame adding some more support and going from there. I sure as hell wouldn't use the newer transmission or transfer case.

http://fourwheeler.automotive.com/19...ild/index.html

If you have a manuel tranny in that I would definatly find a way to make it work, those was strong as hell as well.

**Grimpala** · 03-04-2011, 04:56 PM

Right now it has no motor/trans. I thought about boxing the frame and putting the duramax/allison in it and running 3/4 ton susp on it. But it would be easier just to fab new mounts on the new frame and drop the body on it. I'll have to shorten the new frame too, a ext cab long bed is 6" longer than the burb, but that's no biggie.

I'm going to find a 3/4 ton 4x4 with a duramax that has been rolled/wrecked and pull the body off. That way I can use the wiring harness from the new one in the burb and I can keep all my courtesy controls (keyless entry, power windows, air, yadda yadda yadda), plus I don't have to shell out the money for a painless harness. The body isn't in that great of shape. It has a bunch of dings on it, and needs new rockers, quarter panel on the drivers side, I've got two new doors for the pass side and various rust spots here and there to fix. Also has a new hood to put on it.

I'm thinking of painting it a nice rich green with white top, or maybe going back with the same blue with black wheels scheme.

**Grimpala** · 03-04-2011, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by HOBS

Interesting how much chopping are you gonna have to do to get it to fit on a newer frame?

Not going to have to chop the body, just modify the frame.

**jiveass** · 03-04-2011, 06:13 PM

i love this idea....this makes me wanna leave the bird as it is and get an old truck to work on....

**Grimpala** · 03-04-2011, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by jiveass

i love this idea....this makes me wanna leave the bird as it is and get an old truck to work on....

Tons of them out there. I only gave a grand for this one and it came with two extra doors and a new hood. Granted it'll cost me $500 in patch panels and countless hours to get it rust free, but since 71 was the first year for disc brake front and 5 lugs I should be able to sell this and make my money back. Oooh, it has a 12 bolt in it as well.

I'm going to take out the plywood in the rear and graft in the rear from a newer suburban so that I can have a metal floor and removable suitcase seats. Going to run a full set of seats out of a grey cloth Tahoe so I can have the middle row fold to access the rear. If it all goes together as well as putting the T-56 in the Impala it should be very usable and look almost factory.

My goal is to make it comfortable and usable as a daily and look as if it should have come from the factory the way it is.

**Grimpala** · 03-04-2011, 07:07 PM

Oh, there is a nice one I looked at in Houston. Has a 454/TH400 sitting on 20s lowered a little bit with helper bags in the rear. Needs some sheetmetal work, but other than that it's a solid truck and he is only asking $5k or $4k without the wheels.

**jiveass** · 03-04-2011, 07:14 PM

my dad has an 83 swb ...i may think about htat

**Grimpala** · 03-04-2011, 08:16 PM

I'd love to have a boxy SWB with an ls1/T-56 and bags.

**Grimpala** · 03-18-2011, 07:58 PM

Got a little work done on the ole girl.

**0rion** · 03-18-2011, 08:21 PM

duraburban....it'll be bad ass.

**5.0THIS** · 03-19-2011, 01:20 AM

That's quite the undertaking. Good luck with it.

**bigrondownhiller** · 03-21-2011, 04:16 PM

Awesome project. Keep the updates coming.

**StuntmanMike** · 03-21-2011, 07:18 PM

Great truck! That's an awesome project, it's gonna be killer when it's done.

For color, I like the curent blue with white steel wheels and a white top. Narrow wheels too, like a 15 or 16x7 running like a 35x10.50 tire. I like that retro look.