Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Well, I figure I should start a build thread for my 65 GMC Suburban I got a few weeks ago. It will probably be a slow build over 2 years. My honey-do-list is pretty big this summer, so I probably won't get to too much on the Burb.

When I got it I was told it was a one-owner vehicle and the 305e was rebuilt approximately 10,000 miles ago. The front and rear axles were swapped with a 72 Blazer with front disc brakes. However, the Burb sat since the early 90s. There is rust in the normal places, but nothing that can't be fixed with new metal. The homemade bumpers currently on it are going to the scrap yard and I will replace with original bumpers. Okay that is a start, so here we go!

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

After trying to get the "rebuilt" engine running right, I discovered bent pushrods, broken wrist pins, and scored cylinder.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

So I moved on to another engine (305d) I got from Rustbucket this weekend. I tore it down to look at the internals and replace all seals and gaskets, then paint it. Everything looks great!

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

That's a nice looking Burb KC and I like the barn doors.
I see dual slider windows. Do you have all the seats?
What are your plans for the wheels; steeliess or aftermarket?
Glad you have another engine to get it going.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Hey thanks Funky61! I think it is going to be a real cool 4x4 when done. When I got it, it only had front seats that were buckets from a mid 70s Blazer. I bought a nice original Burb bench seat that needs reupholstered. Still looking for original rear seats. The ones I have found here in Colorado are real pricey, almost as much as I paid for the Burb! I am definitely going with 16" steelies with some 60s or 70s 4x4 dog dishes. I am going to try to keep it as original as possible, but add my own little tweaks. Should be fun!!!

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Another 4x4 in the club! Woot woot! :crazyyippee::woohoowave:

That's a beefy looking Burb. Subscribing to this one! :thumbsup:

I bought all the parts (I think) to refresh the Rockwell trans case. The parts numbers are in my build thread if you have to do yours.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

In for the build. :thumbsup:

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

A little progress on the engine this weekend. New expansion plugs because I hit them with the pressure washer and poked a hole in two of them. Oops. New rear main seal. The top half of the old one was a pain to get out. It was the rope/braided type. I could not get it to move enough to get the pliers on it. MacGyver time. I had to take a small screw and gently thread it into the center of the braids of the old seal. The threads grabbed enough of the seal that I was able to get enough leverage to pull it out. Whew.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Fresh paint on the block and cleaned up the valve covers. The paint on the edge of the valve covers was chipping off, so I cleaned them up and put a coat of black engine paint on the lip. Then I put a few coats of engine clear on them. What do you think? There was really no way to "touch up" the plaid. At least it shouldn't chip anymore and should be more durable.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

keep up the great work!

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Nice Work on those Valve Covers.

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The clear coat looks real good on the plaid valve covers.:thumbsup:

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Great work saving the Plaid covers and it makes them really stand out.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Congrats, I almost picked that burb up about 2 years ago. Kid wanted $2500 at the time, hope you didn't pay too much more. truck wouldn't drive at the time, guess his father had converted to power steering and wasn't sure it would make it to the Springs so I backed out. Glad to see it got picked up by someone that will do something with it. Check craigslist, I saw some burb seats and other parts just recently, I know it's missing the original seats. I have a plethora of 4x4 parts as well if you get into a bind, I'm just down the road in the Springs. Congrats and good luck
Bryan

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Hey Bryan, thanks!. Yeah I paid about that for the burb. Wasn't really looking for a project, but it should be pretty cool when done. I did find a front seat from a guy east of Pueblo in Crowley. A bit pricey, but it is in good shape. He also had a middle seat, but wanted $1500. Way too much for my budget.

Did you find a burb? I am looking for original 16" x 6" (or maybe 5.5") 6 lug, 4 nub steel wheels if you ever come across any. Thanks!!! Ken

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

A little progress this weekend. I had some free time since it was cold and snowy for the past couple of days! I am getting the engine compartment stripped down to paint and put the new 305 in, then new fenders, inner fenders, and grille panel. Also, started investigating the floor boards and rockers to determine how bad they are. Dang cancer rust; worse than I thought. I ordered a bunch of new metal for the front and floor from LMC!

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

[QUOTE=kchampagne;61175]I did find a front seat from a guy east of Pueblo in Crowley. A bit pricey, but it is in good shape. He also had a middle seat, but wanted $1500. Way too much for my budget.

KC --
If you're not dead set on keeping your Suburban 100% stock, you might want to consider something like I did. Mine has the original front seats, but the middle and rear seats are from an early Chevy Astrovan. I think I paid $65 for the pair at a swap meet several years ago. I had the front seats reupholstered to match them. As you can see in the photos, the Astrovan seats have split seatbacks and recline to make a bed. They came with seatbelts attached to the frames. And they slide forward and backward, just like the driver's seat.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

[QUOTE=Ed Snyder;61177]Thanks Ed! I love what you did! Do you know what year they came out of? Did you have to fab/modify the seat brackets and /or bases? They look very original and I'm sure much more comfy and useful! I've been stockpiling cheap rear seats I find on Craigslist to give me options down the road. Yours look by far the best I've seen. Thank you!

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Tom Meyers truck parts in Miami Oklahoma had a set of seats when I was there last. Bob

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Hey KC,
I have a 66 k1000 fender side, I think I have my hands full and don't have the room for a burb. Good luck on those 16.5"x 5" rims, they're as rare as hens teeth, I got my 15x5s from Rich in Crowley. It only takes a few purchases from him before you realize theres cheaper rescources out there, you'd be amazed at what you'll pic off craigslist. I picked up a spare Rockwell, SM420, correct axels and a PTO Ramsey winch all rebuilt plus all the e-brake hardware. This site has some fantastic enthusiasts and rescources, talk to Tony at 4-5-6 Chevy, if you can brake the ice with him he has everything you can imagine. Get that burb running and we'll meet up to compare projects.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Yes sir! I picked up a set of the 15 x 6" rims a few weeks ago. I am unsure of using them though. I am shooting for the skinny, tall and aggressive tire stance that the 16s with 235/85 or 750-16 tires would give. I can't find a 15" tire that gives that stance. If I can't find any, I am probably going to go with the 16 x 7 truck rallye wheels that wheel vintiques sells ( I think 66 series). The biggest issue with that is I can't use stock dog dish caps. Will need to figure something out for the 4x4 caps on the rallyes. I'd love to check out your ride sometime! Still running the 351?

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

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With the 15x5's, I'd love to have some 16's but what I would have to pay for the rims, powder coating and tires my wife would slash me with the credit card in my sleep. Still pretty stout.

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Here's another view

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Bryan, that looks awesome! What brand and size tires are those?

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

They are Super Traxion L78x15Lt. Just a warning they are 6 ply tires and they drive like 6 ply tires, very rough. They are amazing in any depth of snow you feel comfortable in, but I keep a set of radials on the side for summer cruising.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

[QUOTE=kchampagne;61179]The seats were a little too tall for the Suburban, so I had about 2" cut off of the risers. The bases are fairly crude -- just round tubing, so it was a simple modification, and the only thing I had to change. I secured them to the floor with U-bolts around the tubing with flat plates, nuts, and washers under the floor. I don't know what year the seats came from, but it had to be first generation Astrovan.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Nice

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Here are some pics of my 15" x 6" wheels I had powder coated at Les Schwab. They really look awesome for $26/wheel. I also had my new set of Buckshot Wide Mudder tires mounted on the powder coated wheels. I think they turned out awesome! The tires are N78-15's. Nice and meaty!

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Those plaid valve covers came out SUPER NICE! The clear coating does wonders! Love those tires! Might have a lead on 16 inch rims for my 64 so I am looking forward to a new set of 32 inch tall all terrains. :thumbsup:

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Yeah, I looked long and hard for 16" rims with no luck. Here is my pic upload again.

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Here are the caps I had powder coated. Wow, they came out great!

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Very nice!

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Very nice KC! Can't wait to see them painted up.

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Hey all, I haven't given an update in awhile, so here is what I've been doing. I've been cutting out the cancer in the rockers, pillars and floors and replacing with new metal. What a job. Here are a few pics:

Re: Here we go.... 65 Suburban 4x4
 

Looks like a lot of work. Keep the pictures coming, I will be doing that to my suburban sometime. I would just as soon learn from your mistakes.

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Here are some pics of the replacement metal:

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I had to modify the rear cab support brace because I just could not get it to fit right for the suburban.

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Believe me, there are a lot of mistakes!

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I envy your metal skills. lol

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Thanks TJ. Yeah, this is the first time I've ever worked with patch panels. As long as it holds and everything lines up, I'm happy!