A change of Circum-stance

[Funky61]

Well I decided I did not like the stance of my Suburban.
I also did not like using wheel spacers anymore or the
look of the modern factory aluminum wheels.
So I reverted back to a stock look, just slightly lowered.

I had some McGaughey's drop coils in the back, but I suspect they
were more suited for a SWB and not a heavier suburban. Not sure
why I didn't realize that sooner, but live and learn. To get by, I had
been using air shocks in the back to correct the stance slightly
and to firm it up a bit.

Fortunately I kept my original stock springs and just added
1 1/2" drop blocks. I had some Gabriel shocks from previous.
The front torsion bars had been turned down a bit, but not too low.

I reverted back to using the 15 x 5 steel wheels. Only two are original (3 clips)
and the rest are from the 50's era (6 clips) I was told. I'll need to track
down a couple more correct wheels. I do have the correct hubcaps, they
just need to have the centers painted. Back spacing is 3.5"

I am also using a tall skinny Yokohama tire YOK 215Y; about 29.5" tall
and 7" wide; it's radial. Much happier with the stance and the tires
fill the wheel wells better.

Here are some photos of when I first picked her up (2005). Tires were 225 x 75 x15.
Then added the aluminum wheels using 2" spacers front and back
(235 x70 x 16).
Then lowered a bit; torsion bars turned down and 2" drop coils in rear
and air shocks.
Now back to stock springs and Gabriel gas shocks. Need to do an extended drive to see how it now rides.

[Foley]

I sure like that look! Appears that you put a lot of thought and planning into the project Mr. Funky61. Actually not funky at all. Not to detract from the wheels and suspension, but was overdrive a common option for that running gear in 1961?

[Funky61]

Hello BC and thanks! I think overdrive was offered on the Chevy trucks, but I'm pretty sure that was not the case for the GMC V6 in the light trucks.
The overdrive I used was from a mid-eighties Chevy truck known as the New Process NP440 MY6. I used the info from this article.

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/techarticles/0905cct_a883_four_speed_overdrive_transmission/viewall.html

Works nice with this engine and 65mph is about 1800rpms.

[GMCDAC]

I really like your Suburban, Funky61! Tastefully lowered and I must confess I dig the steel wheel look much better than modern ones.

It looks like you had one of those cool old strap down roof racks at one time like this one on the'60 'Burb my folks had way back when.

Thanks for the pics and info!----DAC

[Funky61]

Thanks Doug,

Yep you have a good eye! That was an old roof rack style.

I took it apart and tried to emulate the Carpac style rack.
It's more for looks than to carry anything, although I did
try putting a surfboard up there, but it was too short.

I later found a real Carpac rack from the 50's on the CL for
a good price. It's a little bit smaller then mines. My version
is in the foreground.

[GMCDAC]

"Carpac"! I never knew that was the name of those racks. The one you have pictured first looks almost identical to the one we had. I can see the surfboard in that picture with the rack on the truck. Looks like it holds it fine.

The ones you built look great also, and I'm sure they would carry what you need anytime!

Sure do appreciate the additional info and pics. I love the old accessories, factory and aftermarket like these that most folks say to "ditch" nowadays!

DAC