Re: One Ton Suburban
 

Bumping this to the top, Ed. I hope while you are posting old pics that you may to be able to keep adding to this amazing truck's story!

DAC

Re: One Ton Suburban
 

I'll be sure to do that next week, Doug, when I get back home. I spent the day today driving 700 miles from Oregon to LA in our son's '64 Chevy Suburban. I had it up there to do a little work on it for him. My wife and I are spending Thanksgiving down here with him and our 9 year old granddaughter.

Re: One Ton Suburban
 

Great Memories

Re: One Ton Suburban
 

Well, Doug, I got a surprise in the mail yesterday. Along with a birthday card, my Dad sent a bunch of photos from when the one ton Suburban was new in 1965. The first batch, included in this post, shows the original white wheels with 8.00 x 17.5 tires on them. I had forgotten how far out those hubcaps stuck. They sure look vulnerable to curb rash. Note that one of the photos shows the fresh cut holes for the windows prior to window installation, and the original rear doors removed prior to liftgate/tailgate installation. Dad's in a couple of the photos. He was 40 years old in May of 1965 when he bought it. The conversion from a panel into a Suburban was done in the summer of 1965, right after he bought it.

Click on a thumbnail to enlarge it. I'll include more photos in another post.

Re: One Ton Suburban
 

Ed, what a cool thread! I think your dad is a genius, that truck, like your dad, is one of a kind.

Re: One Ton Suburban
 

What an Awesome thread Ed! :thumbsup: That is some super Neat family history. Always makes me wish my grandfather owned a 60's GMC or Chevy that I could preserve. But I'm making do with the ones I have. And it was Awesome being able to see this truck in person.

Re: One Ton Suburban
 

Great historic Photos Ed!
Now what became of those Barn Doors?
I'm betting you still have them stored.

Re: One Ton Suburban
 

Thank-you Ed, for the update, and especially to your Dad for getting the history of his wonderful creation compiled! I've been looking forward to seeing more and my amazement keeps growing! Flyinga66 said it right, your Dad is a genius in the choice of truck, planning and execution of this project that continues to serve your family!

Hope your folks are doing well and you had a happy birthday!

DAC

Re: One Ton Suburban
 

Dad sold the barn doors back to the dealer, Henry. What I do have, however, is that single "bucket" seat that you can see in one of the photos. Dad mounted it on casters and put a slip cover on it. Still looks new underneath.

Re: One Ton Suburban
 

Here's another batch of photos. Dad had lots of trouble with the 8.00 x 17.5 tires, especially when towing our 24' Avion travel trailer. So when the 12 x 16.5 tires came out, he had the rear wheel openings enlarged to match the fronts so he could fit a set of them. Nationally famous auto customizer Darryl Starbird got his start with an auto body shop in Wichita. Darryl did the work by cutting the openings and reinforcing the cut edges with steel tubing welded to the sheet metal. The 9.75 x 16.5 wheels have enough offset that the hub caps sit a few inches back in them, fully protecting them from curb rash.

If you've never heard of Darryl Starbird, check out http://www.darrylstarbird.com/index.html. Darryl also did some of the work converting the rear doors to tailgate/liftgate.