Frankenburbun

[dasaroth]

Ok, let me start off and say hello to everybody on here,obviously i'm new,live in Maryland and owned an 86 GMC 2500 Suburban for about 5 years now. Well about 2 months ago the rod in my nice 350 decided to exit stage right through the side of the block. So the trucks been sitting out there for awhile and im staring at it out the window thinking of what i should do. Then i get these bright ideas to do to this thing that would probably get me shot or atleast seriously beat up at a Chevy truck show. So let me shoot some ideas at you guys and tell me what you think. Firstly the thing needs a new engine which i have 2 options that i can do now relatively cheap. I can either put a Ford 351M that i have in the back Yard in it or i got i semi tuned Olds 455 rocket sitting in the garage.And before anybody says no no no neither will bolt up to the 700r4 trans, TCI Automotive makes adapters for them both. Next comes the rear, i've been having problems with my rear (no not that rear) for quite some time.so i got this really nice f350 rear sitting next to my garage that i was going to use on a prior project but never did. Lastly the worse one yet, im going to cut the
roof off Yes i just haven't decided which way i should do it. i have seen a couple suburbans that they mated the blazer fiberglass top to. but im not one to follow the pack.i've got 2 ideas on how to do it and id like some input please. I can either cut off the whole rear section and weld the back up basically like an avalanche a 4 door short bed,or i could leave the rear pillar across the back and put a few metal bows on it with a soft top that can roll up and down on the sides.or any suggestions that you may have will defiantly be thought about.well sorry for the long post on my first post.Guess i better go hide while i wait for some reply's .

[Springthing]

No need to hide. Sounds like you are thinking this thing through. Good luck with your project and welcome to the GMTC.

[dwill3015]

You have some crazy ideas but I like them!LOL. Welcome to the site and keep us posted to your progress.

[cascott325]

i always said i wish i had several grand to drop on the truck, i was actually thinking about what it would look like to have a chop top convertible silverado, i bet it would be badass. with a custom paint job, nice chrome accents, super black windows, rediculously bright headlights, a train air horn, supercharged, maybe have a 502 big block with a manual 5 speed, that would be sweet

[ct9a]

Welcome to the site!

My opinion is: go with the Olds motor. Find a cheap 10 bolt for the rear (I have no idea what it would take to get the Ford rear in there. Easy, go for it, hard, find a direct replacement at a junkyard), and do the removable soft top, kind of sounds like it would look like a buggy.

[dasaroth]

See the problem with the rear is its pretty much impossible to find one where i am at. Ford rears if you can find them bring a premium at the junkyards here ( last time i found one at a junkyard they quoted me $1200 and that was about a year ago) good luck trying to find a chevy rear. you think there would be more around considering theres nothing but farms around here. anyways i dont think hooking up the ford rear would be to hard to do. more than likely just cut off the the spring pads and weld new ones in the right spot. then just get a custom universal or i might have to get a driveshaft made up. So i would say by far it would be a cheaper route to go. Oyeah and this is a frankenburbun so i cant have to many chevy parts in it

[95CTburb19]

I wouldn't put a 10 bolt in there, they are not a really strong axle. I don't know what kind of power you are planning on putting down but maybe a 14 bolt or dana 60 would be better for you. I have seen suburbans cut after the back doors and they look really cool. good luck with your project

[ct9a]

Sorry, yeah, 14 bolt is what I meant. Mine is a 10 bolt stocker.

$1200 for a rear end is ridiculous. You could probably get one shipped to you for cheaper than that.

[dasaroth]

Well have been busy researching all the things needed to cut the roof off,and install the soft top.so i was talking with the old man and he came up with a suggestion that i should paint it woodland camo and put a canvass top on it like some of the military trucks have. so i kinda liked the idea and went to research the fabric and hardware needed to do it and found some pretty cheap. so the i made up a rough sketch of the of the canvas with the dimensions needed for it to work.then i took it to some businesses that work with heavy canvas to get a quote (this is where i almost dropped a nut) the cheapest place quoted me $1100. i told them you got to be kidding me, its like 30min worth of stitching and installing a few grommets. so i come to the realization im going to do it myself.it cant be that hard can it.it shouldn't turn out to bad. look im already doubting myself haha

[cascott325]

LMFAO
you need to go visit a retirement home or you grandparents or somewhere that you can find some older ladies to help you out... im positive that you will find someone in their 50's - 80's who knows a little about measuring, cutting, sewing, etc.