The Family Ride ('Burb)

[wiedemab]

I picked this up from a fellow forum member late last year. My girls (age 4 and 1 1/2) love it. My wife actually really likes it too. It's a rust-free '72 Suburban with the stock 350/350. Porterbuilt stage 1 front, CPP notches and air bags in the rear, CPP front and rear sway bars, Porterbuilt trac-bar, AGR steering box and pump.

I have a 2004R to swap into it, but ran out of time before Columbus GG.

The longer term plan is for a 6.0L/4L80e combo and use it to tow my Nova (track car). The Nova will be a longer term project, but I hope to get started on it this Fall depending on how funds and available time work out.

Here is a quick couple of pics.

We'll be at Columbus grilling out behind the Suburban, so stop by and say Hi! I may also AutoX the old boat, just for fun.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/277219_10151518745211984_2050552291_o.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1048209_10151518745346984_1405195964_o.jpg

[Sieg]

I like it! :thumbsup:

[jay web]

I love it.

[Erics66Fastback]

Very nice family ride. I have a friend with a 64 impala wagon.

[tubbed69]

I like it! :thumbsup:

Me too

[Rick D]

I like it! :thumbsup:

I love it.

Me too

Me 4, I like it, love it, can I have it???

Very cool Brandon!!! :relax:

[Sieg]

What size are the wheels and tires front/rear?

[brownz]

VERY nice. I will be at GG also with my rusty 72 nova. look for it on the autox also

[wiedemab]

What size are the wheels and tires front/rear?

I'm not positive of the wheel size and backspace, but I'm pretty sure of what they are. I just looked at the tires to verify.

20X8.5 front - 255/40/20 Toyo Proxes ST
20X10 rear - 295/40/20 Toyo Proxes ST

[fleetus macmullitz]

Brandon,

I owned two '79's but not the previous gen like yours.

What do you like about it besides the styling?

[Sieg]

Thanks Brandon - The size and dish are very good on it. :thumbsup:

[GregWeld]

That's awesome, Brandon! I Love it!

[65_LS1_T56]

Very cool Brandon! Solid truck for sure.
What about a Duramax swap since it will be a tow vehicle as well, probably better mileage too.:idea:

[wiedemab]

I like the look (as you mentioned). I've been impressed with how well it drives, specifically after installing the suspension upgrades. When I got it, the front coils were cut and it had a nice stance, but would bottom out. The Porterbuilt (or any other mfg. for that matter) air bags were a nice upgrade from a ride and drive-ability standpoint. The biggest difference is the steering box upgrade (AGR box). It was like driving an old tractor before. Now it has nice firm, more modern feeling steering.

Prior to having this, I had a '99 Vette, '89 Mustang notch and my '52 Chevy truck build that I had on here as a thread. They were just simply not practical to go anywhere with my family, which kind of made my wife despise them (although somewhat secretly). My girls are always asking to drive the Suburban. I throw my clubs in the back and drive it to the golf course. The patina really helps make it as practical as it is due to the fact that I'm not worried about every little thing. My 4 year old asked me when I brought it home - "Dad, am I allowed to touch this car" - to which I answered, "touch away!!!!"

It just seems to be a good fit for where I am in life right now. It allows me to still attend the Goodguys shows etc. and satisfy the family hauling responsibilities.

What I don't like is the fairly anemic stock 350! We'll see how things go this winter, it may get an upgrade in the form of a take-out truck powertrain.

So - -long answer to a short question.................

[jy211]

nice! :bump:

[wiedemab]

Very cool Brandon! Solid truck for sure.
What about a Duramax swap since it will be a tow vehicle as well, probably better mileage too.:idea:

I have several buddies that are "Diesel guys" that suggested the same thing. I'll probably stick with the gas engine mainly due to my familiarity and cost, but who knows, I could be persuaded - -if it is easier than I envision it being. I'd probably come closer to putting a Cummins in it. I have a couple of old engineering buddies that work for Cummins that would be good resources for questions related to that swap.

[Torq'd Design Lab]

Always loved these body styles!! I want one someday! Love how yours is done!

[Sieg]

Brandon! :bang:

I just found a '72 3-door 2wd for sale that's a solid stock driver. :wacko:

[wiedemab]

Brandon! :bang:

I just found a '72 3-door 2wd for sale that's a solid stock driver. :wacko:

Do it!!!! You won't regret it.

[Sieg]

Do it!!!! You won't regret it.

Just Duramax it!

What front grille is on your's?

[wiedemab]

Just Duramax it!

What front grille is on your's?

It's a faded and slightly beat up stock '72 grill as far as I know.

[wiedemab]

We had a great weekend at Columbus Goodguys. On Friday, my wife and I hauled our two girls, our three nephews and one of their friends to the show. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law came out and we had a grill out for lunch. The weather was awesome!

I got three AutoX runs in on Friday. The first two were 46.XX and the third was a 44.5. The top guys were running 36.XX and eventually broke into the 35's. I got 3 more runs on Saturday, but didn't do much better. My final run, which was an unofficial "fun run" I ran a 44.1. It handled great, but the old 350 just has NO POWER to pull out of a corner.

The highlight of the AutoX for me was taking 9 people out (including me). Brian Finch, Dan Ballard, Cheryl Herrick, Yancy Johns, Mark Turner........shoot, who am I missing?

Here is a cell phone vid of it from Yancy - it was hilarious!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200332733664477

Here is a vid of my first run that my wife took on my cell phone. You can hear my younger daughter screaming - - she wants to ride!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZUogQzeFw0

I know it will sound like an excuse (because it is), but I really think I could have been close to breaking into the top 4 if I had some power! That being said, Brad Grainger tore it up in his '65 Chevy Pickup to win the truck class.

I'll say it again - I love the 'Burb.

[Sieg]

Too Cool! :thumbsup:

[CornHusker4Life]

Love the Ride Brandon:thumbsup:

[tubbed69]

Watched you run several times,pretty cool looking out there.Columbus is the best show,lots to see there.