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Suburban Convertible
Today I worked on fabricating a suitable mounting pad for 2 hoops on the driver side, rear of the wagon. As you know the spare tire well is there. I had plans to keep it, but wanted to stay with the dual hoop theme. First I cut 2 sections of 1" angle and welded them along the inner quarter and...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #31
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
This weekend I got some time to work on the old wagon. I had formed up some hoops for the C pillar months ago but wanted to put A and B hoops in place first and work towards the rear. I fabricated some 1/8" plates onto the front of the rear wheel wells. I had to place the hoops on the wheel...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #30
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
After messing up lots of tubing, I decided to tackle the A pillar differently. I wanted to make a hoop from the floor, up behind the dash, angled with the pillars and along the top of the windshield. I just couldn't figure out the proper bends. So I decided to make a "halo" loop and then 2...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #28
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Over the weekend I started working on the A pillar hoop. I removed the windshield, dash pad and some speakers to mock up how I could install a hoop on the A pillar. I decided it would be easier to cut the corners out of the steel dash frame, allowing me ample room to fit a full hoop. As you can...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #27
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Late last week I welded in the 2 hoops for the B pillar. Then I made some gussets from the roof sheet metal, installed some trick dimples and tied the B pillar to both hoops. Also made some shorty connectors that will tie both hoops together at the top.- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #26
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
FINALLY got some "me" time to work on my convertible project. This week I pulled it out of the moth balls and cleaned out all the crap to make room to work. First I cut out the middle top of the roof so that I could recycle that sheet metal. I used part of it to cover up the rear side panel...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #25
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Happy Holidays everyone! Not much progress on my convertible due to job issues and other life events. I hope to get back on track during December.- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #24
- Forum: Paint and Body
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How difficult and what is involved?
DD, I highly recommend that you completely remove the bed and set it on some blocks. You'll have so much better access to everything and no rust falling into your eyes. Its really just a handful of bolts. PB blast them a few times before you start. Also you may want to think about having some...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #9
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Spent some time adjusting and rebending the loops at the B pillar. Also made some loops for the C pillar. Can't quite mount them behind the door opening due to the second row seat latches. I'll weld these to the front of the wheel well with a base plate.- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #22
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Yesterday I got intimate with my JD2 M32 tube bender. Been dying to bend some tube for the pillar supports. After a few hours of measuring, laying out patterns and bending at the wrong spots I think I have it under control. I only got the "easy" set done, for the B pillar. Here are a few shot of...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #21
- Forum: Paint and Body
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swap barn doors for tailgate
No problem Dave, hope I can help you make it easier on yourself. I've got lots of high res pics of the things I went thru that Id be glad to share with you. I've seen where others have posted some, but I haven't figured it out. Perhaps the best thing to do is to put them into my Dropbox, post...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #6
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Got a lil more work done on the truck the other day. The "gravel pan/rear valance/tail panel", whatever you want to call it was formed sooo poorly overseas (Goodmark part) that I had to cut off both upright sections and totally reshape them from scratch. Not only did they not line up with the...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #19
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Was able to get a few things done on this tail panel the other night. Had to cut out a few rusted spots on the floor pan and install some patches. The right side of the floor pan had to hook into the spot weld area on the support cross member then rotated into position. Once there, I tacked the...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #18
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Hey Bucket, I believe your life would be much easier if you use the method I did. You would have to cut a hole pretty high up the body line to be able to slide that member in from the left. It would have to be up just below the tail light opening height because you'd need to slide it in...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #15
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Hey S&L, I appreciate your input, suggestions and good words. However this is a 2wd street machine. It will never be off-roaded or raced. Just a beach/car show cruiser, tow vehicle. I've been thru all the boards and read tons on the subject, DOM vs Sch, and to be honest I was going to build...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #14
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Worked on this most of the day today, while my boys attacked the rusty rockers. It was a good day with lots getting done. I'm glad to have the rear member back in and properly supporting the rear corners. I'll be welding back in the floor section I removed and may weld in floor board material to...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #10
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Past few days been working on the rear tail pan support. As you can see from the pics not only was the support beam in bad shape, but so was the mounting areas in both corners. After getting a new support from Goodmark I realized that I needed to cut a portion of the rear floorpan out so...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #9
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Not really concerned what Va state thinks. I'll register it as an antique, which doesn't require any type of inspection.- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #8
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
I agree Bucket, that's why I'm going to double up each pillar and tie the 2 hoops together with gussets, hopefully adding girth to each. Besides do you know how much 3" tubing and die sets are? $$$$- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #7
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Hey Smooth, No. I had planned on using DOM, but Sch40 is so much easier to get in my area, plus its cheaper. I don't plan on off-roading or racing this. Its going to be a summertime cruiser, so I dont need the added strength of DOM, nor the cost. Sch40 will work great to provide the body support...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #3
- Forum: Paint and Body
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Suburban Convertible
Greetings! Years ago at a car show Id seen an older Sub that someone had made into a convertible and thought it was soooo cool. I've thought about it over the years and now Im going to make it a reality with the help of my 2 sons before they get too cool to work with Dad. I found a 86 C20...- SpeeedRacer62
- Thread
- Replies: 144
- Forum: Paint and Body
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swap barn doors for tailgate
Hi Dave, Let me give you some ideas about the rear cross member removal and replacement. Its not going to be a simple bolt in/out application. I am currently working on my 86 Sub, having to replace my cross member due to a rust out condition. Its a tailgate model and I plan on keeping that...- SpeeedRacer62
- Post #4
- Forum: Paint and Body
