Major rust repair 91 burban 1500

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Urbanburban22

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Colorado
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David
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
Suburban SLE V1500
Engine Size
5.7 TBI
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Urbanburban22

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David
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1991
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Suburban SLE V1500
Engine Size
5.7 TBI
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So that all my rot, I have rear arch panels and the bottom panel for the barn doors. Like I said been looking for parts trucks or long beds to see what other options I can come up with.
 

R Carnella

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Rich
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1990
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Suburban V2500
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5.3
Your tubs look better than mine did. From your pics it Looks like you can save most of the inner areas that gave me the biggest problem, patch the spare tire well and only cut the rot. My wheel tubs were rotted almost the entire circumference.
I had to use the entire tub assembly so you may get lucky there. Also buy a few extra contoured metal panel sections to cut up for small radius and weird contours.
 

90Supurban

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V1500
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How much different are the wheel housings for the K5 vs the suburban? LMC shows them available for the K5, but at the bottom of that page it lists the suburban in the application list.
 

bucket

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How much different are the wheel housings for the K5 vs the suburban? LMC shows them available for the K5, but at the bottom of that page it lists the suburban in the application list.

Other than the threaded bolt holes in the right side housing for the spare tire mount, they are identical to pickup truck wheel housings. They bolt in too.
 

90Supurban

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Just to confirm, the truck/blazer/suburban all use the same basic wheelhouse, except that the SUV's use threaded bolt holes on the one side for the spare tire carrier? LMC lists the same part number for the truck and the K5, but do not list anything for the suburban at all. I think you are saying that the K5 is identical to the pickup except for the tire carrier bolt holes, but those with a suburban are SOL with a "direct fit"?
 
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bucket

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Just to confirm, the truck/blazer/suburban all use the same basic wheelhouse, except that the SUV's use threaded bolt holes on the one side for the spare tire carrier? LMC lists the same part number for the truck and the K5, but do not list anything for the suburban at all. I think you are saying that the K5 is identical to the pickup except for the tire carrier bolt holes, but those with a suburban are SOL with a "direct fit"?

No, the Suburban wheel housings are a completely different stamping and are not shaped the same as the pickup/K5 wheel housing.
 

Urbanburban22

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1991
Truck Model
Suburban SLE V1500
Engine Size
5.7 TBI
Hey all, solved my problem. Got a 1985 r1500 suburban roller. Minimal rust. Going to do a bit of a body swap. I transfered over the 4wd transtunnel from the 91 (fit like a glove) and put the 2wd out of the 85 in the 91. The 91 body is going to sit on the 2wd frame and become a bit of a rat rod whilst the 85 will sit on the 4wd frame and be the overlander. Reusing all the 91 doors and front clip. Body mounts are all the same. The 85 is a tailgate so im looking for a rear glass motor/regulator and the glass itself. I'll be deleting the rear a/c. I've built a 6L90 and gen3 LS. 4wd brought to you by a MP1125 transfer case. Just ordered up all the expensive junk from holley. I'll make a separate thread documenting the build for those who are interested. I appreciate all the help and will upload the two junky photos I have of the 85, but it'll hopefully be nice. Deadline for project is April 2025 God willing.
 

Urbanburban22

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Colorado
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David
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1991
Truck Model
Suburban SLE V1500
Engine Size
5.7 TBI
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enduroance

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Sean
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91
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Suburban V2500
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Small block 5.7 v8 tbi
They fit to the inside of the panel great. And met up against the floor pan no problem. The toughest part for me was inside towards the back spare tire well,mine was nonexistent so I had to get a little creative.
Hopefully your rust won't be as bad. I sectioned a third tub for the spare tire well.
I tried to keep the factory contours as much as possible. These pics where the test fitting phase.
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Yours came out amazing. What I can't seem to wrap my head around is how the inner panel ties in with everything around the wheel well. I've got a bunch of rot in the area combined with paint, white caulk, bondo and misc random welds from the last owner or even the one before him.
Aside from seam sealing at the interior corner, did you mechanically fasten the inner panel to the wheel well? Or at the outter seam where the inner and outter panel originally meet at?
 

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