72 Chevy Suburban

[Modlbldr]

While waiting for things to dry on my 65 Chevelle I have another "common kit" build for our club. The chosen kit is the re-release of the 72 Chevy pickup. 

As my normal plan is I am always looking for something a bit different than what other guys in the club will do. I landed on building a Suburban from the kit. 

I began by removing all of the body side trim.

Before I started the mods I had a plan to lower the front of the hood (pancake). I sliced the bottom off and sanded what I felt was a considerable amount and then reattached the bottom. I also sanded the front to lean the leading edge back a bit. After getting it all back together I can't tell much difference. It's noticable enough next to the stock hood but as a stand alone it isn't very noticable.

I began by cutting off the rear of the cab to use as the rear of the Suburban top. As I looked at the picture of the 1:1 Suburban I saw that the slope of the rea pillars was more angled than the rear of the stock pickup cab. So, I made a relief slice in the pillar a d added a bit of styrene sheet to change the angle. This angle was just eyeballed.

I calculated some measurements of the wheelbase of the Suburban and it appeared to be no different than the wheelbase of the longbed version (right about 5 inches in scale) so I only needed to add a bit of sheet plastic between the cab and bed due to length removed from removing the rear cab wall. I am not going for complete accuracy here anyway. I then glued the cab and bed together.

Next I had to add a piece of styrene square stock to the top of the bed rails to make it the same height of the top of the pickup doors. This really bothered me because in the pictures of the Suburban it doesn't appear that it is that tall through that area (directly below the side windows above where the body makes its first bump out). Oh well. As I said, I'm not going for complete accuracy. 

I then tacked in place the rear cab piece I removed to see if the height was anywhere close to the same as the height of the front of the cab. Looks pretty good to me. That's where I stoped for the night.

Later-

 

Edited November 30, 2023 by Modlbldr

[espo]

Like the hood. The rear portion of the roof the angle going toward the front looks as if the rear part is pointed downhill in the picture anyway. 

[Modlbldr]

3 hours ago, espo said:

Like the hood. The rear portion of the roof the angle going toward the front looks as if the rear part is pointed downhill in the picture anyway. 

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, it's not sitting exactly where it needs to be yet. That pic was taken right beforw heading to bed and I just have it tacked in place.

Later-

[T-Ray]

Looks good. Are you going to keep the promo style chassis or go to a more realistic one?

[NOBLNG]

Ambitious project…I like it.?

[Modlbldr]

12 hours ago, T-Ray said:

Looks good. Are you going to keep the promo style chassis or go to a more realistic one?

I'm not set at the moment on that. The timeline on this is sometime in March. Depending on how long it takes to do the top I may stick with the promo chassis but I have a 3D printed lowered chassis that I'd like to use.

10 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Ambitious project…I like it.?

Thanks. I'm hoping I don't lose steam. Lol.

Later-

[T-Ray]

1 hour ago, Modlbldr said:

I'm not set at the moment on that. The timeline on this is sometime in March. Depending on how long it takes to do the top I may stick with the promo chassis but I have a 3D printed lowered chassis that I'd like to use.

Thanks. I'm hoping I don't lose steam. Lol.

Later-

I was gonna say, I think I've seen people use the chassis from the AMT Jimmy. I think anyways

[Modlbldr]

34 minutes ago, T-Ray said:

I was gonna say, I think I've seen people use the chassis from the AMT Jimmy. I think anyways

Not a bad idea. I hadn't thought about that. Thanks!

Later-

[T-Ray]

You're welcome! Although I just looked it up and that kit is of a 4x4, I don't know if that's something you'd want or not. 

[Modlbldr]

I did a bit more on this one last night for about a half hour. 

I think I've settled on this 3d printed frame. I set the wheelbase on it as it is adjustable and glued the two pieces together. I added some styrene bits for a bit of strength where they join.

I then measured the height of the window opening on the front door from the top of the door to the bottom of the window opening. 21/32. I then tacked two 21/32 strips of styrene at the rear of the body at what will be the side window opening to act as temporary rests for the rear roof while gluing it in place. This way I am certain that the rear roof is level and the window openings match front to rear.

Last thing for the night was to cut a roof panel to fit the giant opening. This is just sitting in place for now as it needs to be bent into the curved shape of the roof.

That was it for the night. Thanks for looking.

Later-

[James2]

Coming along nicely. What frame is that? I'm interested in the bending process....

[Modlbldr]

1 hour ago, James2 said:

Coming along nicely. What frame is that? I'm interested in the bending process....

Thanks. The frame I got from a guy on FB named Brandon White. It comes in two pieces so it is adjustable. Comes with the rear axle, front a arms, rear 4 link and bags.

For the bend I am thinking about soaking it in warm water and then bending it from side to side over the edge of a table, similar to using an english wheel. Nothing fancy, just need to work it a bit.

Later-

Edited December 2, 2023 by Modlbldr

[ewetwo]

My step dad bought a red suburban when I was a kid. I remember it only having 1 door on the drivers side.

[Modlbldr]

1 hour ago, ewetwo said:

My step dad bought a red suburban when I was a kid. I remember it only having 1 door on the drivers side.

Yeah, they had one door on the driver's side and two on the passenger side. Not sure if this was all of them or just some.

Later-

[slusher]

Keep up the good work sir!

[Modlbldr]

2 hours ago, slusher said:

Keep up the good work sir!

Thank you!

Tonight's progress.

Starting from the front. I removed the inner wheel wells to allow for tire clearance and to allow the 3d frame to sit where it needs to.

I added two strips of plastic for roof panels instead of one large piece since I am building this with a simuated sliding soft top. I then added a piece of half round for the rolled side of the roof. This will be sanded to shape later.

I removed a part of the bed floor for clearance of the c notch on the frame. 

The 3d printed frame needed some work as it was warped and the part behind the c notch did not extend far enough to allow the frame to sit flat.

This pic shows how much I need ed to press the frame to get it into shape. This will not work.

After modifications the frame sits as it should.

Well, that's it for tonight.

Next will be to widen the rear tubs and start some sanding.

Later-

Edited December 3, 2023 by Modlbldr

[64SS350]

Just checked your build out...I see you are going loooow! Nice stuff!!

[Modlbldr]

1 hour ago, 64SS350 said:

Just checked your build out...I see you are going loooow! Nice stuff!!

Yes I am. Thanks!

Later-

[Modlbldr]

I haven't had any time at the bench this week. Last night I got a bit of time while packing things for a model show in Somerset, KY today.

While looking at pics of a 72 Suburban and planning how to build the side windows I saw that they have a slim post between each window frame. I  measured out the locations for these. Using thin strips of styrene doubled up to approximate the thickness I glued these in place. I cut small grooves in the half round at the top for these to slide into so that it would add a bit of strength. 

Then, on the passenger side, I trimmed the bottom of the half round to shape the opening for the windows a bit better. Next will be the driver's side and then adding the strips for the actual window fames.

Not much progress but I'm moving forward.

Later-

Edited December 9, 2023 by Modlbldr

[GLMFAA1]

I would suggest a little thicker piece for the window frames, two 40x40 glued together or 80 piece with scibed line. with that huge sun roof what a great base for a famous ambulance. keep on fabricating.

greg

[Modlbldr]

8 hours ago, GLMFAA1 said:

I would suggest a little thicker piece for the window frames, two 40x40 glued together or 80 piece with scibed line. with that huge sun roof what a great base for a famous ambulance. keep on fabricating.

greg

Thanks for the pictures. Those are cool.

The window frames are not finished. These are just the posts between the actual window frames, although I may need to go a little bit wider.

.

Later-

Edited December 9, 2023 by Modlbldr

[GLMFAA1]

On the B windows they are reversed A windows so there is a none moving rear quarter window piece.

greg

 

[Modlbldr]

21 minutes ago, GLMFAA1 said:

On the B windows they are reversed A windows so there is a none moving rear quarter window piece.

greg

 

That is good to know. That qill help me to make sure the sizes are right.

I'm glad you posted that pic. What I have made with those strips I installed was supposed to be the center post of what looks like three bars- what is actually the window frame (opens with the door) and a center stationary post. My work above depicts the narrow stationary posts and now I need to go back and create the window frames. So, what I scratchbuilt above may not be too narrow after all.

Later-

[Sam I Am]

Keep going !

[Modlbldr]

15 minutes ago, Sam I Am said:

Keep going !

I am! I am! Lol.

Later!