https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yk...A=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Rd...U=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_t...0=w600-h400-no

Putting the seats back in and test fitting the harnesses so that I can locate the anchor points and verify clearance and height for the harness bar.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ge...s=w400-h600-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5Y...g=w400-h600-no

Harness bar welded in - - -

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Mm...g=w461-h346-no

Sold my battery forklift - -the battery was bad and too expensive to replace.....I'll miss the old "Minion" as these little Komatsu lifts were called - -little and weird so the name fits!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kU...A=w600-h400-no

Found a good deal on a little Clark propane lift (2,000lb capacity). Brought it home around the holidays (Clark made me think of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation) so - - - -I named this one Griswold!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/t2...8=w600-h400-no

Started working on the core support....the damn things have all sorts of holes etc.... that I have no need for. Not sure I like my beadroll design, but Oh well....

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hX...Q=w600-h400-no

Tigged it in

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M0...Q=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Q5...Q=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Yd...Q=w600-h400-no

I have about 4hrs in this one side........... from the time I made the template to metal finishing (I work slow!) Now I have to find some time to do the other side!

Found a good deal on a little Clark propane lift (2,000lb capacity). Brought it home around the holidays (Clark made me think of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation) so - - - -I named this one Griswold!

Ha!!!!!!..........is that your Granny strapped to the seat back? ?
:computer:

........ohhhhh its a propane tank......my bad

wow
 

When this thread first started I thought, wow that needs ALOT of work,
I never imagined the build was going to progress so quickly and with such a high level of craftsmanship. What is you day job and mechanical back round? This is a bad ass build.

I love the suburban. Glad to hear its getting some love later on too. Keep up the great work !!!

Jim

Thanks for the kind words. I'm not sure I agree with you on the speed at which the work is getting completed. I started on it over 3 years ago! As far as my day job is concerned - - -nothing even remotely related to this.... I'm the Director of Corporate Strategy for Hillenbrand Inc.. We have a portfolio of companies around the world in various industrial markets as well as Batesville Casket. My background does lend itself a bit to this type of work though. My undergraduate degree is in mechanical engineering (although I was never really a "practicing" engineer). I spent my early career working on improvement projects in a manufacturing environment (Lean/Continuous improvement).....ended up working in Sourcing/Procurement - got to run that for one of our companies for a few years, which was fun (traveled all over the world!). - - -anyway, none of that has to do with cars. The real reason I do any of this is that I picked it up from my Dad. He spent his career running an autobody shop. I remember watching him build cars as a young kid (and fix everyone elses! - he would fix things that should't have been fixed - -I think simple to prove he could fix them........kind of resonates with this project huh!). He still has his '67 Chevy II that he finished when I was 3 years old. I learned how to weld and basic fabrication along with body work from my Dad and over the years, he and I have just tried to continue to learn new skills (buy more tools!) and get a little better with each build. I've also become friends with some very talented and knowledgeable people in the industry over the years that have been gracious enough to put up with me asking them lots of questions. I figured that if I knew what good looked like, I could keep on trying until I got there...I've thrown away a few attempts in the process.

I literally get at most about 8hrs a week (on a rare occasion I'll marathon if the wife and kids are out of town!). It's frustrating at times, but I have to remind myself that it's a hobby and it'll get done when it gets done. Our family has had a lot going on the past several years too, which puts things in perspective.

It's all about having the right tools for the job and plenty of patience (which I lack!)..

A few update pics
 

Finished up the core support

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AA...E=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/P0...8=w600-h400-no

Decided to re-skin the doors. By the time I fixed the small rust issues and fixed some damage to the driver's door I could re-skin them quicker/easier. I'm glad I did. After having the doors dipped would have been impossible to get the door shells primered very well. I used a KBS coating on the insides of the doors - it works really well.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/l7...Q=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5m...I=w600-h400-no

First we lightly folded the skin edges over and test fitted it to the car. This allowed up to adjust the skin on the shell. You would be surprised at how they will twist and move around - - if you aren't careful you can make a mess. Once we had it where we wanted it (these Dynacorn skins fit pretty damn well) - I tacked it in a couple of spots, took it back off, hammer and dollied the rest of the skin and welded it on.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i_...o=w600-h400-no

I have to say - it's invaluable having the old man around (he's skinned who knows how many doors in his life) - lots of little tricks to be learned. I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, but there is no substitute for good ole experience! Action photo of Dad! ;)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4O...U=w600-h400-no

Door back on and adjusted to the quarter and fender....next is start working the gaps. (I have basically the same pics of the other side, but for conciseness will spare the redundancy)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ao...w=w600-h400-no

Gap was wide at the top, so I split the quarter and moved it forward a bit.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Fe...U=w400-h600-no

Quarter stuck out from the door at the top (shape a little off too). The rest of the door to quarter lined up well, so I split the jam and reshaped it.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6Y...o=w400-h600-no

The top of the quarter ran a little uphill toward the front of the car. I split it and lined it up so that the molding would line up properly without too much adjusting/shimming.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dw...U=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aG...Q=w600-h400-no

There we go - -much better!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Cv...U=w400-h600-no

The only other thing that I've gotten done recently was to work on buttoning up the tail-panel and tail-light areas. I welded up the factory lead seams with silicon-bronze (same as I did at the roof to quarter seam. I still have a little bit of work to do on the tail-light area and then gap the decklid.

Slowly, but surely making progress. One of these years it'll be on the road.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o0...8=w600-h400-no

Thanks for sticking with this project. Love that your saving another one. You are lucky your dad has the skills to help out as well and your metal work is great, something you will have your whole life. For some reason I never subscribed but I fixed that today. Stay motivated!

Scott

[QUOTE=wiedemab;655678] I welded up the factory lead seams with silicon-bronze (same as I did at the roof to quarter seam.

Brandon, Can you explain why you welded with the silicon-bronze on those seams? I think I made a mistake on mine by using my mig.

[QUOTE=HEEP;655705]I look at it as a way to seal up the joint really well. It's an overlapped and plug welded joint which is what gives it the strength. This is a way to seal up and smooth out the joint while also adding some strength. It should also help with whatever filler you go over the joint with - keep it from flexing as much and showing through the paint (for example when it sits out in the sun and gets hot).

Silicon-Bronze also doesn't have primer/paint adhesion issues.

And to be honest, I'm benchmarking against what the professional shops that I admire are doing. I will also do the seams at the quarter to rocker panel. Not sure if that answers your question.

Some updated pics - -
 

Another idea I stole from DSE - - had these machines for the dash to house the vents for the heat/AC

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XW...s=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/R_...4=w600-h400-no

Had to do some more splitting to get the gaps at the cowl right - -got the hood to fender gap looking pretty good.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yh...I=w400-h600-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L...o=w400-h600-no

Welded on new pins for the trim clips...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Zh...E=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yW...s=w400-h600-no

more parts.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xz...4=w400-h600-no

Working on the dash

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/U3...U=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E-...c=w600-h400-no

Still getting the hang of the the silicon bronze -- - got a little messy on the dash vents, but I'll metal finish them out and they'll be good to go.....

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sO...U=w600-h400-no

Not running a dash pad - - -
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gn...E=w400-h600-no

Going to run a Braille battery - picked up this nice little mount from B&B Classics

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Q4...Q=w600-h400-no

Still working on the gaps to get them dialed in....

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zd...k=w600-h400-no

Split the quarter to get the decklid gap corrected at the front corner - tigged back in and metal finished.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JY...0=w600-h400-no

More work on the decklid gap - - -

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3D...E=w400-h600-no

Mocking up the Racepad IQ3s - I'm not real excited with how it fits (just looks like a racepak stuck on the dash - which is basically what it is), but it'll work fine for now. The damn dash in these cars is pretty small. I don't want to get too hung up on something that I can change out later. It honestly looks a little worse in the pics that it does in person.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Lj...k=w600-h400-no

Another view - - you can also see the super-fancy steering column protection! -- ;)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XI...Q=w600-h400-no

My little helper - working with me on installing the Ridetech fuel cap - really nice product BTW!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JJ...E=w400-h600-no

I went around and around on 7/8" vs. 15/16" master cylinder. In the end -- given that the piston area of the C6 Z06 calipers isn't that large, I went with a 7/8". I can't remember the exact application, but this Chrysler product MC - original application may have been Dodge Shadow or something. They have basically the exact same one in 15/16" if I want to change it out later. I kind of like the OEM look of it and they are dirt cheap (for new, not reman). You have to file the holes a little bit to fit GM spacing...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0Y...c=w600-h400-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d9...8=w600-h400-no

Got my wheels assembled and mock up tires mounted (Thanks to my friends - Farrington family for some used up BFG Rivals!)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QA...M=w600-h400-no

Assembled the front suspension

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Yd...c=w600-h400-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ei...k=w600-h400-no

Put the rear axle in - -
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ie...4=w600-h400-no

Going to have to make some slight modifications up front to clear the full steering angle when the suspension is compressed (this is a w/ a 275 - DSE recommends max of 265)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ej...s=w600-h400-no

Running a small spacer in the rear to get the wheels exactly where I want them - so to be safe, I installed 1" longer ARP wheel studs in the SKF hubs.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/H0...U=w600-h400-no

When I need something a little bit mindless to do - -I've been DA'ing off the e-coat (or whatever it is is) - I want to make sure I take it to bare metal and put some good epoxy on it - - got the door skins done, but haven't tackled the quarters or roof yet! - damn DA wears my ass out!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3n...E=w600-h400-no

Getting ready for the Big Moment - on the ground again!
 

It's exciting and all - - my "non-car' friends think that since it rolls and is on the ground that I can slap a quick coat of paint on it and I'll be driving it in no time -- you all know differently. This is just a nice interim stage to make sure that everything clears etc.... When I tell them that it'll be apart and back together a few more times - it confuses them! ;)

It does give a bit of a sense of accomplishment though... just to remind you...here is what I had the car down to....

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/35...g=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f...A=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MD...w=w600-h400-no
Drum roll Please.....

Removed the clamps from the cross members on the frame table - - and lifted it up!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nc...Q=w600-h400-no


Cut the supports off of the framerails, rocker panels etc...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/td...U=w600-h400-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/c6...A=w600-h400-no

Rolled it into the house garage (it was starting to drizzle outside) - so we would organize the shop and move the frame table around etc... looks right at home in there where the Honda Odyssey normally sits! ;)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p5...Y=w600-h400-no

OK - took a bunch of pictures -- - I was a little bit excited!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/af...c=w800-h600-no

Dont mind Dad - he's trying to get his camera app to launch on his phone. This is probably my favorite pic of the bunch..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f2...0=w800-h600-no

My girls -- they also think that it's almost done now!!!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B...0=w600-h400-no

My daughter took a picture of my filthy butt standing by it -- - it's crazy how low it seems when it's been up on top of a frame table for 3+years.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cL...8=w600-h400-no

And - finally... I thought long an hard about what to do with the frame table and Dad and I came up with this solution. I think it worked out pretty well. it really doesn't take up that much space. This is another instance where the forklift is a must have! (well, nice to have)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ve...4=w600-h400-no

Great job! I'm getting closer with my project (64 nova ss) with the same dse sub. I'm in the sheet metal process at the moment. Keep up the good work..inspiring...
Greg

Brandon the car looks awesome!

The car has a great stance, looks good sitting on the ground as a roller.

^^^ this. x 2.

Nice! I like the early body Novas too. Keep fighting the good fight and plugging away.... That is one of the benefits of a sight like this -- we can inspire each other to keep making progress. I can't count the number of ideas that I've "stolen" from others -- -if anyone can steal any from me, well -- then I've given a little back to the pool of ideas!

Nice update!!! Congrats on the huge step forward!!

It's all downhill from here... :D

Nice seeing it on the ground. when I saw you standing near the car I thought people will think your 6'10". looks great! Nice work.

Car looks great! Great pics too. :thumbsup:

looks great, it looks like i can see more tire, did u open the wheels at all?

Hah! 6' even - -- well, I used to be. I may be shrinking with age!

No the wheel openings are stock. The rear may be a little higher than it will end up...... not sure yet. I'll to dial it in once it's all together for good.

Definitely reminds me of John Parsons "II Much!!!"

Andrew

I'm so glad your back at it. Keep up the good work.

Thankfully - I was able to buy the suspension from DSE - - I can't imagine the number of hours he had in design work for his car! It is one of my favorite all time Chevy II's - - and inspired me to want to build one.

Awesome job Brandon! Great work and you made memories and continue to make them. I liked the pic of your daughters, as that is a pic they will remember the rest of their lives. Very cool!