Little Red build

It is time to get started on the rebuild of my 51 L110 long bed. Little Red has been a driver since 2009, but electrical gremlins and 10 to eleven miles per gallon have this 51 parked. This truck currently sits on a 77 suburban chassis. I have purchased another donor subruban which happens to be an 88 model year. So I am switching chassis and gaining a 4 speed auto and TBI fuel injection. also plan to spring for vintage air, so that's is why Iv'e been selling off a few toys recently. The frame of the 77 and 88 burb are the same, so all my brackets and fish plates will fit with minimal re-do. Plus every project has things that I would do differently, well now is my chance to do just that.

Little Red will rise again.

The first step was to change the wheels and tires from the 51 to the donor suburban. I am going to weigh it tomorrow at the steel recycle shop in town. I want to know how much weight I can loose from the original weight of the suburban. The suburban has 3.42 gears and with 235/85/16 tires it is going to rev real low. I hope this translates into good mileage, I guess I will have to wait to find out.

Your truck looks pretty straight and solid. I'll be looking forward to updates.

Dean

repaint? what motor/trans are you currently sporting? older 350/350 combo?

Currently running 350 crate motor with 350 trans. Not sure what I will do for the paint when back on the road, gonna have to do something cause it rains a whole lot here.

So time for an update. I've been very busy at work and have not had much time, but finally the suburban is getting torn down almost to the chassis. The firewall is next and that is a slow process, as it's real easy to cut wires that are not supposed to be cut. Then take off the stock suburban body mount brackets and start the rebuilding process.

Good progress! I'll be watching.

Dean

I have made some progress on my 51. The chassis under the tarps is the 88 suburban chassis. My 51 is elevated up above the old suburban chassis and soon I will switch them out and begin assembling little red on the 88 chassis. There will be a lot of rust to scrape and grind off, and eventually paint in classic IHC red

That is amazing work. I would never have thought of using a Suburban. Is the newer Sub also a 4X4? BTW. I think the finished stance look just right. I am watching with great interest because I am never too old to learn a new trick.

Yes the 88 donor suburban is 1/2 ton chassis 4x4 with 3.42 gears and limited slip rear end. I will show more details about the build as they develop. Now I am still pulling parts off the old chassis.

So we got the old chassis out today and the 88 suburban chassis into the shop. the next step is to strip and repaint the steel plates and mounting brackets and start bolting them to the new chassis. once the main mounting plates are secure I can lower the cab down and weld up all the extra holes in the firewall.