6.7 Cummins Suburban Build

[grampsbutler]

Here are a few more. You can see how tight of a fit the winch is. In fact you have to install it with the bumper off. There is not enough clearance to mount the winch with the bumper installed.

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[DoubleDingo]

Yeah, I have got myself in a pickle on some eastern sierra side slopes. Looked unassuming until each movement caused the truck to slide a little more down the hill. Was able to get the truck out but it took some creative traction device placement, very careful low gear and clutch slippage and precise wheel turning, as trees were involved. Got out without rolling over or body damage, but it was close. Sounds like you were in some steeper terrain than I encountered on my excursion.

 

[grampsbutler]

Bumper is powder coated and installed. I got the winch on and wired up, and installed some quarter lights. The wiring was very easy, I tapped into the headlight wiring harness. At first lights didn't work at all, then I realized that the LEDs are polarity sensitive, so repining the connector fixed that.

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[grampsbutler]

Cargo slide-out:

I have not done a great job of documenting the build recently, but here is what I have on the cargo slide out. I picked up a set of 60" locking drawer slides from Vevor. Bolted them to the frame using 1/4" angle. Then using 1" angle and 5/8 birch ply, I made a tray frame. It is really simple, but works remarkably well. There are still a few additional modifications I need to make...... 1: it needs a handle. Its really hard to pull it out when parked down hill especially when wearing gloves. 2: It still needs paint, so I'll have to tear it apart at some stage.

The result is life changing.... I took it out camping and skiing this winter, and I can put all my gear in the back, and still access it by pulling the drawer. Pictures below.

Next steps in this build:

1: Rear bumper build with a swing out tire carrier.
2: Fix the air conditioning (see my earlier post about wheeling through Utah in the middle of summer)
3: Renew the rubber seals in doors and tailgate. Its really drafty when cruising down the road at 75.....and my wife hates the wind noise.
4: Rear axle seal refresh and locker install. This is bottom of my list for now, but I want to get it done some time this year.

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[grampsbutler]

It has been a while since I got time to work on the truck. Next step for my build is to build a new rear bumper with swing out tire carrier. I had fabricated a swing down hitch mounted carrier, but it was a real pain, because the 37" wheels are HEAVY. Having to dead lift it each time I wanted to pull down the tailgate made it unworkable.

Ive been looking around at designs, including the one offered by baseline overland. There are a few things I don't like about them: None that I have found have a built in hitch mount, and they are all over $3K. So I figured I'd do a custom build. Ruff Stuff Specialties has a lot of the items needed including a very nice hinge, pul pins etc. I placed an order with them so that I cam measure out the components and adjust the design to fit.

I am now at the stage where I have the design in CAD, and am ready to refine it. I have it laid out with a tire carrier on the right side and a water tank carrier on the left. There is room to stack 2 water cubes on the left side. I don't need to carry extra fuel, because the 40 gallon tank in plenty for anywhere I will go, but its always a pain to dig around in the back of the truck to get the water out to refill bottles when on the road.

I got the model of an 80s suburban from another designer, I checked some of the measurements against my truck to make sure it was scalled correctly. I also just bought a 3d scanner, which I am still learning to use. I used it to scan the water cube, which was very helpful when laying out the geometry for the carrier.

Comments are welcome. Once I have the design final I'll start documenting the fabrication.

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[DoubleDingo]

Once you get acquainted with the 3d scanner, scan the burb.

 

[Edelbrock]

If you don't mind my asking, how much are you into this truck so far?