Well that's good. I didn't want to start out not liking you. Actually its the guy who started negotiating with me, then withdrew and let someone else have it that I'm not smiling at this week.
So what are your plans for frame and running gear?
And what do you intend to do regarding rear fenders?
And what wheelbase are you planning? 1/2-ton Suburbans and panels have 116 inch wheelbase. 1-ton panels are 137. There are no 3/4-ton of either, and Suburbans are only 1/2-ton. And of course once you swap to the COE front the wheelbase gets shorter.
Ah, the details. My preference would be for the 1 ton panel. Do you know the over all length, bumper to bumper, of both the suburban and the 1 ton panel? It looks like frame length mods are in store no matter which way I go.
I am toying with the idea of making this truck a 4x4. Don’t know if it is easier to put 4x4 under the existing frame (COE or the Panel/Suburban) or going with a later model 4x4 rolling chaises and transplanting the body.
If I go with a frame other than the COE, I’ll raise the body up and fab some running boards to match the COE so the front fenders clear the road. The rear fenders may take a little head scratching to make them look right.
I visited the local tire store to see about a set of wheels that will fill up the wheel well. I’d like to keep this rig looking like bigger truck and not a low slung street rod. No problem at the tire store, all it takes is cash.
