Wow. Forgot I had even started this thread.
1Plowboy, I'm with Tim. I'd love to see some pics of that 1-Ton Suburban!
So here's an update.
From thorough investigation and planning and sketches of what I wanted to do with my donor panel truck, I determined the cancerous rust was too much in critical areas. I stripped the panel truck of all its good parts and converted the rust-laden shell to a few coins in my pocket. I decided to go with a flat bed design, since finding another suitable donor panel truck was going to be like finding a needle in a haystack.
For those interested in the potential of the project idea, I think I would recommend a panel truck with barn doors and adapting a lower clam shell door from a suburban of matching year/style, thus giving you a tailgate. Perhaps someone would try this with a 3100. I could see getting accommodating parts more achievable. You would of course have to fabricate a front panel and bed sill for the bed, but everything else would be there.
