The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Is it worth saving a '48-'53 suburban frame?

I hauled an 8800 GVW suburban home last night for parts. The body is junk from being laid on it's side. The odometer says less than 10,000 miles and the steering box is tight. I don't know if that is original or not and I don't need the frame or suspension. Is there enough interest out there to bother scrapping the body and saving the frame?

Interesting... Suburbans from that time period were only 1/2-ton 3100 models. No 1-ton 'burbs. There were 1-ton panel trucks and some have reported seeing them with windows and seats...
The frame would be the same as any other 3800 series pickup or stakebed.

don't know if there'll be anyone in Alaska, but I think it'd be a shame to scrap it right off, the burb frame is different than the pickup and less common

Bill

My bad. I just got rid of the suburban I parted out, so I must still have it on the brain. This is a long wheelbase panel.

Lot's of parts are still desirable on the one ton panels, the frame is not one of them. But if there is a demand for one ton parts in your area saving it would be good. Running boards are hard to find in any condition, body mounts will interchange with the 1/2 ton (I think) brake parts/drums etc are worth saving. Wheels and hub caps are worth keeping. The rear header (rear door), rear sill, rear doors, rear valence, rear fenders, seat riser are interchangeable with the 1/2 ton too. Save the rear floor strips, patch panels made from the interior sides and the exterior sides (not reproduced) Gas tank is unique to the 1 ton panel and canopy express. Lot's of parts are worth saving in my opinion.

All in All, I would say keep parts off o f the frame but not the frame itself, but you can try and place an ad locally on craigslist or here on the bolt to see what interest you get.