The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Convert panel to suburban?

With so many people wanting suburbans, would'nt it be possible for someone to come up w/ a kit to convert panels to subs? Just wondering. (not a cheesy looking thing, but first class) M.H.

Not an easy task going from the "flat" sheetmetal to the embossed openings for the windows. There would have to be a demand for a stamped weld in panel.

Why no just find a suburban that is to bad to restore and remove what you need. The upper body most likely the last part to go from rust any way.

Marv.

Check the Gallery for a Tan Suburban in the Southwest. I think the story on that one included combining a Sub and a panel truck. Sounds like a lot of work to me.

A lot of the pieces that would be needed are not reproduced for the existing Suburban market, so it seems unlikely anyone is going to make the whole setup for a reasonable amount of money.

However, the Urban Suburban built a couple years ago by RB's and sold recently on eBay was a panel converted to a Suburban.

Find a hopelessly rotted Suburban and a good panel, and start welding. It's a not-uncommon way to rescue a rotting Burb or CE.

What year Burb would you be looking for?

I'd love to have a restorable/savable one anywhere from 35-65. They're very scarce around here. I don't know abt other parts of the country. There is a rusted out one abt 50 mi from here though. Maybe....... Later, Mark H>

Hey Giladad, I sent you an PM.

Scarce in AZ? Wow. I guess MT really has bought everything.

I think I got the last one out of Tucson.

I found mine in Pheonix

I have seen the odd one on Ebay that were older conversions. I think most of them were done for the US military, probably some kind of small size bus. I would really like to know how those were done with regards to the window openings etc.

There are a couple of rough suburbans and panels on ebay now.
-Brad

Been a while since this was posted...anyone know of an easy way to convert a late 40's Panel to a Burb look-a-like?

Just thinking out loud at this point, but have seen a few more panels than burbs for sale, and the question has popped into my mind whether or not a conversion would be logical. I have seen some with funky side windows added, so I guess that wouldn't be too bad if some decent windows were found. :)

with some work you could use the out side sheet metal from the doors for the side window opening

I was wondering if anyone made/stamped the formed portion for around the side windows...that I could weld/splice onto the panel truck...

no one makes patches to change a panel to a 'burb, nor would it be as simple as inserting the sheet metal window surround, there's a structure behind the skin, and fairly elaborate window assemblies

Bill

if you use the upper door sheet metal you will have the window structure and run channel for the glass you just have to mount the regulator for the window it just takes time and some fab work .it is what i used when i made my 35 into a extended cab

Hey Leonard, I started thinking about what you posted, and like the idea, but not sure I have the skills to pull it off. Do you have pics, or a build thread anywhere??

i have a build thread on the hamm site of the 36 suburban that i replaced all the wood with metal and fab back doors for. i have pic of the 35 ex cab but i can not get them to post on here e mail me and i can send you some pic of the truck or the suburban

Greetings;
I bought a 49 Suburban, cut out the side windows, inside and out, to transplant in a perfectly sound panel. Its tricky but if your good at making templates and using a welder it could work. One issue is the panel has a big B post and the burb does not. There is fabricating here. One suggestion was to just use one window and pull it back to leave B post as is. The other thing I am doing is using the Back lift gate by transplant hinge pockets and then constructing mini barn doors using the top part of the clam shell. There are a few around like this. Good luck.

Recently acquired a 49 burb that was rotting out and stripped it.
I neatly cut out the side windows leaving lots of metal to work with. Cutting in the inside was more tricky. I plan to install this in my 53 Panel. Have followed the excellent article on replacing window hardware. I will either flange join or butt weld but not decided. Gives an opportunity to rust protect the whole inside. The curvature of the sides are the same in panel as burb I think. I also have the 53 barn doors I am changing to llift hatch and mini doors. Cheers

Quite possibly someone could take existing suburban side window sets and make fiberglass molds. Then one could reproduce them and fit them into a channel groove and epoxy them into place.
cheers