The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs About my new 52 carryall

Hi all. I'm fairly new here. Snooped around in the past.
I've had many 48-54 GM trucks. Most were hotrodded, and I wanted another. So I sold my 51 Chevy hardtop, and started the search.

Well, my wife wasn't thrilled with the thought of me, her and two kids snuggled in a truck, since, as she reminded me, the kids are getting bigger.

So I bought the next best thing. I found a 52 GMC suburban carryall. Well, I guess it's a carryall since it has the barn doors. I actually prefer those to the claim shell style. Just easier for us.

I'm not so sure how welcome a modified(hotrodded) 'burb is, but mine isn't staying stock.

Mine was, from what we were told, a Forestry vehicle. I don't know for sure.

It's dark green, has a strange fold down seat that runs along the drivers side rear wall, with a toolbox of some sort running the passenger side rear wall.

No one around here has ever seen such a beast. It also has a strange vent built into the roof above the front seat in the center.

Well, as I said, it's destined for the hotrod treatment.

I ordered a C.E. hub-to-hub MII with dropped spindles to get the front down low, it already has a GM 10-bolt which will be getting a set of lowered Posies springs, and blocks.

I plan on removing that long rear seat and tool box, and putting a center bench for my kids, using the rear area for cargo(wife's stuff )

I have a rebuilt 350/350 combo for it.

It's very solid. No rot anywhere. It's been parked for 20 years.
It does have alot of worn, faded paint, and I think it'll stay that way until I get everything else done. I may leave it that way for along time.

I'm also changing the GMC frontend to chevy. I like the 48-53 chevy front better, so I'm sure someone wants a real decent GMC frontend.

Actually, I was told the fenders are the same, just change the hood, grille, and rad. support. Does this sound right?

Anyway, I just thought I'd tell ya'll about my newest project.
Look for it around the NE Ohio area by spring of '07, it'll be ready by then.

Thanks
Tim

Tim , I think that is the perfect ride for kids and loads of stuff. The Sub make a fine looking rod or custom by all means. And yes the Chevy front is a better looker IMO too. Keep us ( me) posted on the clip change as there are parts that I would like from the GMC front that wont work with the Chevy. I just helped a bud install the C.E. MII IFS and it is the best and easiest set-up, and the quality is of the best , I have used CE a lot in the past. Thanks, Jon

welcome to the "STOVEOLT PAGE" and sure glade to have you here in the panels and burbs. got a question? ask. someone will be glad to help you.
one word tho, pictures, we would enjoy seeing what you have.

tony'n weatherford

be sure to put any parts you do not need in the swap meet section. I'm sure someone can use them.

Do you have any pictures? I bought mine to take the family Crusin' as well have fun!

Thanks. I'll work on posting pics. Have to learn how first! haha
Another reason I thought this fit our needs better is we also have a vintage Shasta camper. It's a 15 footer, small but cool. We do alot of weekend car shows where we used to stay in hotels, and there was always camping at several of them. Now we camp. It's more fun.
Take care,
Tim

Hey Grumpy, Welcome! My 52 Carryall is just like you describe. Mine was an Army ambulance. It still has the gurney support braces and the fire extinguisher. Those roof vents don't move much air, I can tell you that!
Good luck with rodding yours. Sincerely, Smitty

Grumpy, welcome aboard! What you have is a forrestry crew truck, commonly refered to as a "crummy" Take pictures of the seat arrangement before you strip it and post them here. If you were closer I would trade front sheet metal with you, I like the GMC'S! Remember don't throw anything away from this truck before you complete the project, them let us know in the for sale department. Does you GMC have the three bar grille or the four bar?

Welcome to the Stovebolt! I have a '52 GMC Suburban too, though I'm cutting it up for parts to use on one of my others.

I love the GMC's and would rather have one of those than a Chevy personally. I've noticed opinions differ on that!

Well, I know this is an older post, but figured I'd update here.

Nothing much has happened since Nov., too close to the holidays to get crazy involved.

I did get my MII unit. It's here collecting dust. My problem is now I'm having second thoughts about it.

I really want to be driving this thing by mid-late May. And I've been thinking that since my 'burb already has car 5-lug spindles and brakes, and a 10-bolt rear that maybe I'll just do a lowered axle frontend, freshen all the brakes up, and have the rear springs lowered and use blocks.

I see places selling 3" drop axles, and I see 4" drop mono-springs too.
I know I can't use both, but I really want at least an honest 4"-5" drop up front.
It'll be way less expensive to do than paying to have the MII welded in, and upgrading to a dual m/c power brake booster system.

I've owned plenty of cars with 4-wheel drum brakes, and if set-up right, drive just fine.

So, who's done a lowering job keeping an axle up front? I want as far as I can using a axle.

Thanks, and Happy Holidays
Tim

their is a guy in salt lake city that drops axles for around $200 bucks and has quick turn around time. he is on the h.a.m.b. he is a vender, do a search for dropped axles.

Really robin58? Can you give me more details on what it took to make it work? And maybe email me pics?
If I go dropped axle, I'll go with a CCP 3" drop, but was thinking maybe I'd have the springs lowered alittle to get the 5" drop I wanted.

Hi Grumpy1,
I'm hopeing you could answer just a couple quick questions for me:

1) What does the C.E. stand for in your post -"hub-to-hub MII with dropped spindles"?

2) If you don't want that "strange fold down seat that runs along the drivers side rear wall, with a toolbox of some sort running the passenger side rear wall" - "I plan on removing that long rear seat and tool box", I would be very interested in buying them off your hands!

Please let me know yeah or nay here, or at: [email protected],Tom

Hey Tom, sorry for the delay responding.
The rear seat and toolbox are gone. Sorry.

The C.E. was Chassis Engineering, but I ended up buying a JW Rod Garage MII with tubular a-arms, and drop spindles.
Plus we ended up raising the crossmember up into the frame, so it sits about 3 1/2" off the ground with NO bags.

And the rear ended up alittle more involved too. I bought a "FatBar" 4-link with air ride from No Limit Engineering. And we step-notched the frame 6", so the rear fenders just about lay on the ground if air'd down.

The motor and trans. are in, the new harness is almost done. Still have to plumb brakes, figure out the gas tank situation, driveshaft, install the aluminum radiator....lots to do, but getting there.

grump1 i would like to see some pictures it must look cool

pretty easy to see why your updating your burb, after driving a stocker for a few years the change kinda recharges the spark for the old burb. if it was my choice i would drive my 52' panel daily but my back won the argument and said"NO WAY!" bummer. sounds like a cool project.