The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 1957 Chev Suburban Questions

Hi Folks,

I have a few questions for you. First off, is what is the name for the steel curved pieces that go around the inside roof line? Second, where is a good place to get the rear sliding window rebuild kit… metal channel, felt, rubber? On the barn door style rear doors, are the mechanics that close and open the door the same from 55.2 to 59? And finally, has anyone flipped their springs to lower the ½ ton with the sway bar on the front?

1- those headliner panels are called .... trim panels
2- I think Jim Carter has the window parts, check around for the best price, the parts will all be the same quality
3- the 55-59 barn doors are all the same, panel or burb - the correct rubber seals for those are available from Steele Rubber, perfect fit
4- I haven't done it, and wouldn't - try a monoleaf

Bill

If by "mechanics" you mean hinges/locks/handles/latches, yes. If you mean "Stays" at the top that hold them open it's still yes but the panel truck stays are not the same as suburban stays. Steele is a good place for all your rubber, if they have it. From what I see in your rear door pics, you have everything mechanical and I see one correct stay. Looks like a great start. Pretty good body. I don't think the round lights below the tail lights are supposed to be there?

bart - Steele does have the barn door rubber, copied from good unused originals I sent to them and the stays on the barn door burbs should be the same as on the panel [scarce to non-exsistent], clam gate will be different - the lights below the tail lights should be back up lights, clear lense .... but they weren't on the truck in the first pics so it's a 'custom' choice

Bill

I was not clear in my verbiage, sorry. I used their barn door rubber and door rubber and, I think, barn door window rubber. I should have said they are a good source but don't know if they have every piece for the whole suburban. I have run into the stays which are stamped, wide, sheet metal elbow with a rubber stop. Some aftermarket Co's even sell the rubber stop. These wider opening panel stays I believe were for better access to goods and supplies. I have, and his pic shows, the "bar type" suburban stay with a widened "stop" at the elbow. The item I am speaking of is called a door "check" in the Assy manual and both types are shown on sheet 114. The only reason I even mentioned it is because I bought a panel set by mistake. Panel: 3105(1/2 T), 3805(1 T?). Suburban: 3106(Barn), 3116(Lift Gate). Sorry about my lack of clarity.

Thanks for the replies, i had her at the back to the 50's this weekend, lots O fun :P

The back doors did have all the hinges and mechanics when I bought it, after I took them out to strip off the paint (at a friends shop), the box of parts walked away. You guys are right, the little lights aren’t from this truck and do not belong on it, they are rear marker lights from a 59 stack bed truck, which function as my turn signals, until I can rewire it (all my wiring, is rotted).

Here in Minnesota, burbs and panels are few and far between, so i am gonna take a trip to the little rock area in a few weeks to visit family and visit the local junk yards, I hope i can get my missing parts, because the mini ratchet strap keeping the rear doors closed stinks. Oh, btw if anyone should have these extra parts drop me an e-mail if you wanna sell them.

After i get my new trans and chrome goodies, i will add some new pics.