The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs opinions on 49 burb

Looking at a 49 chevy burb, it is sitting on an 84 suburban shortened frame, has a 350 with 700r4 nothing is hookedup and the engine has no carb. Front clip needs to be installed it's on it but just sitting there. No glass at all, it has leather seats for 7. Not bad on the rust but new rear floors installed partially. No steering coloumn no shifter or brakes or gas pedal hooked up. Question, how tough do you think it would be to finish up I'm concerned about the transisition to the 84 frame, and what do you think it might be worth. It comes with extra fenders and clamshell doors. The engine and trans are just a guess at this point, of course irwipi. Any help would be helpful. Dave

I would expect the '84 front suspension to be too wide for the '49 front fenders. I'd want to measure that carefully first. It sounds to me like someone started a project, did the easy part, dropping the body onto the frame, but hasn't done the hard parts, hooking everything up!

This is a case where the value is in the parts, and parts only have value if you want them, or have some place to sell them.

I think you are right on the money. Dave

my guess is the pile of parts are worth about $1500ish based on your description. Some places will get more, some less. the difficulty in finishing the project would be up to your ability. The 84 frame would have a track width a little wide for an AD if it is still stock, however if they shortened the frame, did they cut 3" out of the width. if so, you should be golden. The 73-87 front half-ton cross members have been used under AD's for a while. They just need to have about 3" cut out of the width.

I myself keep eyeing an AD panel that someone has on a 4x4 frame and painted bright yellow simply because I picture it dropped into the weeds on airbags. Wife says no more projects until all current ones are done or gone.

Sorry if insulting but let's say 5-$700. You cleaned out his yard or garage plus put cold cash in his hand.If rebuilding is your passion, you know already what it's worth.Personally I would be tired just getting it home,let alone what my wife would say. There are good deals out there. You will know when not to pass it up.Get a running vehicle it makes you smile everyday. Then decide what restore route to take. My 2 cents.
Ken

Your request for information on the 49 Suburban refers to several points, I will try to address the point about worth.

This is an often asked question and I tried a couple of time to answer it in the truck forums, but the moderators moved it to greasy spoon where it died. I used ebay and craigslist as a guide with actual ads and pictures. Maybe one day I will write Tech tip with the aid of other s and try to answer it in a more complete way. Until then, this is what I have.

One of the guides that I encourage people to use when looking for a value on a truck or suburban is the postings that I find on craigslist. You can compare prices that you find here and on the other sites. There are many venues out there that can be helpful on determining value on our old vehicles, ebay, Hemmings, Old Car Guide, several classic car and truck sites and craigslist. It takes a lot of research to come to a realistic value, or you can just go by what you want to pay for it.

The problem with craigslist is that it has to be searched manually city by city state by state. I use other methods and post these lists so that they are convenient to read and cover all states and canada.

There is no one source for determining value, other than a professional appraiser, but they don't do projects. And the asking price and the sold price are two different elephants. Many of the ads that I view stay active for several weeks or are re-posted several times, so to base a value on what others are trying to sell theirs for can be risky too.

I have seen the ad with the Suburban and by the pictures and the description, and in my opinion, it's priced too high. But then you have to take into account where you live and where the suburban is located. If this truck was on the mainland it would costs you more than a thousand to ship. If this is located within driving distance this is an added value.

But from what I have seen, you will need to spend several thousand to make it worth several thousand. It is a big project and will need lots of parts to make it complete.

"COOL! Street Rod project. 49 Suburban Type Body already mounted on to a shortened 84 Suburban frame and running gear. Chevy 350 and 700R4 transmission in place. Body is solid. Most of the floor is already in place and the front floor panels are already purchased. I have two types of rear doors. Clam shell or barn door. Spare fenders and other parts go with it. Complete seven passenger leather seats (tan)come with it too! All other parts are readily available. No place to work!
Trades welcome - 'K-Cub' Mini truck - Rhino type 4 wheeler, etc. "

My basic guide is when they are in not running condition and incomplete, they are parts trucks, so how much are the parts worth? Check out the list that I have included and see that for a few thousand more you can have a decent driver (oops, as I was writing this post, one nice suburban was deleted. The asking price was $5500) I have been updating this often and they come up often. So unless you really want a project or you are trying to find out what the lowest price to offer, I would wait this one out.


CRAIGSLIST SUBURBAN/PANEL FINDS

unless they are willing to sell it at scrap prices i would pass. your location doesn't give you many choices on this type of truck but it sounds like a good start on a "tundra buggy"!

I really appreciate your comments and suggestions, no offence taken at all, I still may look at the burb but I'm in agreement that the $$$ are to high. Thanks again, Dave

there is a reason why the front clip it not on it-it will not fit properly the suspension is too wide for the body. a friend of mine took me to see a truck that the frame was clipped that he wanted to buy, the motor was not installed and the wheels were centered in the fenders i told the owner the wheels should be more to the front because once the motor goes in the a-arms will move back. he stated it was done right so i told him i will drop the motor in right now that shut him up!

I have done this conversion with a 86 4x4 frame, the truck will be huge, 7 foot tall minimun and the tires will hang out about 3 inches per side on the front, the rears arnt so bad maybe 1.5 inches.

Thanks, guys, I've decided not to go any farther with this, I've been educated some more by the stovebolt folks, thanks. Dave