The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Pros/Cons between the Panel and Burb

So here is my question - what is better to own a panel or a burb? Other than looks what are the pros and cons of each?

Burbs are best, what else do you need to know?

Until you are talking about a specific usage, the answer is really just personal opinion, and since I like my opinion better than anyone else's, I think the question is answered.

Suburbans are best.

If you want to hide stuff, a panel might be best. If you want to carry more than one passenger in comfort, a Suburban is the only answer. I find people attracted to my Suburban at shows, and I think they admire it more than a panel, but who is to say...

1. burbs have windows and extra two rows of seats IF all the seats are there. panels have one for sure and some times two single seats.
2.panels come in at least two differant sizes(length), true burbs come in one.
3. you can carry more "stuff" in a panel 137"
4. your passengers are more comfortable in a burb.

if you don't care for much company get a panel.

tony'n weatherford

Panel are probably easier/less money to restore, many less parts to find, window stuff, seats, interior vallance (I think) They are both real cool. I like TF. 114 WB. Orig front seats are kind of rare in panels and rear seats very rare in Suburbans. hard to take people for a ride in a panel.

PANEL!!!
Dude you can't get to shaggin in your wagon with a bunch of noses pressed up against the glass. A panel van can makes a great man cave if you deck it out right;-) If you got some friend that want a ride throw them in the back with the bean bags. Need some ideas to complete the vision?,try and find out what the inside Snoop Doggy dog van looks like, it is a pretty sweet ride.

I like Steve's reasoning about it being a personal opinion. I think panels are way cool. One drawback for panels is the big blind spot you get. Even though mine is not yet on the road, I would hate to be in busy traffic on multilane roads. It's even worse with the outside visor.

What a silly question.

It's a little like asking, do you like your slip-joint pliers better than you like your vise-grip? Sure, personal preferences regarding each is important, but in the end, you use the right tool for the job.

I've owned both a 54 Suburban and a 48 Panel. Both are useful and each has its purpose. The good news is, I've carried 8 people in Suburban seats and eight people in panel front seats and bean bags in the back. In both cases, everybody was happy.

I guess the primary pros-and-cons are dependent upon: what do you want to carry and how; and, which vehicle can you obtain at the right price and in the right condition?

The pros-and-cons of which is more of a challenge to restore (especially if you are interested in an "original" truck) are covered in the posts above.

Tim

My take is that if you intend on using the truck for family outings, use a Suburban. If you are of the empty nest, then perhaps a panel truck. One point to note: Panel trucks are just that, a sign panel. Loads of signage space to advertise your business. Perhaps a tax write off? Or, sure, if you have a fishing, hunting, or other outdoor/indoor activity I guess you could have signage on the Suburban as well.
Your choice,
Dale

The Suburban windows break up the side panel lines. It doesn't appear as large as the panel and seen less frequently.

Suburbans are great for travel with friends and family, they all have windows to see the surroundings as they pass by and Panels are great for parts for the Suburban!

My '88 Suburban served my family and I for years, taking kids to ball games, scouts, Longaberger shows, church trips, etc. But now that the kids are out of the house, I recently bought my '49 1/2 panel. I think its looks are more appealing than the similar year Suburban. But to each his own...

I still got my old '87. It was our first and only "family station wagon". We went EVERYWHERE with it......including a Saturn Barbecue, when we owned one of those pee-pot commuters.

Now that my kids are all grown and gone, us and them all own trucks.

My kids always tell me not to get rid of the '87 because of all the good memories attatched to it. And I still drive it.

simple, own at LEAST 1 of each!

In my panel one of the previous owners wanted a burb and tried to cut holes in the sides, bu that didnt work to well as now there are patches on the sides.

Got that covered over here. Actually got three Panels and one 'Burb.

One thing that may play into this discussion/topic/discovery is production numbers...

Although I was only able to find these numbers for the 1965 & 1966 model years for the Panels and Surburbans (with doors or gates), I thought it might be of relative significance. Here is what I found:

1965 Panel/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/2wd Production numbers: 8,228
1965 Suburban (doors)/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/2wd Production numbers: 4,686
1965 suburban (gate) 115" wheel base/1/2 ton/2wd Production numbers: 4,834

1965 Panel/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/4x4 Production numbers: 103
1965 Carryall (doors)/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/4x4 Production numbers: 444
1965 Carryall (gate)/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/4x4 Production numbers: 433

1966 Panel/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/2wd Production numbers: 8,344
1966 Suburban (doors)/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/2wd Production numbers: 6,717
1966 Suburban (gate)/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/2wd Production numbers: 5,334
1966 Panel/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/4x4 Production numbers: 170
1966 Carryall (doors)/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/4x4 Production numbers: 530
1966 Carryall (gate)/115" wheel base/1/2 ton/4x4 Production numbers: 418

Ultimately, the lower the production number, the rarer the truck...although this may not have anything to do with the reason to own one, it may influence which one to get, due to the rarity.

I personally like the looks of the Suburban. The lines are more pleasing to me, but if I wanted to advertise my business, I would consider a Panel.