The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 1934 Chevy Panel to 1935 Suburban conversion

Hi guys!!!!!!I just bought a 34 chevy panel and I want to convert it into a 1935 Suburban since this was the first year for the burbans. I would like the extra windows for improved visability and make it more fun for passengers. I think windows from a 34 chevy sedan rear doors will work nicely with some slight changes. I'm on the hunt for those now. I'm not afraid of the metal work involved and I think the outcome will be great, I also am a streetrodder and I want to install a C-4 (96) corvette suspension front and rear. I've seen this done on a 32 chevy sedan and I have all the pictures and a reference if I have questions. Of course the LT1 drivetrain will also be swapped into it. I will probably drive it looking more of a sorta restorod kinda truck and the patina dressing it wears now is fabulous. I have a bit of a hotrod shop and I'll logo it with my company theme and just have some fun with it. I know my wife will want it painted sooner than later but I'll get away with it for as long as I can. Those kinda trucks are the most fun.. If anyone has any comments, I'm all ears...I can't wait to get started,,,, SpeedyRay

Here's one of two that are in the GALLERY

There's a lot of wood in these too. I have seen a couple of 34 panels on craigslist, is this one of them? Good luck!

Sounds like a fun project. I'll be eager to see some pictures.

How will the the differences in body configuration affect the handling with the C-4 suspension? Instead of a very low body, keeping all the weight real low, this panel/Suburban will have much of its weight higher than the roof on the donor car...

I found a C-4 available for $500 recently and am tempted by that suspension. Its too far gone to temp me to rebuild it.

I agree with Steve! Lots of pictures!!

There is alot of wood in these Panels indeed, but on old chevys I usually take it out and replace with metal, believe it or not , metal replacemenmt is faster and stronger. All the wood will come out. As far as the handling the C4 swap is very similar to a mustang two Geometry in the front. The back being independent is much better than a solid rear especially with a sway bar in the rear. I will discard the monoleaf spring front and rear in favor of either air bags or shockwave air shocks for lift. The C4 suspension will need to be shortened 6" front and rear on the width so I can run regular offset wheels for the deepdish look and proper clearance on the front. I've not done one of these but it seems doable after I saw one done. I have a few changes that I would like to add and make it my own design. Whats nice is that I can buy a running driving mid ninetys Corvette for about $4000, use the drivetrain and suspension. If you price new stuff to go into one of these you you are well over that and you don't get the shear pleasure of handling and performance not to mention the hours of "how to" conversation that come with it. That in itself is some of the best fun you can have at a show or cruisin. I also think that resale value of any old piece would be better with HiTech.

SpeedyRay, I'm in the process of building a 1945 pick up with a c4 front end and LS1 motor. progressive automotive makes a weld in crossmember and uses coil over springs they will make custom set ups good luck

teds45

Hi Ted, Thanks for the insight on Progressive crossmembers.. I was looking at your picture of the front suspension and it looks like you used a mustang 2 rack, Nice job going thru the frame, thats outside the box literally.. Do you have any concern of bump steer by having the lower A frame pivots and mustang rack pivots different lengths.. Is the spreader bar going to stay between the upper a frame mounts when complete.. Also are the upper aframe plates from progressive also?? I was thinking about using one of the Jim Morrison mandrel bent lower crossmembers built to my specifications. Have you seen those, Last question, how are you going to spring your front suspension, bags, shockwaves, coils.. Yours looks pretty nice, good job, keep the pictures comming,, Thanks SpeedyR

The rack is a 1990 t-bird rack.the rack was shorten about a 1" on each side http://www.progressiveautomotive.com/ progressive uses all the C4 measurements .you lay out your center line and work off of that.The spreader is temporary .The kit comes with all the weld on parts and all the measurments that you need to use.I'm using aldin coil over shocks. You can bag it also.Thanks Ted