70 C-20 4x4 Suburban Father/Son project

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Due to a change in photo hosting I had to change some pics if things seem odd

With the sale of my Landcruiser Troopie I have been looking for something equally old school...

Here is my Black Friday Special, a 1970 C-20 4x4 Suburban with a 350 and a few interesting options.
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The original owner was a gentleman who enjoyed desert prospecting and the rig reflects his needs/likes...and personally while I will of course make changes it is still pretty cool see how he set it up.
Part of his setup included being able to handle some heavy equipment. This must have made it alot easier.
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Another cool bit of kit was this front bumper setup that he could attach something serious to.
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And for my audio enjoyment I get a functioning 8 track and a working Radio Shack CB, along with an old school antenna setup.
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I will post up more pics tomorrow as I clean up the underside, engine and such.
All thoughts welcome...and if anyone knows where I can source a factory rear view mirror and side mirrors I am listening.
 
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1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Here are some fun numbers I found from decoding the VIN
Cost new $4190 base price
Curb Wgt 4343lb
GVW 7000
Wheelbase 127in
Only 541 3/4t 4x4 Suburbans built that year
Build date March 1970
Built in Fremont California which became the NUUMI Toyota plant which became the Telsa Motors....see it has direct connections to the eco rides :)
 

TexGX

Explorer
Don't forget the high tech speaker system. This truck is a beast. Plenty of room to sleep the whole family. I look forward to seeing the build.

TexGX
 

ExpoMike

Well-known member
Awesome find. I am a huge fan of '67-'72 Chevy's and am rebuilding a '68 C10 truck currently.
 

Metcalf

Expedition Leader
3-door (?).......ie no drivers side rear door.

Very cool find. There is still a LOT of support for that gen truck. I am sure a lot of the parts cross to the 'burb.
 

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Yes it is a factory 3 door...and if you look closely at the pics you will see..
1 door for the driver
2 doors on the passenger side
and they called the rear bits the hatch/tailgate

The big idea at the time from Chevy was that is was "safer" for your passengers if they could not exit into traffic. Of course this only works in left hand drive countries :) But hey that was GM in the late 60's, early 70's right?

I will try to snap a pic of the inside panel behind the driver as it very much looks like the door is there.

As an owner of my grandad's 72 Chevy pickup I have all the best forums & websites well saved from working on the truck. The tough thing is not pulling parts from it for the burb :)
 

loren85022

Explorer
My uncle use to take us fishing on south padre island in that same style 3-door back when they were brand new. We loved telling to use "granny gear"
 
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Rot Box

Explorer
I grew up in a 71 Suburban that my old man converted to 4wd :bike_rider: My biggest regret was not buying it from him when the time came.

Lots of fun memories in such a cool and unique rig. I can't wait to see what you do with it. The roof mount AC in those are pretty rare (not to mention weird!) it seems :coffeedrink:
 

TreeTopFlyer

Adventurer
Great looking burb. This was one of the first type of trucks I remember my dad having. Ran like a beast. 350/4spd. So many trips and adventures in that thing. Every time I see one of these older burbs I get nostalgic.
 

ColoradoBill

Adventurer
Leaf springs, straight axles, gear driven/part time transfer case, and lockout hubs. The way it should be!!!!! Great find. It could use some heavy duty Billybuilt bumpers.
 

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