The Most Epic Sweet Like Danish B2 Burban Build

[Andrew Showers]

Well to start off here, my project is a 1986 Chevy Suburban. I picked this thing up and didn't really know what I wanted to do with it. Should I do a super clean build in it? demo build? showcase build? The options are endless but I've always wanted to build something original and loud. Once I got into this vehicle and really started digging in, I found quite a bit of problems with the floor. Some rust issues but nothing on the overall body that was too bad. Most of it was in the floor pan, which is quite common for this year but the overall body was in decent shape. There was a lot of past work on this vehicle and given all of it's wiring woes I wasn't sure I'd ever really trust it to drive down the road or be worthy of becoming a show truck. I decided to make it a demo vehicle, not built for strict spl but for fun. Something where I can showcase B2's product line in a platform that's a bit different and make it memorable. Some love it and some hate it. Some say how could you do that to a square body and some can't wait to see it get done. Floor will be fully steel to the B pillar with a full steel firewall and 7/8" thick plexi window. Full steel dash, full steel cage and probably 9-12 15's on  40-60k worth of power. I've never done a build log like this, but have always wanted to so here we go!  (Also I am in no way a welder, and I know my shop is a disaster!)

 

So here she was as I got it:

This is kinda the idea for a box, but I'm up in the air.

Have to deal with the tubs as well, so my options are a bit limited due to space.

Looks pretty clean on the outside but she's got some issues deep down. The wiring on this vehicle is beyond a joke.. but we will get to that later.

She's got a 5.7L 350 TBI swap from a 94 Silverado based on what I can find. The ECM and wiring was very poorly done here and left me with no choice other than to pull it all out and fix it. I can't even describe how bad the wiring is, a lot of it I couldn't even bring myself to take pictures of, just needed to get it out and start over.

I also found that the harness for the ECM was cut in the middle at some point, and just twisted back together and taped. Like who does that? So out with it and time to get into fixing it.

This was extremely painstaking to find out what goes where, what's been modified and who knows what else.

So this wiring is ongoing, I'll get some progress updates on it later as it's still not completely done.

Stripped the whole interior out.

 

Air Suspension:

I replaced the front and rear bags. Added two compressors, a new tank and managed to salvage the valves that were in use on this before hand. Don't have any pics of it yet but I'll get to them.

 

The window:

This is where it was to start with. She's got some rust in the lower corners and I had to CUT the dash out. On these models they are welded to the window/firewall frame.

I've never built a SPL windshield before. I had some ideas to go off of and decided just to go for it. I know I wanted a split setup and not just a straight tank looking windows.

After a lot of thought I decided to just go with something like this. Spotted her up and started moving forward.

Made some side bars and got it mocked up a bit more. The goal here is to have two pieces of plexi that are flat, as getting it rounded or curved so to speak would take a miracle.

The outer bars taper in a bit, and I did this so I had ample room to make some epic A pillar pods. There's almost no room from factory to put anything in the A pillar without it sticking WAY out. The sides will be welded flush with some sheet metal to clean it up.

 

Started cutting out the floor. Oh boy this has been fun.

 

Just as a side reference. Chevy didn't want this to come out lol and it really didn't want to. It's a major pain in the ass but well it is what it is.

 

 

 

[meade916]

ok i'm subbing to this!!! more pics please!

[Couch972]

I’m looking forward to seeing this progress.  Good luck!

[jmanjr82]

Off to a great start! Tackling such issues I am sure can seem defeating at times, but when its all done its going to be well worth it being done right!!

[Frankiebonez]

Epic B2 audio build?  Consider this followed! lol