73 C10 Suburban

[Monzter]

I just bought my 73 C10 Suburban a couple of months ago. It's equipped with a 350 engine ( originally came with a 454, some one swapped it out before I got it ), TH400, 12 bolt rear end with 3.08 gears, front & rear AC. The previous owner cut the front coils & removed the overload leafs in the rear. So far I've installed 3" Belltech drop spindles & 2" rear shackles, rear disc brakes, 20" Coy's C5 wheels with 255/35-20 tires. The near future plans are to put a 86 front clip & some barn doors on that I've already bought. I've got a '91 700R4 to rebuild for it & I'm not sure on buying a GM crate motor or rebuilding one for it, or to go back to a big block. I going to change from the 3.08 gears to 3.42s in the rear end & possibly a limited slip once I've got my 700R4 in. For very distant future plans I'm planning on painting the Suburban sliver with solid black tribal flames, all black interior, key less entry, tons of sound system, big TV monitors & eventually bagged with lots of frame work to lay on the rockers. I'll post more pics as I get work done to my Suburban. 


How I bought it.


Where I'm at with it now.

[bowtieguy]

future plans are to put a 86 front clip & some barn doors on that I've already bought. I've got a '91 700R4 to rebuild for it

IMO leave it with the 73 nose on it,  To each his own, but prefer the older look on the older trucks.  If you want an 86 nose, buy an 86 Sub, and sell me your 73 

Sweet rig though, I like what you have done so far!

[team39763]

I like those wheels on there.  It'll look real nice when you get it painted.

[the_legend_1981]

Dont change the nose...that thing looks sweet.  So many people ruin old trucks by putting a newer nose on it.  Maybe some clear marker lights will dress it up a little. I would love to have that truck.

[Monzter]

I really like the 81-89 front ends, but the 73-75 are smog exempt here in California.    I just lucked out on this one, the only rot I've found on it is in the front end, both front fenders in the front corners & wasted at the battery box like most trucks of this age. I had it up on my lift the day after I bought it & don't see any rust on the frame, floor pans or rockers. But the previous owner hacked a lot of the mechanical & wiring stuff, nothing that can't be easily fixed, but I guess that's why she was a screaming deal at just a $1,000. 

[HAULIN IT]

Were you wearing a mask when you went to pick it up? WOW! Now that's a deal!

[bowtieguy]

Id give ya $1500  

[werewolfx13]

I'd say go for the nose swap, I greatly prefer the 81-89 front clip as well.

[Monzter]

Were you wearing a mask when you went to pick it up? WOW! Now that's a deal!

No, just at the right place at the right time with cash in hand. 

[the_legend_1981]

how many 73 suburbans do you see...i haven't seen one in forever, 81-89 suburbans...i see at least one a day, if not more. 

[RSBAD454]

that's going to take a little work to get the 81+ front clip to fit.

[werewolfx13]

I see a lot of 73-80 burbs around here. Theres 11 of em at the junk yard in line for the crusher as of today, 7 with clean titles, one with a salvage title, and three with no title at all. The one with the salvage title is a complete 3/4 ton 4wd.. '78 i think, with a fair body w/ minor rust along the bottom edges, it was salvaged because it was rear ended by a truck with a front mounted spare and it damaged the barn doors..the owners had full coverage and took the $1000 and let it go, it made its way to the junk yard, was bought from the yard for $300, driven 10 miles, threw a rod through the oil pan, was taken back to the same junk yard and sold for $250. $350 would take it I'm sure, especially since the crusher charges per vehicle..I think they said its gonna be flattened on Friday though..mighta been next Friday..

[Monzter]

how many 73 suburbans do you see...i haven't seen one in forever, 81-89 suburbans...i see at least one a day, if not more. 

How many 73 Suburbans? Very few & far between, & usually when you do find one there all rotted out. I was about to settle on a mid 80s 6.2L diesel 4X4 Suburban & convert it to a 2wd one I was ready to bag it. But this clean 73 just popped out from no where on craigslist for like $1,700 & the guy needed the money so I did like anyone else would do, I low-balled him & flashed the cash.    I know, I'm evil.