Hot rods and their resto-mod cousins are so idiosyncratic that selling one for a reasonable price can be a long shot. Either someone else’s vision comes close to yours, or it’s so far off that you won’t even look at it. Plenty of folks are interested in this 1948 GMC Suburban sitting on a 2002 Yukon Denali frame, for sale here on eBay. Frisky bidding has sent the price to $24,300, but the seller indicates it’s going to take a cash-only number starting with a “4” to get a deal done. This Suburban is located in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. The vehicle was constructed a couple of years ago and is in good running order.
The 1948 GMC Suburban body was dropped onto a 2002 Denali frame, and the result is a completely modern interpretation of a vintage vehicle, with a 6.0 liter LS V8, an automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. We’re not told how the two vehicles were mated up, nor much about the condition of the Denali donor, except that despite an odometer reading 140,000 miles, “a new motor was installed sometime.” The mechanical build included new glass, rubber, steering pump, water pump, aluminum radiator, and transfer case. New tires and a twelve-volt wiper system round out the improvements.
Inside, the Suburban has custom upholstery and a custom console. A Vintage Air installation controls the weather for the driver and passengers. The Suburban has three rows of seats, perfect to haul the entire soccer team, or car camp with your dogs. The seller indicates that a couple of lights in the gauge cluster are misbehaving.
The GMC body has the clamshell rear tailgate, versus the more common barn door type. The vintage roof rack is not only useful but it looks great too. The GMC has a custom through-bumper hitch, all-new floors, and sound deadening. The seller does indicate that the truck didn’t weather naturally; it has been treated to “patina paint”. For an education on that process, check this out. Turns out this isn’t the only time someone has swapped LS power into a vintage Suburban. Here’s one that’s been lowered, and here’s another. For Barn Finders whose rallying cry is “put an LS in it!” this GMC should be right down your alley, but then there’s the matter of price. Will the seller be able to generate a sale at a number starting with a “4”?
Well, obviously I’m not in the “LS” camp, nor a fan of the lowering, but this is as cool as it gets. Out with old, in with the new. It completely changes the vehicle, and for the better in todays world. You want to clamor along, antique stovebolt hammerin’ away, straight front axle a wanderin’, drum brakes,( that 3 grab),WHOA,,, that’s up to you, but this makes the truck useful,and a great job. It’s what I feel should be done to all these older trucks. With todays crackpot drivers, no shortage of wrecked Denalis,,and such. Naturally, a more society friendly motor, I don’t need an LS anything, for example, that turbo Pinto motor could work, or a multitude of V6s. It’s got a lot of period correct gee-gaws on the outside that I like, and cush city on the inside, that I could take or leave, a stock inside would work better for me, but this is the future of most classics right here, and that’s okay.
Looking at your other 2 examples I’d say this nice build could really shine with a paint job like they have. Practical and fun rides.
Early Suburbans are rare and desirable. The tailgate/liftgate configuration is a plus.
The slammed stance does nothing for the aesthetic of this or any other vehicle in my opinion. The wheels just don’t relate to the fender wells or the overall visual balance. Cheech and Chong might get away with it but that was then…
For those folks who continually moan about the slammed look all you have to do is push the little button and run it up to a level you like. Simple, and the air ride is a very comfortable way to ride. Spent a whole summer riding around the Oregon mountains cruising timber in a four wheel drive version of this rig and it’s amazing I got out of that part of my life with all my teeth.
Not sure I fully like the concept with a 4×4. If this was on a 2 wheel drive chassis, I’d be all in. I don’t think the seller is at all off wanting 4 something. I think he’ll get it.
Wow! Does that engine jump out at a person.
Cool truck but : “Offers have to start with 4 and up.”
Probably just me cuz no one else mentioned it, but I think the visor looks hideous on this truck. Not sure if it’s because of the white roof? It just looks HUMONGOUS! I normally like the visor look, but something about this one?
I agree – they also seem popular on
older Australian cars & trucks.
They were not called Suburbans until 1973! Before They were carryalls
Wikipedia states that Chevrolet first used the name Suburban in 1934 on their 1935 carryall.
Nice truck, with a “nice” price tag. I hope he gets it. (I’d prefer a V-6 though at todays gas prices.
cool GMC how does the air work?