Mods
1970’s 4-53 detroit, mated to a 99’ 4L80E, and a drive shaft out of a 70’s dodge camper. It’s lowered 5.5” in the rear and 5” in the front with coils, drop spindles and helper air bags.
Build story
The suburban was sitting in my buddies garage since we were 15 years old. Much after high school I ran into him at a gas station and he told me he wanted to sell it if I knew anyone. I asked how much and he said $1000. I couldn’t get the cash out fast enough. My original intention was to sell it for a few bucks but my cousin made enter the Adirondack National car show and I was accepted. So I had to get it running. First year I got the original 292 straight six running fixed the brakes, radiator, installed some big wheels and drove that three on the tree to the show. Seeing how many people loved it made me fall in love with it as well. The next year I lowered it, installed a 4bbl, header and made some home made white walls. Again a big hit. The year after that I wanted something different under the hood. I stumbled upon a T04 turbo at a swap meet and had to buy it. $75 bucks was burning a hole in my pocket. So that year I installed the turbo with the 4bbl and made it a draw through design. I added a 40’s - 50’s sun visor and dummy spot light. I won a trophy at my local Rat Rod show. With the turbo, though it was drivable and I made 7psi of boost, it caused some issues. So the next year I made a ammo can and the original single barrel into a pressurized system. It got be through the year as it ran great but then I blew the seals in the tubo. In the middle of all this I picked up a 4-53 detroit that lived its life as a street vac picking up leaves. I gathered parts for about a year and then choose to do the swap in 2019. IN MY DRIVE WAY!! I started in May and finished in about August. Mostly was just taking my time. I was able to drive it up to the Adirondack Nationals but lost 3rd and reverse. I guess that’s what you get for a junk yard tranny. I was able to make the show and cruise in the cruise but had to be trailed home. I rebuilt the transmission my self and installed a shift kit, the thing works great. It cruises at 75mph all day long. I plan to install a set of compound turbos and 9a90 injectors on it soon. I haven’t seen that done yet on a detroit.