By Rob Fortier – Images by NotStock Photography
When I first laid eyes on Justin Padfield’s “Maytag fridge” Suburban from Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs—way back when John Jackson was shooting Justin’s Squarebody Blazer (2021?!)—I thought to myself, “that’s a bitchin’ Chevy, but why the GMC gate?” Well, here we are four years later with John’s most recent shoot on the ’Burban and my question is finally answered!
Taken in on a trade from one of Scott’s Hotrods’ customers, the ’66 Suburban is, indeed, of GMC Carryall origin—with a Chevrolet C10 front clip installed at some point in the past by a previous owner. (I actually prefer the GMC’s dual-headlight grille and slightly more detailed hood vents, but then again, I am a GMC fan, so …) Justin decided to keep this one for himself, and after coming to some harsh realizations of what had been done in the past—one being a tired, old 307 small-block that inadvertently put its fan through the hood—the first rebuild go-round commenced.
First and foremost, of course, the 1/2-ton chassis was re-equipped with Scott’s bolt-on coilover IFS and four-bar situated Moser 9-inch rear (with Watt’s link), both ends outfitted with 14-inch Wilwoods and Ridetech adjustable coilovers. While the hood was off getting repaired, that “efficient” 307 was boat-anchored in favor of a crate-fresh GM Performance 383, which was initially paired with a 700-R4 but eventually that made way for a TREMEC TKO500.
The GMC Sub shell itself received some attention in the rear section with the wood floor being replaced with all-new sheetmetal and wider tubs (by Dustin Bier) to accommodate the 20×10 Hot Rods by Boyd HRX Sub Zeros 295 Continental rubber. On the exterior, other than the stepbrother front sheetmetal, everything’s stock according to Scott’s, who ended up painting the ’66 in a Warm White with black accenting around the side windows. (Actually, Steve Mancini, Jason Fox, and Kurt Cooper get body/paint credits.) Will Hudson handled the spacious interior, which is done in Daytona Black distressed vinyl over modified seating/paneling. Scott’s finished that off with a custom Dakota Digital gauge cluster set in their own machined insert, Sparc Industries steering wheel atop an Ididit column, Scott’s billet brake/clutch pedal assembly, Vintage Air, and a Sony-based sound system wired via American Autowire’s Highway 22 harness.
You astute readers will notice from the pics that powerplant is no ordinary-looking 383 SBC. That’s because, after a little run in (or should I say run “out” … of fluid) with the rearend, the entire drivetrain got a nice little upgrade to an LSA crate package with a stealthy TKX six-speed. It’s now topped with Scott’s billet valve ’n’ coil covers and features an Ultimate/Flowmaster 3-inch stainless exhaust system. And that folks, is how this bad-boy ’Burban sits and rolls … for now!
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
