The real cost of a full Squarebody restoration

Real Talk.....
Everybody wants a killer truck. Not many have the commitment and determination to see it through. In this weeks episode I discuss the challenges, difficulties, highs and lows a build like this takes.
Mental, physical and financial. They are all part the hurt a build puts on you. Is it worth it?
You have to answer that for yourself.....
I encourage you to pick up "the obstacle is the way" by Ryan Holiday
www.amazon.com/dp/1591846358/...
The brake flare tool I used
www.amazon.com/dp/B085RXTML8/...
Check out my Patreon Account. I post behind the scenes, early uploads, Q and A and more. Help me keep the lights on and buying more shop and camera gear!
/ merricksgarage
Gear, merch, and parts all over on www.merricksgarage.com
If there is some item or product you saw in this video, it is more than likely to be found in either my Amazon Store or if it is a Milwaukee Tool over on Acme Tools
www.amazon.com/shop/jwmerrick
shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=636038...
Daily updates on the Instagram:
bit.ly/MerricksGarageInstagram
Link to the seat bracket mounts for late model GM third row for your Blazer!
www.merricksgarage.com/new-pr...

[@russellmay6800]

Believe me, i know, it's hard not to be jealous or feel a bit bitter. This guy started in his driveway, thru hard work and preservation, he got to where he's at. Most of these rigs you see being built, on you tube land, are a pipe dream for most of us. Most of us start out with big plans and fall short. There are numerous reasons why. What i have learned from Merrick is start out small. Don't get to deep where you can't enjoy your project while on your journey. If you have followed Merrick you will see his Blazer was a long journey to get to where it is at today. For the most part he kept it functional so he could enjoy it along that way. A project in your garage collecting dust for years is no fun. So don't be that guy or your project will end up being a bargain for the next guy.

[@MerricksGarage]

100% When I have had to take it down for extended periods of time I really miss driving it. Thanks for the kind words and you are right, I am really blessed to have progressed to where I am today!

[@19ADAM80]

Don’t feel too bad, I’ve had my 86 Squarebody for 25 years now and I’m still working on it lol..

[@enricopolazzo33]

Appreciate the book recommendation. Will check it out

[@denniscasey986]

Piece of ART!

[@KalPetkoffJangoz]

I love this channel! So much to learn from your work. And so much inspiration as well. Currently building my own garage to work on my builds. Hopefully, one day I will have an youtube channel too. Thanks, man!

[@TorqueWagon]

I always appreciate how clean your builds are. I’m working on a squarebody Burb diesel right now too, and your pics and vids keep me motivated to keep at it. Mine’s originally a diesel and I’ve been working on swapping it to a manual transmission for about 2 years now. It’s so close to being able to move under its own power again and I’m sure I’ll get it over that hump after seeing you pull yours out of the garage.

[@MerricksGarage]

Hell yea man! Can’t stop won’t stop

[@adamwade6183]

Very inspirational

[@HotRodDave]

It's a tough job it really is. My builds are hard on my body as well. Your not alone on that. Love the Suburban

[@chacequick2556]

Keep the updates coming Little correction on the Batteries. Series-being linked pos to neg adds your voltage and amps are averaged Parallel-being pos to pos, volts are averaged and amps are added

[@kevinfaherty9887]

I wish you continued success with this major project. You are ON it. Trips will come and go and youlle be better equipped when some more of the gremlins are ironed out. Way fricken cool. Go git em!

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks homey!

[@gorrheaddiesel]

Looks good

[@Sm9tty]

I picked up an 88 V10 Suburban with the Silverado package last month and plan on doing this exact swap. Can't wait, this thing looks amazing!

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea it’s gonna be awesome! Can’t wait to drive it!!

[@sincitysanta]

I definitely feel ya.....ive been building my Squarebody Dually for a few years

[@MerricksGarage]

Exactly. I’m prob 1000 hours into this build

[@cameron339]

Can't wait to see the Burb when it's done! Hang in there Merrick.

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks man. It kinda got outta hand!

[@noskillzgarage1890]

I'm happy to hear your going to paint it. For me it would've sucked for you to do all this upgrading on the truck and not paint it! Can't wait to see it done.

[@MerricksGarage]

The patina is pretty sweet but I always planned on painting it the factory white

[@jessiej3991]

Bought a 1987 Chevy V20 Custom Deluxe 6.2L diesel 50K plus dollars later I completely restored myself and swapped out the 6.2 for a 1997 Cummins 215hp P-pump 12 valve with compound turbos ( Borg S362 T3 & Borg S475 T6 ) and now I can't leave my house without drawing crowds of people asking about it and making offers for it. Brings a huge smile to my face every time I drive it and it is my daily driver I'm not a weekend warrior

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea people love the suburban!

[@JV-uw6tb]

nice build =]

[@texassquarebody6119]

It takes years and dedication, labor intensive to really do them right. I'm restoring 10 squares right now, on going projects over the decades, you never really finish, lol.

[@juanfo7307]

Looking for suggestions. I have a sb c10 205 converted I have worked on for almost decades. Now that it's runnig strong I have an opportunity to get a straight unmolested k30 rc srw. What to do? Upgrade or stay loyal to the old dog toiled on so long? I an afraid if I change then I will never be satisfied and always look for a bigger truck even though the c10 does everything I need. On the other hand I think upgrade to progress and not stay bogged down forever in the same old truck you know move onto bigger and better things. For sure I can see myself running around in the big bad thirty.

[@ChauncyFatsack]

@@juanfo7307 keep them both or donate to friend of family so you can always keep it without keeping it! I have a 1973 GMC Sierra custom deluxe 4x4 with 4 speed manual matching numbers and I inherited it from a deceased brother as a kid and always wonderd why people would do anything to try a buy or steal or weasel me out of owning it but because it was sentimental I would never entertain selling it and now as an adult with more knowledge I found out I got one of the best combinations everyone wants with the best motor best heads best training best everything and I'm so Happy I stuck to my guns as I naive teenager who people tried to take advantage of! I've had it appraised at 20 thou and if I restored it it will only go up! Just keep a tarp on it if not in a barn/garage! They only go up in Price and they Will always have parts!

[@afkaz]

Love the battery location. Same place I'm going to put mine.

[@MerricksGarage]

It was made for it! Just make a little platform first

[@shaunroland8053]

Man that's just such a sweet rig you got! I figure, lots of people are curious about resto costs for a square, and I've owned 3 of them. My 2 cents is to start off with a good base (minimal rust), good motor, and have a plan to restore over time. If you get a rust bucket, plan on spending $12,000-15,000 on like a C10 if you can do the work yourself, for a plain Jane full body restoration. But the reality is that $12,000-15,000 could also get you in a 2012 Dodge Ram or Silverado 1500, with safety features, technology, heated seats, better mpg, etc. But the Square is going to always be the head turner. And I'm not afraid to daily drive one again.

[@chrismaurer2075]

I have a 1976 k20 4 x4 that was a california suburban that has sat since 94. I am disabled and pay the price working on this plus the money for parts adds up for someone who is living off SSI. This truck has a 400 sb and the 14 bolt rearend but the np203 transfer case. I'm starting to wish I would have just bought the pickup I was looking at the same time as this.

[@tobeurichard8969]

I have a ‘84 Jimmy square bod, and anyone with a square knows what you mean. great work btw

[@johnjr3870]

Was wondering when the dent would get addressed, nice. Same place for my batteries, more room up front and these things have enough weight up there!

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea I wanna get as much as I can off the fenders just like on my blazer. Also having electronics out of the engine bay is better all around!

[@kevinfaherty9887]

My M1009 is kicking my butt. But it's coming along sloooow.

[@liftedburblife]

I changed my burb suspension 3 different times and completely built a engine .distroyed my factory th400 had a guy build me one using my old one .I wanted bead locks I got a used set that came with 39s .did away with the semi 14 bolt put in a full floating 14 bolt 456 gears found a Dana 60 gm king pin put that under my truck 456 gears .had issues with my rear 56 inch leafs I modified them using a combination of leafs 56s -52s and skyjacker 4 inch fronts with a shackle flip kit now I have to drop the transfer case from it's stock location for 8 inches of lift

[@MerricksGarage]

Yup. Makin it happen. I salute you!

[@lfratta]

love it! Started in my driveway as well and was fortunate to have some investments payoff to build my dream shop. Should be finished in the next couple weeks but that was my main priority in order to get my 1980 K30 build really going. What 2 post lift do you have? I had my shop designed for a lift, only 24’x24’ but 13’ clearance to ceiling. My wife constantly wonders why i need that 😂

[@MerricksGarage]

I couldn’t afford a bendpak so I just got a cheap Chinese one. It’s not the greatest but I am very careful with it.

[@MerricksGarage]

so stoked that the infamous Gus Chiggins is a fan of the channel. I am humbled.

[@lfratta]

Oh Fiddlesticks! 🤙

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

I know patina is all the rage these days, but I would love to see the Burban get that classic Construction Tan in a like-factory, vintage-gloss.

[@MerricksGarage]

Gonna take it back to factory white but prob with a matte clear

[@rockymtnredneck4888]

@@MerricksGarage That would be equally beautiful!

[@just4ford1]

Series is double voltage same amperage parallel is double amperage same voltage

[@thruitallauto2538]

Batteries are awesome, as so is the rest of the build, I’m building a 86 Chevy truck go check it out.my video organizing is not very good yet lol

[@mechanicjamz]

As a diesel tech I'd be afraid to have my suspension depending on air storing an air tank and mountin an air compressor. The best air compressor air set up would be the gm set up on the les schwab trucks

[@MerricksGarage]

These are just helper bags

[@spaight711]

Just started on my square. I shoveled about 15 pounds of rust off the driveway today and I haven't even been working on rust removal...

[@MerricksGarage]

Ha ha.

[@txgaspimp9321]

👍

[@jamesscimone1447]

It's great to know and hear other guys that are out there that "REALLY" know "in depth" what this is all about. I can tell that you really know. I see a lot of guys that throw a quick paintjob on there truck and say they "restored" it, or they throw some tires on it and say they restored it. While I'm not trying to take anything away from them, they don't REALLY know. Do a nut and bolt REAL restoration on one of these trucks that takes 6 years and tell me how you feel... ha ha. Your knuckles and your ego are beat up, bleeding and bruised from the pain... ha ha. It's all good but you should have an idea before you start otherwise you "may" not make it. STAY TOUGH SQUAREBODY GUYS !!!! YOU "CAN" DO IT !!! Keep a rag close by so when the salty sweat drips in your eyes you can wipe it away and keep going forward :) I'm now SUBSCRIBED my friend. Thank you for your channel...

[@MerricksGarage]

sounds like you get it too!

[@rottdogg8926]

Ryan Holliday? As in the Stoic author? Very cool dude. Was introduced to him through Michael Malice's channel.

[@MerricksGarage]

Same guy. Ego is the enemy

[@rottdogg8926]

@@MerricksGarage Small world! Old square body owner when my kids were little so you have me intrigued by your build. I've since upgraded to the Excursion 7.3L Powerstroke now.

[@MerricksGarage]

@@rottdogg8926 I was looking for an excursion years and years ago with that drivetrain and couldn't find one that was within my budget. So, I built the blazer.... and now we are here! ha ha

[@rottdogg8926]

@@MerricksGarage I was lucky and found one before the prices went crazy for $14,000 and I still had an 8 hour round trip to get it. I've since dropped about 15K into it with injectors, KC turbo, PHP Hydra programmer, ARB lockers, Mishimoto Rad and Trans coolers, Adrenaline HPOP and misc... etc... And your Cummins Burb still blows mine away! Congrats on such an amazing build! I'll be watching you finish it and rock it.

[@blakebowers872]

Are the suburban frames same as long bed frames? Doing a truck build debating on using the suburban frame instead of swapping frame to a long bed 4wd frame if the frames are the same and just changing body mounts for the truck

[@MerricksGarage]

I don't believe they are the same. I don't think they are terribly different from what I can tell, but most likely body mounts might need to be moved.

[@blakebowers872]

@@MerricksGarage think the "swoop" in the frame is longer in the suburban for the seating positions I may be able to make it work and make longer bed mounts since it would be in the "swoop" instead of laying flat on the frame but I mean I'm up for the challenge bout to start doing KZbin pretty soon after I finish building my shop

[@j.j.clingman4083]

Merrieck did I miss the total price on the build?? Because I sure didn’t hear any numbers at all?? I’ve definitely done just about everything you have done recently on your build over the past 25 years!! I definitely understand how you are getting burned out on your build!! It’s definitely nice to be able to get the build done with a year or less if you have the money!! But me I have to provide for the family and pay bills and what I have after that goes into the builds!! So for me it does take longer but now that I have a really nice and big shop and can fit taller trucks in the shop I can stop at any point and let it sit for however long I need to until I get back to it!! I also have been stock pilling hard to find parts to find like the Dana60 that every one is after and so on!! I’ve learned over the years and I have also learned it’s definitely worth more to buy a vehicle that you might want to build with as little or no rust at all!! I’ll pay more for one with no rust then one with little rust because the one with little rust will end up costing you more than you had to pay for one with no rust!! I just seen a guy at the gas station tonight that had just drove all day to go pick up a 1985 K5 blazer with just two very minor rust spots witch was just a little surface rust and a bad tranny!! It had a 350 sbc and he said he gave 7500.00$ for it!! It was all original other then a new rough country 4” lift kit that the guy he baught it from had just put on along with some new 35” falken tires witch were an alterrain tire!! That was a good price I thought or the going price for them!!

[@MerricksGarage]

I picked up this burb about three years ago and have been collecting parts for it the whole time! Sometimes the waiting is the hardest part!

[@Prepologyblog]

Series is double the voltage but the same amperage.

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea it makes sense now that I say it. Ha ha. I knew I was wrong!

[@klumsytone]

Nice Milwaukee Packout 3 drawers

[@MerricksGarage]

So killer! I am gonna be so organized!!

[@siddiqsharif4061]

Bro, I'm wanting to lift and build my 89 burb. But just don't know where to start

[@MerricksGarage]

Is it a daily driver? Do you have somewhere to work on it?

[@siddiqsharif4061]

@@MerricksGarage not really ,a drive way right now..but what's done first the engine..or gas lines..or seals.. lights,..I just need a check list. She's my babii and I don't want to sell her.

[@gorrheaddiesel]

You have air bags on the back of the suburban question . Is it possible to put airbags on the front of a truck as well. Thank you and you look like you could use a good sleep

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks! I crashed and slept most of the weekend after this video!! The airbags are for load capacity. To support extra weight from a trailer…. Front won’t need help

[@sgtbigtoe7640]

It’s been said before, your never really done, been wrenching on my 87 k5 for 22 yrs

[@MerricksGarage]

Lol. True. My blazer was bought by me in 94. Don’t think I’ll ever be done with it ha ha

[@sendingunit5678]

There is a health cost to this type of project that many people don't consider, it's the massive amount of harmful particulate matter and dust that goes in your lungs from cleaning with wire wheel brushes and using grinders. Also the toxic fumes we get to breath when using a cutting torch or welding

[@jeremywolfee7807]

What rims and tires are those buddy

[@MerricksGarage]

Cooper Discoverer STT Pro 38x14.50x18 on Method NV305HD

[@jeremywolfee7807]

@@MerricksGarage Thanks buddy ..I have a 91 k5 with a 24 valve cummins in it, been parked for a few years waiting to get back on the build soon

[@j.j.clingman4083]

@@jeremywolfee7807 just a heads up before buying a set of cooper tires for your rig!! I have run hundreds of different big tires and mostly 35” and bigger and plenty of different trucks!! Cooper tires used to be a really good tire back in the day they wore like iron on the hi ways, on the rock, and did and awesome job off roading in the mud!! Today though the cooper tires are just not the same as they were 10 to 15 years ago!! Back in the day I would get at least 35,000 miles out of a cooper tire Or more!! I absolutely loved them right next to the BFG mud terrain tires old style of course!! I recently baught a set of cooper tires because of how they performed back in the day!! Today they cost me a little over a 1000.00$ for a set and I didn’t even get 10,000 miles out of them and cooper said they couldn’t do anything about it!! They wore evenly and smooth but I didn’t even get 10,000 miles out of them for a 1000.00$ I thought that was not right at all!! I’ve worked at tire factory’s like titan tire in Iowa and fire stone tire and both places I have talked to a few different higher ups there and they say that the curing process is definitely not as long as it used to be because they don’t have the time and the people to do it plus they have to move more and more tires!! So when I talked about the curing that means that the rubber compound is much softer now days and not as hard like they should be so they last longer!! The two best tires I have found that will last are the pro comp MT2 and a tire named thunders!!! I absolutely love the pro comps and they do very well in the mud and snow but I had found the thunders were I could get two full sets for just a 100.00$ more then a set of the pro comp tires!! But the pro comp tire does have a 40,000 mile warranty on them and that is the only mud tire out there that I no of that has a warranty on it!!! Both tires do very well In the mud and snow and wear very nicely!! Good luck on your decision!!

[@kevinfaherty9887]

Starter keeps running on after ignition is off. Again.

[@MerricksGarage]

Sounds like a bad solenoid

[@kevinfaherty9887]

@@MerricksGarage That's what I thought. Wrestled that thing in n out on my back. Then realized parts store sold me a 12 volt one. Put original one back on.Yes with starter bracket as well and making sure(this time)the power cable was orientated away from the "R"&"S" posts. Cause it was almost resting on the "R" from exhaustion,cramping and frustration on my part. This has happened before. But when Motor was bottle fed from Jerry can in cab and running. It worked fine. But here's the rest of my saga. I was guzzling through Jerry cans just taking short trips. Then upon closer inspection realized majority of fuel was getting returned to main tank. I had put a "Y" inline at manifold(with shut offs) attempting to disconnect the drawing of fuel from the main tank and only drawing fuel from Cab Can. Then when it was running tried to gradually swap over to main tank. With no success. Now,I got a Marine Syphon one way pump bulb arrow facing motor. It's located where the hard lines meet under passenger side. I got fuel to it, and some beyond to filter assembly. New stuff: Fuel filter,the electrical deal thing that goes with it. New fuel tank,fuel sending unit. Replaced all blade fuses,glow plug relay,starter relay... I however have not changed those square relays under dash next to the starter relay. I often have to walk away from "Special K". To hold on to a little sanity and dignity. When it was running from Cab Can it apparently was sending the majority of the fuel back to main tank but ignition and starter were functioning as they should when it was that way. Apologies for rambling. Cab can is gone. I see why these were replaced by HUMMV'S. The Battlefield is no place to be stuck in the muck with one of these things. I really,really would like to get this thing running in it's own fricken power from the main tank as it is supposed to! So I can "Carry on" with other necessary repairs such as the passenger floor. It's been a very bumpy,white knuckled rocky road thus far. But I haven't totally given up on it yet. There's plenty to do while trying to get this thing Road ready. So that's what I do. I do what I can. I've been mostly an "Army of one". If that's not an oxymoron I don't know what is. I could use some good suggestions.I almost have fuel coming out of bleeder stop fuel filter. But starter keeps running on after ignition key is off. So,I only attempt this when I have someone at the ready to quickly disconnect the battery. I'm at a stand still with that. But Windshield is on deck,staged to go in the repaired recess, and new windshield gasket it in, n waiting. Not risking braking glass to stubbornly due it myself.

[@doubleeeee1531]

I gotta ask, how do u afford this, and not have a daly job??? Is youtube pay that good??? Just wondering,?? Cuz ive seen u from small to big... lovit!!!

[@MerricksGarage]

well, hang on cause its about to get wild! My seat brackets I produce sell fairly well, and I do receive a fair amount of sponsored product....

[@MerricksGarage]

also I purchased the suburban several years ago and have been collecting parts for a LONG time!

[@doubleeeee1531]

@@MerricksGarage thank u, just was wondering, is youtube ur income?? Cuz just want to know?? Seen so many channels grow becaz of it, and lovit!!!! Respect u guys as well, just wish i could do the same as all, love yeah!!! Ur build ur doing now, is the ULTIMATE!!!!! The almost best burb, and the , shit!!! Best dam drive train, ... merrick knows whats up!!!! 👌👍

[@damuckster68x]

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.....😉

[@squarebody4216]

So what’s the $ cost? Did I miss it?

[@MerricksGarage]

if you have to ask.....

[@russellmay6800]

50+

[@jbrunsonjr]

#DontPutItDownPutItUp

[@stevesixo2]

Jain is a maniac. I was scared for his eyes.

[@MerricksGarage]

Jain?

[@stevesixo2]

Damn auto correct. I meant Jaun.

[@MerricksGarage]

@@stevesixo2 yea, Juan got it done! I offered him some protection too!

[@stevesixo2]

@@MerricksGarage it turned out great. Juan is a wizard.

[@PROXIMO22]

when i cummins swapped my burb it stayed in the shop for 34 months... i quit a few times (took lengthy breaks) but i did it all by myself. it is true that the feeling you get from driving a rig like this is like no other automotive wise. i had no idea of the kind of attention that this thing brings on line and at stoplights etc. every cummins swap i have seen is sort of different than the others. if anyone has a chance to view several, you will see lots of cool differences. i went the extra mile on mine, James' did too but there's quite a lot different there! i also unwillingly went with a 1" body lift. so glad i did because i wouldn't have got my transmission out / in without it during the rebuild. even with the 1" it barely was possible with the NV4500. that brake line tool! i have the same one and it is fantastic! i get a little crazy about brake lines. i never use a tubing wheel cutter on them. i hacksaw and file the ends to perfection before flaring. the wheel tends to harden the cut area and can make your flare lip crack and fail in the process of making it. doesn't always happen but its a bummer when you have to redo it... my way takes longer but with great success.

[@MerricksGarage]

thats a good point about the flaring tool. I use my band saw and it makes short work of them. I think clean them up with a deburring tool and file. I am looking forward to driving this thing. Its gonna be fun to have a functional capable work family hauler / tow vehicle.