Back when Suburbans looked and drove more like trucks, they were intended to be used as workhorses, hauling materials and people to the job site. Back then, soccer moms weren't even part of the Suburban equation. Now, we see parents hauling and fetching the kids, not to mention the amount of times we have seen Suburbans being parked at some pristine country club or five-star restaurant. Many of today's late-model Suburbans are seen clad with all the bling-bling and bump-itty-bump available out there.
During the early '70s, custom trucks and SUVs weren't seen cruising or displayed at a show 'n' shine. To make up for this timeless void, John Monteiro built this wild '69 Suburban. They say "you're as young as you feel." If this is true, then John is a 70-year-old teenager. He has been building and cruising the boulevards for 50 years. John and his wife, Maria Cristina, have resided in Hanford, California, for almost three decades. John has been pulling on udders most of his life as a dairyman. My hat goes off to him; it's a hard living. I know: My uncle was a second-generation dairy farmer in Los Banos, California. John says, "If you've seen one udder, you've seen them all." When he's not milking a Guernsey, he's out cruising or parked under a shade tree at a show 'n' shine and taking home trophies as an active member of the 559 Kustomz club.
John's Suburban rolls on a...
John's Suburban rolls on a set of polished billet aluminum KMC Venom Spinners wrapped in Kumho 245/40R20 rubber.
Rafael Felix at Custom Upholstery...
Rafael Felix at Custom Upholstery & Paint in Dinuba, California installed a pair of factory buckets from a '94 Suburban and rebuilt them with new foam before reshaping them, and covering them in a gray tweed and leather combo. Rolled and pleated gray leather Bow Ties were inserted in the headrests.
When a vehicle's construction is shared with other custom enthusiasts, it makes the journey that much more rewarding. Major players involved in this Burb's completion were Rafael Felix, John Banda, and John's nephew "Fish."
To bring the Burb down to its current ride height, John Banda, a member of 559 Kustomz in Selma, California, installed a pair of Western Chassis 2-inch drop spindles and Slam Specialties airbags up front, with Nitro shocks. To get greater stopping power, Banda installed a Western Chassis disc brake kit. Because '69 Suburbans came with a trailing arm rear suspension (no leaf springs), it made it simple to 'bag. To eliminate any rearend housing clearance issues, the framerails were C-notched. A pair of Nitro shocks damp the rear suspension when John is in roll mode. The pneumatic airbag system is activated by a Parker manifold and 4-1/2-inch valves, a Parker compressor, and a reserve pneumatic tank. A set of styling KMC Venom Spinner wheels wrapped in Kumho 245/40R20 rubber provide bling and grip to John's custom efforts.