1984 Chevy Suburban – Joe W.

We just picked up something special—a 1984 Chevy C-10 Suburban Silverado that belonged to my wife Jenny’s grandpa, Frank “Bud” Stalter. This isn’t just any truck; it’s loaded with family history.
Back in the day, Bud would fire up that 6.2L diesel every Saturday morning and the whole neighborhood knew what that sound meant. For Jenny, it meant camping trips to Lake Wildwood in Illinois with her grandparents, Bud and Marjorie “Marge” Stalter. She still gets excited talking about hearing that diesel rumble into the driveway at dawn, knowing another adventure with Grandpa Bud and Grandma Marge was about to begin.
When Bud went to be with the Lord in 2001, the Suburban went to Jenny’s uncle Mike, who kept it running for several years. But like a lot of our beloved rides, it eventually got parked and sat for about eight years. That’s where I come in.
With the help of Jenny’s parents, Jim and Lori O’Brien, we worked with Uncle Mike to get the truck transported to South Carolina where Jenny and I live. After hauling it home and doing some wrenching, I got that old diesel roaring again—and man, it literally brought tears to Jenny’s eyes. Hearing that engine come back to life after all those quiet years was something else. She could almost hear Grandpa Bud’s voice calling out to Grandma Marge, “Come on, Marge! Let’s go make some memories!”
Now we’re working with LMC Truck to track down all the parts we need for a full restoration. The plan is to get this beauty show-ready and rolling again. Bud and Marge would’ve loved knowing their old camping rig is getting a second chance to make memories.
Some trucks are just transportation, others carry generations of stories in their seats and this one’s definitely a keeper and we can’t wait to share its journey back to glory.
—Joe Weber