73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => LT/LS Swaps => Topic started by: hwh on January 12, 2017, 08:41:40 PM
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My 87 crew cab build. Cab off restore, cleaned and painted frame. Everything inside also was painted with sound insulation. Made it to a short bed with blazer gas tank in rear. Gm 14 bolt in rear axle was gutted and everything replaces rear disc brake conversion, chromolly axle shafts. With be doing transfer case brake for my parking brake. Has offroad design 4 inch lift shackle flip. 1 inch body lift. Dana 60 upfront it was gutted also everything new. 35 spline outers upgrade. Crossover steering from order. Changed radiator core support to 89-91 for dual headlights. In process of Ls swap 6.0 motor with 4l80e and np205. All new painless wiring harness.
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I'll post a lot more pics when I can. After motor and paint is done, have black leather seats out of 2012 Tahoe to put in, and amp power running boards. Finish interior.
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More pics
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Pics
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Truck had power windows and locks changed to manual doors
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Bought the truck last July. Had been looking for older crew cab for about 9 months I live in Texas couldn't find one. So found one in California, so had it shipped here. And started tearing it apart. Building this truck as daily driver to drive everyday. Decided to go this route instead buying another new truck I have drove ford super duty's since 2001 and want something simple. So building this truck with everything new.
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The truck when I bought it had roll on liner on outside and in cab. Took 6 weekends to get it all off. Painted frame, inside cab that's not getting painted, bottom of cab, and bottom of bed. Ran all new fuel lines and corvette fuel filter was installed on frame rail. Ran all new brake lines with wilwood valve since did rear disc conversation.
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Got rid of dual saddle tanks, put blazer tank in back with in tank fuel pump ep381. Had steering column all rebuilt and painted. Replace hydroboost and master cylinder.
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Reused all body parts, where in good shape worked out so don't half to deal with aftermarket fitting right. Did half to buy inner wheel wells from . The fit was good was surprised how well they fit.
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Made truck into a short bed. The way I did it most people will disagree but didn't trust cutting the frame behind the cab like saw most people doing. Just something about cutting truck that big and heavy behind cab didn't trust. So I did it the hard way and cut off the back off the frame ended up being 16 inches. Then had to remove but of rivots. And move spring hangers, bumpstop mounts, and make new shock mounts. So far has worked out good. Took some time to get bumper brackets modified to get bumper to set right where it needed to be under bed. I boxed in back part of frame. So made bumper part a lot of messing with.
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Got a 6.0 motor with 98,000 miles had it rebuilt with few mods nothing crazy it will have 425-450 hp. With new alternator, starter, water pump. Got a 4l80e from monster transmission, and used np205 that came with truck I rebuilt transfer case. And added high angle drive line transfer case ebrake saw mixed reviews on how well it works so will see. Offroad design tapped out my speedometer housing for the vss sensor on transfer case.
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Truck will be painted nightfall gray metallic its color from new camaros. Rebuilt vent windows with all new parts and had frames powder coated. Replaced all guts in doors. Put sound deadner inside doors. Bought door panels from dashtop only one I could find sold rear door panels. Been hard finding parts for rear part of crew cabs. Using suburban headliner trim and half to make the small piece above rear door that's different on crew cab. From what I have read on that.
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Stereo system will be 4-6x9s. 2 in front doors. And 2 in rear cab corners. With sub box behind seat with 10 inch sub. Memphis amp to complete system. Bought mickey Thompson classic 3 black wheels. Tires still undecided either 35 or 37 inch tires maybe mickey Thompson mtz p3 tires.
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When I bought truck since guy rolled rhino liner like stuff all inside. He took all headliner trim out and headliner and door sills. So making getting that stuff difficult. Just need rear front part of door will on drivers side. Found nos part on eBay for pass side. Hoping someone can custom make headliner cause search everywhere and can find no one makes one. Once it gets painted be making the seats I got out of 2012 Tahoe to fit.
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I'll get pics posted when got truck, to where it is now this week. Been taking pics every little step of the way.
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HWH- Awesome build and keep the pics coming. I love the LS motor swap and Blazer tank in rear !!
I live in Texas also and l searched for a couple of years before finding a 1991 V3500 crew cab about 6 months ago. Its a factory stock truck with a big block and power windows and ice cold air. The truck is super low mileage, but spent its entire life on a ranch. So far I have installed 6 inch front lift, new bearing and u-joints in front D60, pulled motor and installed new oil pan gasket and intake manifold gasket, motor mounts, Hooker headers, 3 inch duals with flows, tranny cooler and completely rebuilt wiring harness. I've got a 4 inch shackle flip for the rear and a suburban interior ready to go in as well The only beat- down is this truck has a Gen V 454 with TBI and I don't have a lot options to build power.
I have owned 2 other square body crews, one with 12 inches of lift and 40's and one with 15 inches and 44's. This will be a driver with 6 inch and 35/36's.
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Nice copperhead. You have the holy grail truck 1991 was only year had 4l80e to np205. Everyone wants that adapter lol. Luckily I had the round pattern np205 and not figure 8 so made it easier to adapt got my adapter from northwest fab. And yea when I bought truck had 350 TBI. And did a lot of searching and there's not a whole to do to get a lot more power out of the TBI motors. But hey we all got to start somewhere. When I first started this build I was going to do the Cummins swap but more research decided not to. I just think in the long run ill be happier with ls swap. I'll get more pics soon posted I have been taking pics every little step.
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lots more pics. first few are truck when i bought it. it was a descent truck but wasnt the look i was going for. ist had 6 inch lift with 3 inch body lift. 38 tsl swampers.
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shortbed pics
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everything was cleaned and painted. pics of dana 60 and gm 14 bolt rebuilt all new parts. and suspension lift going in. i used offroad design 4 inch shackle flip in rear with stock new springs. and 4 inch tuff country hd springs in front.
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axles are installed some pics of crossover steering arm and brakel line kit for the rear from offroad design
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did alittle sanding and got all fuel lines ran and feul pump in tank. and pics of fuel filter mounted. i used gf822 fuel filter and ep381 fuel pump for the ls swap.
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got master cylinder and hydrobboost replaced ran all new brake lines front and rear with wilwood valve. more sanding and painting replaced strikers on doors and replaced hinge pins and front door springs on top hinges went this route so still atleast have orginal hinges. got my steering column back from guy who rebuilt it got it installed real happy with it. also went to dealership and bought cooland bottle for 6.0 motor so looks more factory.
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these pics are out of order but here are some of stripping it down to frame. i sold all old parts and put money back in to it
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got it stripped down ready to clean and paint got axles off and a pic of np205 its the round adapter one.
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started cleaning frame, axles, and bottom of bed and painting
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more sanding and painting
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ill get lots more pics posted where i left off in post above. but here are some as what stage im on now getting ls swap and painless wiring harness. High mount brackets used for a/c compressor to move from bottom to top of motor. Headers worked out nice clearance from frame which is good. Saw people notching there frames to fit others. Didn't want to do that. Got porcelain spark plug wires to help from heat from headers.
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pics
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vintage air going in also soon and driveshafts
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Bunch of parts waiting to be put on
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pics of rear shock mounts since made it a shortbed and blazer tank had to make shocks both lean towards front of truck couldnt stagger them.
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misc pics radiator, wiper bottle and 89-91 core support.
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pics of 89-91 support with headlights on. and np205 all rebuilt and painted. Had off road design tap out my speedometer housing for the vss and changed the plastic tone wheel to the 40 pulse. Which all came with it from off road design. Tone wheel, gaskets to reseal, tap out housing and cap to plug old hole where speedo cable went.
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doors were gutted and all new parts and added sound deadner inside doors.
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its a rolling chassis now can finally move it around.
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Started painting interior pieces since no one sells new headliner trim for crew cabs. I'm using sem landua black paint. I cleaned them with dawn and ajax and then used sem plastic prep. And did 5 light coats they turned out nice. The pics are with 3 coat on.
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Pics
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Pics before paint
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Pics
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Finally found front part of sill plates for rear door at a junkyard. Been looking for 2 1/2 months. I'm going to get all those pieces powder coated black.
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Only thing haven't found only thing left I need that can't buy new is small trim pieces above the rear door. Of course I found the sill plates and headliner trim out of those 2 pieces where missing.
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Looks good. I have an 86 crew cab that i have been back and forth about starting on or selling. Mainly because of the frame shortening. I might be willing to try it your way. I look forward to watching your progress.
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Swilliams don't sell it lol. Its a lot more work shorting frame way I did but I feel better about. Maybe if I was doing a regular cab, I would of done it behind cab. More work grinding all rivets off moving shock mounts, bumpstop brackets, spring hangers, and modifying bumper brackets to make bumper sit right. Just took alit of time but was worth it to me. I'll get some pics of receiver hitch and bumper brackets in here when I can.
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We are planning on making those rear pieces new.
Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
squarebody.biz
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Captkos that would be nice let me know if do get those pieces. Thanks for info.
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They will be posted here first, then the store, then social media.
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Curious about the seats in the first pic on page 3. Where did you get them and some more pics of them if you don't mind me asking.
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The seats are out of a 2012 tahoe. i went this route cause found out seats out of newer crew cabs have these clips on the rear seat that click in back part of cab. didnt want to half to weld brackets and stuff to the rear cab. the pic on page 3 is part of the rear seat which is the 2nd row of tahoe. i will take pics of the front seats in the morning and post them. i bought them off ebay from seller oemseats. found out guy lived 1 1/2 hours from me so i picked them up in stephenville, texas. he has lots of chevy seats.
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also 82 silverado if you got to oemcarandtruckseats.com. this company has same seats i bought they have very detailed pics. there proud of there seats but gives you very good pics, seats will be under 2007-2014 tahoe seats. there ebony black.
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82 silverado on the oemcarandtruck.com website. the rears will be tahoe/yukon rear bench seat is one i got theres 3 different types for rear. i wont be able to post a pic of rear until this weekend. but can take pics of fronts in the morning. hope this helps.
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Thank you for the reply and information. I live in West Louisiana about 30 miles from Tx. so maybe I can make a trip there when I get ready. That's a good project you got going. Look forward to more updates.
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Pics of front seats
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82 Silverado. When you get ready you can let me know I have the guys phone number also.
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Motor and tranny/ transfer case are mocked up time for paint. Truck goes to paint and body shop Monday. Nightfall gray metallic color I choose. Roof lights are getting covered and sidemarker lights on fenders are getting covered. And gas filler cut out in back part of bedside like were it is on suburban and blazer. Door handles will be black and outside mirrors will be painted color of truck. 3+3 emblems will be black. Front grill center part and emblem will be gray. Rest will be black. And headlight bezels will be gray. They are going to do smoke color for tailights. Also they will do the rhino lining for the bed. Not wanting any chrome on truck. Bumpers have been powder coated black.
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will not have much updates for a couple weeks until paint and body gets farther along for pics.
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Outstanding work and can't wait for more pics. BTW- what are you going to do for a headliner, I need one as well and the options for a cc are slim and none ?
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for a headliner captkaos said he will have headliners in march. on there online store so i am waiting til they get them in. so that problem for me should be solved.
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HOPEFULLY in March, like the end of.. hopefully.
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Sounds good fellas ;)
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Update on paint and body. Its almost ready for paint. They got roof lights, front fender sidemarker lights patched. And fuel filler moved to back. Bedsides replaced.
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More pics
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Pics
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Went today to check on truck at paint and body shop. Almost there, there going to start painting Saturday. One more coat of primer and finish up few things today and Friday. More pics of roof lights patched, front fender lights, and bed filler moved to back like on blazer or suburban. And front gas fillers patched.
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looks great, nice job
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Thanks
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Pics of truck painted. They still have to paint small parts like grill, mirrors, headlight bezels.
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I'll get some better pics when can roll it out in the sun.
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Nice! I think we picked the same color lol
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That's cool yea I like the color a lot it looks good
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nothing new to update yet. truck will be done at body shop next week. then back to finishing ls swap and all the other stuff.
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Nice work
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Nice work
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thanks
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Update on paint and body they cut fuel door to low so had them move it up. The filler hose went up then down so that wouldn't of worked.
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Pics of fuel door. Before and after
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Got sub box built over the weekend. Couldn't find size I needed so had to build it. Made it 34 1/2 wide. 13 1/2 tall. 5 inches bottom depth. And 3 3/4 top depth. And I used herculiner bed lining instead of carpet to cover box. Using pioneer shallow mount sub.
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Truck will finally be done at paint and body shop Tuesday. They got stuff fixed I didn't like and started painting today. They did primer yesterday. Helped them get truck in paint booth today. I'll get pics posted Tuesday of truck painted.
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Pics
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Truck about done be ready to pick up by Thursday.
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Tuesday and Wednesday they will finish up final sanding and buffing. Thursday install all the glass in doors. And the front windshield and rear glass. I got the flush mount front and rear glass from one piece products. So I'll see how that turns out.
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Really interested to see how the flush fit glass goes and how it looks! Take some good quality and large file size pictures! The One Piece Products website pictures are horrible! To me the front glass doesn't look like it would look very good, but the flush fit back glass looks like it might not be too bad! My Crew Cab doesn't have sliding back glass so it might be cool. I would want to keep my slider on my '77 K20 though.
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OK I'll take some good pics of front windshield and rear glass. See how it looks. One piece products does have a youtube video of how to install rear glass. Has real good pics of how it looks.
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I'm hoping they look good. If it doesn't I'll buy the stock glass. And half to try to sell one piece stuff. I took a chance. I was going to do there one piece front door glass. But more and more I researched saw conflicting info people that had them.
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More pics
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Got all glass installed today. All new run channels, all new glass. Vent windows rebuilt couple months ago frames were powder coated. Pics are not to great I'll get better pics of the flush mount rear glass Monday when can pull tape off.
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This is my review of the flush mount front windshield and back glass from one piece products. First off guys who installed all the glass today have done many older vehicles and have a lot of experience. I have been really picky on who i get to work on my truck on stuff i wont do myself. They did all doors first with no problems then on to the flush mount glass. On the rear glass it fit good but the pinch weld trim they send you is to wide. Not enough surface for glue. Glass guys didn't trust that. So they used rubber trim they had to get more glue surface. So other than that rear turned out nice. Looks really good.
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Then to the front windshield. They tested fitted glass before applying the glue and would not fit inside to make it flush mount. So thought maybe frame around truck was bent over the years. It was at the paint and body shop. So got body man to come look. He put a jack inside to raise up center part up. Still wouldn't fit body guy said glass to big. All 4 corners glass guy said it needed to be 1/16 smaller all the way around. That he would half to put bunch off glue and would look like crap and wouldn't be safe. And would sit higher than a stock glass. And needs to be smaller to allow all 73-87 Chevy trucks to fit cause no 2 trucks are exactly same built back then. So he is coming Monday with a stock glass and seal. And I'm calling one piece products to send it back. And also when they shipped the glass they spray foam in box to keep it secure in box during shipping. So you half to cut box all up to get glass out which is understandable. But now half to find a box that bug to ship it back. Which might sound stupid to some. But going to be hard for me to find a box that big to ship back and pack it so its secure. So that's my review on one piece products flush mount glass. The windshield may fit nice on another 73-87 truck but not on mine. So hope this helps anyone thinking about doing this to there truck.
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Tuesday it will finally go back to finish Ls swap. Put new wiring harness, vintage air, Dakota guages, amp power running boards, etc. Then back to my house to do all interior, install seats, and put all exterior stuff on. Install stereo system. Then take it to get bed rhino lined and get windows tinted. Get GPS installed on truck. So if everything goes right 2 to 3 months it will be done.
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Love the build!! I have a 84 crew cab project I am going to start soon. Putting the blazer tank in it. It is cut down to short bed already. Sitting on 35s (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170508/57f3233b09ce174826a0d80f1ed36748.jpg)
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That's nice hard part for you is done. Already shortbed.
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4 door square and lifted is a seriously good looking truck
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yea can wait til mine is done.
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i talked to ben at one piece products today. he said he knows the front glass fits it goes on body. that he has alot of people thinking it does not fit. but they dont have a manual or you tube video. only for the rear. and alot of glass installers dont think outside the box. he sent me a bunch of pics to see what it looks like. showed them to glass guy he still doesnt like it and doesnt think its safe in a accident. wont do what a windshield is designed to do in a accident. that its more for just show. which i had hard time even finding someone to even try to put on aftermarket glass. so anyways not going to mess with it. so going with the stock glass. i called ben back and he said i could return it was real cool about it. so there flush mount windshield is probally fine just there fault for not having instructions or video yet. so glass installers dont want to mess with it or want the liabilty. do love the rear flush mount glass though.
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Pics
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Truck was picked up from body shop yesterday and taken to get Ls swap finished.
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I boxed up the flush mount front windshield today to ship back. Ups was 294.00 and fed ex was 316.00. So guess I'm going to try and sell it. I'll probably be out 534.00 I spent on it. Sucks
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Ordered the Dakota digital rear view mirror with compass and temperature. The mm1 model see how that turns out saw all good reviews. So I'll keep progress on Ls swap once it gets rolling again.
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Gentex Corporation makes all the mirrors for most of the OEMs. You could simply go to the wrecking yard and pull one along with the temp sender for the mirror. The mirrors are self calibrating and have the compass part built into the mirror head.
You can also buy the Gentex Mirrors from the Mito Corporation: http://mito-auto.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=category&virtuemart_category_id=1
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OK thanks for the info on rear view mirror
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Well got things rolling on Ls swap again. Got vent line from tank ran. Hooked up fuel filler and hoses to it. Place doing my Ls swap let's me come and work on it stuff I want to do. Got outer glass scrapers on all 4 doors. Headlight switch installed. While I was doing that he replaced power steering pump. Put fan on, radiator support, radiator, and fan shroud on. And got engine harness all laid out. So its coming together. I'll get some pics this week and post them.
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Has anyone bought the rear cab cover from this site store. If so how did it turn out and how does it attache to rear cab.
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Things are starting to get back together. Got some stuff back on today. All lighting stuff so can get wired up.
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Pics
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Pics
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Has anyone bought the rear cab cover from this site store. If so how did it turn out and how does it attache to rear cab.
There has been a bunch of people that have bought those from me. They turn out as well as your skill level. The weld into the body.
Here is a post of a member that bought from us...
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=5661.0
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OK thanks, sounds good
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Captkaos oh I was asking about rear cab cover abs plastic piece. Not the rockers and floor pieces. Piece goes behind rear seat.
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Vintage air and painless wiring harness starting to go in.
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Not to happy with the vintage air kit so far. The rear evaporator bracket was not the right on. The metal lines for heater hoses where 2 inches away from coming out firewall and pushing dash out. I saw 2 other videos people installing the kit my bracket was different. When I called them said must be installing it wrong. Told them so don't you think possible someone packaged it wrong. Plus bracket can only go one way. Didn't get anywhere with them. So bracket was modified to get evaporator up against firewall. Since they don't want admit. Sometimes aftermarket world just sucks. Seems way easier to keep old truck all stock parts.
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As you can see in the above pic with the finger clearance between glove box area and evaporator. That I will have pretty much no glove box. That's with bracket modified and evaporator touching firewall. It can't go anymore further.
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So anyone looking in to aftermarket a/c. Check into classic auto air also before deciding on vintage air. Know I read a lot of good reviews about vintage air. But just my experience so far with them. The evaporator is to wide even up against firewall.
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Did you send them pics so they could see it?
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No I didn't send them a picture of bracket. Should of but just didn't feel like messing with it anymore after talking to them 3 different times. Since bracket was modified to make it work should be OK.
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Well found out today missing a part from vintage air kit. The liquid line. Evaporator to drier line. So called vintage air there sending me one. So waiting on that. Hoping nothing else go wrong. And hope this a/c kits works good lol.
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More progress today a/c condensor. And power steering/transmission cooler. More wiring done.
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More pics
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Pics of Dakota guages wiring going in.
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Pics of glove box liner cut down to fit behind evaporator. I will have little storage left.
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Pics of a/c compressor with high mount brackets. Get a/c compressor away from bottom of motor and away from frame.
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Thanks for the pics
Keep em coming
We are considering the vintage air
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Yea if vintage air works good. I'll be happy with it overall, was frustrated with it in beginning with rear bracket wrong and them telling us its being installed wrong when knew it wasn't being installed wrong. And was missing a part. But they sent part overnight. And I will keep the pics coming as more stuff gets done.
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so did they have a kit just for the ls motor and 73-87 chevy? when i tried to get a kit for my chevy and cummins they said i would have to buy the parts separate and they had no list to go off of.
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Yea kit I got was part number 944181. And had to tell them needed compressor with pully for a serpentine belt. Ordered it through jegs guy was very knowledge on this. So that's what I did.
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Pics of wiring and computer mounted by battery tray.
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Pics
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Pics
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pics of what truck started at when i bought it. bought it from a guy in california had it shipped down to texas.
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pics
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pics that i found when first started.
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pics of making it a shortbed.
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axles were gutted and everything replaced. Got the weld on frame brace for gearbox frame wasn't cracked. Just added protection. Got it from offroad design
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change radiator core support to 89-91 support for dual healights. suspension and crossover steering.
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pics
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pics during teardown
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steering column all rebuilt and painted. misc pics
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frame and axles getting primer and painted.
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ls motor pics
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pics
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misc pics
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pics
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pics
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pics
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pics
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all above pics are ones i found things been done. started this in july 2015. finally getting close to being done hoping 3 more months.
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OK just realized a lot of pics I just posted are on first couple pages when started this forum. So excuse the double pics twice.
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update on truck. all wires ran to back and tail lights and trailer plug wired. headlights and parklights wired with the headlight harness so lights run off relays instead of the headlight switch on dash area. so mostly just more wiring done past week.
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Got a used 35" and 37" tires to see which one fits better before I buy tires. The wheels are the ones I'm using. The 1st picture is the 35" tire.
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The transmission going in today
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Pics
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The transfer case is in. The transfer case support being mocked up that mounts to back of transfer case from tmr customs. The tubing will be bent in middle to drop down. And cross member will be on soon. High angle drivelines patented flange is on transfer case for the ebrake kit.
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Almost ready for driveshafts.
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Thanks for sharing. This is an awesome build!
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Thanks, I'll keep posting stuff as more progress gets done.
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Transfer case support about done.
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More pics
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Wondering why you are making this mount and not just using the stock transfer case mount at the adapter?
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I'm still using the stock cross member with factory rubber mount where it originally goes on transfer case. I'm using the transfer case support at the back of transfer case just for added insurance to let transfer case move with motor and transmission. To prevent from transmission cracking or breaking at the tail end of transmission. Because the np205 is so heavy. The kit just lets transfer case move side to side better when hit the gas. Like how the motor moves. Just want to protect my 3200.00 transmission that I bought from monster transmission. Might be fine with the stock crosdmember. But I've seen and read the np205 breaks back end of transmissions. Most of people happened to where offroading. Most people use the np241 to 4l80e because of that reason and cause it bolts right to 4l80e. With no special adapter.
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I just wanted to stay with the np205 cause its pretty much bullet proof. I used to be into rock crawling in my 20's and I never had anything break or go wrong with a np205.
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Not that I'm going to be doing any hard core offroading or anything. Might be overkill using the np205 support and stock crossmember, but makes me feel better lol.
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Pic of stock crossmember
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Hmmm...interesting. What is the kit exactly, if I missed it in the thread...like who makes it? My '91 V3500 is lifted 8" with the 4L80e and NP205. I have the stock 2-piece driveshaft and stock front driveshaft with the CV stops ground down for extra articulation. I did have both of the driveshafts retubed. I am also interested in the high-angle drivelines, but the stock stuff is working so far. I have had my '91 for about 7 years. I don't do any hard wheeling with it, but do take it off-road. My truck thread is: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=19098.0
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i will check your build thread out like seeing what others have done. and the tmr customs makes the transfer case mount when you goto there website its under axles and drivelines. they have a side mount and and a rear mount i liked the rear mount better why i picked that one.
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it cost 90.00 i figured for 90.00 its worth the extra protection. and wasnt to much fabrication and to with the 4l80e moved my orginal points back. since you got the holy grail of the crew cabs lol 1991 only year came with 4l80e may be even easier.
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ehjorthen yea thats nice truck. glad you choose ls swap lol. i started out going to do cummins swap but thought in long run be happier with ls swap. since this is going to be my daily driver. glad i saw you build gives me good pics of your truck with 35 inch tires. you have 8 inch lift. doesnt look bad with 35 inch tires. i wan to run 35's for main reason its a daily driver. but just dont want the huge gap between top of tire and bottom of wheel well. looks like 35's will work for me and too i have a 4 inch suspension and 1 inch body lift. i dont like body lifts. so i did the 1 inch body lift just for extra clearance for exhaust and the high angle transfer case ebrake.
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I searched for about 3 years to find the 1991 I wanted, specifically for the 4L80e and the round pattern NP205!
I've contemplated going 36" or 37" tires. I have full articulation and zero rub issues and I did not want to cut any body work. Plus...no step bars! It keeps the shorties out, and I have to help my wife up in it by grabbing her a&$! Lol
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thats funny gives you good reason to grab it. as they get older they dont like that, but you have a reason lol. i did get a used 35 and 37 mounted on the wheels im using to see the difference so i know for sure. but pics on your build helped alot.
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little update. driveshafts are ordered. power steering, gearbox, and hydroboost hoses will be getting made soon. and ordered 2 magnaflow mufflers. be true dual exhaust with no cats. if i have problem passing inspection ill add the cats but hoping not.
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Pics of high angle drivelines ebrake kit for the transfer case.
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One thing half to figure didn't even think about is 4l80e is longer than turbo 400. So my shifter for the np205 won't go back in hole in floor. And I don't want to move seats back. I saw some people heating it up and bending it but think on mine will half to be longer also. Don't think just bending it will be enough.
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It may not go in the same hole but the 4l80/205 did come stock in 91.
It's a good thing I have long legs cause I moved my 4l80 back 3" and the 205 shifter doesn't interfere with the seat if it all the way back
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I wonder if the shifter on the 1991 crew cab is a little different. Not that I could find one lol. Be real hard to find.
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Don't think I took any pictures but from memory they're the same size and all
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OK thanks for the info
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ehjorthen yea thats nice truck. glad you choose ls swap lol. i started out going to do cummins swap but thought in long run be happier with ls swap. since this is going to be my daily driver. glad i saw you build gives me good pics of your truck with 35 inch tires. you have 8 inch lift. doesnt look bad with 35 inch tires. i wan to run 35's for main reason its a daily driver. but just dont want the huge gap between top of tire and bottom of wheel well. looks like 35's will work for me and too i have a 4 inch suspension and 1 inch body lift. i dont like body lifts. so i did the 1 inch body lift just for extra clearance for exhaust and the high angle transfer case ebrake.
We have a 4" spring and hockey pucks on the body mounts
(No need to pay $$ for a body lift when hockey pucks are free )
And 35s and they fit fine
A little fender trimming and you could use a 2" suspension lift with 35s
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170722/cdf630bb116631d745b4a033d18e87a6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170722/9ab4a83dbfd5a239910ff0307b11b429.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170722/13ada611841f757c257b0c381dcb2566.jpg)
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Yea it looks about right. Thanks for the pics
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Exhaust is getting put on this week. I went with Gibson mufflers. Didn't want it to loud. Mufflers will be just passed cab and dumped before rear axle. So it doesn't show out back.
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Truck has power now. Headlights, horn, tail lights all working. Rearview mirror with temperature and compass are working. Showing 100 degrees and that's about right.
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4wd shifter was modified to go back in hole added to it from underneath so doesn't show in cab.
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Exhaust about done. Mufflers are just pass cab and dumped at rear axle.
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Should be able to start truck next week. More wiring to clean up. Coolant hoses and all power steering hoses. Driveshafts be done next week.
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Amp power running boards coming out good considering they don't make them for old crew cabs. I got ones for 99-07 Chevy crew cabs.
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Pics
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Powerboards are working. Just have to install door switches so they work when a door is opened. There mounted and working.It won't let me post a video showing them working.
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I may have already asked and you might have it in your thread, but...what motor mount setup are you using, what headers are you using, and you must have relocated the fuel tanks to use the Amp Powerboards, because the tanks get in the way of them retracting.
I have BRPHotrods motor mounts, but they just don't seem to fit that great. My engine is leaning 2° to the passenger's side and the motor mounts are different heights from LH to RH side. The driver's side one is tall and the passenger's side one is short. There is like about a 3/4" difference. Your engine from the pictures just seems to have a lot more clearance around stuff.
My headers don't really fit very good. The driver's side is pretty good, but the passenger's side do not, and I don't really want to cut off the transmission ear to make them fit like people say you have to do. I had a 454 in there with the same transmission and full length headers before with no troubles!
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update on truck. coolant hoses all connected, power steering hoses done. driveshafts will be ready to pick up wednesday. if everything goes right by end of week be ready to start the truck.
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Enjorten I used the standard Chevy small block motor mounts with the ICT adapters. ICT.com is website. And on headers I used shorty block huggers headers from summit. And on gas tank I got rid of dual tanks. And bought blazer gas tank 31 gallon. I wanted to use suburban gas tank but since made it a short bed wasn't going to workout. And I went to junkyard and got the 2 gas tank mounts of a suburban that go side to side to frame. That gas tank sits on front to back.there the same blazer or suburban. Suburbans are a lot easier to find in junk yards.
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On page 2 of my build shows gas tank mounted with the brackets got off a suburban. And welded them from frame to frame.
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I saw on one build guy doing a 84 crew and used SS headers and passenger side was hitting frame so he notched it out. I wasn't going to do that. Nice thing about Ls swap being so popular people making so much stuff for the swaps. Don't half to do stuff like that notching frame.
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Enjorten I re read your post and saw your header on passenger side ear on transmission. I thought it was hitting frame. Yea mine did same thing about 1/2-3/4 inch had to be shaved off. Don't know of a header that will clear frame and transmission ear. Cause they half to hug block tight to clear frame. I'm sure someone could cut and rebend header to not do that, if you found a really good custom guy. I've seen that done on some TV shows lol. Wasn't on crew cab Ls swap but just in general. I choose that route over notching frame. If header comes out more from block it hits frame then when you notch frame. Won't hit ear on tranny. If they hug block tight to clear frame then it hits eat on tranny. Double whammy lol. But maybe someone will chime in, that has found away to clear frame and ear. But I don't see without some custom work on header.
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Antenna is ran for windshield part. Steering hoses are connected. And transmission and power steering hoses ran up front to be connected to the cooler.
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Cooler lines
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Enjorten I re read your post and saw your header on passenger side ear on transmission. I thought it was hitting frame. Yea mine did same thing about 1/2-3/4 inch had to be shaved off. Don't know of a header that will clear frame and transmission ear. Cause they half to hug block tight to clear frame. I'm sure someone could cut and rebend header to not do that, if you found a really good custom guy. I've seen that done on some TV shows lol. Wasn't on crew cab Ls swap but just in general. I choose that route over notching frame. If header comes out more from block it hits frame then when you notch frame. Won't hit ear on tranny. If they hug block tight to clear frame then it hits eat on tranny. Double whammy lol. But maybe someone will chime in, that has found away to clear frame and ear. But I don't see without some custom work on header.
The thing that rubs me the wrong way is that this truck...a 1991 V3500 that came from the factory with a 454, 4L80e, and NP205 had Doug Thorley Tri-Y headers in it with no clearance issues! So it is possible to fit full-length headers with the earlier 4L80e transmission that has the lifting eyes and ears that stick out of the stock converter cover!
I did talk to a very reputable custom exhaust and custom header builder here in Washington state and they told me they charge $150/hour standard labor rate to build custom headers and it just depends on how long it takes them to build them, but typically it is around $2,000 to $2,500!!! They require $500 cash at start and full cash or certified check at the end. They obviously have been burned before. So...NOPE...no custom headers for me!!! They did say that they could modify mine as long as they know exactly what they need to do.
What I am starting to understand is that people, or companies that have developed headers for these rigs have done so on ONE truck that they have had in their shop. Usually they didn't already have a 4L80e in them as they got the transmission from the donor LS. In the case of the LS 4L80e, it does not have the ears for the 3rd row of bolts that hold on the converter cover. The LS converter cover only uses 2 bolts on either side of the transmission case.
Additionally...I am thinking that in these conversions, they are using a cable operated transmission range selector, so they are not thinking about clearance to the stock, lever operated range selector. Since I already had a 4L80e in my square body, it has the traditional, lever operated range selector and the headers are just too high and tight to that mechanism.
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Yea you nailed that one on aftermarket world only trying parts on one truck lol. And also a lot people doing 5.3 motor and 4l60e. On c10, not too many crew cabs. May have little to do with it. Just like the flush mount front windshield I bought and didn't work. And was going to cost 294.00 to ship it back, so now I have a 530.00 windshield that I can't sell. Stuck with it. I know exactly what your saying. I'm just picking on this truck so want everything right and factory looking as I can. Some people don't care just do it whatever way and go with it.
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Search 85 Chevy crew cab short bed Ls swap. You can see what this guy did. Hard to find Ls swaps on crew cabs. But here's one shows problem he was having with headers.
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Ehjorten you might try these guys for headers. Schoenfeldheaders.com
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That is what I have!
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Oh OK lol
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Got the wire pigtail for the 4wd indicator for np205 in today. The painless harness didn't have right plug for the np205 which is understandable. Got it from torque king 4x4 they have been best source for np205 parts. Got everything from them when I rebuilt the np205. I was having problems finding the 4wd indicator sensor goes on top transfer case. And found they had it.
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Cooler lines are connected. All lines are done now. And heat sleeve was put around transmission lines around exhaust.
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Got the swing case toolbox in today. Going this route cause don't want toolbox taking up bed space.
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Got the wire pigtail for the 4wd indicator for np205 in today. The painless harness didn't have right plug for the np205 which is understandable. Got it from torque king 4x4 they have been best source for np205 parts. Got everything from them when I rebuilt the np205. I was having problems finding the 4wd indicator sensor goes on top transfer case. And found they had it.
I made my own pigtail as I have weatherpack and metripack crimpers and components. I am still waiting on my replacement 4wd indicator switch though. Summit says 8/22 for the ship date and I ordered on 7/3. Might have to check-out Torque King!
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Yea lol. I got pigtail in 3 days. I've ordered alot from them for np205.
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Truck is alive and running it started on first crank. So far nothing leaking. Can't post video on here so can't hear it.
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Driveshafts were ready today. Things moving right along. A/c is charged with freon, blowing cold.
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Driveshafts are bolted up.
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Got to find some 7/16 countersunk bolts to bolt front part of rear driveshaft the bolts they sent with transfer case brake hitting brake.
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Brakes and hydroboost all bleed and working. Truck has steering and brakes now.
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What did you end up running for your AC pump and brackets? I really wanted to use the stock denso on the LS in the low position, but wasn't ready to chop up the passenger's side engine mount to make it fit. I am just going to run AC up high, but there are too many options. What did you do? Looks like a new pump. What kind? What brackets?
Thanks!
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I used the highmount a/c brackets from ICT billet. The one for Ls truck motor. And on compressor used the one came with vintage air kit 944181 and just told them needed the compressor with serpentine belt
Ordered that kit from jegs. I'll find the receipt from jegs to get part number on compressor. Pretty sure was sanden 508 with serpentine pully.
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The vintage air part number for compressor I used is 04808-vma.
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Front part of driveshaft on rear is on.
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Pics
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All guages working and everything checks out good on Dakota guages. Truck was idling for 45 mins with a/c on. And never got hot. Everything working as should.
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Pics
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Shift linkage will be going on next. Going with lokar linkage
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All wires for speakers, radio, and amp are ran. Every wire in truck is sleeved in conduit.
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Pics
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Everything done on motor side. Brakes, steering, and its shifting in all gears smooth. Time for spray in bed liner.
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Pics
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Pics of shift linkage
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Engine bay is done everything is on
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Going to clean and repaint underneath. Axles, suspension, etc. And clean inside cab. From the aftermath of the paint and body. Then start putting everything outside on bumpers, mirrors, etc.
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Found a headliner out of dually about a month ago had to drive 2 1/2 hours to get so hard to find. My truck didn't have a headliner. Dropping headliner off Monday to get redone. So can get that on before start putting all stuff on inside.
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Which spray in liner did you use? Are you happy with it?
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The guy that did liner uses rhino lining. I've had a truck with line x. And trucks with rhino lining. And the line x is thin and smooth and peeled off after using bed. The rhino lining never did its thicker and rougher. Very happy with way it turned out. If your wanting to do it yourself. You can buy it from them direct. Rhino linings.com.
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Testing out a 35" and 37" tire.
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The 37" tire clears fine and doesn't hit anything with wheel turned all the way both ways. I'm still undecided like to use 35" tires since going to be daily driven.
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Sunday I'll finish up all the cleaning and stuff from paint and body aftermath. Then I'll start putting outside stuff on be able to see it coming together. And decide on what size tire so can order them.
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Got door handles and key locks on front doors. Door handles were a pain getting rod in hole on door latch. Still have rear door handles to do I'll do those another day when I'm fresh lol.
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Front and rear bumpers on. And front grille is on grille was painted gray color of truck every place there was chrome. And the insert was painted black. And part around headlight bezels. Didn't like how they painted insert a gloss black. So already bought new grille and dropped it off different place to get repainted. Just put that one one to see front together. Want it semi gloss, like on newer trucks grille.
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The 35" tire is on front. 37" tire on rear. So decided on going with 37" tires. 35" looks to small for my taste. Had 37" on front and turned tire back and forth good clearance all way around. So I'll order tires Monday.
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Pics
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Mirrors are on those are painted same color as truck. The place that's going to tint my windows does that clear wrap stuff there putting on new vehicles like on hood, side body parts. Going to get them to put clear stuff on backside of mirrors where its painted. So help prevent rock chips.
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Tires are ordered I'll have them on truck this weekend. Get rest of outside of truck done.
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New tires are on
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Cowl back together and swing case toolbox.
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Hood insulation kit to finish off engine bay.
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Got headliner back from getting recovered.
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Headliner is done. I ended up asking place recovered headliner. If they could send one of there guys to my house to install it and they did. More I thought about decided not to do it myself since never had headliner before no holes for trim where there. It took the guy 8 1/2 hours to do it with me helping. So I'm glad I went that route.
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I installed grab handles, turned out good I used steel rivet inserts. Installed the rivet nuts before the headliner was installed.
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I'll be moving on to dash area. Guages, bezel, dash pad. Hooking up a/c vents, radio, etc.
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Got most of dash together.
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Giving the tail lights smoked color look. Used vht nightshade. Cleaned them with rubbing alcohol. Then lightly wet sand with 800 grit sandpaper, then went to 1000, finished with 1500. Then cleaned them with soap. Dried them real good. Then with nightshade first coat just a light mist. Then the 2nd coat went couple times over them. 2 coats all I'm doing. That's as dark as I want. 4-5 coats will black them out. So far so good. Just half to do 4-5 coats of clear. I shined flashlight through them after 2nd coat of nightshade and its just right amount I wanted.
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The rear cab corner speaker mounts workout good.
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Tail lights are done happy with way turned out using vht nightshade. Did 5 coats clear coat. And after dried over night I waxed then.
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I'll be finishing up few things today. Get some things complete. Then be moving to figuring out mounting the seats I got out of 2012 Tahoe. Once there mounted take them back out, and finish sound deadner/insulation. Put flooring in. Mount seats and seat belts in. Then on to door panels. Get truck tagged and inspected. And I'll be done.
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Started on seats yesterday taking a lot of time. They were sitting a little too high. So took off all factory mounts off on bottom of front seats they were riveted on so took time drilling them out. With brackets all off it dropped seats 3 inches so now there sitting good. I'll post pics tomorrow.
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Front seats where I wanted them
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Rear seats starting to go in
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Pics rear seat
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Pics of console about only piece not taking to much fan work it fits pretty good over hump.
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Center console pics
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Seats are done have 46 1/2 hours in making seats work. Have 5 inches from top of head to headliner and plenty of clearance from steering wheel to my leg, so it worked out good without having to cut out floor. I'm 5'11 so might be different for someone that's taller.
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Took seats all out. Now on to finishing sound deadner/insulation. Finish flooring. Mount amp and sub box. Seat belts and seats. Then on to door panels, I'm getting to the end.
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Decals from the new trucks
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Got rear speakers, amp, and sub in and wired. Sounds pretty good. Still have front speakers to do. And put black vinyl on rear of cab to cover entire back wall.
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What did the front seats come out of
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Seats came out of 2012 tahoe
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Vinyl flooring is in turned out pretty good had to use heat gun get some spots to lay down. I'm not a fan of carpet in a truck why I went with vinyl. Seats are done and wired up and working.
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Be moving on to sill and threshold plates. And do door panels and front speakers.
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Looks like it's coming along nicely
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Yea almost there to being finished
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Got sill plates and threshold plates on.
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3 of 4 door panels are on, just have drivers front to do.
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Little better pics
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Pic
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Getting few things finished up calibrated speedometer to work with tires, few other things. Texas has a 30 day permit I got so can drive it to get inspection done so can get tags. Then get alignment done. Then windows tinted, lastly get truck fully detailed and I'll be done. Then can finally enjoy truck.
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Wow truck looks amazing. Nice work!
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Thanks kren. Got alignment done and inspection done yesterday. Was kinda worried about inspection keep seeing some people saying if vehicle is 25 years or older no emissions or exhaust check. Only safety inspection. Others saying if it had Cadillac converters from factory then has to have them. Being a 1987 it had them originally. Went to get inspection and since truck is 25 years or older only had to do safety inspection so it worked out. No Cadillac converters. Just thought I would share this info, in case someone is wondering. This is in Texas, probably different from state to state.
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Tomorrow going back to driveshaft shop, I have a bad vibration on takeoff it does it for about 3 seconds when hit gas. All other speeds its fine. I'm thinking carrier needs shimed or pinion angle. I'm kinda ruling out axle wrap, since I don't have blocks in the rear or soft springs. It has shackle flip with factory springs in rear. So will see. After that is fixed, I'll get windows tinted and get full detail inside and out. I'll be done
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Got vibration on take off fixed was carrier needed to be shimed down, takes off smooth now. Got windows tinted yesterday. So just down to getting truck fully detailed inside and out.
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Got truck full detail buffed and waxed truck. Cleaned inside and out.
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Nice job. Would you be willing to email a few pics of it for our Calendar?
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Thanks and yes I would send some pics for a calendar. Just let me know what date you need them by. And where to send the pics
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Hwh love the truck man! Your vinyl floor looks like it fits really nice compared to some I’ve seen. What brand/where did you get it?
Also I noticed you didn’t have a neutral safety switch on the tranny - how is that working for you? I’ve read mixed things about not running it.
Thanks
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I got the vinyl flooring from classic industries, it workout well just half to lay it in the sun. For a good day and works out good. Haven't had any problems without having neutral safety switch so far. I can't recall a time where I tried to start a vehicle in gear, whether I forgot it was in gear or anything.
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I got the vinyl flooring from classic industries, it workout well just half to lay it in the sun. For a good day and works out good. Haven't had any problems without having neutral safety switch so far. I can't recall a time where I tried to start a vehicle in gear, whether I forgot it was in gear or anything.
Awesome thanks man. Did you ground the wire from the PCM that gets the PRND signal from the neutral safety switch?
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Yes that's what I did haven't had a problem with it.
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Update on truck been driving truck little over 3 months. Had hydroboost start leaking it was new so it was under warranty. Also thermostat wouldn't open so changed it works fine. So far only things happened since started driving it have put about 3400 miles so far changed oil at 3000 miles. Entered truck in the good guys car and truck show march 9-11. At Texas motor speedway. So that will be fun to take it there.
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Hey guys, been a while and I'm in the middle of my 6.0 swap. What page or post deals with the coolant temp sensor?
I'm trying a 3 wire (2 wire to computer, 1 to guage) and I want to see what he did....
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Hey guys, been a while and I'm in the middle of my 6.0 swap. What page or post deals with the coolant temp sensor?
I'm trying a 3 wire (2 wire to computer, 1 to guage) and I want to see what he did....
Have you been on the LS swap squarebody Facebook page? Tons of info there!
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Do you have any more pictures of the Amp steps and how you mounted them?
Thanks
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How much do you have into this minus the truck and shipping?
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When I finished truck totaled all receipts came to around 62,000 spent building truck. And that's with me do most of the work myself. Doesn't include what I paid for truck and shipping.
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Also I didn't try to go the cheap route bought the best parts where I could.
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H
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Good-looking machine brother...
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Nice project man! Lot's of hard work shows!
Glad you escaped the converters nightmare.
They promised us the same in Cali, 25 years and older yada yada, but LIED.
My 45 year old truck still have to have a Cat.