My 87 R10 build.

[Gdeorta]

Hey everybody new from Az my names Gabriel, im starting a build thread for my 87 R10 Short bed.

My goal for it is to take it apart paint the frame, replace anything that needs to be replaced , bushing, mounts, tie rods, shocks etc.... It's got a 350 with an auto tranny. It sounds good, but I wanna put a 5.3 in it, I'm hoping to get it done pretty fast, my dad owns an upholstery shop so anything that needs to be done with the interior will be no problem, I do paint and body work on the side and know plenty of people who do great work and cheap if I don't have time to do it. I buy and sell cars so my plan is to buy a complete silverado with a 5.3 from a salvage auction I frequent. The only problem I for see is the wiring for the 5.3 so hopefully you guys can help... I'm going to start taking it apart this coming week.

Here's when I bought it from the auction


Haven't done anything to it yet besides buy a new grill for it, and finding out the frame is cracked at the steering box.






Interior needs to be completely redone.

[bake74]

     Well since you are a body and paint guy and your dad does interiors I expect that it will be one sweet ride when you are done.  Keep us informed on the progress and we will help whenever we can.  By the way we love pics of the progress also.

[Gdeorta]

I will definitely be posting progress pics. Now as far as the swap goes, I already have a list of some stuff for the swap still not done figuring out what I'll need, so far:
F body headers,
Dirty dingo  mounts.
I know I'll need a bracket for the compressor any suggestions?
5.3 with trans, wiring harness and ecu I'll be purchasing an entire truck for this so is there anything else off the truck I'll need? And is there any year in particular that would be best for this?
Now as far as the harness goes, is there one I can buy that's already done or who should I send my harness to? Any info on this would be appreciated.

Is there anything else I should upgrade while the trucks taken apart?

Thanks in advance.

[winky]

there are a few places that sell the harness for swaps if im not mistaking. ill check and holler back

[winky]

http://www.hotrodharness.com/

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_kw=Stand+Alone+4.8L+5.3L+6.0L+Vortec+engine+wiring+harness

plenty of people modify there harness though just depends on your preference

[dvdswan]

there are several places to buy harnesses or have them made for you from one.  you can also do it yourself.  one thing to remember is you will need to think of if you get the whole vehicle and that's to use or not use the VATS.

[Gdeorta]

Oh VATs, how I hate it, my Colorado has left me stranded for 10-20 mins thanks to that. I'll have to do a search on modifying the harness myself I always like a challenge if all else fails ill buy one.
Thanks for the replies

[Captkaos]

lt1swap.com has all the info you need on doing it yourself.

[Gdeorta]

Thanks, I went m.i.a for a little, in the process if taking the truck to its final resting place till its was done, some lady decided to slam on her brakes in front of me for no reason and I rear ended her. So my truck went from looking like this.
To this

Tomorrow I'll be working on tearing it down.


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[winky]

Those  bumpers are pretty easy to work on. Be ready to remove some 10mm bolts (like 30) lol. Its been a few months since ive worked on one but if I'm not mistaking you have to pretty much take the bumper completely apart to get the center peaces out. Good thing is that you can take it off in about 5 mins.

- I'm Mobile!

[Gdeorta]

Yea, this is the third time I'll be fixing the bumper.... Anyway got some progress done on the 87, bed, fenders and hood off, tomorrow the front end should be completely disassembled... A lady behind my brothers (where my truck currently is) has an older 67-72 c10 shortbed some what taken apart I heard she's interested in selling so hopefully I'll get that one as well.



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