Shop truck build

[Chaosftw]

I have been lurking for a while since I got this truck from a customer from the shop I work for. It came in with a locked up engine and 9nce I saw it was 2wd I offered a couple hundred bucks not really sure what I would do with it. I have a 6.0 and 4l80 sitting around and plan to lower it soon. I'm thinking some 20s and 4/6 drop.i got a terminator x and brackets to run a/c and factory obs accessories. Once it's running and driving and after the drop I will start on some body work. It is rattle caned with 266k. The front is all OG the 3rd door and bed and passenger door are from 2 different trucks. This is not my first project but is my first obs and first ls swap going into a gm. I have a 64f100 crown vic framed with a 6.0 and an 81 cutlass with a big block Olds N/A on alcohol. The reason for "shop truck". Is my buddy and I have are own auto repair business and eventually will be rapped or painted in "outback auto" our businesses name. I'm thinking some nitrous for fun. The engine will go in as is now with headers for now and maybe a cam swap next year.

I pulled the engine and Trans out this weekend finally and started stripping the factory harness to run the ac and gauges with the factory pcm. I have to switch the 4l80 to 2wd so a full rebuild and alot of mods will he done since it has to be apart to swap the output shaft.

Alot of info so far haha I will have questions for you guys I watch alot of your builds.

First question I have is brake master and booster I can't find a good thread on for the gmt800 swap that i have heard of. I am also deleting the abs system. it just makes the engine bay more full and it has to go haha if that makes a difference for the master cylinder. Also what does a guy do for a beefer rear end. The 8.5 I know will die i have ripped the pinion yoke off a few of them.... is there a 5 lug option I have re drilled axles but I'd someone has done the leg work 8 would love to know.

Cheers everyone hope your having a great weekend.

 

[Drunkcanuk]

Looks like a great project you have there, and the plan seems sound. I know that info you seek is on here somewhere, someone will come along I'm sure with the links. Have fun and keep the pics coming, never know when you are the one helping someone else out later.

 

[Chaosftw]

I got the engine in place today using some poly mount brackets I got off of eBay that are very adjustable. I ended up drilling the holes out far enough to weld in some nuts into the frame so i dont have to pull springs out to get to the back side of the nuts for the mounts. I've seen you can wiggle a hand in there but this seemed quicker to me and more desirable if I want to use different mounts down the road. I torced off the origional hardware just to move quicker. I tried fitting some c10 swap headers but they hit the control arm mounts and there definitely not going to fit the obs without a ton of mods I will buy some for the swap instead. I also started to get the accessorie brackets in order from ict billet. I have to get a non Evo pump and lines and that will be all set. I also pulled the 4l80 apart but forgot to take pictures. A guys hands get covered is gunk pulling them apart. Once it's cleaned up i will get some pictures. I'm still waiting for the 2wd reluctor to come In and my sensors. The seal kit kit and ck performance reprogram kit i normally use will be In this week then I can measure for a drive shaft once the Trans is built. If maybe just can have my 2 piece shortened in the front for now. I'm assuming. I know the driveshaft will need more shortening if I use a dana 60 or something or if there is any ideas on a beefer rear that is a good swap from you all.

Not great progress but some haha. It will all come back apart for cleaning and paint once the snow is gone and my power washer won't freeze.

I find that I get on a roll when doing this stuff probably because I do it everyday and don't think to stop for pictures. If anyone has questions. Definitely ask and i can walk a guy through it or pull things apart for a picture if it's not fo far back.

 

[Wh4t3v3rs]

Mine started out like yours with a simple tbss intake, single turbo, 4l80e, and 9".....hahaha it's already in your blood, so it's just a matter of time my friend!!! Hahaha
Look forward to seeing the upgrades and updates! Solid start bro!!

 

[MrPink]

First question I have is brake master and booster I can't find a good thread on for the gmt800 swap that i have heard of. I am also deleting the abs system. it just makes the engine bay more full and it has to go haha if that makes a difference for the master cylinder. Also what does a guy do for a beefer rear end. The 8.5 I know will die i have ripped the pinion yoke off a few of them.... is there a 5 lug option I have re drilled axles but I'd someone has done the leg work 8 would love to know.

Cheers everyone hope your having a great weekend.

Welcome,

As far as the booster and master swap, you can use your factory booster and swap in a NBS master. @Wh4t3v3rs and I are both running the ManualBrakes.com manual brake conversion, and a NBS master cyl swap. However, neither of us have our trucks running to test the conversions lol. If you do swap to a NBS master, get an adjustable prop valve too.

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I am keeping a GM 10 Bolt in my truck with 3.42 gears, a Detroit or Eaton locker and disk brake conversion. But a 9" is a stronger option, however is not bolt in unless you get a bolt in housing from Strange or Moser. The two aforementioned companies both offer 5x5 bolt pattern 9" 30,33,35,and 40 spline axles in any desired length. I can tell you, as can James(Wh4t3v3rs) that a 9" is not the cheapest option, but will be one of the strongest.

If you want to save cost and not sacrifice strength, you could also go with a C2500 6 lug Sf 14-bolt 9.5" rear from an 88-98 C2500. It will be a direct bolt in affair, and you can completely convert your c1500 to 6 lug with swapping the rotors up front and the rear end out back.


If you need help with the wiring for the LS swap I recommend Lt1swap.com or you can bounce questions off me. I can help to the best of my abilities.

 

[DamHoodlum]

I have been lurking for a while since I got this truck from a customer from the shop I work for. It came in with a locked up engine and 9nce I saw it was 2wd I offered a couple hundred bucks not really sure what I would do with it. I have a 6.0 and 4l80 sitting around and plan to lower it soon. I'm thinking some 20s and 4/6 drop.i got a terminator x and brackets to run a/c and factory obs accessories. Once it's running and driving and after the drop I will start on some body work. It is rattle caned with 266k. The front is all OG the 3rd door and bed and passenger door are from 2 different trucks. This is not my first project but is my first obs and first ls swap going into a gm. I have a 64f100 crown vic framed with a 6.0 and an 81 cutlass with a big block Olds N/A on alcohol. The reason for "shop truck". Is my buddy and I have are own auto repair business and eventually will be rapped or painted in "outback auto" our businesses name. I'm thinking some nitrous for fun. The engine will go in as is now with headers for now and maybe a cam swap next year.

I pulled the engine and Trans out this weekend finally and started stripping the factory harness to run the ac and gauges with the factory pcm. I have to switch the 4l80 to 2wd so a full rebuild and alot of mods will he done since it has to be apart to swap the output shaft.

Alot of info so far haha I will have questions for you guys I watch alot of your builds.

First question I have is brake master and booster I can't find a good thread on for the gmt800 swap that i have heard of. I am also deleting the abs system. it just makes the engine bay more full and it has to go haha if that makes a difference for the master cylinder. Also what does a guy do for a beefer rear end. The 8.5 I know will die i have ripped the pinion yoke off a few of them.... is there a 5 lug option I have re drilled axles but I'd someone has done the leg work 8 would love to know.

Cheers everyone hope your having a great weekend.

You can convert your 14 bolt to 5 Lug very easy

 

[Chaosftw]

Awesome thanks for the information everybody. I think I want to keep the vacuum assist. Probably get a new booster and use the nnbs master and a proptioning valve. I got a few parts in but still wait on c&k performance for some 4l80 stuff and my new radiator.
The read diff i think i will leave for now. Im going to keep my eye out for a 9.5. I did do the 9.5 swap on my 08 sierra 1500 from a vortec max truck and went with 4.10 front and rear to help with bigger tires. which was bolt on. I'm guessing the leaf springs are farther apart just by eye ball I will have to crawl underneath to measure.

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[Chaosftw]

I got the accessories all on and checked to see if the Schoenfeld headers fit last night. I am still waiting for transmission parts and radiator. I think I can put the output shaft in and tail housing and bolt it on the engine to check drive shaft length. I'm hoping it's far enough back to go with a single piece that won't be a million bucks.

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[Chaosftw]

No new updates I have been awaiting on parts and am currently in Florida with my wife. We went to the freedom 500 and cleetus and cars. If you guys watch cleetus McFarland.

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[Chaosftw]

I made it back and alot of parts had showed up. I got my 4l80 all together and started plumbing and doing electrical all the boring stuff and fired it up today. I'm still waiting for exhaust to show up and my lowering kit. But o ve the exhaust is here I can bring it to work and bend up some pipes. I got some flow master flow fx mufflers and an x pipe for now. I haven't use this type of muffler before. My guess is loud haha but I'm going for that a little. My next purchase will be some nitrous or wheels and tires depend on if the current set up rubs bad or not