Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

That looks like a pretty cool place to work. The conversion places are becoming a dying breed, at least the ones I'm used to. Most of the ones now are just bolt on places not the full conversion places like the one you posted.

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

When I first started there in 1993 we were pumping out 6 complete conversions vans a day, and about 12 trucks a day, minus paint. When I left we are doing about 2 vans a day, and the truck line had been moved into our shop because demand was so low. It got to the point where we only had like 3 off the shelf packages for each, and the rest of what we did was one-off customs, or bolt on. Most everything there is now bolt on it seems, with a few custom trucks and vans rolling out here and there. But the retail store is now about 3x the size of what it use to be.

The owner and I are still pretty tight, we speak regularly. We always got along very, very well. If something ever happened where I work now, I could probably walk back in there and start working that day. He's always asking me (jokingly) when I am coming back. :lol:

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

That's the way you want to leave a job is on good terms, and them wanting you back. Whenever I see someone at my old job they ask me the same thing. Makes me feel better knowing that I did my job to the best of my ability, and I made a good impression.

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

I'll go ahead and post the install results here just for the record, but I sold them tonight. They fit great and were very comfy, but I did not like the color match.

The guy I sold them to just bought a real solid 85 GMC lwb 2wd a few days ago. His seat was in nice shape, but was badly worn on the drivers bottom, like usual. His interior is a little darker than Fred, so it should look real good in his. He also bought my other tilt column, and I threw in Fred's original GMC grill for him too.

Gave him the site's www address and told him to sign up. Hopefully we'll be seeing him on the board soon.

They did turn out nice, and fit well!

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Buddy your pics aint workin?

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

updates?

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Oops! I had linked to the pics I used in the for sale ad, but I had deleted the ad when they sold. I posted some new ones up above.

Nope, haven't done anything but drive the snot out of it. Have had zero issues with it, and I'm still getting great mileage. The AC is still ice cold. It's pulled a couple different trailers recently, one was loaded with landscaping rock. Pulled like a champ and still ran 75 up the interstate with no problems.

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Hmmm, what am I up to today...... :D

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Hmmm, I have an idea :)
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Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Checking to see which level is more accurate the small or the big one? :haha:

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

:haha:

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Smart a$$e$! :haha: (BTW, the little one is the better one! :lol: )

The Burb has been reduced to little pieces! I cut it up yesterday, and boy does the front of my shop look a lot more cleaner and respectable! :lol: I cleaned out the scrap pile in the shop and dumped into it, and have one more large pile out back to load up then I'll haul it all to the scrappers soon.

I cut the front off (firewall and floor) and will keep that part to set on the frame so I can watch for clearance issues to the firewall and trans tunnel when mocking stuff up. I still need to cut off the rest of the B post and clean up the cuts so I don't cut the snot outta myself.

It's been a while since I was a firefighter, I forgot how much fun a sawzall was!! :metal:

Winter project!! :D

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Ok.....
So it's a burb frame getting a LS treatment so I'm gonna guess CCSB???
Please say yes
Please say yes
Please say yes
:-)
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Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

agreed

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

sorry to disappoint guys but i'm thinking Bob and Bryce are going to make up an "LSx swap kit!" maybe one that will work on the 67-72 trucks also;)

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

if this is true...so count me in...I'll pull the diesel in a skinny minute...I've been on the fence on whether to do the ls swap or not, but this will push me right over the edge....period...:D

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

:lol: Bob has been known to push folks over that edge Chuck!!! and he has no problem doing it either:haha:

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

lol I just hope the drop to the ground aint far on the other side of that fence...I don't want it to hurt to much...:lol:

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

:lol: its not too bad imo... my wifes opinion may be a little different.:lol: should have seen/heard her at the colorado intervention! i mean vacation:haha:

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

lmao...I haven't really filled my wife in yet...but she'll be on board...she didn't think she'd really like the truck with the Coys, but once I had them on there, she really liked them...so things will go fine...I just need to make sure that I clear it with my financial advisor (wife) first...:lol:

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

good idea! i just go crazy and then pay for it later. its easier to ask for forgiveness than ask permission around here:lol:

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

You guys are killing me!

BINGO!!!! Swap kit design has begun!

The Burb frame will eventually be cut in two. The front half for the LS swap kit, and the back half to either mock up my 67-72 trailing arms rear suspension, or building my own version.

The reason I cut the front end of the body like I did is so I can set it on the frame to check for firewall clearance to the back of the block, and check the trans for interference to the tunnel.

I still have my old 68 frame and a few front cross members, now I just need to find a dead cab that someone wants to donate to the cause! :lol:

If anyone knows of some extra LS parts laying around for "cheap" ;), even if they are damaged, I am in need of:

* AC compressor to engine bracket
* AC compressor
* Oil pan (truck [preferred], F-body, whatever)
* Heads (can be bare and even damaged, just as long as they will fit the block and hold exhaust manifolds)
* Truck intake manifold (bare)

Oh, and..... I don't push too hard. More like kick or punch! :haha:

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

I can donate a cab if you wanna come pick it up...lol...it's sitting right out in the yard waiting on you to come get it...just let me know before you come so I can wash it and make it all purty for ya...lol...

and what's the eta on the kit?...also what all will the kit include?...we have a price yet or round about figure?...

if you wanna kick, that's fine with me...just make it worth my while...:D

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Bob,
I have you covered on the intake, I just need to swap it out. It has a small hole in it. I need to keep the injectors/rails too. You pay for shipping and it's yours.


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ruck/69-21.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ruck/69-24.jpg

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Hmm, I don't think it will fit in the company airplane, but thanks for the offer! :lol:

No idea on any kind of a price or time line yet. I'm just now in the "gathering of parts" stage, and won't really start zeroing in on a design until I have the main parts together that would give a guy clearance issues.

My initial idea is to offer a universal trans crossmember, and either engine mounts for use with the stock towers, or fab'd towers and engine mounts. It will probably end up being fab'd towers to make it easier to use the LS's AC compressor with no fab work needed to be done by the installer. And of course the simpler the design, the less expensive is should be. :D

I might also make some adapter plates like the more common ones (think The Car Shop, etc.), as I think I can make and sell them for less than the going price of $45.

Maybe even a Vette fuel pressure regulator/filter set-up complete with the correct fittings already installed.

Mike, that is perfect! :metal: Keep everything you need, all I need is the big chunk of plastic! :lol: Let me know what shipping comes to and I can send you a Paypal or a money order. Thanks a bunch!