>Newb< 71 LWB NEED INFO
 

Alright to start off here is what i have now a 71 lwb gen 2 350 with three on the tree. Decent truck just a little rust on the rocker panels no biggee. Now for what i want im lookin to put a late model 5.3 or 6.0 into it with more than likely a 4l60e trans I have been all over this forum the last 48 hours looking at threads a day old to threads from existence. And made no leeway on my specific questions. first question do i have to replace my colum to make it work with a 4l60/80 trans ? no wayt to adapt the one i have ? second i havent found a bolt in trans cross member without purchasing a whole kit which jus seeems a bit overboard. I have found some prett neat mounts though http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...10lsmounts.jpg there pretty neat i think. And would I just be ahead of the game by just doing away with the stock tank ? O yea if i find a good late model drive shaft out of another late model lwb chevy like per say the donor ehicle will the u joints match up or is there a part number for a u joint that would work ? and if so should i still use that ds carrirer bearing ?

Re: >Newb< 71 LWB NEED INFO
 

I'm going to try and answer a few of these questions that I have had experience with. Someone else will chime in i'm sure and help you out on the rest. The column shift should be useable with any trans as long as you purchase an adjustable linkage. You may not be able to shift into 1st but definately can adjust to drive adn use. For a trans crossmember if you have an automatic now just reuse that. Place the motor and trans olt up your crossmember to the trans and locate where the holes need to be for the crossmember on the frame. With the motor mounts I used the factory 6 cylinder stands in the 6 cylinder location. If you have a sbc you can reuse those factory stands as well. The you just need to purchase the adapter mounts from ebay or other parts source to use the factory style sbc motor mounts. Look in the swap section I used #2 of the plates and it worked out nicely. Hope this helped.

Re: >Newb< 71 LWB NEED INFO
 

^^what he said. Also, you can spend as much or as little as you want on your swap. I try to cheap out on mine as much as possible. You can use your current auto tranny Xmember and steering column. You may need to tweek your linkage or even buy a lokar setup. Not sure about the u-joints. You can use your oem yokes and hae one built pretty cheap.

Re: >Newb< 71 LWB NEED INFO
 

Ive got a manual three speed on column looks like il have to find an auto colum

Re: >Newb< 71 LWB NEED INFO
 

Or move the shifter to the floor, or maybe a push button shifter?
As far as mounts...TransDapt makes some inexpensive plates for use w/mounting an LSx when using sbc motor mounts. Since you have a 3sp. you'll need to acquire an inexpensive stock automatic cross member or buy aftermarket. I got one like this from CPP for like $65 I think, along with a poly mount:
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...ges/CP9427.jpg

Its possible you'll have to get your drive shaft cut/remade? and for a 4L80e a new end put on? Drive shaft should currently have a 27 spline slip yoke? 4L60e is 30 spline?

Re: >Newb< 71 LWB NEED INFO
 

I have a 71 Chev that I did an LS swap to a 5.3 with 4l60E transmission. Here's my thread start to finish with a parts list. I used the factory trans crossmember and drive line without modifications.

follow the thread with this link