Project time! Need some advice

[thejed72]

I'm tired of driving vehicles I'm not passionate about, so time for a change.

I have a '69 GMC short bed stepside, with a straight 250 and leaf spring rear. Not sure what I'm doing with the rear yet, or if it's staying leaf spring.

My plan is this. Get it moving somewhat reliably again. Upgrade the front brakes to disc by swapping the entire front crossmember after a rebuild and drop spindles. Then to the rear end and a disc swap and rebuild. (Not currently sure what's under there). Some nice rims and tires.

Then the 5.3 LS swap. This will end up being a daily driver (or reliable enough to be one), so nothing crazy under the hood. Though it'll definitely be getting "tweaked."

Not sure on the transmission end yet. More than likely something modern (4L60E/4L80E.

Then the creature comforts. A/C, power windows, stereo, cruise. Keeping the bench. I want a clean factory fresh interior.

There are plenty of threads here and online for what I want to do, and I will be asking advice throughout. The end result I want is something I can dependably drive anywhere comfortably, have a little ass end to it, and be something I want. Probably end up more like a car than a truck, but I'm tired of a truck that looks like everyone else's in this town.

So, does the order make sense? Any advice or similar threads of guys that have done this that I should check out I may or may not have seen?

Any and all advice will be appreciated.

[jokers10]

My advice is to make a list of the big items you want to do, and do them in the order that makes the most sense to your abilities and lifestyle.

For instance if you need to use the truck at all during the rebuild, then it makes sense to get it running reliably first. However if you don't need to drive the truck, then it makes the most sense getting rid of anything you won't use in the final build to have the most room to work.

[thejed72]

I won't NEED it as a running driving truck, but it will keep the wife happy if it's a running, driving truck. Though I agree with you.

[jokers10]

Then I would suggest to do the minimal amount of engine work possible while looking for a 5.3 donor that is complete from harness to transmission including computer(s). Once you get that package, then it will be easier to justify the downtime as a swap will take a while.

[WhiteCST]

I’m basically doing the exact same thing as you and have a major piece of advice. As stated above, find a donor. It makes everything so much easier. And deals do exist. I paid $1500 for a 2006 Silverado 2500HD with not title from a salvage yard and drove it two hours home. I’ve parted it out and am actually making money from it and still have the 6.0/4l89e with 135k miles. If you can’t find a donor, buy turnkey. I got screwed out of $900 by a “reliable” salvage guy and he wouldn’t refund a junk motor. My 2nd piece of advice is consider ECE parts instead of a X member swap. I have less money in my complete ECE kit than a buddy does in his swap using 73-87. Unless you can find really good deals on complete stuff, the little stuff will eat your budget alive (ask me how I know) Other than that, enjoy the truck, and post some pics of what you’ve got!

[WhiteCST]

And as far as a helpful thread “5.3 Swap the easy way” was pretty useful for me among others.

[thejed72]

I've actually read through the 5.3 swap made easy a few times to take some notes and do a little research. Great thread! As for the brakes, i Think I need to figure out a complete end goal for what I want to do for the suspension. I know I want the old truck look for the body, but I want that updated big rims/brakes look to match the engine.

I'd like to keep it simple. I don't want to hack up the frame, and I'd like to keep everything pretty much a bolt on deal. Don't ask why, not even sure myself!

I guess first figure out that front end since it needs some help to be safe anyway...

[Mike C]

I have your truck. Kind of. Mine is a Chevrolet with a 307. Leaf spring. I did the ECE disc conversion with 2 1/2" drop spindles and 2" springs. I have a DJM flip kit in the back that dropped the rear 7". My truck has the HD spring option. I pulled the overload and have a set of CalTrac bars on it.

I swapped in a housing from a 71-72 truck for the little wider housing and 5 lug axles. I have about the widest tire I can get on there and need the extra housing width for it to fit with the zero offset 9" rim.

I've been driving the truck and having a blast with it. At some point I will be swapping in an L36 427 that is already built and just waiting. I will run a TH200 4R as I hate the 1-2 ratio spread on the 4L60/TH700 trans. That and a set of 3.73.

I did a stereo already and Vintage Air will come some point. But getting it running and being reliable was first. And it is a blast to drive as everybody loves it.

[thejed72]

Sorry for the delay, was on vacation with my daughter. Mike C, I'm really digging the stance on your truck, so you might have a copycat here. What i see in your truck is the end goal appearance of mine.

I feel like I want to do my truck with off the shelf Chevy parts as much as possible though. That might change as I look into it further, but I've seen some stuff that's interested me like the Corvette big brake setups in Chevelles that I've seen here as well. Not much info here on them, but I like the idea.

The appeal of the traditional rodders using junkyard parts to build their cars with minimal custom parts works for me. Though I'd like to stick to strictly Chevy parts. Like I said, that could change though, as I want it to go down the road instead of sitting in the driveway waiting for parts or motivation to figure out the next step to make it work.

Baby steps. Front end needs redone for safety one way or another. It's worn out.

[sick472]

You should consider doing the front suspension and the engine swap at the same time. A heavier motor will require stiffer suspension. I guess you could do the front suspension first then come back with the heavier springs later along with the motor swap. You certainly do not want to put the bigger motor in first and ride around on 250 springs. Just something to plan for.

[Mike C]

Thanks for the compliments. Whatever you do, get it on the road. More fun when you can drive your project as you are working on it.

Most likely the 5.3 is lighter than the 6 cylinder....

When my truck gets the 427 swapped in I will replace the 2" small block drop springs with a set of 2" big block springs. I will trim them if I need to for the same stance as present.