Project: The Brown Nugget! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pacobeagle · 11-25-2011, 10:46 PM

Hello all, this is my first post and figured I would list my truck and what I'm doing with it.

First off I purchased my 1997 GMC Sierra extended cab from a friend in a trade of sorts. I had to get the Dodge diesel of his tuned-up. So I did and payed for all of the maintenance items and did the labor. In return I get the truck which hasn't been running for a year and sitting.

Here's a picture of when I got it home.

Then a quick wash

pacobeagle · 11-25-2011, 10:51 PM

I've installed a 2000 4.8l V8 in place of the 5.0l(of which I have spare parts). Here is a picture of what it looks like currently.

New(er) engine going in

Prelim setup(notice the placement of alternator)

Harness gone wild

Ebay intake off an H2 hummer

Sweet engine mounting(junkyard blazer ecu tray)

dragginmetal · 11-28-2011, 10:53 AM

That "Harness gone wild" looks like a headache.

.... What are your plans for the truck?

pacobeagle · 11-28-2011, 12:11 PM

Really, the plan is to try to keep it looking stock. I would really like to eventually convert it to the 6-lug set in order to get some of the fancier 17" factory wheels which I like. Also, I would love to add posi to it. For the most part, the truck will be a tow vehicle and regular all-arounder.

The harness, yes it's a PITA. My friend is a wire-harness genius though. He's grafted the harness together and is in the process of the final stage- wire loom. Hopefully, I'll be able to drive it before Christmas.

jb1016 · 11-29-2011, 05:07 PM

I think this is just the second LS swap in this section. Very cool. Welcome to the board! And just so you know, there is a dedicated section for LS swaps under "engine and drivetrain." Those guys can answer just about any question, if you run into a head-scratcher.

pacobeagle · 11-29-2011, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the kind welcome. So far my biggest "head-scratcher" is fabbing up a custom trans. cross-member. You see, I am using the 4.8L Y-pipe with catalytic converters(I don't want the fuel smell). Unfortunately, the 4.8l Y-pipe crosses over right underneath the tranny mount!! SO, I'm modding my OEM unit to fit. Eventually, I'd like a custom tube type cross member.

usmcchevy · 11-29-2011, 10:48 PM

Didn't see ya in class tonight

75ChevyGuy · 01-12-2012, 04:53 PM

Any updates on this?

pacobeagle · 01-12-2012, 05:33 PM

Currently, I'm waiting on some time to loom the wire harness. I stopped by Lowe's today to get some sawzall blades in order to finish customizing my trans. crossmember. I'm using the OEM '00 Y-pipe with cats and so I figure this will be better. The newer y-pipe merges right under the tranny mount so I have to cut and re-weld the cross member. Oh, and I guess from sitting, two of my injectors aren't working.

pacobeagle · 01-25-2012, 10:59 PM

She's running, although a little rough. Decided against the custom crossmember. Custom exhaust is easier.
I've only driven it two miles and I've got some harness issues to resolve. Mainly, I'm lacking a speedometer, trip indication. As a result, I'm getting an ABS fail. Lastly, I've yet to wire the OBD-II plug for the new ecu.

Hope to be finished soon, it's been almost a year.

11-25-2011, 10:46 PM	#1
pacobeagle Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mobile,AL Posts: 11	Project: The Brown Nugget! Hello all, this is my first post and figured I would list my truck and what I'm doing with it. First off I purchased my 1997 GMC Sierra extended cab from a friend in a trade of sorts. I had to get the Dodge diesel of his tuned-up. So I did and payed for all of the maintenance items and did the labor. In return I get the truck which hasn't been running for a year and sitting. Here's a picture of when I got it home. Then a quick wash

11-25-2011, 10:51 PM	#2
pacobeagle Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mobile,AL Posts: 11	Re: Project: The Brown Nugget! I've installed a 2000 4.8l V8 in place of the 5.0l(of which I have spare parts). Here is a picture of what it looks like currently. New(er) engine going in Prelim setup(notice the placement of alternator) Harness gone wild Ebay intake off an H2 hummer Sweet engine mounting(junkyard blazer ecu tray)

11-28-2011, 10:53 AM	#3
dragginmetal here, just not logged in Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tx Posts: 1,011	Re: Project: The Brown Nugget! That "Harness gone wild" looks like a headache..... What are your plans for the truck? __________________ Mike 88 GMC "GOT BORED" several truck pics a few '88-'98 pics more pics

11-28-2011, 12:11 PM	#4
pacobeagle Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mobile,AL Posts: 11	Re: Project: The Brown Nugget! Really, the plan is to try to keep it looking stock. I would really like to eventually convert it to the 6-lug set in order to get some of the fancier 17" factory wheels which I like. Also, I would love to add posi to it. For the most part, the truck will be a tow vehicle and regular all-arounder. The harness, yes it's a PITA. My friend is a wire-harness genius though. He's grafted the harness together and is in the process of the final stage- wire loom. Hopefully, I'll be able to drive it before Christmas.

11-29-2011, 08:29 PM	#6
pacobeagle Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mobile,AL Posts: 11	Re: Project: The Brown Nugget! Thanks for the kind welcome. So far my biggest "head-scratcher" is fabbing up a custom trans. cross-member. You see, I am using the 4.8L Y-pipe with catalytic converters(I don't want the fuel smell). Unfortunately, the 4.8l Y-pipe crosses over right underneath the tranny mount!! SO, I'm modding my OEM unit to fit. Eventually, I'd like a custom tube type cross member.

11-29-2011, 10:48 PM	#7
usmcchevy Has more rust than truck... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ivanhoe, MN Posts: 2,421	Re: Project: The Brown Nugget! Didn't see ya in class tonight __________________ 1972 Custom/10 SWB, 4.8/4l80e Build thread LSx Swap FAQ index

01-12-2012, 04:53 PM	#8
75ChevyGuy GM Parts Guy Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Attleboro MA Posts: 375	Re: Project: The Brown Nugget! Any updates on this? __________________ 1975 Chevrolet C-10 Custom Deluxe (DD/WIP) 1989 Chevrolet C1500 reg cab stepside (Winter Truck) 1977 Harley Davidson XLH 1000 (Summer Cruiser)

01-12-2012, 05:33 PM	#9
pacobeagle Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mobile,AL Posts: 11	Re: Project: The Brown Nugget! Currently, I'm waiting on some time to loom the wire harness. I stopped by Lowe's today to get some sawzall blades in order to finish customizing my trans. crossmember. I'm using the OEM '00 Y-pipe with cats and so I figure this will be better. The newer y-pipe merges right under the tranny mount so I have to cut and re-weld the cross member. Oh, and I guess from sitting, two of my injectors aren't working.

01-25-2012, 10:59 PM	#10
pacobeagle Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mobile,AL Posts: 11	Re: Project: The Brown Nugget! She's running, although a little rough. Decided against the custom crossmember. Custom exhaust is easier. I've only driven it two miles and I've got some harness issues to resolve. Mainly, I'm lacking a speedometer, trip indication. As a result, I'm getting an ABS fail. Lastly, I've yet to wire the OBD-II plug for the new ecu. Hope to be finished soon, it's been almost a year.



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