1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

It would seem that if you cannibalized bother shafts you could slide one into the other some how.

Yeah so far that is the plan.. Trying to find the best way to do it. The problem is, I haven't exactly decided what location I want to fix the column to as in where the steering wheel will sit in the cab.

Still working on it. I am hoping to get another set of eyes on it soon to help me trouble shoot.

I am wanting to get away from bench seat and go to buckets, still haven't decided on which seats I will be using.


Also for those who have went from a 16 gal tank to a 20 gal. What changes with the hose/filler neck? I am assuming they need to be shorter? It isn't an immediate concern but if I need to get parts on order I would like to get on that. I am trying to get the final expense of parts ordered so if I see an oppportunity where I can take a few days off work to speed up progress, I wold like to be able to jump on that.

Still a really long ways to go...
-Integrate 87 door wiring, headlights, bed wiring... Wipers??
-Figure out how to mount Steering column
-Modify shafts to connect to gearbox
-Mount to inside & outside cab?
-Switch to GMC steering wheel/delete airbag?/Swap to 03+ steering wheel
-Mounting 01 Instrument cluster??
-build/buy custom instrument cluster surround
-Mount fuse box/panels & pcm and route all wiring
-Mount Air Intake Box to PS battery trey
-Make the 01 master cylinder/booster fit on 87 cab?
-AC?????????
-Assemble truck
-Who knows what else

[NorCalAnthony]

Nice progress so far bud. I bet it's a great feeling having it moving (kind of) under it's own power again

Since you're going to have to rework your steering shaft anyways, you may want to look at doing the XJ steering shaft swap at the same time to eliminate the stock rag joint. Here's a pretty good how-to in case you haven't heard of it before: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthr...steering+shaft. You'd still have to figure a way to blend it with your '01 steering shaft but at least you'd be fixing a common problem with our trucks while you're at it.

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by NorCalAnthony

Nice progress so far bud. I bet it's a great feeling having it moving (kind of) under it's own power again

Since you're going to have to rework your steering shaft anyways, you may want to look at doing the XJ steering shaft swap at the same time to eliminate the stock rag joint. Here's a pretty good how-to in case you haven't heard of it before: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthr...steering+shaft. You'd still have to figure a way to blend it with your '01 steering shaft but at least you'd be fixing a common problem with our trucks while you're at it.

Hearing it fire up had my adrenaline pumping!! However having it move under its own power... Well that was awesome!!

Now if I could just steer... I would be cutting donuts in the field haha!

Yeah... I definitely plan to eliminate the rag joint!! I am not sure if that XJ shaft will help or not.. I wish I had one I could look at. Ill check it out for sure.

[dman1982]

just went over your thread, really sucks for your bed....looks good other than that...you getting close to being done yet?

[dman1982]

and if you dont have a need for that 6.0.....

i picked up a 78 c10 thats going to be needing a motor.....

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by dman1982

just went over your thread, really sucks for your bed....looks good other than that...you getting close to being done yet?

Close to being DONE? Haha probably not really. Still have a good bit of integration. My next goal is to get it so I can drive it around in the field, then to be able to drive it on the road and so on.

It is encouraging that I can fire it up, will be a lot better when I can steer the bastard.

Originally Posted by dman1982

and if you dont have a need for that 6.0.....

i picked up a 78 c10 thats going to be needing a motor.....

As far as having a need for the 6.0, I can think of a lot of things I need that 6.0 for . I picked up a 87 crew cab r20 that has been converted to a short bed, I am wanting to put that body on my 01 silverado donors frame w/ that 6.0 but if I ever itch to sell I will let ya know. Doubtful tho.

[dman1982]

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

Close to being DONE? Haha probably not really. Still have a good bit of integration. My next goal is to get it so I can drive it around in the field, then to be able to drive it on the road and so on.

It is encouraging that I can fire it up, will be a lot better when I can steer the bastard.

ya hearing it firing is nice, but when you can get it to move and steer is a lot better




As far as having a need for the 6.0, I can think of a lot of things I need that 6.0 for . I picked up a 87 crew cab r20 that has been converted to a short bed, I am wanting to put that body on my 01 silverado donors frame w/ that 6.0 but if I ever itch to sell I will let ya know. Doubtful tho.

haha...hilarious...

[NastyBuzzard]

So I'm still reaearching the best way to do steering... Just picked up a Cherokee steering shaft from a 94 today for a whopping $57... I got screwed. Anyways, I want to take the yoke end from the Cherokee shaft and put on 01 shaft...

So how do I take this apart without destroying it? Or any other ideas?



Oh yeah I also picked up a 06 Silverado ext cab short bed 4.3/auto with 200k for $700 delivered . Engine is probably trash tho.

[old yelr]

Nice score on the truck! What are your plans for that one?

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by old yelr

Nice score on the truck! What are your plans for that one?

Not sure, may fix and sell. I'd love to swap in a 4.8/5.3 and a 5 speed it's been on my mind a lot but gotta sit until I finish this ls swap!!

Anyone know if 88-98 Silverado steering shaft will fit
73-87?

[NastyBuzzard]

So it is looking like the Jeep Cherokee steering shaft may fit onto the 99-06 column shaft??? Maybe hit it with a file or dremel but seems like it may fit.



If I am lucky and it does.. I guess I will have to remove the plastic piece from the shaft and see if it will compress to correct length I need.. I am crossing my fingers and hoping it is this easy.. Doubtful.

[NastyBuzzard]

So I modified the cherokee shaft.





It fits the 99-02 column shaft, just had to grind a little notch in it for the bolt to be able to pass through and tighten down. So now I have a little bit of steering!!!



Need to figure out how to get power steering hoses all together and what not. Also need to figure out how to I am going to permanently mount column so I can fix the shaft to where it needs to be. Right now I just have it held up with zip ties.

[NorCalAnthony]

How's the project coming? Is she any more mobile?

[NastyBuzzard]

I can move it around but eventually I am going to squirt out all my power steering fluid. I still need to get those lines hooked up. I also need to replace at least one 02 sensor b/c it started running a little crappy and throwing a code.

I have been trying to source what cooling system I could use. I planned to use 05+ radiator and electric fans. Searching for that I ended up buying a 2006 ext cab short bed truck. Then I found a 2006 drivable chassis that is 4x4 ext cab w/ 4.8. So now I am trying to do a body swap so I can have a 2006 4x4 V8 truck. So that is taking up a little bit of my time.

I have been working on the truck here and there but its mostly been blocked by stuff I was doing remodeling the house.

I have started working on my exhaust though and some other small things. If I can't get a welder to come over soon I am just going to have to buy me a cheap one to replace my old set up that went up in the fire.

[NorCalAnthony]

Wow sounds like you've definitely had your hands full. Where do you keep finding all of these extra trucks? lol

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by NorCalAnthony

Wow sounds like you've definitely had your hands full. Where do you keep finding all of these extra trucks? lol

I dont know!! But I wish they would stop showing up and taking all of my money!!

Seriously though, I gotta ease the addiction. After I finish the body swap and get this ls swap done, I think I will be set for trucks unless I come across some 07+ NNBS trucks.

So ready to have my 87 back on the road though, shes going to be so nice when shes done!!! I can't wait to pop the hood and see peoples reactions!

[NastyBuzzard]

Still wrapping up the 06 2wd v6 body swap onto 06 4x4 4.8 auto chassis.

Here are a few pics of my three LS trucks.









They all need baths and more work.

Check out that thread, still a few things going on and questions..

[NorCalAnthony]

Nice collection you have going

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by NorCalAnthony

Nice collection you have going

Thanks!! My wife doesn't seem to think so. I also have a 87 crew cab waiting to be touched. Setting priorities though.

I didn't think I would have my 4x4 back in time for winter and I always wanted a GMT800 4x4 and I built it for dirt cheap <$2k.

Next priority is finishing the LS swap!

[Hankster]

Sweet trucks!

[NastyBuzzard]

I hate when life gets in the way of working on my trucks.

Been so busy lately and rain and watching my boy while my wife and her sister start up their restaurant. I haven't really had any time to do anything. It is driving me NUTS not working on the truck and not even having one post in the ground for my shop!!!

I actually had a dream Saturday night that the 87 was done and it was beautiful.

Yesterday I got out for a couple hours and started tinkering which lead to nothing really getting done. Here are a couple pics.

Starting to see what I need to modify to fit gauge cluster. Not sure If I am going to try and center it or what.





I started messing with core support and the 06 radiator with the dual fans. Can't decide if I need to notch center support or mount as is. There is enough room.





I also started putting on some front fenders from the core support donor, 91 I think. They don't have emblems and I like that better. I do have to weld up hole on the passenger side one I put on b/c it had fender mount antenna and I like my winshield antenna.

I NEED to get power steering lines HOOKED up. Any one know WHERE I can get an ADAPTER to make the Power STEERING LINES hook from my 87 Gear box to the 01 PUMP? Like an idiot I forgot to take out my adapter when I sold my TBI motor.


I also sat in the drivers power seat from the 01 donor. It is the captains type seat with the center console... I have seen people put these in without chopping floor pans but I do not know how....

Miss you guys!

[Mtrhd329]

I think when i did mine i unscrewed the fitting that screwed into the pump and the line fit right in. My lines were without an o ring though. If you have the lines with an o ring take the fitting out of your old pump and thread it in and the line will work fine!!

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by Mtrhd329

I think when i did mine i unscrewed the fitting that screwed into the pump and the line fit right in. My lines were without an o ring though. If you have the lines with an o ring take the fitting out of your old pump and thread it in and the line will work fine!!

I can't take it out of my old pump... I sold the entire engine out of it. I meant to take it off but it sold so fast I forgot about it when they were handing me $650.

I have tried just screwing it in and it doesn't act like it will work. So I need to buy an adapter to switch out or something? It is the only thing besides radiator that isn't hooked up and everytime I start the truck or turn wheel I spit out fluid everywhere.

[Mtrhd329]

Should be easy to find at a junk yard. Just find a box with the same type of lines you have and unscrew from the back. Fits in your pocket......

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by Mtrhd329

Should be easy to find at a junk yard. Just find a box with the same type of lines you have and unscrew from the back. Fits in your pocket......

Could be easy. My junk yard is complicated. Haha, I could get lucky. Be easier to just buy new pump from autozone and rob adapter and take it back.