1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build

[CodyWorks]

Man... I have no interest in doing an LS swap. But I gotta say, that is impressive man. Especially with the steering column you put together. How did you figure that one out? That trucks gonna be sweet... especially when you pop the hood to see a vortec staring at you. Strong work man.

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by CodyWorks

Man... I have no interest in doing an LS swap. But I gotta say, that is impressive man. Especially with the steering column you put together. How did you figure that one out? That trucks gonna be sweet... especially when you pop the hood to see a vortec staring at you. Strong work man.

Thank you for that!! All the compliments keep my spirits up and my motivation! I am dying to get back to work on my LS swap and get it done!

The steering column was a mix of some research and just winging it to be honest. I still need to weld a few nuts to it to be able to bolt it down completely but it is close! I actually had a cookout last Saturday and fired it up for a bunch of buddy's and now they all want me to help plan their LS swaps. Fun stuff. I love it!

I just need to finish my dang shop, hopefully before I go too broke or the wife kills me for spending too much time on it. At least when it is done I can go out there and work on stuff at night while they sleep!

[NorCalAnthony]

Great job on the work shop so far I wish I had that kind of room to work instead of just my driveway and a packed garage lol.

I ran across a thread the other day on one of the other forum’s I frequent that I thought you might be interested in. The guy is swapping in the same disc brake GMT800 rear axle that you have under his ’88 Suburban as well as converting the front brakes to a disc over hub setup like the newer trucks using an aftermarket bracket and stock Hummer H3 calipers and rotors. It actually wound up being a lot simpler/less involved than it sounds and turned out really sweet. So of course now I’m thinking about doing the same thing with the spare GMT800 axle on my donor. Anyways here’s that thread to help give you some ideas while you’re finishing up your workshop: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthr...=316597&page=6

Keep up the good work bud

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by NorCalAnthony

Great job on the work shop so far I wish I had that kind of room to work instead of just my driveway and a packed garage lol.

I ran across a thread the other day on one of the other forum’s I frequent that I thought you might be interested in. The guy is swapping in the same disc brake GMT800 rear axle that you have under his ’88 Suburban as well as converting the front brakes to a disc over hub setup like the newer trucks using an aftermarket bracket and stock Hummer H3 calipers and rotors. It actually wound up being a lot simpler/less involved than it sounds and turned out really sweet. So of course now I’m thinking about doing the same thing with the spare GMT800 axle on my donor. Anyways here’s that thread to help give you some ideas while you’re finishing up your workshop: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthr...=316597&page=6

Keep up the good work bud

NICE!!!!! I already have the H3 rims too!! Thank you for that link!

Now if only there was a way to use 8 lug.....

[NastyBuzzard]

Shop is pretty much done being framed up. Here is some pics I took while working on it. So I got a lot done working by myself in the rain and mud. I got metal on order and hopefully will get a lot up this weekend.





In other news.. I bought this setup. It is a roller chassis setup from a 2003 GMC Sierra 4.8/4l60e 2wd ext cab short bed, drive train has just under 90k miles with 3.73 posi rearend. However, I may have bought this on a whim and now need to sell if I want to get my concrete done in time. I will just have to play it by ear.

Everything needed for a LS swap.

[NorCalAnthony]

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

NICE!!!!! I already have the H3 rims too!! Thank you for that link!

Now if only there was a way to use 8 lug.....

That's right I almost forgot you had the H3 rims. Did you have to use any spacers to get them to fit right? I saw you had a couple of pictures back on page 10 but couldn't tell how well they fit on the older truck... There's a guy selling a set on CL for $150 that I'm thinking about picking up but he's 2.5 hours away and didn't want to waste a trip if I wasn't sure about the fitment.

Looks like the shop is coming along pretty good. Too bad the weather hasn't been cooperating with you lol. We'd kill for some of that rain to make it's way out to Cali right now...

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by NorCalAnthony

That's right I almost forgot you had the H3 rims. Did you have to use any spacers to get them to fit right? I saw you had a couple of pictures back on page 10 but couldn't tell how well they fit on the older truck... There's a guy selling a set on CL for $150 that I'm thinking about picking up but he's 2.5 hours away and didn't want to waste a trip if I wasn't sure about the fitment.

Looks like the shop is coming along pretty good. Too bad the weather hasn't been cooperating with you lol. We'd kill for some of that rain to make it's way out to Cali right now...

Yeah that sucks about the drought over there. I wish this rain would go your way. It has rained here consistently over the past 2 and 1/2 weeks. More down pours to come on Saturday, but I am not afraid to get wet.

They will go on there but you probably need to change your studs to match the ones that are on the Colorado/H3 (not 100% sure if 100% necessary) and you will need probably 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 spacers which isn't a big deal. I thought they looked awesome! I definitely plan to use them when I get back on this in the future.

[NorCalAnthony]

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

Yeah that sucks about the drought over there. I wish this rain would go your way. It has rained here consistently over the past 2 and 1/2 weeks. More down pours to come on Saturday, but I am not afraid to get wet.

They will go on there but you probably need to change your studs to match the ones that are on the Colorado/H3 (not 100% sure if 100% necessary) and you will need probably 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 spacers which isn't a big deal. I thought they looked awesome! I definitely plan to use them when I get back on this in the future.

Yeah I think this is the worst drought we've had since the mid 70's and they're starting to do state wide water cuts with penalties for gross users. Looks like I finally got my lawn looking good just in time to let it die

Changing the studs is actually part of that rotor over hub upgrade I linked to earlier so no worries there. From what I've read (and seen on your truck) their center bore is one of the only newer wheels that'll fit over our 4wd hubs. I was more so just curious how the difference in back spacing looks to get an idea of what kind of spacer would be needed. Luckily the newer rear axle will take up a lot of that missing width so I'm hoping any spacers needed won't be too bad.

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by NorCalAnthony

Yeah I think this is the worst drought we've had since the mid 70's and they're starting to do state wide water cuts with penalties for gross users. Looks like I finally got my lawn looking good just in time to let it die

Changing the studs is actually part of that rotor over hub upgrade I linked to earlier so no worries there. From what I've read (and seen on your truck) their center bore is one of the only newer wheels that'll fit over our 4wd hubs. I was more so just curious how the difference in back spacing looks to get an idea of what kind of spacer would be needed. Luckily the newer rear axle will take up a lot of that missing width so I'm hoping any spacers needed won't be too bad.

Yeah the newer rear axle gives you like an extra 1/2" or 1" on either side, pretty much making the rear track even with the front. Why they offset them in the first place I don't know.

Spacers shouldn't be too much of an issue, I contacted a company and got a quote of like $100 or so for some spacers for the truck. It wasn't that bad I don't think, you can also get some hubcentric spacers or whatever b/c the H3 wheels (and all Colorado wheels) have a 4" bore and ours is about 3 - 1/2" or so.

Still I don't see using 2" or less spacers as a problem. I know many people who run those sizes and even more and they never seem to have any issues, but some people are luckier than I am.

On a long enough timeline I am sure I can test it out for ya!

Another thing, I spotted a beautiful 79-81 Trans Am for sale while rushing my way home from work yesterday, so today I have to go back and stop and check it out. Why do all these good deals come up when all my $ is being put towards the shop!

[mcbassin]

Nice progress on the building. Looks good! I think you guys are getting some of the same rain we have been lately I see.

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Nice progress on the building. Looks good! I think you guys are getting some of the same rain we have been lately I see.

Thank you! I am kind of tired of this rain/flooding and tornado warnings and watches. I wish it would move out west to the people who need it. I am just hoping it isn't another rainy summer like last year was and the year before that.

I am hoping for big progress this weekend on the shop but then again it is supposed to rain so we will see. I don't like putting up roof metal in the rain, new metal is slippery enough dry.

[77K10Silverado]

Cool build. I guess you couldn't get that gas tank from the new truck to work?

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by 77K10Silverado

Cool build. I guess you couldn't get that gas tank from the new truck to work?

It is too deep. It hung like 6" below the frame and was very visible. It could be possible to mount it in another location than the stock gas tank location but I found a better solution. I just mounted the new style LS pump in a 20 gal longbed tank from a 85 longbed so it would be carbed and not have the baffle in the bottom like the 87 fuel injected tank would. Vette works makes an adapter to easily mount a LS pump into old style metal tanks.

[NastyBuzzard]

Starting to wrap this thing in metal. I am so ready to get some concrete in!







Anyone know a good/cheap place to order roll up shop door? Not like the paneled garage doors but the ones that rolls up in a can to save overhead space. I would love to order one through home depot or find one used.

Still need to find the screw for the back of the power steering pump!

I am ashamed my birthday has come and gone, which marks a year since I started all this and it isn't on the road! I cannot wait to get back to it.

[y5mgisi]

No help on the door. But it is looking good!

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

No help on the door. But it is looking good!

Thanks! I am trying. It gets a little frustrating at times. Like the other day I was fighting the wind putting up the insulation and busted my ass... I recovered though, I had too much to do. Luckily my father came and lent a hand. It was a big step for me getting all the roof metal up and the gable done. One step closer.

I kinda wish I coulda just bought all new metal though, it sucks having the pretty metal and then running out and starting to have to put up the used stuff. Maybe if I have the motivation I can wash/wipe it all down and make the old stuff look as new as possible. I still got a lot of holes to fill/silicone.

[Hankster]

Well I think it is looking good! I am also ready to see some concrete in it

[NorCalAnthony]

Nice work bud, it's starting to look like a real shop

[mcbassin]

Excellent progress on the building.

[NastyBuzzard]

Thank you all for the support! I am hoping to have it all wrapped in metal this weekend and then start thinking about some concrete!!

I found out the piece I need for the power steering pump is called a flow valve so I am one step closer on that. Pretty soon I will need one so I can drive my 87 up to its new home!

[Flatpat]

Looks like you'll have the shop done just in time for Summer. Look forward to seeing you complete the '87.

[NastyBuzzard]

I tinkered a little bit yesterday.





This is the power steering piece I have been needing... I got one coming and is supposed to be here Friday. I really miss working on this truck.



The top right is a picture of the flow valve that I have been talking about.

[Hankster]

You'll be back working on it in no time!

[NastyBuzzard]

She is coming along. Starting to think about some concrete.







Also, a guy I know not to far from here, he is a member I think. Trout is his username, anyways, he is selling off quite a bit of stuff and one thing was parting out his "suburbalanche." I had to go pick up some parts for current and future builds.



The 87 will be getting these doors with power mirrors. Figured I may as well make her fancy!



Also got these suburban seats. Oh wow are they comfy! These will option B if I cannot find an easy way to get the 03 Silverado power seats in without chopping my immaculate floor pan. Anyone have any links to install these suburban seats? Also, anyone know of anybody who has recovered these seats in leather or some pleather type material?



That is it for now, but more in the works as time permits.

[NastyBuzzard]

It has been a while and I have been quite busy. It took me forever to level out the dirt in the shop and pack it and so on and get ready for concrete. Then my concrete was delayed like 3x.

I also traded the 2006 ECSB Silverado 4.8/4x4 for a 2001 Trans Am. Best swap I have ever done, especially considering I had a grand total of less than $2500 in the whole entire truck.

Here she is.





Here is what has been happening with the shop.







Only thing that sucked is the concrete guys showed up 2 hours late, so all my finish work was done in the dark for the most part, and of course I didn't have any good lights. They worked on finishing it until 10:30 PM and still had some rough spots the next day.



My kid loves it though, now that it is done.





Moving the truck in! Finally!!!!!!

And it got stuck, I did drive it from my car port to the shop which is about 500 feet.





Got her in though.