1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build

[Chevy_mud_truck]

What brand bushing did you go with if you don't mind post a pic of one

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by Chevy_mud_truck

What brand bushing did you go with if you don't mind post a pic of one

I bought them from Amazon. Performance Accessories brand part number 11017. I got them for like $60.

[Chevy_mud_truck]

I got a set from lmc and I'm not real happy with them there not flat where it set on metal top cap I think I going to pick up a different brand see if there more to my likening

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by Chevy_mud_truck

I got a set from lmc and I'm not real happy with them there not flat where it set on metal top cap I think I going to pick up a different brand see if there more to my likening

I don't see a problem with the ones I have at all. They look great and are well made, I just couldn't remember how they went back on.

[NastyBuzzard]

It took me way too long to figure out those core support bushings. I got it though. Not all the way bolted down yet but good enough.




Anyone want to give some insight on the most factory way to mount the fuse panel and route some stuff.



I really would like to mount the PCM under the battery, close to where it would be factory on 99-06 truck. Any how to's on that?

[NastyBuzzard]

She is dirty but I am getting there.







Now I am starting up wiring in all the front lights and tying in the 01 harness with the 87 harness.



However, I can't get my bright lights to work for jack.

I had printed out wiring diagrams a last year, I went and found them and somehow they got soaked and are trashed.

Even still, I changed from using the 2001s headlight harness for using a 2006 headlight harness which also has the electric fans on it, which I am going to use.

I am not sure if they are pinned differently or what, because the site I used to use no longer works so I can't find wiring diagrams for the 01 or the 06 harness.

It is driving me NUTS!! I can't just keep cutting wires and trying them either or I will get completely lost.

Any help out there???

[NastyBuzzard]

I think, I am going to go back to using the 2001 headlight harness, then I will pull the wiring for the electric fans from the 06 harness and tie them into the 2001 harness. That may take away some of the complication, I am willing to try anything.

[y5mgisi]

No help with the headlight harness. But mounted my ecm to the core support.

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

No help with the headlight harness. But mounted my ecm to the core support.

I think I am going to try and use the bracket from the donor somehow to mount it under the batter box like it was in the 2001 donor or all 99-06 trucks. I have it tucked under there now, just need to drill some holes and actually mount it.

[NorCalAnthony]

Man you have a lot more patience for wiring than I do lol. Nice to see you working on the truck again

Have you figured out how to get your stock fuel gauge to work with the newer fuel sending unit yet?

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by NorCalAnthony

Man you have a lot more patience for wiring than I do lol. Nice to see you working on the truck again

Have you figured out how to get your stock fuel gauge to work with the newer fuel sending unit yet?

Haha, yeah it is awesome being able to work on it again. I am sacrificing finishing up the shop to do so. I got the shop closed in and to where I can lock it up. Gotta finish wiring and such but I have drop cords for now. I miss my truck. Honestly though, I lack patience. I am bad about having no patience but when something's got to get done and I have to do it, may as well get to it.

The stock 87 fuel gauge using the 01 sending unit is possible, but not probable. If you are going to use the 87 fuel gauge, may as well use the 87 sender with an upgraded pump to feed the LS.

I am actually going to make the 2001 cluster fit in my 87 and it works perfect with the 01 sender/pump that is installed into my '85 20 gal carb tank.

[NastyBuzzard]

Oops, double posted.

[NorCalAnthony]

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

...The stock 87 fuel gauge using the 01 sending unit is possible, but not probable. If you are going to use the 87 fuel gauge, may as well use the 87 sender with an upgraded pump to feed the LS.

I am actually going to make the 2001 cluster fit in my 87 and it works perfect with the 01 sender/pump that is installed into my '85 20 gal carb tank.

That's right I forgot you're working on getting the newer cluster put in so you shouldn't have to worry about the gauge not working. Sticking the upgraded pump in my existing sending unit would definitely be easiest but I'm trying to do a CA smog legal swap so I need to have the newer sending unit with the FPS and correct fuel level for the PCM to run all the evap tests. I'm hoping I can just run my stock fuel gauge with the fuel level output from the PCM until I eventually switch over to Auto Meter gauges but I'll most likely need some sort of resister to get the correct sweep on the gauge. I'll definitely be watching how you get the newer cluster mounted and wired up though since I still have my donor's cluster though...

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by NorCalAnthony

That's right I forgot you're working on getting the newer cluster put in so you shouldn't have to worry about the gauge not working. Sticking the upgraded pump in my existing sending unit would definitely be easiest but I'm trying to do a CA smog legal swap so I need to have the newer sending unit with the FPS and correct fuel level for the PCM to run all the evap tests. I'm hoping I can just run my stock fuel gauge with the fuel level output from the PCM until I eventually switch over to Auto Meter gauges but I'll most likely need some sort of resister to get the correct sweep on the gauge. I'll definitely be watching how you get the newer cluster mounted and wired up though since I still have my donor's cluster though...

It will work if you work out the resistors correctly. Easiest though would probably just be to stick in some autometers or some type of cheap gauges.

If you look back in the beginning I posted pictures of how one guy mounted the cluster by creating a new instrument cluster housing. I plan to do something close to that and hopefully implement the switches from the donor for headlights and dome light too.

[NastyBuzzard]

I was right about being pinned differently. 06 on the left & 01 on the right.



I swapped the 01 back on and voila! I have control of my front lights! turn signal and all. The side marker light didnt even need to change, it plugged right in.





I also got the tail lights working. i am short a plug though. I need the plug/harness for tag lights. It is the orange/brown one in these pics.





I also couldnt help myself. Getting there.



I stripped down the 06 headlight harness and separated the electric fan portion, so gotta integrate that back in.

I really NEED some help though. I need a tag light plug/harness for 99-02 truck. I really really really need door wiring harness that have power locks and windows for a 99-02. I need that DESPERATELY!!

So if anyone has any left over from their donors or builds I will buy them!! Please!

[Hankster]

Got her looking good! Sorry I can't help ya with the part you need though!

[NastyBuzzard]

Thanks! I got wiring to route and make look good. I was concerned how hard this would be but, it isn't that bad. I'm just afraid of how I will need to get the power windows and locks to work.

Another thing that is weird, no matter what I could get the DRL/park lights to come on... I even tried on my 04 Sierra but they only flashed when I hit the lock/unlock on my key fob.. Guess I'll worry about that later.

I want her back together so bad!

[NastyBuzzard]

I have all the front lights and tail lights working now. Hard to tell, but I have the hazard lights flashing to show turn signals in the front as well as side marker lights. This is getting exciting.





Now to consider how I am going to do the brake switch.. Either use the 01 somehow or try and splice in the switch from the 87..



Anyone know what this is? The cover broke on it.





Also curious what this is for, maybe sensor for air bag?



On the door wiring and tag light wiring... Looks like I am just going to have to pay the high prices for them.. Got PS door wiring on the way for $25, the tag light wiring on the way for $25, but the cheapest I can find the DS door wiring is $75 on ebay... There is a $125 I was not prepared to spend at the moment, but I need them to make progress.

Also, LS swappers, what do you all do with the LS donors power steering cooler? I am thinking about deleting it. Any diagrams on how I should actually route the lines if I remove the cooler from the situation?

[NastyBuzzard]

Trying to figure out which direction to go as far as the brake switch goes.

The normal brake switch on the 87 pedal is just a 2 wire switch that controls brake lights and has another switch for unlocking torque converter and what not. Well the 01 has one switch for all.

I need to either find a way to attach the 01 switch to the 87 pedal or fit in the 01 pedal. Looking at options now, I may even consider trying to swap the entire brake/gas pedal bracket over from the 01 into the 87. Still need to investigate.

Here shows the difference in the 73-87 brake pedal and the 99-06 brake pedal.





All the wiring harnesses I ordered should be showing up soon.

[NastyBuzzard]

May not seem like much but this made me as giddy as a school girl when I got this to work. This video is me using the 2001 donors key fob to lock/unlock my door with the solenoid.



Now the problem I am running into is I cant get the window to go up and down. I need to find what wire does what from the 2001 donors door wiring harness, same for the 87 door switch.

I don't know how to find this info, no matter what I google, I can't find jack. I am almost to the point I will pay for this info.

[NastyBuzzard]

Can anyone help with some wiring diagrams ?

[NastyBuzzard]

No idea why I am only getting about 6 volts to the power where the window switch is supposed to be. Out of a guess I ran a ground straight from the battery to the switch and voila, all 12 volts and I got the motor to work. So now I kinda have the 87 switch wired into the 01 harness. So progress is progress!

Here is a video of me operating the 87 window motor with the 87 switch both integrated into the 2001 wiring harness.



Next is the door lock switch, then the power mirror.

[NastyBuzzard]

I was working on the door lock wiring today and accidentally set off the trucks alarm. It scared me! However, my truck has a security system haha!! Here is a short video of it.




I got the power mirrors working now, just gotta figure out why I am not getting power to the power wire for my door lock switch even though I have power to the illumination.

[Hankster]

Hope you can get all this wiring figured out!

[NastyBuzzard]

I am trying! I feel like I hit a brick wall though. I cannot get power to the lock/unlock switch and the power mirror switch. I can't figure out why either and it is making this a lot harder than it needs to be! Plus I hate spending all my time and making no progress.