Before and after pics

[JPsChevy]

So far in the last couple weeks I've gotten a good jump on the project. I got my 4.8 cleaned up and stripped, gave it a fresh coat of paint and some new gaskets. I also got my new oil pan installed last weekend.
I have almost everything except exhaust and the harness at this point.
Sunday I began removal of the current drivetrain. I haven't liked that 700r4 since I got the truck and removing it just topped off my displeasure for it. With my transmission jack it wouldn't clear the frame so trying to be gentle I tilted it enough to clear and wouldn't you know it fell off. (yes i probably should've drained it before hand).
I'm hoping to set the 4.8 in by Saturday evening, but we'll see how it goes.
Please excuse my mess as my shop looks like a C10 bomb went off.....

[jessemthompson]

Looking good. You're going to love the LS.

[JPsChevy]

Steadily gaining got the 6 cyl out over the weekend, and some new goodies showed up.
2.5" drop spindles
4" drop rear coils
Adjustable Trac bar
Shocks
Shock relocaters
6 lug power disc brake conversion
All thanks to Mark at ECE

Now I just need to hit it hard to get this stuff knocked out in the next couple weeks. Cruising weather is just around the corner.

[CaliLivn]

I gotta follow an see this nice truck get a lil nicer. ����

[Mike C]

Truck looks great! I think your 4.8/5 speed combo a great idea. Will be watching for updates.

[JPsChevy]

I test fit the engine this weekend and it fit real well. I ended up having to install v8 mounts as the 6 cyl mounts put me to close to the firewall.
I spent 4 days trying to locate a correct flywheel (that's another story). That left me with no progress on the drivetrain, so I started on the drop spindles.
With it being 49 years old I figured I may as well install some new ball joints and a-arm pivots while apart. Everything could use a little attention from the pressure washer also.

[JPsChevy]

I finally got the drop spindles finished up yesterday, so I could get the wheels back on. I also got the engine and trans mated together and installed. I decided to install them together which worked but can't say I'll do that ever again as it barely squeezes in there. I now have some modifications to do to the floor since the shifter doesn't line up with the old 700r4 hole. It was nice to get that far yesterday, I would've never got the engine lined up right if I didn't have such good help.

[JPsChevy]

You can definitely see the drop now with the engine set on the springs.

[JPsChevy]

Couple more photos

[JPsChevy]

I may drill another hole in my bell housing, the rh bolt hole into the oil pan doesn't line up, Everywhere I read no one mentions it not looking up, but for piece of mind I may drill it.

[Getter-Done]

Great Improvements.
I'm sub-ed to see your projects awesome progress, Great pics.
It looks like if you cut the trans tunnel right where it starts going up (vertically) and cut in a rectangle out right pass the back of the hole , Then turn it around the hole would then be over your trans shifter location. That would depend on if you plan to weld it in though. I'm thinking of putting a 5 speed in my truck also. The Trans shifter in mine would be 6 inches forward.
Great job

[JPsChevy]

Got a little further today, I reused my 700r4 cross member by just adding a hole to bolt the stock NV3500 pad onto and believe it or not the frame holes line up also. I have my DD sliders all the way back to help with shifter location. I'm also running a low hump floor but it's pretty close, PO had modified cab seam for the 700r4.

I pulled my floor mat to do the floor modifications and I tore out the some of the original padding. I was very pleased to find only very minor surface rust.

[JPsChevy]

Haven't posted in awhile and I'm done with truck. I'll post the progress photos in order.

Ended up putting in new core support.
Changed grille back to orange/color matched
Stainless hoops and bezels
New windshield/gasket
Dakota digital vhx gauges

[JPsChevy]

I Ended up going with electric fans for more room for intake.
There's a photo outside the first time it moved under its own power. This was a pretty big moment as it took me like 3 days to get my clutch bled, it was very hard not to take for a drive like that. But we cleaned up shop and dropped the rear.

Then off to get exhaust, ran 2.5" all the way with two borla borla type s series.

I set my toe in with a tape measure to get it over to the alignment shop.

[JPsChevy]

Now that it's complete, this truck drives like a dream, handles great, plenty of power, stops great. It also gets around 18mpg.... It'll do better I'm sure if I'd keep my foot out of it.

I've got about 1500 miles on it in the last month. My wife and I have been taking it everywhere.
Thanks enjoy the photos.

[northern 85]

Very nice truck and work! You didnt like the buddy buckets?

[JPsChevy]

Originally Posted by northern 85

Very nice truck and work! You didnt like the buddy buckets?

Honestly I didn't like how they sat, the foam was a little harder than I anticipated. Was looking for the feel of 72 bucket seat foam and I'm a short guy and didn't like sitting that low in the truck.

[72 tigger]

Good job! Looks really nice- must be fun to finally get to drive it

[Orange67]

Very nice ride, love everything you've done with it. Very tasteful.

[70 shorty]

I LOVE that truck! I think a 4.8 5 speed combo would be great for my short/step as well. I'm guessing you used just a stock 5 speed. I've also considered just adding a 5 speed behind my 6 cylinder.

[JPsChevy]

Thanks for the compliments.

Yes I used a stock nv3500 from a 2006 v6 truck.

[Greg58]

Very nice.

Greg

[hewittca]

Great lookin' truck! Nice work.

[70 shorty]

Originally Posted by JPsChevy

Thanks for the compliments.

Yes I used a stock nv3500 from a 2006 v6 truck.

Is that the stock shifter for the NV3500?

[ShortCST]

Beautiful truck. I've considered that very combo myself, only using an aluminum block for the weight savings, and later adding a turbo if I wanted more power.

Just dreams right now, though.

Def going to add an overdrive trans soon-ish.