1987 GMC V1500 Sierra Classic LS swap/build

[treborjm]

Fellow Square Body Subscribed...

I've got a '84 short bed... Thinking of putting my body onto newer frame because of A LOT of the typical frame cracks. Was thinking GMT400, but am willing to look at anything that would work. Although you ended up going a different route... I'd be interested in any research or dimensions that you came across.

Thanks, and keep up the great work!

Treb

[NorCalAnthony]

Your fuel lines turned out really nice. Quick question though, is that the stock TBI rubber hose going from the hard line to the fuel filter or new hose that just got a little dirty? If it is the old rubber line I would definitely swap that out for the higher PSI rated fuel injection hose before you get everything put back together. I'd hate for that little piece to give out on you while you're out on the road...

It's funny what you said about on the floors at your house, I spent my weekend gutting old carpet and prepping some of the floors for hardwood at my house too. It wouldn't have been all that bad if the carpets weren't trashed by someone else's un-house broken dogs

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by treborjm

Fellow Square Body Subscribed...

I've got a '84 short bed... Thinking of putting my body onto newer frame because of A LOT of the typical frame cracks. Was thinking GMT400, but am willing to look at anything that would work. Although you ended up going a different route... I'd be interested in any research or dimensions that you came across.

Thanks, and keep up the great work!

Treb

Treb,

I found someone, on facebook actually, who has taken an 85 shortbed 4x4 body and swapped it on a 99-06 4x4 frame. It turned out amazing. It will work. It takes some modification though. The person I know who did it, created new body mounts and welded them to the GMT800 frame, he also had to incorporate like a 3" body lift b/c of frame height differences.

When I asked him how complicated it was he said any one with some time, extra $ and fab skills could do it. He retained all the LS engine/trans setup and even the GMT800 fuel tank and all lined up where he needed it to. He recently swapped in a 6.0 and 4L80E and the truck is bad ass!

NorCal,

Yup, that is the stock tbi hose, about 4" worth still in the hardline. From what I have researched and all that hose will be fine b/c of how it is on there. I know people who have done the swap, LS and 96-99 Vortec and left it there with no issues. However, I may get froggy and swap in some higher PSI line.

Yeah it is funny how just a simple project turns into something wild. I was just going to cut out a square in the carpet and build a hearth but the wife and I agreed the carpet was crap anyways.

Pulled it all up and the linoleum underneath is from the late 70's and isn't perfect by any means. Now gotta find time for both of us to go pick what floors to put in and I am sure that will be a couple day project.

I miss working on my truck.

[NastyBuzzard]

Made up the return line...



Then I worked all night and then tried to start it... Here is a little video. What ya think?



Apparently I am still missing something. I did realize at about midnight that I didn't have any of the 02 sensors plugged in so that coulda been it.. I will investigate when I get more time in the daylight.

[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?

[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......

[Hankster]

Man, I'd love to build Me and my dad a shop! lol and don't have money for wheels, or a way to get them to Texas.

[NastyBuzzard]

I have been working on putting this puzzle back together. Buying a "used" pole building saves a lot of coin but you got to figure out how they had it together in the first place if you want to reuse all the material. It has been fun!! Once I get it together and powered this LS swap may finally get road worthy!



Had a little bit of an accident here. This building has been tough doing it alone. Luckily I got my dad over to help set up the trusses. Well the first one we tried and this happened! First time I have ever had one do this! My dad was not enthused after this about setting the others.



Getting it done though.







Now to sort out the puzzle of how the metal goes back on!



Hopefully I can have it finished this month. So far this 24x30 pole building has only costed me about $2300 total. I am actually going to add two enclosed lean toos, one on the back and one on the side that can be fully accessible from inside the shop. I also plan to pour a pad that extends pass the shop about 20' because I do plan on expanding it at least another 20-30' when time/money allows. I am hoping with concrete and my additions I will have less than $4000 total in it. Fingers crossed.

[Hankster]

Nice job on buying used.. never thought of it.. what is that white cab over to the side?

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by Hankster

Nice job on buying used.. never thought of it.. what is that white cab over to the side?

Yeah it kind of fell into my lap. It was nice considering I was budgeting about $10,000 to build a 30x30 shop.

The white cab is off a 2006 4x4 Silverado 4.8/auto, I had bought a 2006 Ext Cab Silverado V6 2wd (Around $500) with a locked down engine (the frame that is shown in the pics), then I bought a 2006 4x4 silverado 4.8 drivable frame (Around $1200) with that chopped up cab and no other body and did a body swap. In the end I ended up with my 06 4x4 ext cab Silverado w/ 4.8/auto for around $2000. I drive it all the time, it is one of the best investments/builds I have ever done. I am using it as my "work" truck while my 87 is apart for this LS swap. I actually did a small build thread for the 06 on here.

Here are some updated pics of the shop, I am not sure if I will finish this month due to rain and me needing someone to come out and grade the rest of the land for the lean toos and the extra 20' pad off the side.

I am very happy to almost have the roof done!!





This is where I just had a bunch of trees/brush/briars cleared out! You used to not be able to see the shop from this view. Now it is all cleaned out and will be used to make my driveway to my shop. It is amazing what you can do with a tractor.

[mcbassin]

Congrats on the new/used shop. You can never have enough workspace.

[NorCalAnthony]

Nice progress on the work shop dude