"Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA

[99 to Life]

body pics

[SalvagedSouls]

Looking good. Progress no matter how small is still progress.

[Mains52]

I plan on doing this same exact set up to my 52. Thank You for being so detailed it looks awesome 99.

[99 to Life]

thanks guys, hoping to get more progress pics now. should be able to get back to 20hrs a month, hopefully more come fall/winter. Just been really busy with houses. I'm in a toss up with order of things to do. Something I never felt unsure of before. I always new my exact plan of attack. With this, I'm torn cause I want to get engine rebuilt and running asap. vs.... prepping doors, interior and engine bay so I can paint come september. I also need final weld suspension and coat the frame. My plan was to take it to get aligned prior, but I feel confident in the work. So I'm going to get a camber tool and just set my own alignment and go from there. I guess my overall goal is to have it on road by next spring/summer. I really only started the truck mid december and I had about two months of no work on it. So a full build in a little over a year is about par for my liking.

[54 LS-3100]

99,

How did you like the CPP M2 setup after installing it? I am looking at the same kit, but was curious about the crossmember fitment.

[99 to Life]

The kits is decent, good quality and there is tech support. They had no instructions, so I had to have them send me some (little vague, so I used some of TCI's info). The parts are all decent quality. I did however strip out the inner tierod, I think the outter or inner had a bad thread, so anyway they sent me new tierods no problem. As of right now, it looks like the front tires could be back about .5-1" IMO. Kits are getting so affordable. I just seen CPP offer the xmember and upper/lower arms for 600 or so off ebay. It would be a good route to go to just piece it together if you don't want to shell out 1500 right away. I would have loved to go with TCI but it was just too much money for what we are doing on this build. I would use the CPP kit again yes.

[Tikal48]

Your making good progress on Geronimo. It's really looking good! I do like the front end as well. I kick myself for going with the S10 frame swap, instead of doing a front and rear end conversion to the original frame. But hind sight is 20/20 as they say. Keep up the good work!

[99 to Life]

I'v done two s10 frames and I do like the integrity of it. its a great design. however I will say, I enjoy doing the stock frame alot more so far. Just way easier IMO. little more money up front, but in long run it prolly about evens out.

[iowaboynca]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

I'v done two s10 frames and I do like the integrity of it. its a great design. however I will say, I enjoy doing the stock frame alot more so far. Just way easier IMO. little more money up front, but in long run it prolly about evens out.

Wha...what?!? Do we have a convert? Just razzin' ya...

I think you hit the nail on the head. IMO, If your truck has a decent frame, that hasn't seen any salt, upgrade the suspension.

If your frame is garbage or all you got is a cab and a title, go the S10 route. At the end of the day you start with the foundation you've got and go from there.

Keep us posted on progress. I for one, enjoy the updates, 'boring' pics and all...

[joedoh]

nice work! I have been hiding from the heat which is strange because my attached garage is in the ac. haha. I miss those western PA summers in the mountains and trees *SIGH*

[99 to Life]

7-30

Took engine out, started stripping it down for rebuild. Just a basic rering, bearing, gasket etc. This takes way longer than it looks. It will take hours to clean all the parts and prep for paint. Chasing all the threads, putting back together yadda yadda. My last build took me prolly 40hrs with tear down, rebuild, set up on start stand etc. I have like 5 broken exhaust bolts in this one. Go figure. way to go LS engine design! Seems like all these aluminum heads have bolts buried alive in them.

But.... I like knowing what has been done to the engine. I'll never put a used engine in a build if I can help it. Way too many variables that could go wrong.

[iowaboynca]

Is that an old dog kennel being used as a catch pan? That's a great idea! Also you can use the pool noodles that kids like you protect your cam while storing it.

Like you said its that piece of mind knowing what is up with your engine.

[99 to Life]

Yah its a kennel top. I couldn't locate my normal catch pan, go figure. Great idea on the cam storage, I like that.

[kustombrad]

Looking good!

[lower50's]

Yup best to know.

[joedoh]

looking good, keep it up!

[Black93GT]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

I have like 5 broken exhaust bolts in this one. Go figure. way to go LS engine design! Seems like all these aluminum heads have bolts buried alive in them.

When I rebuilt the LS motor for my 67 Camaro I snapped a bunch of the exhaust bolts. I used the trick of welding nuts to the remaining bolt. A few snapped flush so I welded a washer, then a nut to the washer. They all came out easily but what a hassle.

Love the progress!

[54 LS-3100]

Reference post 181, how did you find the axle centerline? Did you use TCI's measurements or did you mark the axle Centerline with fenders mounted?

[99 to Life]

I'm going to try and easy out the bolts, if that doesn't work, I'll try and weld on em. Its definitely something I keep in mind when looking at LS engines, always check the heads.

54 LS the axle center line as provided by CPP as also TCI. They tell you to measure up from a bolt hole in the front of the frame.

[Valarius_Starchaser]

At work here all the techs weld nuts to them I've never heard of one not coming out that way

Good progress

[47 Fasttoys]

FWIT I tried the easy out on my last LS and POP! so I did the weld and nut trick. Much faster then the easy out and no issue with a drill bit walking.
Rob

[lower50's]

[99 to Life]

well, perhaps I'll just do that then. I typically use this method alot.

[99 to Life]

8-15 Still working on engine. Have prolly 15 hrs in tear down and cleaning. Still not done. Got block painted so once I finish cleaning the pistons, I can start getting the bottom end back together. I will highly consider taking the block to someone next time to hot tank it. I used a high temp primer and then Eastwoods Ceramic Paint "GM CORP BLUE" looks a tad different in person. I'll have some cast/aluminum accents with the blue. Firewall and inner fenders will be a tan. Should look good together.

[Rude Dude]

On your mock up spring mounts you wouldn't happen to have the measurement of the tube height?

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

The kits is decent, good quality and there is tech support. They had no instructions, so I had to have them send me some (little vague, so I used some of TCI's info). The parts are all decent quality. I did however strip out the inner tierod, I think the outter or inner had a bad thread, so anyway they sent me new tierods no problem. As of right now, it looks like the front tires could be back about .5-1" IMO. Kits are getting so affordable. I just seen CPP offer the xmember and upper/lower arms for 600 or so off ebay. It would be a good route to go to just piece it together if you don't want to shell out 1500 right away. I would have loved to go with TCI but it was just too much money for what we are doing on this build. I would use the CPP kit again yes.