Our Little Father Son Project

[AJII]

It all started with me swapping out the 5.3 in my '01 Silverado for a 6.0..and has spiraled out of control from there

So, we had a little 5.3 sitting on a stand begging for a home. And I remembered my uncle saying something about a guy he knew had a 80 something K10 sitting in his yard that he may sell. So yep, we bought a truck for an engine. Backwards, huh? That was August of 2011.

I wasn’t there when my Dad went to look at it and buy it. So I trusted his judgement..and this is what we got. When I saw it at first, I wasn’t so thrilled. It was COVERED in mud, mildew. Fenders were toast, hood was worthless, roof was caked with bondo.

But the more I looked at it, the better I liked it. It had zero rust, bed was pretty decent.


Found where the previous owners had been keeping track of maintenance, and found that the Th350 and Posi rear only had about 40k miles on them. Score! Goodwrench 350 has the same mileage, but popped a headgasket (the reason the PO parked it)

To make a long story short, we dropped in the 5.3 and got it running!




Was a pretty awesome feeling, but pretty short lived…first drive showed that EVERYTHING in the suspension was worn out. Round 2 of repairs.

Ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, seals, etc, etc, etc..Also put in a ORD add a leaf to straighten out the front axle. As well as a steering box plate (steering box was held in by 2 bolts at this point) and steering box brace. (Expensive, but nice pieces)




Got it back together again and said…well, now it just looks like crap. Round 3 of repairs. This is where we are today.

Entire front clip was toast. Doors were full of bondo, roof was damaged previously and repaired with, you guessed it, more bondo.



We have never done any body work so this has been quite the experience. Bought a stud puller and got most of the big dents out, bought a new front clip, and new doors. Have most everything smoothed with body filler and are now ready to start throwing some primer down.





I’ve been put on a recent assignment out of state for work. So we only get to work on it 2 weekends out of the month, so progress is pretty slow.
Hope you like!

[bilfman]

They are labours of love! It ain't work, it's more like a new relationship. And the upside now you really know what you have. Looks great. Another gem save from the scrap heap.

[Car'n'Guitars]

I like this truck reminds me of mine stance wise. Very nice truck.

[Low Elco]

Sa-weet! Wish I worked that fast!
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[GuyO]

AJ, This is great. I wish all kids could do 2 things in life, 1) take their High School benediction (if they are still allowed to do that stuff in schools) at the American Cemetary in Normandy France and 2) build a truck with their dad. I too have a little father/son project going on and I am at Randy's Ring and Pinion in Everett WA having the 12 bolt rear regeared with 3.73 Eaton Posi. Its a 1970 GMC Short Wide we just dropped in a built 327 and a 200r4 (replaces 250 I6/Powerglide with 2.76:1 rear gears). Keep it up, it is something you both can be proud of - great job!

[motornut]

cool, way to bring it back to life

[AJII]

It was definately headed no where fast! Sitting on 4 flats under an oak tree! Thanks for the kind words. It's been an experience I'll never forget.

Here's a teaser shot of it on the wheels we'll be running

[84_chevy]

Quick Question

That blower motor/Heater does not look like the stock setup.

what is it from?

btw nice work so far

[AJII]

It's the factory set up. If you don't have A/C, I think it looks a bit different. Maybe that's why it doesn't look familiar to you??

[BLK2K2SILVY]

Looks good AJ, what motor mounts did you use?

[AJII]

I used Trans Dapt, but they didn't put the engine back far enough, so we had to notch the actual frame motor mounts. So, if I was to do it over again, I'd use Dirty Dingo mounts as they look to give you more adjustability.

[N2TRUX]

Great story! I'm glad to see you spending quality time with your son and teaching him a really good life lesson. I have no doubt he will appreciate the truck so much more after building it with you.

[AJII]

Got everything epoxied and 2k'ed over the last couple of weekends! Now it's time for more sanding

[trout]

nice to see one saved..kool build

[silvereagle07]

Great build! Maybe I missed it, but what transfer case and trans did you use to do the swap? I may try swapping a 5.3 into the 4x4 that I have. Thanks for the inspiration.

[AJII]

Originally Posted by silvereagle07

Great build! Maybe I missed it, but what transfer case and trans did you use to do the swap? I may try swapping a 5.3 into the 4x4 that I have. Thanks for the inspiration.

I'm using he TH350 that the PO swapped in along with the stock NP208.

[old yelr]

Nice progress so far! I like it
Is the engine crossmember aftermarket and if so who made it?
Keep the pictures coming.

[AJII]

Nice catch. Yep its an aftermarket setup. It's by Totally Naked Auto. They dont really mass produce them, but I got in touch with him and he hooked me up. It's for a big block but fits the deep oil pan set up of the 5.3 perfectly.
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[old yelr]

That one looks nice! I'm planning on doing a similar swap and I was wondering if the pan would interfere with the stock crossmember. I've seen the one that ORD makes but the one you have caught my eye.

[R&K's71]

Nice story and truck AJII i see ur from Guntown MS im from Southaven MS before moving up to Silex Mo. The 79 Big 10 i have is my Granddads from Batesville Ms im actually coming down there in about a month. Again sweet truck keep up the great work

[AJII]

Originally Posted by old yelr

That one looks nice! I'm planning on doing a similar swap and I was wondering if the pan would interfere with the stock crossmember. I've seen the one that ORD makes but the one you have caught my eye.

The ORD one tucks up higher than factory I believe, so it definately wont work.

Originally Posted by R&K's71

Nice story and truck AJII i see ur from Guntown MS im from Southaven MS before moving up to Silex Mo. The 79 Big 10 i have is my Granddads from Batesville Ms im actually coming down there in about a month. Again sweet truck keep up the great work

Small world! I actually went to Ole miss which is just right up the road from Batesville.
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[old yelr]

Yes, you are right about ORD crossmember, not sure which one I was thinking of.
Looking forward to watching your progress!

[Gordonr1973]

Cool truck!

Like those rims!!

[AJII]

Originally Posted by old yelr

Yes, you are right about ORD crossmember, not sure which one I was thinking of.
Looking forward to watching your progress!

Pacific Fab makes one similar to the one I have...but its wayyyy spendy.

[AJII]

Originally Posted by Gordonr1973

Cool truck!

Like those rims!!

Thanks! Hope the paint turns out decent enough that the wheels don't stick out like a sore thumb