New guy...new build...Fuel Injected and bagged

[Fleetside63]

Like it says, new guy to the board. I've been lurking for a year now reading forums about LS swaps, static drops vs. bags you name it...

I have a '63 BBW Fleetside...bought it a year or so ago from a guy in Iowa, drove it for a few months and decided it needed torn apart. While in the deconstruction process, my father who has been sick for a few years passed away and needless to say the truck was put on the backburner. He had an Automotive repair shop I grew up in and worked at for years, married to my mom for 40 years, and myself an my brother. The shop has now become my responsibility. I teach at a Tech college and both of the Technicians at the shop are past students of mine. Between my job, the shop, and making sure my mom has everything and anything she needs I do not have much time for the truck, but I have told myself I need to work on it, I need to build it for my Dad. Our last conversation we spoke about how doing an modern v8 and bags would be cool...it's the way he would have done it. So needless to say...it's getting done.


What I've done so far...

-tore it down to the frame
- c- notch
-drop center crossmember
- drop spindles
-blasted and painted frame
-replaced all suspension parts (ball joints, bushings, etc.)

I have a low mileage 4.8/4L60E for it. Plan on doing the LS6 treatment to it. Full air ride including the Accuair E-level , and a whole bunch of other new odds and ends from when initially buying the truck.

The engine mounts, pedestals, and transmission crossmember will be in this week so the motor and tranny can be mocked up and then I can start plumbing the air ride.

I hope some LS guys follow this as I know I will have a bunch of questions when I comes to the wiring...I HATE WIRING! Yea, yea, I know...why do something fuel injected then...but hey, the old man wanted it. So hello from Pittsburgh, my name is Marc...looking forward to seeing what you guys build, and making some new friends.

[siggyfreud]

Post up some pics of what you're starting with! Looking forward to following this. Always a fan of LS projects. I'm not doing an LS motor, but am doing a fuel injected project with many LS components, so I'll be diving into the wiring here too in not too long.

Cheers!

[1963c-10]

Welcome to the forum....and yes....we want pics.

[Fleetside63]

here's a few to get you guys an idea of where I'm at...

[Fleetside63]

...and more.

[Fleetside63]

POL center crop crossmember, and CPP bolt-in notch

[Fleetside63]

even got the girlfriend involved...she doesn't like the air hammer though

[Fleetside63]

girlfriend was away this weekend...still is visiting family, so I lived at the shop getting some work in.

Had the frame blasted by a local guy who is mobile. He did a great job and was very reasonable. Anybody near Pittsburgh PM me if you want his info. Welded up the c-notches too just because.

[Fleetside63]

time for paint...

notice the Harbor Freight Signature Series mobile paint booth.


They also need to make respirators for men with beards...

[Fleetside63]

more to come tomorrow...motor/trans was dropped off this weekend. All the mounts, pedestals, crossmembers should be in tomorrow. Had the air bag plates and tank power coated also. So expect some more pics soon.

Marc

[1963c-10]

Nice job on the frame. This project will be done in no time at the rate your going!!!

[jcramsey]

Looks like you're on your way to a nice truck!

[siggyfreud]

Yeah looking great. You're steamrolling through this thing. Love it.

[Fleetside63]

Thanks guys...

I picked up 2 sets of headers to try out today and an F-body oil pan, engine mounts, and pedestals came in...but wait for it, CPP messed up on shipping! Who would have guessed that!!!!! So tomorrow the trans crossmember should be here and then the motor/trans will be in.

I'll post some more pics when it's all in.

[Ta2Don]

and Welcome Aboard!!!

I'm in…

Rockin' Beard...

[NEWFISHER]

Nice work!
What isle is the crossflow booth in at HB? All I could find was the down draft model.

[markeb01]

Nice progress on a nice truck! I've used that booth before, the filtration is limited but the flow through ventilation is tops!

[Fleetside63]

Well...not too much progress the past few days, been too busy at the shop but hey, that's a good thing.

Went to put in the CPP tubular transmission cross member thinking it was bolt-in and I was wrong. I'm tired and pissed off now since I have to put the motor and trans in, lay the cab back on, mark my holes...take the cab back off, drill holes and repeat...


Needless to say I'm taking the weekend off and going to take my mom and my better 3/4's out to lunch.

[creep]

Couldn't you just use your beard as a respirator?

[Fleetside63]

haha creep. Probably, but then it would get stuck to my entire face.

On a more serious note, anyone who has done an LSx swap...who have you used or heard of people using to make stand alone harnesses?

[Mad Rods]

Nice

[Bigru]

Nice build.

[creep]

I have heard that MSD makes some sort of LS harnesses and electronics. Not sure though.

[ls60apache]

Originally Posted by Fleetside63

haha creep. Probably, but then it would get stuck to my entire face.

On a more serious note, anyone who has done an LSx swap...who have you used or heard of people using to make stand alone harnesses?

hello nice truck your dad would be proud of the progress youre making. speartech is one harness maker that comes to mind and does quality work and is highly recommended.there are others ,you can go to ls1 tech for lots of ls info.

[Bomp]

Frames lookin good