dvdswan

so here is my progress of my build since buying the 5.3L in late Jan...

started with this...



brought this home...



rebuilt the trans and installed 4L70 planetaries...



sold the NP246 t/case and bought a NP241C and rebuilt it, installed a SYE and short shaft for the front drive...



pulled the 4 cyl...



rebuilt the 5.3L...



bought a king cab...



test fit...



stripped the truck...



fit the new(er) cab...



built a notch for the fuel tank and sprayed sound deadener in the cab...



built a trans crossmember...



installed the engine for its last time...



started working on the bed, shortened 10" behind the tire and the front will be shortened 14" to fit the king cab...



in the mean time I'm working on the exhaust as well, but I'm looking for some LS1 98-02 Camaro factory exhaust manifolds. they are not cast from what I am told and will be easier to work with than the cast truck ones. I think they look like this...



so, that's it for now. its slow but getting closer. originally was just doing a V8 swap but now its almost the whole truck swap.

matt99

iTrader: (4)

that's awesome work, that's gona be a fun truck for sure.

dvdswan

started the exhaust today. I got the passenger side tacked up and started the driver and needed another 45* pipe and didn't have it. ooops.

dvdswan

so I got the pass side back from my buddy.

matt99

iTrader: (4)

oooh man this is gona be a nice build when its all complete. that exhaust is coming along nice. what muffler are you gona run or is it gona be straight pipe?

dvdswan

Thanks, I going to run a Magnaflow to keep it quiet(er). I got the 45* pipe I ordered today... so I tacked up the driver side exhaust. I may need to cut a 1/2" out of the passenger side before the y-pipe because its too close to a bolt for my comfort. then I ran out of welding gas too. grrr.

matt99

iTrader: (4)

V bands make for a clean and esay install and they look great. I hope to run V bands when I do my new exhaust set up. are you building this truck for any trails in particular or just to have an awesome rig?

dvdswan

no trails in particular. just want an all around fun tow to go wheeling and camping in. plan is to use the original bed as some sort of camper trailer... if I get around to it.

Jimbo1367

Looking real nice. Should be a blast once complete.

dvdswan

So I tacked up the muffler as well. I need to wait for the rest behind the muffler until the bed is done so I know where to set the pipe too. I also got the bed shortened to the correct length.

matt99

iTrader: (4)

kick *** progress, keep up with it and it will be done in no time flat

dvdswan

well a little of progress today but not much. I got more parts, fuel pumps because the stock ones I found out aren't actually rated for 60 psi, they can do it but for how long not sure. gauges I'm still not sure but I want to use the stock cluster, these are a back up and steel tubing for the fuel lines and finish welding the front part of the exhaust...











and the pups came to help...

Tig

Awesome build, everything looks great.
Cute pups, hah.

LSCha0s

iTrader: (4)

dvdswan

so today I put the cab back on to finish the bed and install the front bed brackets. also need to finish some odds and ends for the engine. once that is done I can remove the cab for the last time and paint it.

matt99

iTrader: (4)

im loving this truck more and more. that bed is gona freak some people out for sure.

Jay Gadsby

iTrader: (3)

Nice build!

I saw your name and immediately thought about Billy Madison...

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

Very nice work being done! Unique stuff.

dvdswan

thanks all.

so today I received the alternate AC that I wanted to stay away from just because it wasn't factory. it will actually work out very nicely. instead of removing 1/2 the frame in the front (4x6 area) all I need to do is remove the battery tray. I also have 3" from the accessories to front core support so I am pretty sure I can find a radiator and a dual fan setup to fit. I also fitted the 4WD selector in the cab no picture though.

matt99

iTrader: (4)

whats your current front and rear suspension and axle combo, any idea of how much articulation it has? this thing will probably put a lot of rigs to shame the way this is turning out.