1963 Impala Convertible LQ4/80E Swap
#243
TECH Regular
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: st. paul mn.
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have been following your post for a long time now and I must say keep up the good work being persistent will pay off in the long run. I noticed in your post that you were wondering what a hidden hitch would look like and it is a simple thing you could do now. here is a link to my build thread and if you need any more info just let me know.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...charged-3.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...charged-3.html
#244
Launching!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'll be doing all the prep work before it goes in for paint. As far as paint goes, it will be a factory GM water based blue. Simple yet clean. If I need a touch up, it can be done. I've been down the kustom candy and patterns path once before and I won't be headed back.
#245
Launching!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have been following your post for a long time now and I must say keep up the good work being persistent will pay off in the long run. I noticed in your post that you were wondering what a hidden hitch would look like and it is a simple thing you could do now. here is a link to my build thread and if you need any more info just let me know.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...charged-3.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...charged-3.html
As for your link, I've also checked your thread in the past. Your hitch looks awesome. Great idea with the chain loops.
Only thing I'm worried about on mine is how my gas neck is going to run since I'm using the 91-96 Caprice/Impala tank. I don't know if I should place it outside behind the license plate or have a hidden fill somewhere??
#247
Launching!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Don't mind me, I bounce around here and there working all different parts.
An easy way to mark out templates for the floor pan drain holes.
![](http://i43.tinypic.com/v63t7c.jpg)
![](http://i41.tinypic.com/2lu8jzs.jpg)
The rear wheel houses were coated asphault based under coating. I needed to get all that junk off. I used my propane tiger torch to heat the coating up, next took a scrapper blade, the quick scrub with the hand wire brush. Turned out real clean.
![](http://i44.tinypic.com/3092655.jpg)
![](http://i44.tinypic.com/qqscpe.jpg)
![](http://i39.tinypic.com/15nq78n.jpg)
An easy way to mark out templates for the floor pan drain holes.
![](http://i43.tinypic.com/v63t7c.jpg)
![](http://i41.tinypic.com/2lu8jzs.jpg)
The rear wheel houses were coated asphault based under coating. I needed to get all that junk off. I used my propane tiger torch to heat the coating up, next took a scrapper blade, the quick scrub with the hand wire brush. Turned out real clean.
![](http://i44.tinypic.com/3092655.jpg)
![](http://i44.tinypic.com/qqscpe.jpg)
![](http://i39.tinypic.com/15nq78n.jpg)
![](http://i40.tinypic.com/25h23v4.jpg)
![](http://i41.tinypic.com/5klnid.jpg)
#248
Launching!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Finished welding the tunnel area up for now. Up next is grind time.
![](http://i41.tinypic.com/2qmd9wy.jpg)
![](http://i43.tinypic.com/2011r81.jpg)
![](http://i42.tinypic.com/vrdkie.jpg)
I'll be swapping the rear seat out with a pair of third row seats from a Yukon 03' to match the front seats. It's perfect width too, 48" same as the factory seat. So the factory hold downs were removed.
![](http://i39.tinypic.com/207sz76.jpg)
![](http://i41.tinypic.com/2qmd9wy.jpg)
![](http://i43.tinypic.com/2011r81.jpg)
![](http://i42.tinypic.com/vrdkie.jpg)
I'll be swapping the rear seat out with a pair of third row seats from a Yukon 03' to match the front seats. It's perfect width too, 48" same as the factory seat. So the factory hold downs were removed.
![](http://i39.tinypic.com/207sz76.jpg)
![](http://i42.tinypic.com/j08qig.jpg)
#251
Launching!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I used to compete in ISACA (sound quality) back in the late 90's early 2000's. I want to step it up with stereo and not follow the 6-4-tweet norm. I won't let the cat out of the bag just yet and what's in store. The factory gauges suck. Replacement gauges from Dakota Digital are 25 yr old styling and boring. No new VHX on the horizon either. I've seen it a number of times before with people using the 59-60 dash/guages. Nothing wrong with that, just it's not that different. The reasons why the dash should go out weighted the the reasons it should stay.
Dash before.......
![](http://i43.tinypic.com/2nbsymp.jpg)
Speaker on fire.......
![](http://i40.tinypic.com/2mhbh55.jpg)
Dash gone.........
![](http://i39.tinypic.com/vfuj9f.jpg)
Dash before.......
![](http://i43.tinypic.com/2nbsymp.jpg)
Speaker on fire.......
![](http://i40.tinypic.com/2mhbh55.jpg)
Dash gone.........
![](http://i39.tinypic.com/vfuj9f.jpg)
![](http://i42.tinypic.com/etwbc2.jpg)
#252
Launching!
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm curious as to what your going to do to the dash. I should also do my own conversion post.Here's my dash, as I agree with you stock gauges suck, and digital dash was o.k 15 years ago. It's been done to death. Here's my dash:
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Busarider/Picture002-1.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Busarider/Picture002-1.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Busarider/Picture001-1.jpg)
#253
Launching!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
That's what's great about your dash, you have a nice large flat surface to work with and customize. I like how you did the signal lights and highbeam lights.
#254
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Awsome build.
#256
Launching!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I was thinking about all these people buying these new Air Jordan shoes today. Does buying them make you a basketball ball player?
I figured it was worth a shot.........
Back to the wheel house area.
![](http://i39.tinypic.com/2q0ix5f.jpg)
Clear plastic so I know where everything is.
![](http://i40.tinypic.com/308cy78.jpg)
![](http://i42.tinypic.com/160sj1z.jpg)
I think the body mount looks wrong with the gusseting. I drilled both sides out.
![](http://i41.tinypic.com/1580ex1.jpg)
I figured it was worth a shot.........
![](http://i42.tinypic.com/e035sk.jpg)
Back to the wheel house area.
![](http://i39.tinypic.com/2q0ix5f.jpg)
Clear plastic so I know where everything is.
![](http://i40.tinypic.com/308cy78.jpg)
![](http://i42.tinypic.com/160sj1z.jpg)
I think the body mount looks wrong with the gusseting. I drilled both sides out.
![](http://i41.tinypic.com/1580ex1.jpg)
![](http://i41.tinypic.com/sg5qo5.jpg)
#260
Launching!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
You're wondering now what the hell is he doing? This is access so I can block off the wiper cowl area as well as the hinges. I am going to use this area for my sub enclosures. I got the idea from Rod Zimmerman's BMW back when he put a pair of subs in kicks. Mind you he installed 15's I'm only going 10's max. Convertibles are hard to get good feeling bass out of since normally the subs are mounted in rear. I'll be fiberglassing enclosures in awhile.
![](http://i40.tinypic.com/fclim8.jpg)
![](http://i42.tinypic.com/2eoku1f.jpg)
![](http://i44.tinypic.com/s4u9w9.jpg)
![](http://i40.tinypic.com/fclim8.jpg)
![](http://i42.tinypic.com/2eoku1f.jpg)
![](http://i44.tinypic.com/s4u9w9.jpg)
![](http://i40.tinypic.com/6dzea8.jpg)