1981 C10/5.3L Build Thread
Also, I'm thinking I might do a roll-on or spray Rustoleum 7777 Satin Black paint job on the truck in the next few weeks. Just to get it all one color so I dont look like the trashy neighbor with the blue jean colored truck that has a black door haha
Thats the color I did my engine bay and I really like it. Pretty close to flat black and I could do the whole truck for under $100. Temporary paint job until I'm ready for body work
Thats the color I did my engine bay and I really like it. Pretty close to flat black and I could do the whole truck for under $100. Temporary paint job until I'm ready for body work
I think the frame changed shape sort of as it went back so it might not slide back like you can do on some cars.
I wanted to make a new crossmember so I could run the exhaust up and over instead of underneath the crossmember. The stock setup didnt give me enough room to run 3" exhaust over it.
Probably something you'll just have to try and see if you can make it work.
One thing to pay close attention to when building a crossmember is the driveline angle. Since you get to choose what angle the trans sits then measure your rear end pinion angle. I ended up putting a shim under the leafs to change it a little bit. Then use a jack and a piece of wood or something to jack the trans up until you get the angles correct. Hold it there with the jack while you tack together your crossmember so that you know its correct.
Its better to make it a tiny bit low instead of high because you can always put some washers or a plate inbetween the trans mount and your cross member if you want to move it up a little bit.
Use some pretty good tacks though because if you just do small tacks then when you pull it off to finish welding it it will warp like crazy.
I pulled both tanks and got a new cheapo Spectra tank for a 1987 C10 passenger side. The 87 was fuel injected so it has a different tank with a tray in it. I put a walbro 255 in it for now (will get two of them when I go turbo).
If I was to do it again, I would do a 91 or whatever year Blazer tank. It sits inbetween the frame in the back. Would help with traction getting weight back there.
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Brett Foote
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Ok cool ya I was planning on leaving the th400 in the stock location but build my own x member to run the exhaust over it with plentu of room. And solid mount the motor and trans. The welding part I ant worried about. Thats what I do for a living, it just me being home to work on it since im always out of town working.
Ya I want a tank in the rear between the rails but im going to have to bob my frame rails to narrow it and narrow a 9" to run my tires. What year of tank do you thank would be best?
And when you were going to run the th400 were you going to buy a converter for the th400 to ls or run the adapter bushing ?
Ya I want a tank in the rear between the rails but im going to have to bob my frame rails to narrow it and narrow a 9" to run my tires. What year of tank do you thank would be best?
And when you were going to run the th400 were you going to buy a converter for the th400 to ls or run the adapter bushing ?
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Oh and what did you decide on doing wuth your front suspension? Drop spindles and lower springs? The person I bought the truck from just cut the springs and cut one side shorter then the other but it dose have the shackle flip kit in the rear but it still sets up way to high in the rear. What else can I do to drop it lower and set even with the front ?
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I might have to pay you some money one day to drive from tulsa to enid to help me with my wiring and relocating my coil packs. I suck at wiring and hate it lol. I got a complete tahoe that I pulled the motor from all I have left to do is pull the harness out of it but I dont even know were to start with that .
And I could hook you up with the seats and stuff if you want newer nice bucket seats or anything else out of the tahoe.
And I could hook you up with the seats and stuff if you want newer nice bucket seats or anything else out of the tahoe.
Oh nice, I didn't realize you were from Enid. I've been wanting to put in some new seats! Are they leather or cloth?
I'm no pro at all when it comes to wiring, I actually hate it haha. But eventually I got it figured out. Since you have the donor vehicle you should be able to pull the engine harness and fuse box all in one and that will make it a lot easier.
I think you have a couple options on the tank, since your going to alter the frame a little then I'd wait until you have that part figured out before you buy a tank. If the back part of the frame where the spare tire went wont be changing then you can get a 91 Chevy Blazer tank, they are like $95 on rockauto. Its pretty big though, 31 gallons. You'll have to weld in some supports for it. The other option if you want it in the back is to get a summit racing plastic tank and put it back there. There are some issues with using the foam filled ones though because they degrade over time.
Since I'll be drag racing a bit I was going to go with an aftermarket SFI flexplate either way, so I would have just got a flexplate for LS1 to TH400.
On the front suspension I just went with the Mcgauphys 2.5" drop spindles. I also had 2" drop springs but it was way too low so I put the stock springs back in. Eventually I'll change springs to drop it maybe 3/4" or so. If the back isnt low enough with the drop shackle then you'll either have to get drop leaf springs or pull the shackle and do a flip kit. I have the shackle and I think its about a 4" drop, a flip will do closer to 6"
I'm no pro at all when it comes to wiring, I actually hate it haha. But eventually I got it figured out. Since you have the donor vehicle you should be able to pull the engine harness and fuse box all in one and that will make it a lot easier.
I think you have a couple options on the tank, since your going to alter the frame a little then I'd wait until you have that part figured out before you buy a tank. If the back part of the frame where the spare tire went wont be changing then you can get a 91 Chevy Blazer tank, they are like $95 on rockauto. Its pretty big though, 31 gallons. You'll have to weld in some supports for it. The other option if you want it in the back is to get a summit racing plastic tank and put it back there. There are some issues with using the foam filled ones though because they degrade over time.
Since I'll be drag racing a bit I was going to go with an aftermarket SFI flexplate either way, so I would have just got a flexplate for LS1 to TH400.
On the front suspension I just went with the Mcgauphys 2.5" drop spindles. I also had 2" drop springs but it was way too low so I put the stock springs back in. Eventually I'll change springs to drop it maybe 3/4" or so. If the back isnt low enough with the drop shackle then you'll either have to get drop leaf springs or pull the shackle and do a flip kit. I have the shackle and I think its about a 4" drop, a flip will do closer to 6"
Launching!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: ny 14845
fyi there is a shorter / smaller 25 gal blazer tank . and also the blazer got tbi injection in 87-91 . more than 1 year for them with efi tanks.
if you do a flip kit and drop shackles you will prob need a c-notch kit for the frame. and if short bed with drop shackles the longer shackles will hit the bed floor crossmember. check out my 2wd build link below for pics of how I fixed that problem .
if you do a flip kit and drop shackles you will prob need a c-notch kit for the frame. and if short bed with drop shackles the longer shackles will hit the bed floor crossmember. check out my 2wd build link below for pics of how I fixed that problem .
Good to know, yea I figured they switched to EFI when the trucks did in 87, I was just using 91 as an example.
You are correct about the c-notch and the bed supports. The notch is pretty small though, just like an inch or two. They make brackets you can bolt on after you cut out the little section, or you can just fab it for a lot cheaper.
I had to cut a small section out of my bed supports to clear the shackles.
I'll have to check out your build thread, glad to see there are a decent amount of people with swapped 73-87s!
You are correct about the c-notch and the bed supports. The notch is pretty small though, just like an inch or two. They make brackets you can bolt on after you cut out the little section, or you can just fab it for a lot cheaper.
I had to cut a small section out of my bed supports to clear the shackles.
I'll have to check out your build thread, glad to see there are a decent amount of people with swapped 73-87s!
Well here is where I'm at so far, same on both sides. Its actually sort of fun cutting that crap out! I'm going to have to put in several patch panels where its rusted through before I weld the main pans in place.
When its welded in I'm going to try out this frost king stuff on the floors. From what I've read it works great for sound deadening for about half the price of dynamat. Anyone used it before?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-Kin...V516/100028603
When its welded in I'm going to try out this frost king stuff on the floors. From what I've read it works great for sound deadening for about half the price of dynamat. Anyone used it before?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-Kin...V516/100028603
Here is the floor pan replacement progress.
I have new carpet layed in there, but am waiting on a couple plastic pieces to come in to finish it up.
I didnt take a picture but I used Eastwood Seam sealer on all the seams top and bottom, that stuff works pretty well.
Will look nice other than my blue bench and blue headliner...
Should make a huge difference having solid floors and sound deadener in there!
I have new carpet layed in there, but am waiting on a couple plastic pieces to come in to finish it up.
I didnt take a picture but I used Eastwood Seam sealer on all the seams top and bottom, that stuff works pretty well.
Will look nice other than my blue bench and blue headliner...
Should make a huge difference having solid floors and sound deadener in there!
Starting the next phase of the build...
Dana 60 out of a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 with 3.55 gears. (I thought they only made a 3.54 but it has a tag that says 3.55)
Going to narrow it, make a 4 link for it, run 35 spline axles and a truetrac
Thinking about using the AWD Astrovan rotors and C10 front calipers to convert to disc in the rear
Should be a fun project
Dana 60 out of a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 with 3.55 gears. (I thought they only made a 3.54 but it has a tag that says 3.55)
Going to narrow it, make a 4 link for it, run 35 spline axles and a truetrac
Thinking about using the AWD Astrovan rotors and C10 front calipers to convert to disc in the rear
Should be a fun project
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Mount Gambier, Australia
I havent been on here for a long while, good to see you are getting there.
I would be interested in some photos of the fuel tank upgrade. Thinking of doing mine, as I dont really like the 2 side tanks.
I wouldnt mind a bit more weight over the rear end as well. Not a lot of options out here, so need to have a good idea of what I want before I start looking.
I would be interested in some photos of the fuel tank upgrade. Thinking of doing mine, as I dont really like the 2 side tanks.
I wouldnt mind a bit more weight over the rear end as well. Not a lot of options out here, so need to have a good idea of what I want before I start looking.