Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

'65 C10 SWB Build

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 29, 2014 | 03:42 PM
  #21  
thunderwagen's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth, Tx
Default

I like it man I recently picked up a patinaed 63 swb GMC that I plan on doing something similar with. Looking forward to your progress.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2014 | 05:19 PM
  #22  
ctd450's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: 201 NJ
Default

Here you go. Six lug Explorer 8.8. You can keep your 22s.






Cool build!
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2014 | 09:17 PM
  #23  
CarrBoost83's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Pocatello Idaho
Default

nice truck ill be along for the build. i am just finishing up the swap in my 83 swb but mine has a big hair dryer along side. i think ill be going to a 80e at some point. keep the pics coming its looking good man.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2014 | 06:46 AM
  #24  
onetype's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Default

Originally Posted by ctd450
Here you go. Six lug Explorer 8.8. You can keep your 22s.






Cool build!
Although I think they will look really good with some shorter tires and once the truck is bagged, I don't think I'm going to stay 6 lug just for those wheels. I'll be severely limited if I ever want to put something else on the truck.

I didn't think the rear hubs would be large enough for a 6th lug either, guess so.

Now that I'm swapping, I think a big Salt Flat would look killer. We'll see though...
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2014 | 08:50 AM
  #25  
ls1nova71's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 211
From: Liberty, MO
Default

Originally Posted by onetype
I had to spot weld all the bumper bolt heads to the bumper, soak the nuts overnight and use the big impact to get them off]
Youre at the point of no return now!

You need to invest in an oxy/accetelyn torch, just heat them up and they'll come right off..... usually. Living in Texas, you probably don't have to deal with severe rust, so you're lucky there. Those of us in the Rustbelt are used to bolts not coming out.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2014 | 11:48 AM
  #26  
onetype's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Default

My Volvo was a Kansas car, and when I built it up in Kansas I broke more bolts than I did working on the '65 yesterday.

Surprisingly they all came out. Then again everything was covered in an inch+ of dirt or grease so that probably preserved a lot of it lol.

I'm now -$75 in the swap so far after selling the stock drivetrain. Guy is coming to pick it up today.

Reply
Old Sep 30, 2014 | 01:12 PM
  #27  
ls1nova71's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 211
From: Liberty, MO
Default

Originally Posted by onetype
My Volvo was a Kansas car, and when I built it up in Kansas I broke more bolts than I did working on the '65 yesterday.

Surprisingly they all came out. ]
That's why we come down and buy rust free Texas trucks and bring them back north. Lol
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2014 | 10:33 PM
  #28  
onetype's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Default

Spent an hour power washing the frame and suspension.

I can't decide if I am going to do full Porterbuilt suspension yet, or just a few essential pieces like front control arms, rear trailing arms, etc...

Full front end would allow me to run a rack and pinion, and would be around $1800 + brakes.

Having a hard time swallowing the $4k (roughly) full suspension will cost me. I know his stuff is top notch and probably worth every penny though.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 30, 2014 | 10:53 PM
  #29  
hackster's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Default

Buy it now....or buy it later, cause you know you will.

Buy it now and do it once is what you need to do, but I get swallowing that big bill is rough.

Love the idea of the stock body with total updated suspension and drivetrain. You are going to kick yourself if you dont do the rack and pinion steering and end up doing big wheels on it.

My f100 drives like a brand new car, not even a truck with the crown vic setup on it.

Keep up the progress man, looks good.

Sean
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 12:18 AM
  #30  
onetype's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Default

Yeah I agree. I always end up doing what I should have done in the first place anyway.

I sold my RD350 today to pay for the front end. Hopefully I can sell the complete factory front end to someone with a torsion c10 and recoup a little money at least.
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 05:33 AM
  #31  
aknovaman's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 111
From: Hog Back, KS
Default

So where did the truck come from Craigslist in txt?

Have you looked at using mustang 2 front suspension? It can easily handle the weight and can be set up for bags.
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 09:17 AM
  #32  
onetype's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Default

Truck came from Dallas. I bought it probably 6 months ago.

Drove it for a month maybe then it sat at Painless until a few weeks ago.

Can't really go wrong with a PB dropmember for $1000. Placing the order today. Just need to confirm that my ECE motor mount order has been canceled.
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 05:13 PM
  #33  
onetype's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Default

So after crunching some numbers, the PB front end alone would be $3,800+. Rear would be another $2k after I'm finished. I just can't justify that even for a somewhat rare C10.

So I'm going to buy their level 1 kit for the front ($500), pancake my factory crossmember, add a CPP disc brake kit, and tubular trans mount.

I can always add the $800 No Limits rack and pinion kit later if I decide I want to ditch the steering box.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2014 | 09:39 PM
  #34  
onetype's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Default

Pulled the front end off today and took everything to a buddies to throw in his blasting cabinet. His compressor is too small, so I'm taking my big one over tomorrow.

Ordered a level 1 PB front kit yesterday. Waiting for it to show up, meanwhile I'm going to start putting new balljoints/bushings in everything up front.

I'll get some pics tomorrow.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2014 | 10:29 PM
  #35  
thunderwagen's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth, Tx
Default

I know exactly what you mean man. I have been going back and forth on the porterbuilt stuff or just pancaking the stock one and using his arms. That bill is a really hard one to swallow and I would be married to the truck after I spent that on suspension.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2014 | 11:07 PM
  #36  
onetype's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Default

I don't even think I will pancake the crossmember now after reading about issues people are having. Looks like 1-1.25 is the maximum without running into bumpsteer and funky steering issues.

I don't think it's really worth the extra inch, plus I'm running a truck pan which will hang pretty low.

If I can get the frame 1-2 inches from the ground, have a nice riding truck with bags, and in the process have new bushings/balljoints in the front end for a fraction of the price of PB stuff I will be more than happy.

Everyone wants a c10 on the biggest wheels they can find that handles like a car, and If I had an thousand of dollars lying around and nothing to spend it on I might do the same.

Buddy showed me some stuff tonight called Chassis Saver. Supposedly way stronger than powdercoat at a fraction of the price. $35 a quart. Comes in 4 different colors too. They put it on his dads LS swapped Jeep and they couldn't chip/scratch/remove it even after trying. Supposedly all the offroad guys use this stuff. If it's as good as he says it is, I'm going to roll the entire frame/x member and control arms in it.
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2014 | 01:15 AM
  #37  
TipsyMcStagger's Avatar
TECH Resident
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 904
Likes: 6
From: FL Gulf Coast
Default

Originally Posted by onetype
Buddy showed me some stuff tonight called Chassis Saver. Supposedly way stronger than powdercoat at a fraction of the price...
Chassis Saver
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2014 | 08:28 AM
  #38  
onetype's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Default

Yeah supposedly that stuff rocks. I'll probably do all my stuff in it because powercoating around here is really expensive.
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2014 | 09:12 AM
  #39  
aknovaman's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 111
From: Hog Back, KS
Default

FYI

Complete Air bag kit at a reasonable price. Steers and handles like a new car.

http://www.dustysgarage.com/xxxJWAirBagMIIKit.html
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2014 | 10:16 AM
  #40  
onetype's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Default

Thanks for the link. Seems like an interesting universal kit.

I figure even if I had the No Limits Power steering setup, I'll still be less than $1500 in the front end. The only difference is I won't have tubular control arms which I don't really care about. I actually could care less about it handling like a new car. If I were that concerned about it, I would just buy something new with an LS already in it. But I have a CSTV or the Volvo for that purpose

Or in a few years when I want to put a full PB dropmember in, I'll unbolt this setup, roll it out and sell it, then order the dropmember and tubular control arms.

I am doing a full PB dropmember rear due to the condition of my trailing arms and that I am swapping in an 8.8
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:30 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE