Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Gunna try and fit a 32" led 1080w light bar behind the grill today....wish me luck.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

No good without a pic lol!

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Taped all my seams in the rattle trap today, that's more tedious than putting it in. Installed the duct work for the rear vents and started on my mirror. The old one only had a comp while my new one displays temp and comp and is auto dimming. I have to make a mount for the sensor and run wires to the new mirror. I'll also have to look up a diagram to since the old mirror had 3 wires the new 7.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Worked off this morning, got a nap and got at it. Mirrors in and wired up. I fed my wires through the fan loom and that was slow going. Works great too btw!
Have my carpet in the truck, but I'll let it set a few days before I trim it out.
Going to the Hog tcu game tomorrow so it'll be Monday at least.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Since I had the soldering iron out for my mirror harness, I did my infinity tweeters. I soldered them to the factory connectors so I could just plug them in.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Final update for the day. Headliner is in, not finished, but have it up and putting what I can back on without having the carpet trimmed out. I've been waiting a while for it to start looking truckish again.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Looking good
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Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Carpet is in, seat belts and trim back in place too. I won't put the door panels on till after I get some paint on it. I still have to fit my speakers in the rear door panels and of course do a little more cleaning. I've got to either find new seats or have mine recovered. I'll try and see what's available close and go from there.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Took my drivers seat apart just to see how bad it was. It's pretty bad, several springs were off and the wire frame had rusted apart on that section. The cushion is toast as well. My other seats, passenger and back are in great shape. I should be able to cover them once I clean them tons.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Ok, so what do you ask for when shopping for new coverings that replace the factory ones? I looked up seat covers and got millions of slip on covers....got frustrated. Just looking for factory style.
...my bad, as the kids would say...Your interior is starting to look nice.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Here's a source for new factory style covers. I have no experience with them but plan to use them when I redo the seats in my 98.
https://www.theseatshop.com/

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

H, thanks for that. I have sent an email just now.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

I signed up as well. I sent an email asking about the rear seat too.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Hey, the seat shop has an excellent range, and they were very helpful but I was looking for cloth seat coverings. Anyone have a lead for me?

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Have my led map and dome lights in. For some reason the back lights work and the front doesn't. A volt meter from one lug to ground show almost 13volts. I've ordered a new headlight switch, the dome over ride only works now and then so I'll see if I can hunt down the problem when it comes in.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

I had the same problem, found a bad earth.
I checked the supply and it was ok, the earth was insulated by some oxidation between the lug and screw

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Have 7 straight nights behind me so I went "junkin" today. Found a decent set of seats, though they're blue, and the bumper I'd been looking for.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Back seats are home. He still has the head rests, but I picked these up to give him a little more shop space. Cleaning up my risers now.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Back seats are home again! I picked the front ones up yesterday. I've got to clean up the risers a bit, paint over the blue and bolt them in.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

LED lights are awesome. I do wish I had changed the ash tray bulb out before I put the dash back together though it wasn't to much of a problem.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Looking good!

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Had a little time to work on the truck today so I started bolting the front seats in. I took the risers off, cleaned them up and painted over the blue. When I went to bolt the passenger seat in I discovered the risers weren't the same, quite a bit longer. Got my originals out and after another round of cleaning and paint, that one is in.
I've still got to clean the drivers side up and double check everything on the power seats, it's getting there.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Busy time of the year for me. I've been planting apple trees, mostly limbertwig varieties and found time to camp out in the deer woods, but I couldn't resist this. It's a 2002 496, supposedly 120k good runner. After I'm done with the interior and I'll probably paint it first too, this will replace the 454.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Cool! I'm in the middle of putting one of those in my 86. Should be a noticeable improvement.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Very curious to how much you have to change!

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Here is a link to a swap thread. This guy is also a member on this forum as well. I'll need a new harness, computer, brackets, this is Arkansas I'm keeping my air, and a few odd and end things. It's really a great write up for someone wanting to do a 8.1L swap.

https://ck5.com/forums/threads/l18-8...thread.308019/

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Cool addition to the rebuild...I guess if you ever have to pull a battleship you'll be set!

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

I assume you are keeping the 4L80E behind it when you swap?

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

There's no reason to not keep the 4l80e. It was behind the 8.1 in 01 and 02 3500HD trucks(15,000 GVW) and the 3/4 ton suburban and avalanche.

And an Allison won't fit without a body lift.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Looks good. I really like the vortec 454, but that engine will look good in there!

My question isn’t about the strength of the 4L80E or it’s compatibilty behind the 8.1.
More related to what are his plans for running his engine and transmission.

In the link he posted the guy (Dirty Larry) used an NV4500 which was available in the GMT400 trucks just not Mingoman’s so I wondered if he was staying with the auto (assume so) or swap to something else like the NV4500 (assume not)
Is he going to try and use the stock L29 setup (distributor and all) to keep it simple or swap in L18 stuff? Inquiring minds want to know.
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Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

The 454 intake/distributor is not compatable with the 496. Really the only thing you can change is the throttle body on the 496(OE is drive by wire, you can swap on a drive by cable throttle body(off the 454)

Larry used an NV4500 from a 92-95 truck. Lots of variables. I think his truck is a 78 K10. I havent read through his stuff in a while.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

I'm planning on keeping the 4l80e trans and using my L29 throttle body on the 8.1. From what I've read that's a better way to go than drive by wire. I've got to find the right spacer to use, don't remember if that was listed in his parts list or not.
I did get some things done yesterday. My drivers seat is in, checked, cleaned, and lubed the screws and such on the power riser, everything works.
Changed my blower motor resistor, another thing I should have done with the dash out.
Installed the new heater control unit, put blue led lights in it first, with the rear defrost controls to power my heated mirrors when I get that far.

Cool thanks. Sounds like you’re making good progress.
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Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Yeah I'm not sure what I was thinking. I remember reading that the 8.1, despite being a tall deck, is compatible with standard height distributors (not with the stock intake of course) but I forgot the 8.1 firing order was also changed so it wouldn't be a simple install after all even with an aftermarket intake set up for port injection. So despite already having the wiring to operate the 4L80 it won’t be a simple drop in which is what I was thinking. Not simple of course but simplified than an entire harness swap.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

The biggest thing is the shape of the intake port on the cylinder heads. They are huge and cathedral shaped. All of the BBC intakes are square, peanut or oval.


I think we are all looking forward to seeing that engine in your truck.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Lol, me too. Before I bought this truck I had made a deal to buy an 06 3500 crew cab with the 8.1L engine. I had to work 2 days before I could drive over to get it and he sold it, not that I blamed the guy, cash talks.
When I saw this engine for sale I checked into what I'd have to do to swap over and I'm pretty confident I can do it. It's going to be unique for sure.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Port shape can be accommodated. Intake port location is the deal breaker. But I know what you mean.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Heck yeah! It should be pretty awesome. The 96-00 GMC's are some of my favorite trucks.

Are you thinking of going with the brackets Larry used to retain your AC?

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

These ports are huge.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4061/4...c68_z.jpg?zz=1