Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
Hey Guys. Figured I would start a build thread for my 69 C20. Im lifting it using he late model spindle method that others have done on the later model stuff. I have only come across a few of the 67-72 body style so figured why not. I have had the truck since I was 14-15 and always wanted it lifted, however I ended up baggin it a few years ago with plans to Z it and such but never wrapped it all up.
first day of having the truck. someone tagged the whole truck, including the bedsides as you can see prompting me to rattle can primer it "wish I wouldn't have done that. could have prob buffed it out." http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...16-2006-14.jpg Got it stuck a few times as a stock height truck and than lowered it anyway :dum: http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...yC20/minee.jpg Well long story short, I decided i was over the air ride and wanted a lift after all. So here goes. Few shots of the bag set up it currently has and how it sits at the moment. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps2ydpn8b7.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps61bz0dpq.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pstjszkwf1.jpg Since this frame is now modified and cut and I want to lift it, I decided it better to get a new frame to start fresh. Picked up this frame which is also a 69 long bed C20 built in California from what I can find. It also included a 73-87 front half of a frame which has just the suspension I need for this swap. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psl1keiplg.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psn0ltd7y6.jpg I have wanted to do an LS swap for a vary long time and decided this would be a great time to do it. Searched the wrecking yards until I came across a 2000 Tahoe that was complete and just set out with a LM7 5.3/4L60E combo with harness and everything for under $500 bucks. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psyq5el1qf.jpg I couldn't pass it up http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psngwhcqm3.jpg My nephew approved of the new motor http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psdyvmpcxn.jpg Few weeks later my brother and I came across a rear end in another wrecking yard with a 2001 Silverado that has a disc rear with a G80 Locker. pulled it a well for abut $200 bucks. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps0fkkgac1.jpg |
Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
I have a 1968 c10 that I been thinking of lifting. I'll be following this build
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Boss has one of those motors in an 05 truck. That combo will get up and move fast. Great score for what you gave for it!
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Tested the motor on the stand thanks to a tip from youtube. Only had to give power to one wire and the main power terminal, made a homemade fuel injection tube for about 10 bucks at lowes. Motor Fired right up and idled nicely. Stoked to say the least! click the link below to check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kitr...ature=youtu.be Got a LOT done over the weekend since we had a break in the rain for a day. Removed the front cross member and found out that the vary front support brace is bent. I don't think the rail itself is out of shape. I have a spare brace so ill be swapping that in. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pskhfldkax.jpg Picked up some new Silverado wheels on Craigslist for free from a gentleman. Score. 3 of them match, one is a miss match but the same size so it'll work. ill have to figure something out there. My brother mocked up the new rear end with the axle saddles I got form Summit racing and we rolled the new rear end into place. Fit pretty good. Gotta pull it out and take the axle to my brother in laws to have the perches fully welded. Gonna be ordering some new poly bushings for the springs and shackles too. the old ones are worn. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps78reiuge.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psmqlajmw1.jpg I used some degreaser and a whole lot of scrubbing to get the frame rails cleaned up in prep for the new crossmember and suspension to go in. As much as I would like to powder coat the frame or even spray it with a real gun, this is a budget build and a driver so I rattle canned it. plus easy touch ups. Some rusty metal primer http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps3jqjtsz9.jpg And a few coats of gloss black http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psolghzwjr.jpg |
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Looking good so far. Keep on it, you are making progress. Looks like you have some good help also...:) LockDoc |
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Hoping to put the front suspension on next weekend. maybe get to see how much lift ill be looking at. |
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Cool build!! I'm in to watch it, I've never seen a lifted 2wd!!
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Got a good amount of work done this weekend so figured id add a little update.
Bolted the crossmember in with some fresh Grade 8 Hardware. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psqk4pwkcp.jpg The 73-87 frame i took the crossmember out of had these nice little reinforcement brackets for the crossmember that my 69 and previous 73-87 crossmember didn't have. They look to add a lot of strength so i used them on this frame considering that stress will be added with bigger tires. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pswaim4xm9.jpg ordered a bunch of parts from Rockauto. Shipping was vary fast but i ended up with someones used 88-98 ball joint. They actually fought me a little but took care of it and sent me a new one so no harm. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psngjkxpuh.jpg Installed the control arms, springs, spindles and rotors. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psozrkteok.jpg surprisingly had to jack the frame up more than it already was to fit the wheels on for a test fit. The wheel/tire set up is a 265-65-17 so i believe just under a 31. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psozrkteok.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pskdrfbx2c.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psvd9abwfm.jpg At first glance i thought the tie rod was going to work with the stock sway bar but when turning i believe it will cause interference. So while i wait to get a reamer to change the tie rod to the top, i tarped the frame in anticipation of this weeks rain. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pswtmdtn7p.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psatzlz59e.jpg |
Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
On Sunday it was too cold to paint and since i still dont have a reamer i figured we could keep moving forward by getting the motor prepped.
Took the harness off to get to the smog equipment I'm going to delete. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psrnfcmim8.jpg There's a lot of wires here. A little overwhelming. Im not a wiring guy by any means so I'm relying heavily on my older brother here. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psrnfcmim8.jpg Used a doorman freeze plug with some silicon to block the EGR port. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps53qowto3.jpg The driver side valve cover removed it looked a little dirty to me. This is the side with the PCV valve so maybe thats why? anyone care to shed some light on this. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psfckwyszy.jpg Passenger side looked really clean. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psva7b7r12.jpg Plugs to me also looked pretty good. any motor gurus care to share their thoughts? http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psrf1ff4ya.jpg Took a whole can of degreaser and two of us with a scrub brush about two hours of elbow grease to get this thing clean. Fortunately i have a full seal set that a good buddy of mine gave me so I'm planning to tear it down further and at vary minimum, reseal it, and paint the block. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pspbshvi00.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pscdcjf2jf.jpg Still has grime in places i just cant get to with how it is still assembled but at least it is cleaner and i can scrub it as i tare it down bit by bit. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psyhuwz6mm.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psmqbzmjk7.jpg Same buddy hooked me up with a set of Trailblazer SS exhaust manifolds for this swap. I actually like the look of the truck ones better. Is there a performance reason to go to the trailblazer ones? |
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Trailblazer SS has the best numbers for stock intakes for all LS based engines....even better than F.A.S.T. You would think that the exhaust would follow the program.
If you don't have the intake try to get it....It's ugly but works well! |
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http://www.hotrod.com/articles/20-ls...ifolds-tested/ |
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Following!!! to bad you wernt closer, because i have a 4x4 ront axel thatd look perfect under this truck.
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plugs look lean to me but maybe its the lighting....
looks super clean under the valve cover to me... |
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I was just worried more about the driver side. not that it looked filthy, just noticeably darker than the passenger side. but was pleasantly surprised that there is no sludge built up. |
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Well didn't get as much done as i would have liked this weekend but made a little progress none the less. On Saturday had a busy day running around scoping out a new location for our office at work before running back to town to help a family member move. By the time we finished it was too late and raining so i decided to work on my airbrushing. another one of my brothers wanted to give it a shot. he gave up after a few minutes. lol.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psndvzy5lf.jpg On Sunday my oldest brother and I hit the junk yard. Came across this home built mini truck on what looked like a full size frame. thought it was interesting so i decided to share haha. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psnzvyvsx2.jpg I was also able to score a wheel which matches the other 3 so now i have a full set. wheel looks straight, tire is no good but this size wont do anyway. got this wheel, a fuel injector pig tail "to clean my injectors on the bench" and some bumper brackets for $22 bucks. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pskkeg74hr.jpg I have a whole bench full of parts ready to go on the frame/motor but cant seem to catch a break in the weather. My brother is prob going crazy with all the parts laying around his garage. Even have parts stuffed in the cab of his Ford project lol. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pswzrzbzwd.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psyqpqnhie.jpg Cleaned and painted a few more things until the wind/cold set in. still sticking with budget paint. 73-87 motor mounts http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps0bpprpie.jpg Sway bar mounts and Moog tie rods http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps4ck2lyrw.jpg 1-1/4 inch sway bar. man this thing is beefy. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psfrxi66si.jpg Shackle and spring eye bushings are destroyed. I was planning to run Poly but can only find them in 1.5 ID. My spring and shackles are 1 1/4. so looks like Moog rubber is gonna be the answer. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psa4mdj3ql.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psqzderqsb.jpg |
Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
I realize this isn't the fun part of the build for you guys to watch. Cleaning and cleaning some more lol. but the fun stuff is about to start next week or so. In hopes that this helps someone i will post my findings on parts that i had to research and source because no one offered a "Kit". My leaf spring bushings and shackle bushings are 1-1/4" rather than the 1-1/2" that seem to be common? No one makes a kit, at all. I searched and searched and couldn't find anything. My brother gave me a part number to Daystar and their bushings were almost perfect but required some trimming. I havent installed on the truck yet but test fitting everything is working out so far. Take a look at the diagram i drew up. hopefully this helps someone later.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psxqjrcwva.jpg Quick shipping and not a bad price http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pstgev1kve.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psvjr62ydk.jpg Surprisingly some of the bushings were still pretty solid. Heated up the rubber just enough to use a socket to tap the inner sleeve out and the rubber followed after. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psfxrrp3ip.jpg Took the axle to my brother in laws to have him finish weld the axle saddles that we mocked up for the rear end swap. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psm969on0w.jpg You might have noticed these little sleeves in the first picture. These were recommended to me by another good friend and my brother also has used them with good success. They are from Roughstuffspecialties.com They are tapered to match the one ton tie rods. We drilled the spindle to 7/8" and they drop right in. I cant even explain how well they fit. That tie rod wont move at all in the hole. Vary nice product. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psebwtvuc0.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psxcemyrr4.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psy7kmn2nh.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psip2gnl41.jpg Started working on removing the broken exhaust manifold bolts from the head. 2 came out without an issue, the third destroyed the threads. so looking into helicoil for that. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps6crvhknm.jpg Last, spent all day cleaning the rear half of the frame so we can assemble the springs and axle to finally get onto the fun stuff. Too cold to paint after i finished but that will be done this week. http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pskbohwqqo.jpg http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psaibl0fwa.jpg |
Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
BTW how do i get this moved into the build section rather than the Message board? i tried requesting an admin to move it but its still in the wrong section
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Looks good!!! cant wait ti see this runnin and drivin!
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I'm liking the stance! What year control arms spindles and rotors did you use? All people told me to do to lift my c20 is get one ton springs.
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Looking good, how much of a lift will this have ?
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Cool build! I'm strictly a member of the drop spindle crowd and didn't even realize they made lift spindles like that. Looking forward to seeing how this thing turns out.
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Sweet build cant wait to see the height once its on the new frame!
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Sweet build,will keep following this one
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So somehow my photo bucket deleted most the pics in this thread so im gonna repost them to keep this build thread up to date and request an admin delete the past posts.
Been a slow progression. But still moving forward. Got some goodies from Summit Racing for the LS swap. Poly motor mounts, some poly grease for the suspension, the clams needed for the motor mounts and a Heli Coil kit Attachment 1638907 Heli Coil installed in the head, worked out really well. Attachment 1638908 Opening up the motor more, its greasy outside but seems pretty clean inside. Going to Replace the oil pickup O-Ring while im inside the motor. Dealer was closed so that will have to be this week sometime. Attachment 1638909 Attachment 1638910 |
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the electronic speedo is a lot of work, but you will not regret it!!
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Springs hung easily and the new bushings from DayStar are working out pretty well. Axle rolled into place. Using the stock axle saddles and u bolts for mock up. They are going to be replaced before its ever driven. Need the rear end in and body mounted and motor in so i know what size lift blocks i will need to match the front lift.
Attachment 1638916 Was excited to see how it sat, so we worked on gettin it on four wheels. An unexpected issue came up. By moving the Tie rod to the top of the spindle it now hits on the back of the stock 17's that i have. So i have a dilemma, either get different wheels or run a spacer. Attachment 1638917 It started to pour rain again, so that was the end of the weekend. |
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Little update. Got a lot done this weekend. Started out by completely resealing the 5.3 thats goin in. Cleaned up pretty well so hopefully no leaks.
Attachment 1638929 Worked on getting the motor mount plates modified so i can keep the AC in the factory position. Cut the plate and taped some new holes and moved the motor clam shell back. only concern here is it looks fairly tight for the AC wiring however the clam can be modified if needed but i dont think it will be an issue. Attachment 1638930 We were finally able to roll the frame up to the front of the yard to work on it. MUCH better than walking back and forth. Still need to finish cleaning the center but that will be done soon. Attachment 1638932 |
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Set the motor and attached the transmission so everything could be located together where it needed to be so we could finish mocking up the motor mounts
Attachment 1638933 We opted to move the hole motor mount back on the passenger side instead of adding a tab to it for the rubber mount to sit on. This requires us to add an small extension to the cross member but it will look much cleaner when done I think and it allows plenty of clearance for the AC compressor. Attachment 1638934 |
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