Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Wow, looks amazing! Give me some inspiration for my 87 SWB.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Absolutely amazing work! Cant wait to see more!

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

a few more chassis pics

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Belltech springs and sway bars

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Super nice!

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Solid! better rub some dirt on it! You know what happens if you don't!

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Final blocking of the Tamco 5310 primer with some 320 grit, reminding myself why I quit painting a few years ago! After this I finished with a DA and 500 grit before heading to the paint booth.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Beautiful truck, I love your attention to detail. I have a couple of engine questions. Does you front accessory drive lengthen the engine over the stock truck drive and where are you connecting the vacuum for the power brakes? The exhaust manifolds look great. Thanks

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Thanks, I will have you an answer tomorrow on the accessory drive. I’m going to compare them. For the booster I drilled and threaded a 1/4 npt 90 degree 3/8” fitting under the rear cover.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

A few cab trim in pics using Tamco basecoat and 2104 clear

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

I’m hoping for a extremely quiet truck inside with windows up so I went with Vibro Solutions for sound deadener. They have some nice kits for C10 trucks. 2mm mat with a 6mm closed cell foam for top layer. I covered the floor, firewall, back wall, under headliner and inside doors.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

comparing a L83 to the Holley mid-mount it looks to move the accessories forward roughly 1/2"-5/8" forward.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

What color code is that blue?

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Code 21 factory color

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

All new American Autowire body/chassis harness, ecm mounted and all 3 Dakota Digital boxes mounted along with Vintage air evap box.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Thanks for the measurement. That makes a nice tight package. Are you going to keep the Active Fuel Management in the tune? This should make a nice driver when you get all the engine wiring sorted out.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Yea I’m happy with the accessory drive, the fit, function and OE looks are awesome. I turned the afm off, I figure I can get 20 mpg without it and skip any issues it could cause in the future.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

We must think alike, as my build is pretty similar to what your doing (yours is nicer!) but I also have the American Autowire 83-87 kit on the shelf to install into my c10.

How was the wiring install? The directions look pretty good - it does seem like all the engine wiring stuff can be skipped with the LS swap - did you end up using any of those wires in the engine bay side or coil them up/cut them off?

If you have any other tips for the wiring install please let me know - it looks strait forward when its sitting in the box, but in real life is usually not so easy.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

The harness is super nice, anything you don’t want to use you can unpin and save in case you need it later. The only engine stuff I used was the alternator trigger wire. I remember shortening the headlight/parking lot harness some for looks. Make sure you have the correct crimpers and it’s not bad at all. I spent about 2 weeks in the afternoon but I’m very picky about how things look and usually do things multiple times so it takes longer. Feel free to pm me if you have questions. Be glad to help.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

A few pics of the new harness.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Here’s a pic of the steering shaft I built. stainless 3/4”DD and powder coated 1”DD shafts. Used Borgenson stainless u-joints with the lower having the rubber dampener

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Looks clean. Hard to beat a clean satin black/SS combo.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Such beautiful work and so inspiring. Also, what kind of lighting do you have, because it looks color-balanced, which helps when viewing things "correctly?"

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Really nice build...oh so clean...

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Thanks! Nothing special, I’m just getting lucky with lighting I guess. I have a really bright garage with LED ceiling lights and grey walls and floor.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Thanks! Keep in touch

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Lots of updates in the next few pics, finally got around to getting it painted. I used Tamco basecoat and clear, pretty happy with the results, it had been about 4 years since I had sprayed a vehicle. I remember why I quit! once painted I let it rest in the heat for about 3 days and then started sanding the clear. I used 800,1000,1500,2000,3000,5000,8000 water paper and when finished I had a nice semi-gloss finish that was fairly easy to buff out to a great shine.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

vintage air going in and that awesome looking Dewitts radiator

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Beautiful truck, before and after. Probably more money there in brakes, tires, and wheels than I have in my entire truck! More power to you.:)

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

luke,
Nice progress and a great eye for the little things. I was wondering if you have any pics of the firewall after the V.A. install? I would be interested in how the lines look going through the firewall? also how smooth did the install for the unit go for you?

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Thanks

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

its a pretty easy install, if you have a friend to help hold the inside box it helps. its a nice upgrade to get rid of the cables and huge duct work under the dash, it allowed me to mount my ecm and other controls behind the dash and still have room. the variable speed fan motor is nice but they do create alittle more noise due to the fan motor being inside the cab but its not bad.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

inside of bedsides and wheel tubs cut and buffed, I doubt ill cut and buff the floor. starting to look like a truck, cleaning all the buffing compound out of every crack before installing trim and bodyside molding. got the fuel tank vents installed with some simple brackets I made hidden up in the bedsides.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

luke,
THANK YOU!! exactly what I was wanting to see.:ito: My install looks very close to yours , but not near as clean:lol:. I know what you mean about a pair of hands. my nieghbor came over to lend a hand to hold the lines while I installed the hoses (wife tried)-but I was too strong for her..:lol:. Curious: did you use the plate on the firewall due to factory wall "thinness"? The pics also confirmed my heater line connections, I was not sure which lines connected to the LS motor?;). lastly what "vent" are you using for the gas tank(s)? If willing to share? I might try to copy the idea as well??

Thanks!!:metal:;)

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

since this truck was a factory air truck there is a big hole behind the plate, so id rather use the supplied plate than weld the firewall up.

the fuel tank vent is sold by Holley part #19-174 I made a bracket and used one on each fuel tank.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Earls Ultra-Pro trans cooler installed along with a power steering cooler.

Time for some interior work, I picked up carpet and lower door carpet from ACC, they have the OE colors and an excellent fitting product.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

one thing I knew I wanted was a nice modern sound system that fits like factory and no sub box behind the seat. I went full Memphis for factory size speakers with a 200 watt amp for highs and a 10" powered Memphis sub for under the seat.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Your Truck looks extremely good - this is a top quality build!

2 questions - on the paint lines for the 2 tone cab roof - I'd be curious if you could show some pictures of where you made the tape line (I'm thinking of a white roof and don't have any examples of where the paint dividing line should be).

2nd question - those front dash speakers look nice - have you tried fitting the dash yet? I'd be interested if they fit without hitting the dash pad. I put some aftermarket ones in (different brand) and they were too tall.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Thanks! I will get you some pics of the 2-tone

I did have issues with the speakers, I had forgotten until you asked. I ended up buying another set of Memphis 3.5” that the center didn’t stick out on.

Re: 85 C10 LT/6L80 Frame off build
 

Looks great Luke! Keep up the good work!