'82 Shortbed 6.0 project

[kSStamp0182]

Well hey guys, i'm not new to the site but have been lurking around silently lol. Anyway, my name is kris from tyler tx. i am 20 and a student at a local junior college taking automotive tech. i bought this '82 to be a project truck, an after a year of daily driving (and 9 mpg) ive decided to go with a newer 6.0, as i am pretty familiar with the LS series engines from working on my LS6 swapped '01 SS camaro (now sold for an ECSB '01 K1500, 6" BDS lift on BFG 35's). but i am sure i will have questions and that many people would like to watch as the project moves along.
i only have a couple of pics but i will get newer ones at class tonight. i have removed both fuel tanks and an '87 tank/sending unit is on the way as well as the '99 vette inline regulator and ACdelco EP-381 fuel pump and a new EZ 21 circuit wiring harness, the old was trashed, an this will be a DD so i dont need to watch it go down in flames. i have not found the engine or transmission yet.
but yeah, pics.






this is the only picture i have right now, like i said ill get more tonight. but on a side note, i am also not new to these trucks, my first truck was an all original '87. here is a picture of it.



an this is it after being hit by a hydroplaning semi..



a testimony to the safety of these trucks!

thanks for looking guys! hopefully this project will go somewhat smooth.

[The--Tank]

holly hell I can't belive you lived!!!!

[STOCKISH]

The 6.0 swap will be awesome. 400 horsepower and 20 MPG will be awesome! Should look like this soon!

[kSStamp0182]

Sweeeeeet truck man! Very nice. I'm sure ill have plenny of questions for you. I've been enjoyin the 400 rwhp an 28 mpg out the SS the past year an can't wait to have ls power in the truck.

[kSStamp0182]

a few updated pics.

[kSStamp0182]

ok, well i got a damn good deal, LQ4, all accessories including computer/harness with 4L80E shipped all for 2k! should be in next week. but im about 1/4th through the rewiring process, it was a mess. not sure how this thing never burnt to the ground. but the tank is installed and wired, all ready to go. sure hope all goes well with that cuz i DAMN sure dont wanna have to drop that tank again!

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by kSStamp0182

ok, well i got a damn good deal, LQ4, all accessories including computer/harness with 4L80E shipped all for 2k! should be in next week. but im about 1/4th through the rewiring process, it

Where did you end up buying this engine/tranny? How long did it take to get?
thanks

[kSStamp0182]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Where did you end up buying this engine/tranny? How long did it take to get?
thanks

thanks for the clamp heads up guys. much rather know now than later.

i got it off ebay, another member on here had a good experience with them so i just kept an eye on his store. it just took 3 or 4 business days to get it tho. not long at all. GREENPTME is their user name on ebay.

[Mtrhd329]

I used a single worm clamp on each line and on my first prime it popped off my filter. FI lines and clamps work awesome no problems since!!

[Cherub]

coming along good.

[Puglia10]

great job, keep up the work! im about to start the same thing...all those wires make my stomach turn!

[kSStamp0182]

Originally Posted by Puglia10

great job, keep up the work! im about to start the same thing...all those wires make my stomach turn!

actually its been surprisingly simple so far. its the EZ 21 circuit wiring harness, and every wire is marked every foot or so with its intended location. im very pleased with it. an it was only $185

[JNJchev77]

Originally Posted by kSStamp0182

actually its been surprisingly simple so far. its the EZ 21 circuit wiring harness, and every wire is marked every foot or so with its intended location. im very pleased with it. an it was only $185

I have been wondering how nice this kit was for $185... Does that include the fuse harness with fuses as well??

[kSStamp0182]

Originally Posted by JNJchev77

I have been wondering how nice this kit was for $185... Does that include the fuse harness with fuses as well??

the fuse block? yes it does an theyre all clearly labeled. i was very impressed. its filled with all the correct fuses right out the box. an the wires are sectioned into four large sections which help SO much, they are front (headlights, engine, etc) dash (gauges, switches, etc) column (hazard connectors, turn signal, etc) and tail (brake/ reverse lights, etc)

[JNJchev77]

Originally Posted by kSStamp0182

the fuse block? yes it does an theyre all clearly labeled. i was very impressed. its filled with all the correct fuses right out the box. an the wires are sectioned into four large sections which help SO much, they are front (headlights, engine, etc) dash (gauges, switches, etc) column (hazard connectors, turn signal, etc) and tail (brake/ reverse lights, etc)

Ya, fuse block. I had a mental block their

Sounds like a smokin deal!! Good luck, I will definitely keep an eye on your build. Thanks!

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by kSStamp0182

an this is it after being hit by a hydroplaning semi..

I was a firefighter/EMT for 14 years, and if I had walked up on this back then I still would have crapped myself! Amazing.

Good luck with the build, and don't forget we have a new LS swap sub-forum in the Engines section. Ask as many questions as you like!

[draggin86]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

I was a firefighter/EMT for 14 years, and if I had walked up on this back then I still would have crapped myself! Amazing.

Good luck with the build, and don't forget we have a new LS swap sub-forum in the Engines section. Ask as many questions as you like!

Same here, I am a paramedic.. if we rolled up on that i would have expected fatalities for sure!

Welcome to the site glad you are still with us! and nice project!

[red97k1500]

Cool project man, I live in Tyler also. Maybe ill see your truck running around town when its finished.

[kSStamp0182]

Originally Posted by red97k1500

Cool project man, I live in Tyler also. Maybe ill see your truck running around town when its finished.

hopefully so! i havent had time to do anything worthy of pictures. soon as it warms up im gonna get back at it. our weathers been nutty lately.

and thanks for the positive comments!! i still wear the key to that '87 around my neck everyday.

[kSStamp0182]

actually i found some i had forgotten about.

here's the 6.0, i had just finished replacing the driver fuel rail with an 04+ returnless style (well, not yet in the 1st one). i did notice that my fan and fan clutch will have to be replaced. wish i could go electric but i have already tuned my computer and worked the harness for mechanical fan. oh well shouldn't be too expensive.



and of course the helper layin there.




and i rebuilt (and converted from 4x4 to 2x4) the 4L80E and installed a TransGo shift kit with boost and pressure relief valves. (FYI had a bad experience with transmissionpartsusa.com, wouldn't recommend them, and got the CORRECT rebuild kit locally for $55 vs their $166) but anyway, here she is being load tested on our dyno, VERY cool piece of equipment. for some reason it was saying TCC solenoid failure, but we were definitely getting lockup. wondering if anyone has experienced this (all solenoids were replaced with new, as well as the wiring harness).

[kSStamp0182]

got the motor an tranny in today! only one setback an i havent decided if this is good or bad yet. the trans is a 4x4 setup. is it possible i could get a transfer case and the shorter driveshaft, and just leave it in 2H for now, leaving the option of going 4x4 open?

[Mtrhd329]

I saw on your regualtor you are running rubber fuel lines secured with a hose clamp. I ran my 5.3l this way and when i primed it the first time the lines popped off and leaked fuel. I ended up running "fuel injection" hose clamps which are smooth on the inside and put two on each connection and have been leak free since!

[kSStamp0182]

Originally Posted by Mtrhd329

I saw on your regualtor you are running rubber fuel lines secured with a hose clamp. I ran my 5.3l this way and when i primed it the first time the lines popped off and leaked fuel. I ended up running "fuel injection" hose clamps which are smooth on the inside and put two on each connection and have been leak free since!

thanks for the heads up!

[kSStamp0182]

Originally Posted by Mtrhd329

I saw on your regualtor you are running rubber fuel lines secured with a hose clamp. I ran my 5.3l this way and when i primed it the first time the lines popped off and leaked fuel. I ended up running "fuel injection" hose clamps which are smooth on the inside and put two on each connection and have been leak free since!

so do i need to replace the ones on the sending unit as well? geez haha thats such a PITA

[STOCKISH]

A transmission shop can swap the mainshaft and the tailshaft housing for a 2wd version. Maybe sell the transfer case to offset the cost.