1950 LQ9 conversion

[Tri5Nerd]

Just by looking at it, I think it's a little too high, you might have problems with the tunnel. You should try to get the engine as level as possible. Good job on boxing the frame! What type of shocks are you using with the front bags?

Tri5

[Detroit3100]

I am not worried about the tunnel, my floor has a little rust for to aft is where I dont want to mess with the fire wall. Engine is level, the buble sits on the line giving it a slight lean to the back. The SHocks came with the Airbag kit...which I am questioning b/c it might keep me off the drag strip, still deciding to keep the bags or get some springs.

I am going to clearence the shaft and the crossmember using some tubing welded into the crossmember, and in the pic it is off b/c I have the jack under there, when I took it out the engine leveled up nice, and my home made motor mounts worked, I gave myself 50/50 odds at them working the first time.

oh yea the frame is not boxed yet, just the pic I guess

[Kid]

just to give an example of the engine height in relation to the cab (51 GMC), here is a couple of pics that show the installed height of engine. first pic shows the bottom of the A/C compressor mounted on a 5.3 truck motor & the notch I cut in the cross member of the 84 Monte front clip. The second pic shows the trans protruding into the floor. I could not get around moding the floor & keep the motor where I wanted it. I did raise the front clip up to get the stance I want tho. so this might not be the best example to make comparisions to. Still have not driven it yet because I'm still working on the body, but it sure sounds good!

[cajundragger]

go buy an angle reader...5 bucks are home depot. You want it at 3 degrees back...

[1-ton of fun]

just make sure the angle finder is right. the one i bought from home depot is 2 degrees off. set it on a level and make sure it zero's out.

[Detroit3100]

update july/august.
real dont know what to do next?? any suggestions? I am going to pull the cab back off and start the floors and frame mounts so it can bolt up to the frame. I have a bunch of other stuff, fuel tank brakes, plumbing. Anybody know good places that sell kits to get the entire project done at one time?

[pgf545]

I don't know of any kits, but what you need to do is take that young man and teach him how to weld and turn wrenches and that you can have him do it while you drink beer....LMAO.

Bernie

[solidaxel]

I don't know how true it is, but someone told me that when you remove the center crossmsmber and cab you might have trouble lining up the hood when you start the re assembly. So let me know how your mock up goes on re assembly !!!!

[wyldwest]

Detroit 3100 any idea on after market harness and re flashing the computer, and do you need the pressurized fuel tank and how about the antilock brake sensors... I just have a few questions =). I'm considering the same swap!!

[Detroit3100]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

I don't know how true it is, but someone told me that when you remove the center crossmsmber and cab you might have trouble lining up the hood when you start the re assembly. So let me know how your mock up goes on re assembly !!!!

I am not going to touch that, too much strength there.

Originally Posted by wyldwest

Detroit 3100 any idea on after market harness and re flashing the computer, and do you need the pressurized fuel tank and how about the antilock brake sensors... I just have a few questions =). I'm considering the same swap!!

I want to make my own harness. I have a real good tuner who I can send the PCM to tune, remove emissions and security. fuel tank I am looking @ the summit one. external pump fliter and my engine has a return type fuel system so there is a line going back to the tank. I am looking for a more rat rod fuel system but have not had any info for keeping the EFI but using old school fuel pumps???
ABS-dont know, but I dont think the engine PCM controls the brake system.
New pics.
THe hole I cut for new floor pans.

Engine

Aired down

[Detroit3100]

[Detroit3100]

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looks like you guys are makeing some progress keep up the good work.

[Detroit3100]

my garage fell on the truck. crushed the cab roof pretty good. I am looking for a new home for this sad

[poncho_villa]

Originally Posted by Detroit3100

my garage fell on the truck. crushed the cab roof pretty good. I am looking for a new home for this sad

Huge bummer. That's not the kind of update we were all hoping for. Snow load on the garage roof make it collapse?? Is the cab roof repairable?

[2ndGenRR]

Detroit3100 - I have an extra 3-window cab...rusted junk from the door handles south, but the roof section is good. You are welcome to it. I'm in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. PM me if you are interested.

[Detroit3100]

update. sorry no pics...yet.

I moved, got a garage, garage is like truck...both need new roofs
I put a new roof on the garage.
I am back to thinking about finishing a project I started cough...half my life ago...cough
So I am looking for a new cab and old projects in my area and I want to drive this before I die, work on it with my sons, and give it to them.

Looking at the damage...its not that bad, I think the doors will still work, so untill Ii find different the rat rod/steam punk theme just got a big helping of patina...a pitna sunroof you might say.

I need to organize my tasks...pull the cab/bed back off after the move and nail down the frame/drivetrain.

I grab pics to get you guys interested.
other updates:
I have he software to program the GM Gen III Pcm. I am no HPtuners pro, but its an added tool.
My buddy has been hiding a miller plasma cutter and 110 mig welder, so I finally go them to my garage. have this turbo manifold I built for the LQ9.

I welcome any suggestions for a method to this madness.

[Detroit3100]

I am putting this thing back together!!!! I have a little motivation, not shooting for any trophies, just want it back on the road. I know if I get it back, that my kids will get to enjoy it. Pics to come soon. I have the bed on and figuring out the bed floor. Gonna put doors back on and see if I can sub assemble the front sheet metal. three main areas:
1. powertrin
2. suspension.
3. body.
going to work on the body and getting it rolling and then I can set the motor trans in place..

[Detroit3100]

budget fender welting for the box. rubber roofing material. This was a test, I am going to cut long strips and punch the holes out and cut reliefs.

Gathering parts, front end is all accounted for. After I get the cab repaired I will bolt these up. Wanna have this as a unit so I can pull it off as one assembly while I am finishing plumbing/wiring.


and I have photobucket on my phone so I am going to take plenty of pics

[Detroit3100]

Sheet metal repair parts were just ordered from Top Banana. Will report back. Did a frankenstin job to a rear fender but it will work for the shop truck.

Need to find some 1/4 thick rubber for the cab/bed mounts any suggestions??

Also Mounted the drivers door for the cab repair fit and also pulled the rest of the LQ9 harness off the motor and gathered the underhood fuse panel for wiring. Gonna try to use the underhood panel for all of the truck and add the needed wiring.

[OrrieG]

If you are near a farm and ranch type store, they sell high density rubber horse trailer flooring material. Cuts with a box knife.

[oldcouple]

You can cut some pretty neat washers with a hole saw out of those urethane bumpers that you find on the free way as well.

[sgtusmc]

Originally Posted by Detroit3100

Sheet metal repair parts were just ordered from Top Banana. Will report back. Did a frankenstin job to a rear fender but it will work for the shop truck.

Need to find some 1/4 thick rubber for the cab/bed mounts any suggestions??

Also Mounted the drivers door for the cab repair fit and also pulled the rest of the LQ9 harness off the motor and gathered the underhood fuse panel for wiring. Gonna try to use the underhood panel for all of the truck and add the needed wiring.

I'm use'n semi truck mud flaps for my 59 build on my mounts. I picked up one at a truck stop for $10 bucks. It's 20"x26" 1/4" thick with a 2" border thats 3/4".

[duwem]

Keep posting pictures and information.

I have a LQ9 and 1950 and they will go together some day in the future.

I'm doing the C4 Corvette suspension so it will be interesting to see what I need to do for an oil pan to clear that crossmember...

[Detroit3100]

sheet metal arrived today. thats good service, thanks top banana. Will post pic's when I get the tools out. Dang I might make a big step this weekend if I can weld these pieces into place.