The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 47-55.1 Need help 53 chevy 3600

dsraven · 05-05-2021, 05:12 PM

trailblazer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQNC1yGUM7M

http://www.mcfabricators.com/portfol...w/chevy-truck/

s10 may be the better choice is less work is wanted.

personally I would do a bolt in MII if that's the route you choose. plan on a big C notch if you want it lower. a good time to shorten the box like you said, if thats what you want.
not a lot of room in the cab for riders and no 3 shoulder belts. might be a great idea to fab some of those at the same time if you plan on having the kids in there. they don't have a choice like adults do, ride or pass kinda deal.
lots of guys on here have an LS engine in one of these trucks. search around and ask questions before you start. get some prices if that's a concern, then add money for stuff you didn't realize you would need. engine, oil pan that fits which will include dipstick, oil pump pick up tube, windage tray etc, trans, rear axle,park brake system, rear suspension, driveline, rad, fans, IFS, steering column and u joints etc, accel pedal, wiring, brake booster and master cyl, wheels, tires, floor mods, firewall mods, seat belts, seats (?), shifter, gauge cluster, steel for frame mods, steel for body mods, welding supplies and shop supplies like zip discs etc, body mount kit, fuel tank and pump, fuel and brake lines, exhaust, the list goes on. just ask somebody who has done something close to what you want in the end. remember to take lots of pics when taking stuff apart because these projects seldom get done in the allotted time. sometimes it gets hard to remember how stuff fits. an assembly manual for your truck is really nice to have because it gives pics of how stuff fits plus there are frame and body dimensions etc

read up on IFS geometry and be clear on how it should be set up to work properly. scrub angles, bump steer causes, antidive angles, control arm relationships and how that affects camber if not set up well, etc check the heidts tech tips page 91 of their online catalogue for some hints. don't expect much in the way of tech advice once the money has changed hands, get your answers before you buy. know how it assembles and works.
get the body off
square the frame and check for cracks, sag, loose rivets, rust damage behind brackets, etc etc
get the frame cleaned up and ready. reinspect
get the frame levelled on stands so you have room to do the work without the stands being in the way and high enough so you can slip the cross member under the frame easily
plan your attack
above all, have fun
post pics
not trying to scare you off, just being realistic. these things can get over ones head in a hurry so they take longer than first anticipated if you haven't done one before (or even if you have).

05-05-2021, 05:12 PM	#21
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 7,855	Re: Need help 53 chevy 3600 trailblazer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQNC1yGUM7M http://www.mcfabricators.com/portfol...w/chevy-truck/ s10 may be the better choice is less work is wanted. personally I would do a bolt in MII if that's the route you choose. plan on a big C notch if you want it lower. a good time to shorten the box like you said, if thats what you want. not a lot of room in the cab for riders and no 3 shoulder belts. might be a great idea to fab some of those at the same time if you plan on having the kids in there. they don't have a choice like adults do, ride or pass kinda deal. lots of guys on here have an LS engine in one of these trucks. search around and ask questions before you start. get some prices if that's a concern, then add money for stuff you didn't realize you would need. engine, oil pan that fits which will include dipstick, oil pump pick up tube, windage tray etc, trans, rear axle,park brake system, rear suspension, driveline, rad, fans, IFS, steering column and u joints etc, accel pedal, wiring, brake booster and master cyl, wheels, tires, floor mods, firewall mods, seat belts, seats (?), shifter, gauge cluster, steel for frame mods, steel for body mods, welding supplies and shop supplies like zip discs etc, body mount kit, fuel tank and pump, fuel and brake lines, exhaust, the list goes on. just ask somebody who has done something close to what you want in the end. remember to take lots of pics when taking stuff apart because these projects seldom get done in the allotted time. sometimes it gets hard to remember how stuff fits. an assembly manual for your truck is really nice to have because it gives pics of how stuff fits plus there are frame and body dimensions etc read up on IFS geometry and be clear on how it should be set up to work properly. scrub angles, bump steer causes, antidive angles, control arm relationships and how that affects camber if not set up well, etc check the heidts tech tips page 91 of their online catalogue for some hints. don't expect much in the way of tech advice once the money has changed hands, get your answers before you buy. know how it assembles and works. get the body off square the frame and check for cracks, sag, loose rivets, rust damage behind brackets, etc etc get the frame cleaned up and ready. reinspect get the frame levelled on stands so you have room to do the work without the stands being in the way and high enough so you can slip the cross member under the frame easily plan your attack above all, have fun post pics not trying to scare you off, just being realistic. these things can get over ones head in a hurry so they take longer than first anticipated if you haven't done one before (or even if you have).