Need advice: LS ENGINE SWAP

[BR3W CITY]

Desert Dog


DessertDog

[desertdogg]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY;666od 6366

Desert Dog


DessertDog

Lol... Those look good

[desertdogg]

I wanted to update this thread and let everyone know the progress, this past weekend I got started on my wiring, I called "Tidwell Installations" here in San Diego to do my chassis wiring harness because I wanted it done right and this guy is top notch. I also got my engine wiring harness back from being redone. As some of you know I had a hard time trying to find all the right connectors and take it from me if you ever have your wiring harness sent out, make sure you label every connector, it will make life so much easier ! anyways had a hard time with the harness and some of the connectors wouldnt reach the correct destinations, no big deal had to move some wires around and got them on. Trace Tidwell that was wiring the rest of the truck jumped right in and started getting some wires moved, one thing lead to another and next thing you know he is rerouting the entire harness so it looks much better in the engine compartment I was amazed at this guys work. Below are some pics of what he started and should be finished next weekend all the electrical will be done on this truck by then

I was amazed at how clean it looks { still need to change that fuel rail connection }

this is where he left off should be done next weekend


I will post more pics when all electrical is finished.

[desertdogg]

Trace got alot more work done on my harness starting to look alot better now


more extra wire not needed to make it fit neater

should be finished this next comming week then got a bunch of little things to finish and hopefully be starting her up soon after.

[dman1982]

Originally Posted by desertdogg

Trace got alot more work done on my harness starting to look alot better now
Attachment 1255672
Attachment 1255673
more extra wire not needed to make it fit neater
Attachment 1255674
should be finished this next comming week then got a bunch of little things to finish and hopefully be starting her up soon after.

My build has taught me me never to say when it'll or should be done lol...

[First c10]

Originally Posted by desertdogg

Trace got alot more work done on my harness starting to look alot better now
Attachment 1255672
Attachment 1255673
more extra wire not needed to make it fit neater
Attachment 1255674
should be finished this next comming week then got a bunch of little things to finish and hopefully be starting her up soon after.

I used the extra wire for other things on my build. Came in handy so save it.

[desertdogg]

Need to update this build thread. Power steering cooler done, transmission cooler done, switch panel done push button start and alot of the wireing done, actually got to hear it turn over witch was nice, interior lighting and wipers working harnes about 90% there...need to post some pics soon its going real slow but progress is being made Im not saying anything for sure but hoping this thing will be done in the next few weeks....

[dman1982]

You know I'm waiting...you messing with me?

[wheresbrent]

Bump.

[desertdogg]

Well, I am back !. so after my last post on this thread everything came to a shrieking halt due to my dad getting sick and ended up passing away on August 12th 2014. Not too much longer after my dad passed away my Mom got sick and passed away two years later almost to the day of my dads passing on August 20th 2016 and my truck had not been touched the whole time, just sitting and collecting dust. I just had no drive to finish it, lost interest. Its now time ! I tried several times to just go work on it but it never got far. I figured one day would come and I would be all in with the same enthusiasm I had when I first started this project, I believe that time is here. I have been lurking around and reading my old posts and build thread and am very greatful to this site because of the valuable documentation I had put on here and now I know where I left off, and whats been done, its been a lifesaver on this build and so nice to be able to get back on here { after finally remembering my user name and password } and get started again and hopefully get this thing finished. Anyways I will be asking a lot of questions as before so hopefully I can get the same support from everyone that is willing to help. Feels good to be back

[ls1nova71]

Sorry to hear about your parents, that's rough. But good to see you back on the project.

[desertdogg]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

Sorry to hear about your parents, that's rough. But good to see you back on the project.

Thanks ls1 ! It was pretty rough but I finally realized Im just wasting valuable time, and need to get this truck finished so I can start enjoying it with my family. Really glad to see you still on here ! you were a big help when I started this thread.

[skyphix]

Welcome back - I've been in similar shoes to the ones you've been wearing and its not an enjoyable experience. It did drive some great things in my life, it just took its sweet time. I wish the same for you.

We're here if you need us!

[desertdogg]

Originally Posted by skyphix

Welcome back - I've been in similar shoes to the ones you've been wearing and its not an enjoyable experience. It did drive some great things in my life, it just took its sweet time. I wish the same for you.

We're here if you need us!

Thanks skyphix !, Your right ! no fun at all, and yes sure took lots of time to get my butt back in gear, but the smoke has finally cleared and Im ready to finally get this done. Thanks for your response and future help on this Im going to need all the help I can get

[desertdogg]

Well, for the past week or so I have been clearing my garage, removing junk that piled on my truck and truck bed, it turned into a storage shelf so to speak for the past five years, Also took inventory of the parts I have and cleaned underneath, above and inside. I removed it off the jack stands and replaced the tires and wheels with some stock factory steel wheels I found on CL with some hub caps for now, the tires that were on it had gone flat and were pretty well dry rotted. All I have to do now is get my tools in order then try to figure out my next plan of attack on the truck. Got the day off today from work so I guess I better get started...back on here later !

[desertdogg]

Ok got my garage somewhat orderly and tools all in one place again but need to spend one more day just to get everything in order. I'm a bit ocd about having my surroundings where I work to be clean and know where everything is at, otherwise I just cant function lol !. Check back in tomorrow

[desertdogg]

Ok so my garage is at an acceptable working environment now and I spent some time mulling around the truck, mostly underneath, I remember back then I had run into this problem below regarding this previous transmission cross member brace see below

Does this look like a factory crossmember ? or is this an add on someone istalled ? I did buy a transmission crossmember for this combo truck and tranny do I need to cut this thing off ?



what do you guys think ? what would you do ?

[mongocanfly]

And if you do decide to use a tubing crossmember the mount tab needs to be on top of it...you can see where the tube is hitting the rubber in your pic...

[desertdogg]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

And if you do decide to use a tubing crossmember the mount tab needs to be on top of it...you can see where the tube is hitting the rubber in your pic...

Thanks for responding Mongocanfly ! Im not even sure which one I bought its still in the box I bought years ago. Im not sure what you mean about on top ? yes the mount is sitting on top of that member tab but Im assuming if it was closer the mounting pin would go thru the hole and bolted in place ? sorry If I sound lame just trying to understand

[mongocanfly]

Like this...mount tab on top of tube instead of on bottom side of tube...
if yours is welded in now, it won't work as is anyway..
But like Eric said...be better off with a factory one

[desertdogg]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Like this...mount tab on top of tube instead of on bottom side of tube...
if yours is welded in now, it won't work as is anyway..
But like Eric said...be better off with a factory one

Ok gotcha ! I see how someone can easily make that mistake. Thanks for clearing that up !. I just got home from work so Im going to be heading out to the garage for some more games after dinner

[bigmoe]

That home made crossmember may be throwing your pinion angle off if the trans height is wrong.

[desertdogg]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

That home made crossmember may be throwing your pinion angle off if the trans height is wrong.

Yeah that cross member is definitely welded in place which is a bummer. I thought about the height and angle, so I decided im going to have it towed to beeline alignment in the next couple of weeks and have them remove it and install the new member I bought. I thought about cutting off that tab and weld a new one that's a bit longer to make it fit but I decided to do it right, and just have that member replaced since I have one anyways.

I have been spending time on the wiring. the rear lighting harness needs to be replaced and I will be ordering a new one from LMC soon.

[dman1982]

Welcome back man!

[desertdogg]

Quick update...looks ready for start up waiting couple of friends to come over and have them take s look and we will start engine together...too many things going on lately and haven't had a whole lot of hans on time but will get there just wanted to do a quick update