Since the last truck was more of a mess than I wanted to stick with in the long run I decided on one that should last. Next and hopefully last ...

Since the last truck was more of a mess than I wanted to stick with in the long run I decided on one that should last.
Next and hopefully last truck:
1993 C1500 regular cab long box.


It appears to have started out as an Oklahoma work truck and has the rubber seat but missing the rubber floor. Guy I bought it from thought he needed it more.
Someone in Oklahoma swapped in a 400 at some point so the factory harness was all cut up with connectors and wires added.
My original plan was to drop in a 305 and 700r4 to have an economic daily driver. After the harness was going to be a lot of work, I turned my attention to the 5.3 LM7 sitting in the corner of the garage.


I'm currently working on adapting the old Sanden AC compressor to the new engine. Just a few support brackets away before it goes in. It's from a 2000 Silverado.
Picked up a 1998 4l60e from a 2wd Astro van. That was a disappointing day because I had to pass up a 4wd 6.0/4l80e combo in the salvage yard. $500 would have got engine/trans/harness/pcm.

The truck is pretty rust free at this point since it's only been out of Oklahoma about 4 years and on streets less than 2.



I get to start with a blank canvas. Might as well keep a tally so I know what I've sunk into it at the end. I'm open to suggestions as it progresses.

Chassis $500
Engine/harness/PCM $400
Trans $150
Starter $50

Front row...

This should be a interesting project.

Throwing up a To Do List of the big stuff

Fabricate conversion motor mounts
Fabricate PCM mounting bracket
Fabricate AC bracket bracing
Map out new and old wire harnesses for wires to instrument cluster
Install engine/transmission
Install/fab new fuel system
Fabricate exhaust system
Transmission cooler lines

I'll try to get pictures up along the way. Starting a kitchen remodel next week so it'll be a little while before anything good happens.

Had a slow day at work today so I got the motor mounts knocked out. Stopped at the local speed shop and picked up a bag of -AN fittings and hose to plumb out the fuel system. As soon as I get the sending unit pulled I'm going to try to weld -AN bungs to the factory sending unit.

Got another day in. Box bolts removed so I can change out the pump when I get time.

Since I'm really cheap I modified a mid 90s power steering pump reservoir to work on the 2000 accessory bracket.



I still need to take a bit off the accessory bracket but otherwise that part is done.



Parts show up tomorrow but kitchen remodel starts which means no truck for a couple weeks.

That's not cheap, that's a "custom" PS pump

Did some trimming to the accessory bracket so the cap will fit on now. Also cleaned up the rusty slip yoke for the driveshaft. It got left in the bed of the truck for a while apparently. Hopefully it doesn't eat output seals after this.
Until I can get the engine installed I'm at a stopping point besides starting on the fuel system. Everything else is based on the engine location. I did find out I need to order a new throttle cable. Wish I would have known about that ahead of time.
I'm a couple braces away from getting the AC complete and after that I can order a giant belt. I have a feeling this one is going to make the factory belt look short.

I also need to locate an electric radiator fan but that can wait for another day.

Oooo custom fabrication gets me excited!!!!

Hopefully there isn't a shortage of that. I need to build the exhaust out of mandrel bends and straight pipe , adapt some Mountaineer nerf bars(because free) to a Chevy frame and figure out how to mount the cheap LED strip lights under the bed rails. I'm also toying with the idea of converting from 5 to 6 lug when the 15 inch tires are worn out. It seems I can switch out front wheel hubs off a 90s 3/4 ton for the front. In the rear I can either drill out the axles I have for 6x5.5 or put in twice the work to pull some at the salvage yard.

Funny how some people want custom fabrication to be different, I do it because I can't afford bolt-ons.

tzfbird wrote:Funny how some people want custom fabrication to be different, I do it because I can't afford bolt-ons.

That's exactly how and why I got into fabrication...I either couldn't afford it or I wasn't going to pay the astronomical prices. Now it's just a fact of if I want it and it doesn't exist I can make it!!!