5.7 GEN111 into 1978 C20 shortbed.

I have already finished this project, but thought I would bore people with it as I am new to this site.:)
A bit of a long story to my pickup. This is the 2nd time I have owned it. I originally built it from 2 trucks, a 1974 LHD C10 shorty, and a 1978 C20 longbed. C20s were available in Australia in RHdrive, so it was easier for me to build one up using the RHD cab and steering, but making a shortbed truck with the LHD bed and chassis. I used the C20 running gear as well. Fitted a 6.2 V8 diesel / turbo700 1st time around.
Sold it in 2002. Last year the bug started again, and I eventually found my old truck, and it ended up being for sale minus engine, and box. Previous owner had fitted 3" drop spindles, and 2" shackles/2" hanger kits, and the Eagle mags that are on it.
Nothing else had changed in the 10 years he owned it.

So, I purchased a local GMH car(wreck) that comes with the GEN111, and 4L60E trans.
And thats how it all started.
I have done all the work myself, except for the PCM setup. I will post up some pics of the build. I am not much of a picture taker, so wont be a movie thats for sure.

1st pic is of it after 1st build.

A few of the pics. I made up my own front mount brackets so that I could use the original mounts, and clam shells. Piece of flat plate using clam shell bolt holes as well, so very secure. Had to change to truck sump(car one had drop at front)
Modified rear mount to suit. The original tailshaft fits no problems. Only thing I would change is move the engine forward an inch. Just a bit close to the firewall.

Had to use extractors(headers) because manifolds wouldnt fit. Used in tank fuel pump out of the car the engine came out of, got a weld in adaptor to fit original truck tank.
Used all car fuel lines as well, radiator, aircleaner. Any parts I could use, I did. Kept cost down.
Took a fair while to work out my wiring loom, but got there in the end. Had to use the PCM, BCM, and PIM to get everything to work. I even used the instrument cluster out of the car, so every guage works, including tacho.

I am running the headers into a single 3" exhaust at the moment. I may change that later. The dash is probably not the flashest looking, but it works, and also has inbuilt trip function as well. I may change that later as well.

I am pleased the way it drives, bar an issue with the trans. Someone has fitted a shift kit, and the 1st-2nd shift is way too harsh.
I plan on changing the rear axle assembly to a 4.1, or 3.7(4.6 now) in the future.
May lower the front a bit, as it sits up a bit as the GEN111 is way lighter than the diesel.

So, hope everyone isnt a sleep after my report:LOL:
And to anyone who thinks they are too old to do something like this, dont worry about it, just have a go. I am 60 this year, and its taken me a lot longer than it should, but I enjoyed it.:)

The turned out great! I wish those 70s-80s trucks that clean still existed where I'm from. There all rusted out and gone. Nice work!

I just sold my 75 this past June, everything about it was the same as this except motor trans and mine was a long bed. I will be buying it back with in a few years! It had the original straight 6 with 24000 miles on the entire truck. You've done an awesome job with yours!

Thanks for the comments. I nearly bought a 1988 shorty, and would have if the previous owner of mine hadnt decided to sell the 78.
Glad he did. I like the shape of the 73-87 models.
I was lucky to have a very good panel guy who put in a lot of effort to get the body work up to scratch. Was a couple of rust bits, but generally it was in good shape.

Good looking truck and good job. I would love to have a right hand drive here in the USA.

Ha ha, we can register LHD in Australia if the vehicle is 30 year old(in my state) Some other states are 25 year old.
Talk of capping the LHD rule to a certain year instead of the 30 year rule.

Awesome project you have there. The first engine setup sounded cool!
You did a great job of using all you had available, I like the engine cover, much different than what's available here.
I know some people that would kill for all the oem rhd stuff!
You Aussies get all the cool stuff. I would love one of those holden el camino type cars with the v8!
So does the chevy get much attention or are they more common?
That body style is gaining a lot of momentum lately here in the states.

Nice looking truck. Those body styles are pretty much gone here in the Northeast. The winter salt ate those babies up.

fabian, not a lot of sport trucks down my way(only a town of 25,000 people) Quite a few F trucks(later ones, 7.3 diesels), a few Dodge Rams, and some later Chevs. People look at mine, not that I have had it out much yet(that will change), because the colour stands out, and because they are different. They are more popular in the cities, but I would say, very few with the GEN series of motors.
I will post up some pics of our GMH ute.

That truck looks slick bud. Makes me miss my 73. :sad:

A couple of pics of how close extractors are to frame.Attachment 8248Attachment 8249

Some close quarters there. I would have thought there would have been more room. It always seemed like you could have a party under the hood of those older trucks.

Plenty of room under the hood, its just that the chassis rails come together more just where the engine is, so the front suspension X member can bolt up. 6" further back the chassis, and no real problems. Our later 6.0lt exhaust manifolds may have fitted, but I couldnt get hold of any.

I am getting a complete C10 front end, and diff next week. It was part of the parts I sold with the truck when I sold it 11 years ago, and the bloke wants to have a cleanout, so am doing a trip to get it all, and some other bits.
Just thinking that I may end up fitting the C10 running gear into my truck instead of the heavier C20 gear. Any thoughts??
Wont really know until I get all the bits home, and have a good look at them.
Would love to fit an IRS out of a Commodore ute(Aussie El Camino), but big job.

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Originally Posted by Ian Johnston

Plenty of room under the hood, its just that the chassis rails come together more just where the engine is, so the front suspension X member can bolt up. 6" further back the chassis, and no real problems. Our later 6.0lt exhaust manifolds may have fitted, but I couldnt get hold of any.

I am getting a complete C10 front end, and diff next week. It was part of the parts I sold with the truck when I sold it 11 years ago, and the bloke wants to have a cleanout, so am doing a trip to get it all, and some other bits.
Just thinking that I may end up fitting the C10 running gear into my truck instead of the heavier C20 gear. Any thoughts??
Wont really know until I get all the bits home, and have a good look at them.
Would love to fit an IRS out of a Commodore ute(Aussie El Camino), but big job.

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Hey Ian, I know this has been a year since your last post, but what a great job you did! Like a previous guy said, you Aussie's get all the cool stuff, not to mention RHD!
I hope you're still enjoying it!