6.0 Swap turns into a Full blown Restoration (many pics)

[Kros383SS]

So I got bit by the 6.0 swap bug, my 383 stroker was loads of fun and would take down just about every LS truck out there. But I wanted it steet legal so the swap began.
So I got to thinking when I do the swap why dont I just paint the front part of the frame.
Then I get a second thought well if I do that why dont I just paint everyting under the hood.
Then it hits me since Im going to pull the entire front clip and suspension and paint all of it why dont I pull the cab and paint the frame underneath.

Well then thats where I relized mine as well call it a swap/restoration!

All of the pics take u through the process and Im into it 4 months now!!

Hopfully in another week I'll have the engine in and then the wiring fun begans.
Oh I had budgeted like 4500 well I can kiss that goodbye...

Link to my photbucket album.......

http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...view=slideshow

[skeet]

lots of work but in the end its probably worth it, good luck and it seems its all going quite well!!!

[Wtfan18]

looks awesome i feel your pain lol... mine went from a motor tranny swap to doing por 15 on the whole front end etc. and probably next winter i will do under the cab and the rear. its never ending. What do you have for sway bars they look real nice!this is where mine was about a week ago ive since taken all the coils back out removed the control arms and its pretty much two frame rails haha. All in good fun i suppose.

[ChevyLee]

Jeez that looks like a load of work haha, its going to be so awesome when its done though.

im glad my truck doesn't need that. it looks fairly good under frame

[Sport91]

how much you think just the motor swap itsel fis gonna cost ya? I might have to drop in and check this out one day on the way to houston, Im interested in doing something similar to my 91.

[Kros383SS]

how much you think just the motor swap itsel fis gonna cost ya? I might have to drop in and check this out one day on the way to houston, Im interested in doing something similar to my 91.

Im gonna say 4500 still, I have spent almost $1200 extra on paint though..

[Wtfan18]

Im gonna say 4500 still, I have spent almost $1200 extra on paint though..

what kind of paint lol....i figure mines going to be about 5g give or take

[Kros383SS]

what kind of paint lol....i figure mines going to be about 5g give or take

Just went through my receipts, its more like 800. I had the firewall, inside of fenders, core suport, wheel wells painted at a paint and body shop. I did the rest.

Then I had my complete front suspension media blasted, then I wire wheeled teh frame, primed with Rustoleaum Bare metal Primer and then painted with
the rustoleum Hammered black paint. I just love the look of the hammered paint. Nice crinkle finish.......
Then the misc. supplies.

After seeing all the prep my friend did to his Alpha Romeo chassis with POR 15, following the directions to a T, its peeling and looks like junk. And hearing more people have bad experiences with it.

With my luck, I would have done POR15 and it turn out like junk too. Im glad I did the Rustoleum, later down the road if it dont hold up, then its all getting powder coated.

[Wtfan18]

huh no kidding their por15 is messed huh? well if that happens here im going to kill someone cuz that **** aint cheap... my truck wont ever see a winter or salt again but still if that happens someone better watch the hell out after all the hours i got into that crap. i think im going to order new inner fender wells as mine are rusted and they are like 50$ or something for new ones. But yours is looking real good keep us posted! gota love a good ole OBS

[NITROUS]

Watch the ground strap on the passenger side cab and frame, it will tear you and your grinder up.