My 5.3L into an 85 GMC swb 2wd swap

[glock35ipsc]

I have a two piece shroud.

I left the truck pan on and it clears everything just fine. It does hang down about 1.5" - 2" below the bottom of the crossmember, but I won't be lowering this truck very much, so it shouldn't be a problem for me. An f-body pan would probably be ideal if you can get one for a reasonable price, but unless you plan on lowering a lot, I would stick with the truck pan.

You can kind of get an idea from this pic:

[glock35ipsc]

Here is the way my truck sits right now, and that's with the 5.3 and trans in the crate on the trailer. I'll probably lower the front 2.5" with spindles, and lower the rear 4" - 5", but that all. I'm not worried about the pan at that ride height.

Even if I just bring the rear down some, I'll be happy. It's waaaay to high for my taste right now!

[PunishedC10]

Yeah I have the 5/5 drop kit from djm coils,spindles, shackles and flip kit. Mine sits way high in the back. I believe the leaf springs have either been rearched or they're off a 4wd. I'm on the hunt for used leaf springs.

[aussie]

Thanks Stunna.

I just picked up a stock clutch fan about 5 minutes ago, and it looks like it will fit the 85 shroud, and I an running the 85's radiator too.

The manifolds are the stock truck manifolds, just without the heat shields on. I am going to have them ceramic coated. I did have to notch the frame on the passenger side to clear one ear. I did it in a nice flowing cut so there wouldn't be any place for a crack to form. It looks like a huge notch in pictures, but it really isn't that big. The smaller notch you see behind the bigger one is a factory notch that is already there.

I could have actually taken out less material, but I wanted to account for any movement in the motor mounts and torque too. And it would have been a pain to get back there to remove more after everything was installed if I had needed to.





I've shortened many 67-72 lwb frame to swb specs, so I have no problems cutting into a frame. You could always reinforce that area around the cut to give your mind a little more reassurance.

MY headers are for a factory 99-04 truck but it has a strange flange bolt up its not like the PASS side my is in a 78 did you make your pipe extentions yourslef for the manifolds

[glock35ipsc]

Hmm, I'm glad I went with the manifolds. Yes, I did the head pipes. I have several long "U" bends and "J" bends of 2.25" and 2.5"pipe, so it was easy to cut and fit them.

[aussie]

my notch seams very similar to youRs on the PASS im going to order 2.5" reducers today and the o2 bungs and make my own extensions to clear ther driver frame rail!!!

[all22s]

very nice build! it makes me happy to see an 85 being built as i'm picking one up the first week of october! but i dig yours... it looks very nice!

[PunishedC10]

I noticed you went dbw, if you had to do it over would you go dbw or dbc and why?
Also, is the '85 factory cruise vacuum or electric? mine came with the turbo 350 tranny

[glock35ipsc]

My next 5.3L will be in my 1970 K10 pickup, and the only reason for going cable on that is the 700R4. No air, no cruise, just an alternator and power steering.

If I were to do another truck like my 85 that had factory cruise, I would do another dbw in a heartbeat. 4 wires is all it takes to hook up the cruise. And if I were to smooth the firewall, that makes life easy too. The 85's cruise is vacuum and electric. The brake switch for the cruise has a large vacuum hose running from it up to the diaphragm on the manifold. There is also a module under the dash that the wires from the column switch go to. To hook up the dbw cruise, you just need to run the three wires from the column switch to the TAC module, and one wire to the original disconnect cruise switch at the brake pedal (12v when the brake is NOT pressed, open when it is).

After I do a swap in my 70, I have been eye balling a couple mid-80's XJ6 Jags here in town. If I get one of those, it will be wire as well. They are just too simple.

[PunishedC10]

Thanks for the answer i had kinda thought it was electric and vacuum but wasn't 100 percent sure. I guess when i do my swap I'll do dbw and change the pedal I didnt know if that was easier or not. Thanks again the truck looks sharp. it'd take me hours to read all 28+ pages on 67-72chevytrucks.com lol