49 ls1

[IWanna49]

X2!! Maybe make it to Nashville now!!

Greg

[oldman3]

Great news Chris, maybe we'll run into each other this year...Jim

[skymangs]

Thanks all, I already have a '52 lined up for a S10 frame swap mid April. Should be a fun little project!

[skymangs]

Ok, so lots of progress this week... First off is shock mounts. I'm using 98 or so Blazer 4x4 front shocks in the rear. I like the travel, and I figured that they would be a little stiff to handle the weight of the front end, so it should make my bags ride pretty nice. Here's the pics

[skymangs]

Next up was front shocks. I'm using stock 2wd 4.3L S10 shocks. Here's how they came out. I mocked up with used shocks, but of course I'll put all new shocks on it.

[skymangs]

I also got that 2000 Camaro LS1 pan on the motor. It measures 5.5" at the deepest point vs. 8.5" at the deepest point on the truck pan. Holds 5.5 qts of oil.

My Wheels and tires got here Thursday. I have 255/45R 17s for the rear, and 225/45R 17's for the front. They will be getting mounted and balanced on Monday.

[skymangs]

I also worked out the tilt bed floor pivot. I ordered 1" I.D. grease-able pillow blocks and used 1" OD tube steel for the pivot. Mounted them so they will be just below the bed floor. I am planning on counter weighting the bed, so the air cylinder won't have to lift any weight, just move it.

I disassembled the front suspension for new ball joints, bushings, and steering linkage. Then rolled the chassis outside for some sand blasting.

[skymangs]

Here's the new bed mounts. Rear mounts have welded nuts inside the frame rails, front mounts stand off the frame and mount to a re-enforced section of the front bed panel (these mounts aren't holding any weight, just the bedsides, fenders, and tailgate. All the bed weight will be supported by the frame.

Also removed the factory battery box, and widened it 1/2" to hold a group 24 battery. I'll have pics of that tomorrow.

[skymangs]

And finally rolled the chassis back in to spray the whole thing in a nice coat of Chassis black. Also got the rear disk setup started. It turns out My 8.5 rear is a B.O.P. with bolt in axles, so backing plate removal was "C" clip free! I did have to turn down the axle flanges about 1/4" to fit in the rotor hats though. My rear disk setup was done on the cheap, I got weld on brackets from ebay ($28 shipped), they take 75 Chevy truck front calipers ($19ea. Autozone), and I used 90 Camaro rotors ($23 each, Rock Auto). More to come!

[oldman3]

Nice update Chris, everything is looking great. Really like the wheels...Jim

[99 to Life]

great progress sarge, off to the races now. I like the rear disc conversion. Can't wait to have my frame coated. So sick of looking at it.

[skymangs]

More progress... Got the tilt bed all worked out today. It will be powered by an air cylinder, off the air bag setup. Tomorrow the wheels and tires get mounted/balanced, the bed gets sandblasted, and of course, more bodywork on the cab.

[chev3600]

Making great progress there. Frame turned out really nice.

[oldman3]

Hey Chris, nice set-up on the tilt bed...Jim

[skymangs]

Thank you both.

More progress. Chassis is sitting on it's own suspension again. Even rolled it out of the garage for a couple pics.

[skymangs]

Got the trans rebuilt last week. My 6.0 flywheel and spacer are finally here.
Last couple pics show the manifold setup and the widened battery box

[skymangs]

Here's the detail work on the passenger side of the dash board. Still need to do the drivers side. I think it came out pretty well though.

[skymangs]

And the cab went in primer today! I'm using URO-Fill Filling primer. Should help me catch any small imperfections. I think that about covers the last couple days of work.

[FarmerSid]

You got a ton of work done. The dash work looks awesome.

[oldman3]

Hey Chris, moving right along, chassis looks good, dash work looks great, the cab in primer says, sand and paint...Jim

[skymangs]

as always... Thank you gentlemen. Got lots more progress pics from the last couple of days to post. First off, the motor and trans are in (for the final time I hope!) 4th pic shows clearance on that ac compressor... Tight, but it clears. Camaro oil pan gave me 2.5" of clearance below the engine at full droop.

[skymangs]

The exhaust manifolds are Trailblazer SS, and look just about like those headman cast headers I see online. These cost me $75.

[skymangs]

Also got a lot done on the box. Sand blasted it, fixed that damaged corner, put some patches here and there, fixed the tailgate, filled the stake pockets, and the bed rail ends are getting capped today.

[skymangs]

pics of the finished bed corner repair, and the hose/line/shock routing for the front suspension. That's all for today. Truck goes into hibernation for the next few weeks. I have a 52 coming in this week for an S10 swap.

[skymangs]

link to short video of air bags

http://s689.photobucket.com/user/skymangs/media/20140411_222709_zpse2b07274.mp4.html?filters[user]=89026046&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0