1991 GMC V3500 Project

[sethgmcv3500]

That should help stiffen up the back of the frame a bunch too how you have it tied into the hangers.

That was my thought too. I had to remove the rearward most brace when I installed the bumper brackets and was originally planning to add it back not forward near, or in place of, that smaller bracket. But, I think this may brace it just fine. I think I may add it back anyway since I have it and these frames are bendy as hell. Yea that’s a technical term.

 

[azblazer]

On front end...might consider the single headlight core support. Ton of LED headlight options for that style...not so much for the deluxe grille headlights. In time that style of rad fan mounting will saw thru tubes. This is what i did with my LS swap. All based off of gm bbc truck rad and hold downs. https://tejassteelworks.com/product/squarebody-fan-shroud/

 

[sethgmcv3500]

On front end...might consider the single headlight core support. Ton of LED headlight options for that style...not so much for the deluxe grille headlights. In time that style of rad fan mounting will saw thru tubes. This is what i did with my LS swap. All based off of gm bbc truck rad and hold downs. https://tejassteelworks.com/product/squarebody-fan-shroud/

That entire front end is brand new and I already have all the trim for it so won’t be changing it. I struggled with how to mount the radiator and fans for just that concern so this is definitely temporary. I’ll check out tejas steel works when their site is back up. This thing will get an LS swap soon too most likely. I appreciate the insight!

 

[sethgmcv3500]

Tejas Steel Works is 20 miles from where I grew up, I’ll just stop by when I visit the rents next week!

 

[azblazer]

I run his electric fan set up and the pcm mount. Fans are Camero fans...98 i want to say. I have two nos fans in my parts box.

LMC makes headlight assm's to put H4's i think it was in the housing's. I was never thrilled with it so i went the core support replacement route.
The GMC grille of course was hard to find but i got lucky on eBay.

Tejas built a brand new shop as they needed more room. He is working on a bolt on turbo set up for an LS in a square.

I run a 6.0-4L80e in my Jimmy but the camper gang have all swapped to 7.4's or 8.1's. Since my motor is unknown i am thinking of going the 8.1 route myself.

 

[sethgmcv3500]

Ok guys, I can't figure this one out... the overload springs keep moving. After many failed attempts of tightening the u-bolts with all the uggaduggas, I removed them and the axle and tightened the somewhat loose pin bolt on the leaf spring to where the overload couldn't be spun on that bolt by hand. I also threw a level on the perches to make sure they were welded on true and parallel to one another, all seemed fine there. The kit below has grade 8 u bolts that I've torqued to 120 ft lbs. Should I go more?

This is the kit that was used.
https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/14BSS.html

 

[sweetk30]

grd 8 5/8" ubolts i crank them down with my 1/2" ratchet with a 26" long handle . mine dont move around at all .

 

[sethgmcv3500]

That’s what these are, grade 8 5/8”. Google says those can go a lot more than 120ftlbs so I’m going to go crank them to 140 I guess.

 

[Truckman4life]

Grade 8 in 5/8" goes to 170 and I believe that is what I have always torqued them to.

 

[shady]

I think factory spec is 150. So I'd do at least that.
Also, make sure your Ubolts are as close to the perch as possible all the way around.
That gives it less free space for things to move in.

 

[sethgmcv3500]

Holy moly it’s been 8 months… a little has happened on the truck since then.

I ultimately added some spring brackets from Amazon that worked great to keep that rear spring pack straight. It was hell getting to that point as I attempted to drop the axle and tighten the alignment bolt. The first bolt instantly stripped (I think it was from the factory as the second one was too when I went to tighten it) so it was off to find the right size grade 8 bolt to replace it. Yea those don’t exist except for on the internet…

I bought a suburban. Well most of a suburban. The aftermarket hood, core support, and fenders fit so terribly they had to go to a meeting “home”. I came across a “mint” ‘91 suburban for the right price so I took everything I could use, hood, fenders, core support, etc. and swapped them on to the truck.


Next up was the A/C. It’s um hot here in central Texas so I learned everything I could about A/C systems and landed on Summit for a Vintage Air bracket and Summit brand Sanden 508 style compressor. Ordered all my hose and fittings from Coldhose.com. All other parts new from Napa. Vent temps at about 40 degrees running down the highway.

After months of searching and what the real delay is since the last post was finding a painter that would take my truck on. Guys, I had a spreadsheet with over 50 painters that were recommendations from all over my area. Only 1 decided to take my truck on for a “reasonable” price. 2 or 3 people quoted me over $20,000… ha. ha. ha. It’s been in the shop for nearly 6 weeks now, should be wrapped up next week! Sneak peek on the color in the last pic.

Then it’s on to the interior. The truck is fully stripped right now so it’s just a matter of taking the time to do it. All the panels will be cover in navy blue vinyl with black perforated vinyl inlays. I can’t decided if the headliner will also be black or gray. The headliner material I got is two sided. Custom dash and a full JL Audio stereo system is ready to go in as well when I get it back from paint!

 

[1-ton]

I have a 1991 V3500 crew cab myself. It is a Chevy.

 

[centexk5]

All that and not one mention on why there is a Ferrari in your post?

 

[shady]

Color sample

 

[muddybuddy]

Nice build!

 

[sethgmcv3500]

The truck is back from paint and exterior is pretty much complete! It took forever but was worth the wait! Now on to addressing drivability, I need overdrive badly. I’ll be swapping from the SM465 to a 4l80e soon but still need to figure out the 4L80-np205 adapter solution. I’d love to find a stock one but as you may know they were 1 year only (91). If I don’t do a stock one then I’ll have to fab up transfer case shifter linkage and if I have to do that, I might as well go custom and twin stick it. I’ll also be coming up with a trans shifting solution, looking at the lokar trans mount options or even a digital push button shifter. Any thoughts, ideas, solutions, would be greatly appreciated!

I also found this little toggle switch/usb outlet plate on Amazon that fits perfectly in the ashtray.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B074W6DRJV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_K03KV4N4DQ6QDD4VEFYJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

View attachment IMG_2037.MOV

 

[centexk5]

Now that is a sexy truck. Damn.

 

[nvrenuf]

The truck looks great!

Search this site, I believe you can use a 85+ 400/205 adapter with minor machine work.

 

[sethgmcv3500]

The truck looks great!

Search this site, I believe you can use a 85+ 400/205 adapter with minor machine work.

Thank you! Yea I have seen that and will keep my eyes open for a th400 adapter too. They just need a few thou taken off the ID.

 

[rksjd8420]

GM 4L80E to TH400 NP205 Adapter/Spacer Kit

This is our 4L80E to TH400 Pilot Adapter/Spacer Kit. CNC Machined in House from 6061-T6 Billet Aluminum. This adapter is used when replacing a TH400 with a 4L80E. 1979-1984 TH400 to Fig.8 NP205 will require a 2wd 4L80E. (Short 2wd 6-1/4" Stick-out requires the Output Shaft to be trimmed 1-1/8")...

www.northwestfab.com

Use this with a factory 85-90 GM TH400/205 round adapter.

You could machine the adapter to correct the indexing ring difference but the TH400 adapter will hit the oil pan of the 4L80E without this spacer.