I got the side moldings and pin striping on the bed today. I'm considering taking the blown engine from the Suburban and building a 383 for the crew cab. I just don't know if it's worth it vs a 6.0 or 7.4/8.1 swap.
CK5
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2000 GMC K2500 Sierra Crew Cab Stepside
- Thread starter TerryD
- Start date
wheel400
1/2 ton status
LS1 8.1 seems pretty cool... 
I'd go LS based engine all day long
all that work just go ls .
I was just looking online and saw that I could get a 8.1L with 90k miles for $1600. I'm getting 12mpg now and so is my buddy with a 02 K2500 with the 8.1L, why not have the power to go with the crappy mileage?
I'm going down there this weekend to get a engine for the Suburban anyways, I'm going to talk to them and see if I could get the whole shooting match, harness, head pipes, converters, ect for a deal. Maybe better prices in person!
I wonder if the 0411 computer from the LS1 that's so commonly swapped into the 5.7L stuff would run the 8.1/4L80E?
I'm going down there this weekend to get a engine for the Suburban anyways, I'm going to talk to them and see if I could get the whole shooting match, harness, head pipes, converters, ect for a deal. Maybe better prices in person!
I wonder if the 0411 computer from the LS1 that's so commonly swapped into the 5.7L stuff would run the 8.1/4L80E?
wheel400
1/2 ton status
Gm would tell you no....
They'd also tell me that no one wants a step side bed on a crew cab, but at least one guy does!
Two guys... I love this truck. 
Thanks guys. I'm really happy with it. Got 13.3mpg Friday on a 200mi trip.
I think it will, just needs to be reflashed...
these guys have a lot of info, they have a kit in the works to apply ls tech to older gen I small blocks. clicky
I have a 5.7 vortec head tbi crate motor that I've been thinking about stroking and doing the 411 conversion on. whenever the economy allows it...
edit: pm Larry, he knows all things 8.1.
Friday I went and picked up a Dupli-Color Bed Armor kit from Advance to bedline the tailgate. I think it worked out pretty good. Kinda cringed when I was sanding that brand new paint, but it worked out pretty good and the dog is much happier getting off the truck now that she doesn't slide around on the tailgate. I went ahead and put on three coats since the tailgate takes a good bit of abuse. 
I've got to wash the bed up and then put another coat on the rest of it since there are some places you can still see the original paint through the bed liner.
I'll try to get pictures of it up.
I've got to wash the bed up and then put another coat on the rest of it since there are some places you can still see the original paint through the bed liner.
I'll try to get pictures of it up.
Anyone have any ideas mounting a camper top without drilling if you have no internal lip in the bed? I've seen some little rigs that use the holes in the sides of the stake pockets but there isn't Tim for them with my tool box in there.
Is there no lip because that's the way the inside of the bed is made? I've never really seen a stepside up close but I have seen them with caps on. Are there factory punched holes in the sides of the stake pockets? I'd think you could secure a cap with some J-hooks in those. Might not even have to move your tool box for that.
If you look back to post #9, you can see what I'm dealing with, minus the toolbox. The toolbox sits down inside the bed and not on the bed rails.
I looked back through the thread after I posted and saw that, but I still think you can use J-hooks.
desertrat67
Hawk Driver
That bed looks good on there. Nice work.
Thanks! I've got so much to do to so many vehicles right now in trying to find a balance of what needs done. Clocking the K5's t-case is next on the list as of right now. I've been on the loot foot doors for the crew cab, then it'll get a power window rebuild as well as some better insulation and a speaker upgrade.
Picked up a ladder rack yesterday. I've got to make a few changes to get it to fit around my camper shell now.
Looking at angle materials to make the mount for the ladder rack and I'm having issues finding what I'm looking for. I wa originally looking at 8x8x0.500" aluminum. That's going to be about $500 to get it and shipped to my door. Then I can't weld aluminum so I'll have to farm that out and on and on with that.
Now I'm considering some 1/4" plate bent on a press with a 8" leg and a 6" leg. I'm not sure how to apply the 32,000psi yield of A36 to come up with a rating for this but I'm trying to save weight and money here.
This will bolt to the inside of the bed with the fender bolts, go over the bed rail to the outside of the camper shell. Then the shell will slide in on top of these and bolt to them so I can remove the shell without taking off the rack.
Now I'm considering some 1/4" plate bent on a press with a 8" leg and a 6" leg. I'm not sure how to apply the 32,000psi yield of A36 to come up with a rating for this but I'm trying to save weight and money here.
This will bolt to the inside of the bed with the fender bolts, go over the bed rail to the outside of the camper shell. Then the shell will slide in on top of these and bolt to them so I can remove the shell without taking off the rack.
