82 K5 "KLACK" LQ9 4L65 '04 Column and Cluster Swap

[OrionNewton]

Hi everybody.

I've been a long time lurker and have used the info on this site for a lot of things in the past but this might be my first post, I'm not sure.

I've had this 82 Jimmy for around 10 years and it originally had a 6.2 diesel in it, and it was nick named Klack by a buddy and I guess it stuck. Years ago I removed the 6.2 for a 350 gas motor and it ran OK but I always wanted to swap something nicer in.

So I've been wanting to do a LS based swap for a while now and it has finally started to come together. I had the idea of swapping in a newer steering column and gauges out of the 03-06 year range I'm working with because my stock controls and gauges are pretty rough. I was not sure if it was actually going to work until Wed of this week when I got the gauges and everything to start acting right.

Swapping in an LS based motor has been pretty well covered but I have searched quite a bit and haven't found any info on the column and cluster swap so I figured I'd post up what I've done if anyone is interested.

So here's what I used:
05 LQ9 with matching 4L65, PCM engine harness ETC
Stock NP208 with advance adaptor unit to adapt to 6 bolt w VSS hole
04 Suburban steering column w key and matching BCM
06 1500 5.3 4x4 full dash harness
05 1500 gauge cluster
04 underhood fuse box, dash fuse box and relay box, light switch, shifter cable


I still have to do a lot of cleaning up and hiding of the miles of harness and wire in things like TCC, all lights, wipers and anything else you can think of that goes to the truck but the swap is well on the way. also need to mount the gauge cluster and a few other things I'm sure

I don't have a lot of pics to post at the moment but here's a real short video of the truck starting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSsTk0bQHgU&feature=youtu.be

I will post more as I make progress. If anyone has any questions about what I've done I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Orion

 

[y5mgisi]

Well your on your way! Good job!

 

[y5mgisi]

I think if you press the little button that is a mountain, next to the link button, your pics will show up.

 

[y5mgisi]

Maybe not. I never messed with instagram. Most folks round here use photobucket.

 

[OrionNewton]

I tried above but does not appear to work for me. I'll try photobucket next time.

 

[OrionNewton]

I got the cluster and light switch mounted up. All the gauges work except for the volt meter. Check engine light works and the obd2 Port is functional. Daytime running lights, the DIC and tow haul mode all work too. The motor is real strong and I'm impressed with the swap overall.

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[OrionNewton]

I'm going to post the steering column pics again now that I figured out how to post them.

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[OrionNewton]

K5 column

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04 Suburban column

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The K5 mount unbolts so I just trimmed the new column's bracket so I could weld it on there

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[Chevy305]

I approve of this build

Now post more pictures!

 

[OrionNewton]

Thanks man!

More pictures coming right up.

Here are some engine bay shots.

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I used Schoenfeld LS truck swap headers and they worked great for me.

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There is more work to be done cleaning up the underhood fuse box and wiring but this is what I've got for right now.

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[OrionNewton]

Some shots of the truck...

It's on 38.5" thornbirds with a 14 bolt semi floater in the rear and a Dana 44 up front.

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I traded out the front single headlights for this later set up a few years back.

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On my way to play

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Busted the high pressure power steering hose that goes to the hydro boost. I made it out of steel braided hose and fittings (all summit brand) and it did fine until I got into a trail (Toyota at hidden falls) that puts you into a creek bed and with a rig this wide you end up driving on the banks of the gully. Anyways it popped and I got stranded right here:

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I have gone back to the original factory line which works, I just messed up the threads on one side of my old one.

 

[Ten_Bucks]

Subscribed. Kudos to you for making your swap unique by adding the rest of the late model parts.

Scott

 

[NorCalAnthony]

Sweet project! How were you going to finish the dash?

 

[OrionNewton]

Thanks! I'll be making some sort of fiberglass bezel or shroud to make everything look better soon. I'm planning on integrating the factory dash cover back in if possible because making a whole new cover is not my idea of fun. I'll post pics as I get into it. I figured that making everything work first would be the way to go before getting into cosmetic stuff.

Over the weekend I fixed a broken leaf spring pin in the front and replaced the other side too for good measure. I think the exposed part of the pin was too long and was bottoming out on the axle tube through the locating hole in the spring perch. I guess I didn't notice when I did the axle swap that there was an issue. I was trying to clean up some steering slop and could see light between the bottom of the spring and perch even though the u-bolts were tight. I also found that my swaybar bushings were toast where it connects to the top of the leaf spring perch. I ordered the hyperflex replacement ones after trying to squeeze the autozone black rubber ones in there. Those things suck.