M1008 Cucv Ls Swap Cadolet Build, long range Blazer Bash 2026 prep

[Cucv_M1008]

We pulled front clip off to remove the 5.3 and install the 6.0, I used a new engine harness from lsx Specialties it's so much nicer than the old harness. I then replaced the passenger side door hinge pin, and door strikers. More to come.

 

[Cucv_M1008]

Installed my engineered vintage winch mount and winch today, we started out by removing the factory shackle mounts had to grind off the four rivets on each side the frame that hold the bottom radiator mount to the frame. The the cucv brackets had a reinforcement plate on the inside on the frame I had to remove also. After that we heated up the frame and used a punch and a hammer to drive the rivets out. The frame brackets were pretty easy to install the eight rivet holes had to be drilled out to 1/2 to fit the bolts. The winch plate was next, four bolts then the winch bolted up. My winch cable is toast so I'll replace it with some synthetic which line. Now I gotta figure out where to mount the winch control box. If I need to make longer battery cables I will. To help relocate it.

 

[Engineered Vintage]

Looking good!

 

[Cucv_M1008]

So I finish my harness install and wire in the vss adapter for the np241, a dude I know tells me that he has a vss 241 he will trade, me. Now I gotta pull it back out to trade. I'm almost done with the install, not many worthy pictures right now but I'm trying to do a little bit when ever I have free time so does not seem so daunting.

 

[Cucv_M1008]

Last weekend we got the front clip back on, fitted the prototype bumper, today I painted the headlight surrounds and installed my transmission cooler and installed the radiator, I'm finishing up the head light harness and some other small things.

 

[Cucv_M1008]

Replacing some well used parts.

 

[Cucv_M1008]

I ended up using the old cucv volt meter gauge spot for my oil pressure gauge, temp gauge will eventually go next to it.

 

[Cucv_M1008]

It looks like a truck again!

 

[flatland]

Waiting to see the bumper completed. Nice concept.

 

[Cucv_M1008]

Waiting to see the bumper completed. Nice concept.

Thank you

 

[Cucv_M1008]

My trim across the top of the grill was smashed by who ever had it in the army and I found a good piece off a 86 air force truck so I cleaned it and painted it to match the truck, I also painted my radiator cover to match.

 

[Cucv_M1008]

I have to run a fan relay for the fans I mount the relay and assembled my fans and surround today.

 

[77snowwheeler]

View attachment 386763View attachment 386764View attachment 386765View attachment 386766View attachment 386767View attachment 386768View attachment 386769View attachment 386770

Kind of jealous you went with tbi. I really wanted to, but the budget wasn’t there at the time. I might go with the sniper down the road. Your truck looks ready for fun.

 

[77snowwheeler]

the 5.3 sounds like it has a knock, I want to do something with it, Volvo turbo or something but I had a spare lq9 show up last summer. I don't trust the harness I had rebuilt and the guy who built it won't give me tech support and a few things fell apart on it.

I had a knock after I put valve covers on, that echoed through the motor, exactly like a crank knock. Even fooled my friend that is really knowledgeable of engines. I had to get taller gaskets and took care of it. Just saying.

 

[Cucv_M1008]

I had a knock after I put valve covers on, that echoed through the motor, exactly like a crank knock. Even fooled my friend that is really knowledgeable of engines. I had to get taller gaskets and took care of it. Just saying.

I changed engines

 

[Cucv_M1008]

Ecm mounted and bus bar and main fuse mounted.i just need to wire in pcm, ignition and fuse pump, I'm getting close to the initial fire up, I'm not going to start it till I'm have no parts left to install for the swap, I still need to do the front brakes after. It's close and I am much happier doing it this way vs when I had the other engine in it.

 

[77snowwheeler]

Ecm mounted and bus bar and main fuse mounted.i just need to wire in pcm, ignition and fuse pump, I'm getting close to the initial fire up, I'm not going to start it till I'm have no parts left to install for the swap, I still need to do the front brakes after. It's close and I am much happier doing it this way vs when I had the other engine in it.

Alright then. Let’s go. Did you get a huntin tag?

 

[Cucv_M1008]

Alright then. Let’s go. Did you get a huntin tag?

No I have not had one in a few years

 

[77snowwheeler]

No I have not had one in a few years

I haven’t either, till this year. We’re going in a couple weeks.

 

[Cucv_M1008]

Almost done, finished hooking up the power and pcm tonight, I did turn it over but didn't start it, I still have a few things left then I'll attempt to start it. My passenger side marker light had the ground break in the housing so I need a new one. Yes I have to clean up the wiring but I'll do that after I get it started.