How do I chose a truck to buy for LS1 swap?

[Bmr4life]

If this is the wrong area to post this question, please let me know.



I know I want to put in an LS1 and I\'m sure I want a truck. But which truck would be the best choice? Year, 2wd, 4wd, engine size?



I only want 2wd in the end and the truck will be a daily driver, so A/C & Heat are a must. Power steering and cruise are prefered also.

thanks

[adh383]

not sure if one gen. is better than the other---i would just say to find a good body with bad runnin works at a deal and make your stuff work.

[Bmr4life]

Are there kits out for certain Truck - Motor combos that make the install go along smoother?

[jusbo]

No, not really. The trucks are all about the same. What was it, the 86-90 year trucks had a little wider stance than others? Correct me if im wrong. That might help a little. But I would do what adh383 said. Find something that has crappy internals (except heat and A/C) but a good rust free or close to it frame and body.

Don\'t worry about cruise too much, it\'ll be hard enough to set the engine in w/ a/c.

[Ryoung68]

I agree find a good rust free body. The 2nd gen may require more wiring thought, but the swap is pretty much the same. If you can find one that originally came with the 4.3L there will be a little less firewall modification required. Good Luck!

[adh383]

Personally i prefer the first generation-- and a truck that dont have a lot of extras to deal with--- and if its got or had a 2.8 --- then you already got the frame mounts for the stealth motor mounts Buy the JTR s 10 conversion manual

[coppergmc]

Me and another sight member are putting a 1 pc seal 302 chevy in a 95 body that was originally equipped with a 4.3L V6. His conversion is going much smoother than mine. We are using all the brackets and pullies from the V6 so A/C isn\'t a problem. Even the A/C box doesn\'t get in the way and the firewall has more room for a distributor. Makes me wish I had a newer body style.

[Bmr4life]

I\'ve done some more reading and it appears the 98+ year are a lot easier to install an ls1 in as far as wiring goes.