5.7 GEN111 into 1978 C20 shortbed.

[Ian Johnston]

I have already finished this project, but thought I would bore people with it as I am new to this site.
A bit of a long story to my pickup. This is the 2nd time I have owned it. I originally built it from 2 trucks, a 1974 LHD C10 shorty, and a 1978 C20 longbed. C20s were available in Australia in RHdrive, so it was easier for me to build one up using the RHD cab and steering, but making a shortbed truck with the LHD bed and chassis. I used the C20 running gear as well. Fitted a 6.2 V8 diesel / turbo700 1st time around.
Sold it in 2002. Last year the bug started again, and I eventually found my old truck, and it ended up being for sale minus engine, and box. Previous owner had fitted 3" drop spindles, and 2" shackles/2" hanger kits, and the Eagle mags that are on it.
Nothing else had changed in the 10 years he owned it.

So, I purchased a local GMH car(wreck) that comes with the GEN111, and 4L60E trans.
And thats how it all started.
I have done all the work myself, except for the PCM setup. I will post up some pics of the build. I am not much of a picture taker, so wont be a movie thats for sure.

1st pic is of it after 1st build.

[Ian Johnston]

A few of the pics. I made up my own front mount brackets so that I could use the original mounts, and clam shells. Piece of flat plate using clam shell bolt holes as well, so very secure. Had to change to truck sump(car one had drop at front)
Modified rear mount to suit. The original tailshaft fits no problems. Only thing I would change is move the engine forward an inch. Just a bit close to the firewall.

[Ian Johnston]

Had to use extractors(headers) because manifolds wouldnt fit. Used in tank fuel pump out of the car the engine came out of, got a weld in adaptor to fit original truck tank.
Used all car fuel lines as well, radiator, aircleaner. Any parts I could use, I did. Kept cost down.
Took a fair while to work out my wiring loom, but got there in the end. Had to use the PCM, BCM, and PIM to get everything to work. I even used the instrument cluster out of the car, so every guage works, including tacho.

[Ian Johnston]

I am running the headers into a single 3" exhaust at the moment. I may change that later. The dash is probably not the flashest looking, but it works, and also has inbuilt trip function as well. I may change that later as well.

[Ian Johnston]

I am pleased the way it drives, bar an issue with the trans. Someone has fitted a shift kit, and the 1st-2nd shift is way too harsh.
I plan on changing the rear axle assembly to a 4.1, or 3.7(4.6 now) in the future.
May lower the front a bit, as it sits up a bit as the GEN111 is way lighter than the diesel.

[Ian Johnston]

So, hope everyone isnt a sleep after my report
And to anyone who thinks they are too old to do something like this, dont worry about it, just have a go. I am 60 this year, and its taken me a lot longer than it should, but I enjoyed it.

[Chevlowrider]

The turned out great! I wish those 70s-80s trucks that clean still existed where I'm from. There all rusted out and gone. Nice work!

[we_fly_high]

I just sold my 75 this past June, everything about it was the same as this except motor trans and mine was a long bed. I will be buying it back with in a few years! It had the original straight 6 with 24000 miles on the entire truck. You've done an awesome job with yours!

[Ian Johnston]

Thanks for the comments. I nearly bought a 1988 shorty, and would have if the previous owner of mine hadnt decided to sell the 78.
Glad he did. I like the shape of the 73-87 models.
I was lucky to have a very good panel guy who put in a lot of effort to get the body work up to scratch. Was a couple of rust bits, but generally it was in good shape.

[Chevy-Art]

Good looking truck and good job. I would love to have a right hand drive here in the USA.