LS swap in a 72 4x4

[Nitis]

Kind of a repeat post so I apologize

What issues or difficulties will be encountered doing an LS swap in a 72 4x4?

Also any reason not to just mate the engine to a 700r4?

[Nitis]

Been following this thread a little

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=608879

[K10 STEPSIDE]

I am just finishing up a 5.3 LM7 swap in to my 67 K10.

first you will have all the typical things to change: fuel pump and lines, wiring, exhaust, engine mounts, temp and oil sensors, throttle linkage/cable or electronic pedal, radiator hoses.

But, specifically for the four wheel drive it is difficult to fit the engine without a lift kit. I would say it is possible with some custom work to move the engine higher in the frame.

I myself use a manual transmission so I'm not one to know about the automatic questions, but I would guest it should be easier to use the 700.

Do you have any specific engine in mind?
What transmission and transfer case do you plan on using?
Do you plan to lift the truck for the swap?
Is you gas tank still in the cab?
All these questions will help hammer down your project specifics.

[Nitis]

I do plan on using a blazer/suburban style tank in the frame in the rear

I plan ton use the existing no205

I would like to purchase a complete engine tranny together so probably 5.3 4l60e unless I can come upon a deal for a 6.0

I would do maybe a 2.5 lift but no more than that

Found dirty dingo makes a crossmember that helps fit the block. But still may need lift to clear oil pan?

With the new crossmember would I still need to switch to the trailblazer SS exhaust manifolds?

[K10 STEPSIDE]

Sorry for leaving you hanging.

seams like you know what there is to know. as far as clearance.
If you build your own cross member and mounts I would say you can fit with out a lift as long as you keep it in mind as you build and keep things as high as possible. If you do lift the truck 2.5 will be enough for clearance, but for safety the bump stops should be lowered.

as far as the the manifolds. I used truck manifolds and they fit if you are comfortable with cutting but no matter the application I think they would not to be cut. These are my truck manifolds ceramic coated with the heat shields off the the extra bosses cut off.


as you can see I had to take a small circle out of the frame. Here is a few pictures of my mounts and clearance before a lift.




I think I could raise the engine enough if I redid my mounts that I could clear with a low profile oil pan and no lift. but my drive train angle with the married transfer would be pretty steep.

[jamesjones]

TBSS or LS3 Camaro manifolds should fit with no cutting.

[mcmlxix]

I have a 72 K5 Blazer but it already had a 4" lift when I got it. I built my own motor mounts and used LS3 Camaro exhaust manifolds....

Use the 4L60e (or 4L80e) because the factory computer is already set to control it. 700R4 requires a TV cable that the LSx motor doesnt provide.

[71chevystep4x4]

I modified the stock crossmember to fit, which the most modification was to the mount perches, then put in a set of Hooker block hugger shorties that are center dump. Main issue I ran into was it had a straight six originally, so even though a small block, and big block fit fine after it, I still had to move the crossemember and tranny and t-case forward 2" to fit the 5.3L

[Bigdav160]

No interference with the front crossmember?

[71chevystep4x4]

yes, I had to square up the P/S corner of the crossmember where the oil pan rested on it. I would have liked to have gone with a special crossmember built for this purpose, but was on a budget, and happened to have a welder.

[Bigdav160]

I was talking about the very front one. Where K10's P valve is mounted.

[K10 STEPSIDE]

No, there was plenty of room there