LSx 4x4 build questions.

[monte0185]

I just bought this truck and the PO had a shop do most of this work but I wanted your thoughts. First would you trust these home made mounts? The welds look ok. Lot of spatter but look solid. Just not sure if it should have some kind of bracing between the two sides. Second thing is it sitting to high in the frame? An last but not least im sure is what do you think of the clearancing that was done?? Maybe I should just pull the motor and trans and start over with the motor mount setup that ive seen from Pacific Fabrication.

[Mr. 250r]

Looks like the frame was notched a whole lot but not braced anywhere i don't trust these old frames to begin with but that's just me as far as the welds... that's hard to say need a better picture but as a welder im picky lol

[arider278j]

I would use the pacific fab cross member. Only cross member you have left is front and trans thats a lot of stress put on the motor mounts. GM put a cross member there for a reason. Just my two cents

[monte0185]

Originally Posted by Mr. 250r

Looks like the frame was notched a whole lot but not braced anywhere i don't trust these old frames to begin with but that's just me as far as the welds... that's hard to say need a better picture but as a welder im picky lol

I have no doubt the welds would hold their just not a good looking as I would have done being a bit of a welder myself. I was kinda worried about how the engine mount is only held to the frame mount by 2 bolts. Im still debating on bracing the sections where they notched out the frame for clearance. I know twisting it would be fine im more worried about front impact and it collapsing.

Originally Posted by arider278j

I would use the pacific fab cross member. Only cross member you have left is front and trans thats a lot of stress put on the motor mounts. GM put a cross member there for a reason. Just my two cents

I was thinking that at the very least I should run a piece of dom tubing that is 90'd on each end and welded to a plate and bolted to the frame and plate that's already there. Or just welded to the plate that Is already there becoming a permanent fixture.

[monte0185]

This was my Idea of giving it some more bracing but using DOM round tubing with bends Then welding a plate on either end so that it can be removed if necessary. That is if you think how the motor mounts are bolted are solid enough. This is a crude drawing but you get the idea.

[DirtyLarry]

Wow, it is just outright scary the way some people approach late model Vortec engine swaps. I wouldn’t have bought that truck once I saw how they hacked up the frame. After seeing that, I can only imagine what their wiring and fuel line plumbing must look like.

[monte0185]

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

Wow, it is just outright scary the way some people approach late model Vortec engine swaps. I wouldn’t have bought that truck once I saw how they hacked up the frame. After seeing that, I can only imagine what their wiring and fuel line plumbing must look like.

Fortunately all that is left to me and I'm very meticulous with both!! I'm going to buy a set of envoy manifolds like I seen on crash's build and if they font require the clearance then ill weld in some pieces to fix the frame back up. My main concern at the moment is the bracing under the engine. Im gonna fab up a brace this weekend. If I could get some advice on how the mounts are mounted.