How to LS swap an old GMC Chevy Square Body in a Weekend

Can we LS swap this 1985 GMC C3500 dually camper special square body in a single weekend?

[@haterade5397]

Hey man its me, the one who you bought the truck from, man those heads were heavy , and I'm still surprised we got that block into the truck bed haha, im really glad its finally getting the love it deserves. Always wanted to do a swap on it. I hope it all goes well with it man I really miss my truck and seeing it get some life breathed back into it just makes me wish I didn't have to sell that much morw

[@bradleycrenshaw6778]

Man this channel is soooooooooooooooooooo real world garage stuff. What a refreshing change. No loud stupid music, no filthy language.

[@cwmotorsports4497]

I thought this video was going to be such a long video but It went by so fast and has so much great information. I've done mutiple ls swaps and there are a lot of ways to do them but this is really great. Very cost effective and straight to the point without buying all the aftermarket parts that most people think they need. Great JOB.....

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks! That is exactly what we were going for. Thanks for watching and taking the time for the kind words.

[@kw2519]

Ya, this was super helpful. Been eyeballing 80s Chevy pickups lately…

[@codyrob94]

Agreed. Transmission just crapped out in my rusted 1500hd. Also happen to have an 84 k20 in the shop that needs a motor. This was way better than reading forums and getting 25 different answers for one thing. Thanks!

[@garrettharris1255]

I have a 68 gmc short bed with 3.73 rear end and a 350 turbo trans I’m putting a 6.0 ls in. And it’s been such a struggle finding any information on a full guide. But you did a awesome job! I’m a poor ole boy so you definitely showed me how to do it on a budget!!! Thanks again my friend!

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks for the kind words. Good luck with your project, it sounds really cool.

[@gerardolopez5875]

Go with the 4L60E,,

[@cswildcat09]

Glad I found this video in my recommended feed today, actually answered a lot of unknowns about my own 85 K10 LS swap and how to do power steering lines! Thanks for the video man

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@TC_AZ]

If you're not doing hydro-boost remove the fitting from the back of the LS power steering pump and use the original (k10) power steering pressure hose to the steering box. I just picked one up at AutoZone with a lifetime warranty, that was nearly 10 years ago haven't changed anything

[@ClumsyCars]

@@TC_AZ you can also use a 99 Silverado 5.3 pressure line, same threads as the later model squares

[@Figure-it-out]

Definitely just gave me some more confidence. I’m looking at a C10 with the 6.2 diesel and was worried LS swapping would be a pain. After watching this I have no doubt I could get it done in a couple weekends. Thanks

[@LordNotlek]

Man the 6.2 is goat

[@Geoduck.]

I'm impressed. You were very detailed but at the same time directly to the point with this video. At the same time you clearly showed all aspects of this swap. Not an easy thing to do but you made it so. I'm pleased to be a new subscriber.

[@latingeek867]

Like everyone else says, this video really helps a ton, I'll be attempting to LS swap a 93 Blazer (2 door tahoe). I'll also be using the original trans since it's a 4WD, thanks again for the informative vid.

[@2muchspl]

Im starting my LS swap soon in my Nova. Ive done tons of reading,knew what to take from donor truck,what not to cut,etc....when I tell you this is the most informative step 1 to final video on KZbin please believe me!!!! I effin added you to my personal KZbin account I watch in the living room, idc if you never post another video: this was well done!!

[@piratejetgarage]

Wow, thank you for that. Good luck with your swap!

[@ghostghost5042]

I appreciate this video that you put up I have a '97 dually diesel and I'm swapping it over to LS and the video was very helpful with the project I have ahead of me thanks

[@simple_man_jkb]

This is the most informative ls swap video I have see yet. I’m in the process of swapping a 02 z71 engine and trans into a 95 z71

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks, good luck with your swap!

[@rustyjunkgarage1418]

This a great video that takes the myths and BS out of an LS swap. People look at it costing big bucks when really thats not always the case. I picked up some good tips here! Glad to know the power steering lines are so easy to deal with. I have an 84 K20 that I planning on swapping.

[@codyrob94]

I’ve got an 84 k20 also. Tranny in my 1500hd just crapped out so hopefully I can make something happen.

[@junkyarddawgfixit8970]

Nice job and great video, just a note about the GM engine mounts, the rubber mount that bolts to the frame is the "clamshell mount" and the part that bolts to the engine is called the "elephant ear" bracket.....keep rolling

[@blakeniemann2344]

Great video! This is what gives me the confidence to do an Ls swap, keep up the great work!! Thank you

[@mrclean146]

Love it. Great content. But that red...That's hot. Lol

[@mrclean146]

Get it done attitude. I love it. I figured it will take me a month or two but after watching this video I think I can trim 3 hours.

[@michaelfisher8824]

Super helpful! At the very beginning of doing LS swap into my 87 Scottsdale 3/4 ton HD 4x4. Using LQ4 with 4L80e. LMC truck has nice LS swap wire harness.

[@chucksinger9562]

very informative. I like that you had to buy just a few parts to do the swap. That's what I was looking for. Thanks

[@nickstewart3725]

I got a 94 Chevorlet Suburban K1500 4x4 and I plan on LS or LT swapping the truck...the ol' 350 TBI just don't have the power I want...great video to watch right here and well explained!

[@m.t.aclover8988]

I feel alittle better about doing a l s swap not totally but you made it look better than most of the ones I have watched on KZbin. More on what I will need and do. Thanks 😊 🙏

[@ryanhutsler930]

nice swap video. just fyi i used those cheap battery post connectors on several builds of mine and had all sorts of electrical problems. i cleaned them of paint where they connect to the post and the strap area where the power and ground wires lay but the metal they are made from is junk and they dont conduct well. it took me forever to diagnose the problems they caused. the ones without paint the parrs store sell are a lot better. keep up the good work guys

[@HeyIcandothat2]

Super knowledgeable and straight forward. I enjoyed this build.

[@justin________7477]

Really informative, thanks. I plan on doing an LS in my Camaro at some point, but I love square bodies and imagine I'll probably have one as well at some point and swap that.

[@jamessmith7691]

I've been away from swapping engines. Terms like ls and the like I need to look up and get with things. Good video.

[@thepinemountainfamily5848]

Thank you for a nice clean no foul language video. Very informative.

[@jesuschrist2886]

I'm not a GM person at all, but I have to say this was one hell of a swap. gives me more ambition to get my truck fixed!

[@piratejetgarage]

Thank you for watching! Good luck with your project.

[@Super1967ford]

Thanks, I will be using this video this summer to do a swap, definitely makes it’s easy with a step by step

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@davidorozcoish]

Thank you guys, great video. You're gonna save me a ton of hours on the harness.

[@rustybottoms8859]

Watched your K20 video and this one is a great wealth of information as well. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@tinocos9632]

My hat's off to you sir i wont leave this earth without doing this swap i will do this some day ❤

[@CavanalK5]

Very impressive. Obviously a guy could take some extra time and clean up and perdy up wiring and so on, and I know that wasn’t the goal of the build you did. This really helps illustrate the how to of it and shows how simple it can really be. I take my hat off to you for making and posting this. I’ve been researching this swap for years on my ‘88 K5. I just need to start gathering parts and dive off into it. Thank you for posting and i’m subscribed, awaiting for great content. take care 🤙🏼

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@stevepope5484]

I liked the wiring? Bolt the fuse block neatly/nobody ever see the back. Why push all the pins out? It looks as neat as it did from GM? Perfect

[@garrettfisher8078]

Awesome video. Saved it. I'll be referring back to this when I ls swap my 73 c2500.

[@stevepope5484]

I'm glad I found this too. Bought an 03 yukon last week/bought 67 Malibu last January? I'd do exactly what you've done with the wiring.Hope to. Not sure about using the auto n cutting the tunnel/or going stick.old 3 or 4 spd. Having cruze would be cool/but probably far fetched. Wish the a/c could be used off the 03 too. Hec/the stereo in this rolled over worn out yukon is even Really Fine sounding! HA.

[@briandrake9467]

Great content, I have a 87 red long square 454 3/4 ton low miles bought it to tow the flat trailer,get good deals, always wondered about a swap for the 454...

[@oldcroneysgarage9739]

Very cool to see someone LS swap a stock grandpa truck,

[@johnfelix8692]

Im building a 1985 gmc and i fount this video helpful, although i havent even got to the engine yet. but i cannot wait to be throwing an LS in it

[@V8Power5300]

This is very similar to how i did my 88 Cadillac Brougham. I pretty much used the same style engine mounts. Stock radiator, 4l60e swapped in and single 3" exhaust. I used PCMHammer and TunerPro to remove VTAS and tune myself. All you need is a 40$ ODB2 dongle. A/C used R4 compressor conversion mounts

[@Comm0ut]

Great video! I've a crew cab with a Century wheel lift that direly needs an LS 6.0/4L80e.

[@leegreenleaf7557]

You guys make it look so easy.

[@morrealE92]

Just watched the intro... clearly this guy is insane.....and i like it.

[@EASTSIDE-313]

Very nice detailed to the point video. You do nice work, keep it up, nice to see . Got my sub.

[@danmcelroy6584]

That sure made swapping engines look easy. Sure don’t have to rip out all the wiring like I heard. Maybe now I can put my little 08 4.8 with trans and transfer case in a Jeep Cherokee easier. Thanks for sharing! Sweet looking and sounding truck! 👍👍

[@piratejetgarage]

That sounds interesting! Good luck with your project. Thanks for watching.

[@danmcelroy6584]

@@piratejetgarage it’s more a dream at the moment. But it is what I want. Just a little pep in ponies and lifted and stiffened up so it don’t pop the windshield. I have the 08 engine. It’s in my truck and the frame is going bad..Thank you again.

[@desifrazier121]

Great teaching I’ve really learn a lot since watch your video thanks for sharing

[@rogerm881]

This video made me get my swap done good shit 🔥

[@gregrod4489]

Excellent video..very informative I'll be using this for my swap..

[@CesarPerez-nq7xt]

I loved the video it felt short and entertaining

[@the_truck_farmer]

I like your approach to using as much From the donor truck as possible. Same way I’d do it! Call me old fashion but hp/ foot pounds aside I like the low rpm tractor torque from a SBC/bbc for a HD pickup much better than the 2500rpm peak torque of an LS. The LS is the ideal sports car or truck engine with its high rpm power band. Definitely to each their own though. Love your exhaust sound!

[@timbarnett3898]

My friend, Craig, an I did engine change. Craig had 350 in El Camino & 454 in suburban, so we changed motors too make El Camino a burn out car! That was when gas was cheaper!

[@piratejetgarage]

Sounds like a cool project, thanks for watching.

[@815LSxSwaps]

Nice! Got to love an ls swapped square body!

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks!

[@discmotoslots]

cool that the transmission was good! great build thanks

[@ernestorodriguez8228]

Nice a good in depth video to learn from point a to point b

[@roytrevino9109]

Great video, thanks,a lot of good information ,so I'm not so intimidated by the swap !

[@austincarter4289]

Love the dart in the back

[@ralphmarkel1887]

Im Going to the junkyard Saturday to pull a 6.0 and I'm doing it step by step on this build. This video answered all my questions to swap a ls Into my 84 crew cab. Can we get a update video on how it's running and any problems you have had since the swap

[@jesseison-bowman3964]

Great work! It's obvious that you really know Chevy's and not your first LS swap. I have a black 84 K5 Jimmy with the exact same front end as your dually. In all honesty I am very comfortable with all of the steps in your video except wiring up that fuse box. Wondering if something like a Painless or other aftermarket harness and fuse box might be more plug and play? All of the different options for power sources, etc.is very intimidating but I freely admit that electrical is my weakness by far. Thank you!

[@205_bowties]

Best video I have seen for ls swap squarebody thanks

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks so much!

[@PhilsF]

Great video... just goes to show that an LS swap can be done on a budget.

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@sonnydash4987]

Ive only subscribed to 7 channels. This is #8. Keeping it real! Great video good content.

[@outfitsgarage88]

Great video. I'm looking to do this to my old 85 ford f350. I will be watching again.

[@piratejetgarage]

Thank you!

[@sps-vf4qq]

booo, get a chevy you bum

[@anthonyevans5419]

Thank you sow much for walking evey one though it there's not a video I have seen did that iv bin wanting to do this but I was not for shere how to do it 👍👍

[@RcFlashlight]

YO I have a truck exactly like this one! Never thought I would ever find another truck that looks like it! If I ever wanted to do an LS swap on it, just watch this vid.

[@artfordlowery490]

Awesom gmc truck 🚚 VERY GOOD 👍 mechanics job 👏 👌 thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge 👍 with us 🇺🇸

[@kenkem396]

straight forward and right to the point. and no bullshit love it!!

[@bgreasy6318]

great job man. wish you took just a little more time to clean things up better but very impressed.

[@patrickbledsoe2176]

Man your good sir and made this look easy good video sir thank you

[@RedWhiteAndBlueVideo]

Great and Informative Video! Only up 8 days and 22k views. Seems pretty amazing and should net you many more subscribers. At first I didn’t know if I wanted to watch an hour video by someone I never watched before. Glad I did. Definitely the best LS swap video so far. I would have had to watch multiple videos by other youtubers and still not get all the info you contained in one hour. Will the harness get any more work done to it?

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks for watching and the kind words. We appreciate both. Thats it for the harness.

[@MultihandZayy]

You should make a video on how to change and adapt fittings. Be an very helpful tip 💪🏽🥺

[@BoostedOnaBudget5]

Intro: Greased lightnin' Go go go, go go go go go go go go 😆💯🔥

[@Toe_Knee_Silva]

Please, please, please...keep making and uploading videos like this... Awesome 🔥

[@jhartwells]

When you trim down a bolt you run the die on. At first run it all the way to the head, trimmed on the bolt and then run the die back off. It will clean up the threads for you. Also, if you round the tip of the bolt just slightly before running the die off it makes it even better.

[@maxjones9139]

very well done! Thank you!

[@bradmurphy9670]

Do you by chance have a list of parts you used for the swap. Like the oil pressure sensor adapter and the temp adapter. Also the fuel line parts fuel pump and stuff like that. Going to be doing my swap on my 86 K20 soon. Would love to be able to swap as easy and quick as you did.

[@papergatorzfedducca7998]

I got my popcorn!!! Thanks!!🔥🔥🔥

[@TakkaFlakkaFlame]

Man what a great video

[@oldschoolman6572]

Sweet project

[@youbreakityoufixit9594]

Excellent video! I learned a lot

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@McChevy]

Cool video and job.... 😉👍

[@trulyblessedziiz1030]

I like your style 😎 👌

[@tedcorey3054]

If you grind a bevel on the cut down bolt it will go right in , saw it on you tube .

[@gdp2727]

Great video thanks for making it.

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks for watching.

[@luisordaz8616]

Good video 💯 I been seen other videos but you explain pretty much everything thank you Wondering where are you located I’m interested in doing that on my 87 squarebody, but probably still too much for myself I’m in the chicago area.

[@SchneiderClassics]

now you never see that, running motor going into a truck XD

[@piratejetgarage]

I’m shocked that hardly anyone has even mentioned it… lol

[@1adamlynn]

Great video

[@lau12342]

NICE and good info too!

[@jonpaulison2283]

Awesome video thank you so much ...

[@gvxclassics]

Nice work

[@thedeplorable7867]

Thank you! Great video!

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@j.j.clingman4083]

Hey pirates garage I just ran across your videos because I have a 1981GMC 1Ton 4x4 and I’ve been trying to figure out on what motor to put into it as soon as The motor that is in it now goes bad!! It’s just a 350 witch the truck was a fire truck at a fire station and baught brand new by the fire station also!! It has under a 100,000 original miles on the entire truck period!! It has the SM465 manual 4 speed tranny witch is by far my favorite trannies in older trucks!!! I’d like to ask if you could and would do a new updated video on what a person needs for hooking an LS motor up to the SM465??? Like what bell housing a person needs what fly wheel and clutch setup and even what a person can use for the linkage for shifting the tranny?? I no you can run a hydraulic setup or the regular linkages that were used originally from the square body style trucks!! I guess I’m very new to the LS stuff but I am definitely thinking I’d definitely like to try swapping a LS in a square body truck but definitely would like a little more info first before starting!!! Also we’re a person can buy those motor mount plates for swapping in a LS into a square body truck??? I definitely like those plates but not exactly sure where to buy a set from?? Also what is the best way for doing all the wiring for the swap??? Use the entire wiring harness out of the vehicle that the LS motor came from or just buy a wiring harness from someone that has made the harness smaller and just what is actually used for the swap and where a person can get a aftermarket wiring harness like that?? Any help would definitely be greatly appreciated really I’m serious!! They don’t look all that hard to swap looking at things now but just nowing where a person can get some of the different things from would definitely help me out a bunch!! The motor that is in this truck now just has a bunch of oil leaks but everything is got to be one of the tightest driving older trucks that I have ever driven for sure!!! I would definitely definitely appreciate it if you would do an updated video on some or all the different things I mentioned earlier in this and I also no that I’m definitely not the only one out there that would like to no also!!! I have guys asking me all the time if I no and I really just haven’t messed with any LS over the past 25 to 30 years that I have been messing around with the older trucks but I definitely am wanting to give it a try if you are willing to help with some of the info I may need??? Thanks again buddy and I really appreciate it!! Remember keep up all the hard work buddy!!! Loved the several different videos of yours that I have watched so far!!!!

[@tonguedarts]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing. Could you post the brand and part number of the fuel sending unit you used? The outlets are alot longer on yours than the Delphi branded '87 sender I recently installed on my truck, which would be nice.

[@isaacgriffenberg6347]

Beautiful truck! Rubber gloves with power tools could get ugly though. Be safe!

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@chuckdock4436]

Seriously not a better video out there for a LS swap into a square body! Getting ready to do mine soon.

[@caddydaddy6728]

👍👍 great video

[@failranch9542]

If the dome light ever fails and it’s dark out, just get the check engine light to illuminate. Problem solved. Never seen such a bright CEL.

[@bighurkgkb4l745]

He got straight to it 💪🏾💪🏾🦾🦾

[@grantdubiel4843]

Now if only I had a garage to do mine in lol, got a 92 k2500 going to 6.0 swap

[@piratejetgarage]

Sounds cool, good luck!

[@prestonnielson6120]

I thought this was a great video thanks for doing it !

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@dangilbert8391]

Sweet ride

[@piratejetgarage]

Thanks!

[@honest8bob]

A 2x4 welding table, someones got the big bucks!

[@stevepope5484]

I notice that! Haha

[@808chevykev]

I watched this like a movie! Popcorn and all!👍👍👊✌

[@piratejetgarage]

Big thanks to you!

[@jonesdamisfit]

Would you happen to have links or part numbers to all of the parts used adapters, fittings, hoses and etc

[@ice4278]

I have a 66 C10 that I wanted to put an LS in but most video Don't Kill enough information I want to thank you for really detailing now I might go ahead on and do it on the OBD connector you didn't say anything about position 1 and 3 you don't use them .