nope he took the cat off long time ago, it has long tube headers and ran glass packs behind those,

 

Oh man. That thing must sound like a dream. On my truck I want long tubes with dual thrush tubes out the back no cats. When it is done if it is possible can you get a video of it running?
Trav

 

it sounds super mean, and yeah i will try to pull some strings for ya hahah

 

thanks man. I know this is off topic but I forgot what exhaust you went with on your 97?
Trav

 

just manifolds to custom exhaust it y pipes then splits back to two magnaflows and dumps under the bed

 

I thought I read somewhere that dump exhausts rot the bed out or is that not true?
Trav

 

I remember seeing him but I forgot his name, thx for the info Matt
He's a good man to have around, lol

 

couldnt be doin it without him so definitely

 

Have a few questions if people could help who have knowledge

1) we decided the 351w that is the blue trucks original motor is going to stay, we are removing all the smog stuff because half is already gone, and we know about plugging the back of heads, but were thinking of just running a msd ignition and just setting it up like that to ditch the computer, since the speedo is mchanical anyway and no fuel injection to worry about, but have read about the duraspark 2 ignition being nice, does either truck of ours have that? if you can tell or should we just set it up with the msd, the motor isnt modded too much but has a bigger cam carb and not sure what else. want there to be as minimal of wiring as possible

2) the columns, the column in the donor truck is an auto tilt and blue truck is non tilt manual, is it like the 92-96 columns where just the lever can be removed and shroud changed out and key lock switch installed? if so i think we will keep the tilt column

3) if we run a msd setup, what would be the best way to wire in the oil pressure gauge and temp gauge to function in the dash cluster

4)the floor hump for the manual, do all 2wd auto trucks have the indent in the floor where the access panel should be for the manual trans and just use that as a guide to cut the hole, or will we have to completely find the location of it alone.

5) planning on using the frame and lights harness from the grey donor truck, it has a 460 auto and drivetrain is gonna be 351 4 speed, we shouldnt run into any issues there right?

 

2) you should be alright, but something to keep in mind; non tilt columns don't have much to wear out/break.

4) 4x2 auto Trans tunnel covers are the only 80-86 to have a permanent cover. It can be used as a template to adapt to the bolt (screw, actually) in 4spd/4x4 cover. Best to lay the new one over the old one so you know where to save & drill your bolt holes.

5) you shouldn't, but I'm no expert lol you might have to add te 4x4 indicator light, but otherwise, I can't say. I know year to year some harnesses differed, though.

 

This is a great thread, you're doing a full restoration the right way. It might become the inspiration for me to restore mine. Keep up the good work!

 

Call summit racing and they can help you with all the stuff about the MSD swap. Summit racing probably has a lot of knowledge on the 5.8L 351W engines as I see a lot of parts about the carb style ones. I don't have any carbed 5.8Ls and neither have I looked into one but I do know Summit racing knows carbs pretty well.
I am not sure on your second question but I believe it is do able. You could always keep the shifter and the floor shifter then really confuse people LOL. Just joking I believe swapping it is possible but it may be easier just finding a tilt manual column at a junk yard.
The 3rd question I have absolutely no idea on but the 4th and 5th I am not sure what you are asking exactly.
Trav

 

If the 351W in your truck is the HO version, it will have the duraspark11 igniton...If it is the original engine in that truck, the VIN # will have the Letter (H) for the engine...

All of the HO versions had the duraspark11...

If you have and use the duraspark11, If you change to the 460, just plug and play...no big hassles....Good Luck... .Trav.

 

well, today i pulled the dash and the steering column and pedal assembly from the blue truck also got the drivers side door paneel off, ggonna be time to tear into the grey truck here soon
really wasnt difficult at all, we decided we are just gonna use the non tilt column from the manual truck less hassle that way.
and also went and picked up and brought the frame and brackets home from blaster, planning on getting everything painted thursday

 

Looking good so far matt.
Trav