Anybody think with serious modification that the LS AC compressor can fit in the GMT400 chassis? I was looking today and I think if I come up with another mount for the right side of the front axle I think I can cut out enough frame to box it back in and fit the LS AC compressor. I would have to make an engine mount from scratch for the right side as well as a custom axle mount, but I have done it before. Anybody else ever looked in to this? I boxed in the frame on my S10 and made it fit and I figure I am going to have between 250-450 in a different AC setup, I may have time in this but in materials steel etc I wont have more than a few bucks.
Thoughts?

I've been wondering about this too, as in what it takes to notch the GMT400 frame for the LS stock AC compressor location. I've not been able to find any pics of someone who has done this to get an idea of how much needs to be removed and how one goes about boxing it back in, but I would like to see it. I think I would prefer this as opposed to using an aftermarket bracket and custom lines to mount it high up on the engine.

I have never seen an LS engine in a GM400 truck. I know for some vehicles they moved the A/C compressor. The only one I saw swapped was the one on TV on Extreme 4X4. They put a 5.3L in a rock crawler then put a turbo on it. Take pictures if you cut and box frame.

http://www.pacificp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9134&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Check out this thread.

http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/lsx-truck-conversions/39713-5-3-swap-into-97-c1500-rcsb.html

Here is another one to look at.

I have done at least 3 LS swapps in GMT 400 trucks, but all have used some other type of AC setup. I would like to make the AC pump fit and I think this is the time to finally try it. when I get started I will make sure to take a bunch of pics.

This has been my main hold up as well. I have looked into it and it has been done, well I saw pictures. I will see if I can go back and find them again. IIRC they use the truck setup with the Alt and PS over on the left side of the engine. Apparently there are several different AC mounting brackets and compressors used. One is narrower than the rest and fits in without frame modification. IIRC the only modification was to machine in an extra grove on the crank pulley so the belt would line up. As I type this I think the AC mount and compressor was an Fbody type and that was the reason to machine in the grove on the pulley.

I think it can be done without having to modify the frame or motor mounts.

TJ

98Blackss wrote:

This has been my main hold up as well. I have looked into it and it has been done, well I saw pictures. I will see if I can go back and find them again. IIRC they use the truck setup with the Alt and PS over on the left side of the engine. Apparently there are several different AC mounting brackets and compressors used. One is narrower than the rest and fits in without frame modification. IIRC the only modification was to machine in an extra grove on the crank pulley so the belt would line up. As I type this I think the AC mount and compressor was an Fbody type and that was the reason to machine in the grove on the pulley.

I think it can be done without having to modify the frame or motor mounts.

TJ

Would DEFINITELY be interested in seeing that if you can locate the info.

Here is a new thread I ran across... Not the one I was thinking of ans this one is detailing in a 73-87 generation...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=445662

TJ

still looking.... It was a white truck and had shots of the accessory drive. I remember the Ah Ha moment, why I didnt I bookmark them????

TJ

I'm pretty sure I've seen this done in a 2WD GMT400 truck before. Keep in mind there are a few variants of the gen III AC compressor and accessory brackets. The corvette setup might make this a lot easier than the truck setup, for example.

In any case, I don't see how it's worth the effort when we now have inexpensive relocation kits available.

I know there are kits avail, but this is a budget project, and i also have 3 LS truck AC compressors and no other ones to use with a relocation bracket. I just bought the KWIK AC setup for a friends project and it was a nice setup but by the time I bought the bracket kit and a pump and a new belt and tensioner I had well over $500 invested. thats over half what I paid for a complete 5.3 lift out. I figure I have a welder and steel laying around and I need to work quite a few hours to come up with 500 so even if I have 20-30 hours in to fab time then I will still be ahead. and then I can also say I have done it and that it can be done.

Ok I think I found it again. These were not the pictues I recall seeing but its the same build. Notice that its a GMT400 2wheel drive and has the stock AC mounted. The truck has an 02 WS6 LS1 with a 5.3 A/C compressor.

TJ

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7230

98Blackss wrote:

Ok I think I found it again. These were not the pictues I recall seeing but its the same build. Notice that its a GMT400 2wheel drive and has the stock AC mounted. The truck has an 02 WS6 LS1 with a 5.3 A/C compressor.

TJ

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7230

That would look nice in my truck.

What do you need for making this swap, Just incase I change my mind. After reading more on the LS engines, there are more parts available. I would put an LS7 in my truck, If the compression wasn't that high.

Cool, Im knew it could be done, now to try it in a 4x4 vehicle. I wish he had a build thread some place.

Lot of build threads here, but a lot of the pictures are blocked here at work so I can't see everything. Maybe you can find something that helps.
http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/projects-gallery-189/

There's tons of them!!!


http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/projects-gallery-189/6-0-swap-3-a-501009/

http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/projects-gallery-189/GMT400-97-z71-05-5-3-radix-swap-455832/page3/

Found them! These go with the pics I posted earlier. It looks like he is using the fbody accessory drive but the truck AC ompressor. See post #59 if you go to the link below. Its on LS1tech. The guy is WS6Truck.

TJ

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/858611-whats-up-ac-hope-you-have-answers-3.html











Last edited by 98Blackss on Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:33 am; edited 1 time in total

I cant get the images to work properly, it must be too late, but if you copy the link into your browser it will take you to them!
TJ

98Blackss wrote:

I cant get the images to work properly, it must be too late, but if you copy the link into your browser it will take you to them!
TJ

Remove everything between .jpg and the [/img] code, and they will work.

Well I did it. I will see how it holds up. it took me betwee 25 and 30 hours includig cleaning and painting. I have $20 in the poly rubbers and the rest of the metal I had layig around. as usual I am not good at keeping up on pics but here are some of the progress.