88 FJ62-Vortec 5.3L Re-Power & more....VIDEO ADDED

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THe frame will have sliders welded to it for one thing so it will have to be ground out, welded and then painted again. Finding a good powder coater is also an issue. If it has any breaks at all moisture can wick up under it and do a lot of damage before you even realize there is an issue.
 
THe frame will have sliders welded to it for one thing so it will have to be ground out, welded and then painted again. Finding a good powder coater is also an issue. If it has any breaks at all moisture can wick up under it and do a lot of damage before you even realize there is an issue.
 
This is the driver side firewall body mount on the 88 FJ62 that is getting a Vortec and frame swap. Judging by the custom Z bend I'd say this truck was smacked pretty hard. Body and suspension is now coming off the old frame.

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Another body comes off the frame. That makes 3. Now all the components have to be swapped over to the new/old frame.

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I want to give a big shout out to Vic at Advanced Adapters. I ordered two adapter kits for the Vortec swaps a few weeks back an was told that the spud shaft that is part of the kit was out of stock and due to two huge orders for Atlas T-cases the production lines were tied up and the spud shafts were not to be produced until mid/late Sept, BUMMER!!! Well Vic started digging and uncovered that the very exact spud shaft is used in a different kit under a different part number. Thanks to Vic my two adapter kits are on the way. Thank you Vic.
 
I kept seeing a drip coming off the right rear body seam just behind the mud flap, not even enough to make a puddle. This lasted three days, weird, so I pulled the rubber plug and over a gallon of clean water came out. Owner garages the rig so the water entered since here. Finding this leak should be fun.

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NCFJ said:
I want to give a big shout out to Vic at Advanced Adapters. I ordered two adapter kits for the Vortec swaps a few weeks back an was told that the spud shaft that is part of the kit was out of stock and due to two huge orders for Atlas T-cases the production lines were tied up and the spud shafts were not to be produced until mid/late Sept, BUMMER!!! Well Vic started digging and uncovered that the very exact spud shaft is used in a different kit under a different part number. Thanks to Vic my two adapter kits are on the way. Thank you Vic.
Click to expand...

I'm having the same issue, but am not dealing with Vic. Do you know what the other kit is?
 
NCFJ said:
I kept seeing a drip coming off the right rear body seam just behind the mud flap, not even enough to make a puddle. This lasted three days, weird, so I pulled the rubber plug and over a gallon of clean water came out. Owner garages the rig so the water entered since here. Finding this leak should be fun.
Click to expand...
Ah, the old "use the inner fender for a beer cooler" melted ice syndrome.....
 
It is a roller again!! The new frame is ready to go under the truck when the new body mounts arrive.

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You did drop off a clean cruiser, body and interior are in great shape. The frame damage was a surprise but has been handled.
You are too kind.
 
You do some fine work Stan :beer:
 
Thank you for the kind words Richard. This particular swap has grown to a much bigger project than either the owner or myself had imagined. There are always little issues that arise when doing a major drive train swap on a 20+ year old vehicle but they are generally along the lines of rust induced issues. Replacing the frame pretty much has a life of it's own as every nut and bolt attached to the frame must be removed in order to make it happen. As many of us know, at this point the phrase "While you're in there" becomes a mantra.

The question becomes, where do you draw the line. Fortunately for the owner of this rig, his suspension is relatively new so expense was spared there. So far a blown wheel cylinder, sway bar bushings and some hardware have been all that has been found aside from the frame damage. I am thinking a new frame is more than enough for most of us to add to a Vortec swap.

One of the first things I tell every swap customer is that I will be in the "Bad news, shoot the messenger" at some point during the build so expect the call. It is near impossible not to uncover other issues while doing the job. More often than not it is suspension and drive line related such as blown shocks, axles needing rebuild or neglected brake service.
 
A little adapter porn :)

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