2wd Manual LS GM Trucks

I'm considering picking up (pun) one of these as a fun, somewhat economical desert and forest road cruiser. I figure a manual 2wd version will probably get similar MPG to a Ranger but with more power and a larger bed. Enough ground clearance and tire to ride comfortably on gravel roads. Thinking of putting a cap on the back and camping out of it as well.

So far I've inquired about mostly 1999+ as I'm hoping to get an LS motor.

I've been inspired by a local guy who's got a 1980 C10 that has been built to resemble a stadium truck. It's been dropped 2", has 31x10.50s on 10 and 12" wheels, and is otherwise stock. I'd love to mimic the idea but with a newer truck.

im failry sure that with the manual you will get either the 4.8l v8 or the 4.3 vortec v6

I do not think they came up a 5.3L and manual but I could be wrong. Should be easier to find one of these in 2WD as it will likely have no options. I believe they use the NV3500? but I am not positive. Other that that, easy to work on, parts are so cheap they are almost free, and will run well over 350K

In reply to tjbell:

Your assumptions are correct, only manual v8 was the 4.8 (not that bad, rev happy) and it was with the nv3500 trans.

Can I put 15" wheels on a newer truck?

How's the NV3500 trans for reliability and ratios?

Any easy ways to get better MPG or power out of the 4.8l LS?

In reply to PHeller:

Pretty much every trick that works on a 5.3 or 5.7 works on a 4.8. LS6 cam/intake/valve springs couldn't hurt.

a 5.3 to swap in place of the 4.8 is like $350 at any junkyard in the country... a 6.0 is about $1000...

either one is a direct bolt in swap as long as they are from about the same year range.

regarding the 15" wheels: i can't say that i've ever personally seen 15's on one of those trucks, but i have seen people selling 15" wheels on CL groups that claimed that they were on one of those trucks. wouldn't be that hard to find a 15" 6 lug wheel and see if it clears the brakes, but i think they went to a unitized front wheel bearing/hub on them which means they probably need a lot more backspacing than the older trucks did.

the nv3500 is fine. i have a high mile one behind a 454 and i am not easy on it. when it's empty i play and other times it pulls a trailer. no WOT clutch dumps or no lift shifts, but still not easy on it.

If they have the same brakes as the GMT900 trucks with the 13 inch rotors I don't think 15's will fit. My truck has factory 16's and you can't fit a pinky between the wheel and caliper.

I had a 99 Z71 with the 5.3L. It had disks front and rear, with 16" rims, I dont think they offered a 15" on those years and Im not sure it woul fit either

The 13" rotors started in 05. 16" min to clear the earlier 12" brake setup.

The 16" rims from the 88-98 trucks won't even fit on the 99+ trucks, so I don't think you will find 15s that fit.

FWIW, the clutch pedal assemblies for the 99+ trucks are selling on eBay for @$90. Add the $40 flywheel, a clutch kit, a master cylinder and line, and the nv3500 from a 4.3L S10 and you can convert a 99+ truck with a blown 4L60E to manual for @$750 in hardware plus a tune on the ecu.

There are a lot of 16inch wheel/tire combo's for these trucks (99 up), thanks to Chevy/GMC selling a lot of these trucks.

I have a 99 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 Ext Cab, with the 4.8V8 auto trans, and 3.42 gears. I average 15 mpg around town, 18 highway is about the norm with 21 being the highest. Has 270,000 miles. I added a Spectre cold air intake and Dynomax cat back exhaust-both picked up power.

I think your project idea sounds awesome. If you find one without the factory locking rear differential, I would add a Powertrax or something aftermarket.

My buddy swapped to a T56 in his, and he said tried to source all the factory manual stuff used, but had a hard time finding it in junkyards and even brand new it was pretty inexpensive.

A few people we knew also did the swap and used an aftermaket clutch line which greatly increased pedal effort, to the point one took out the T56 and swapped to a TH400.

So i recommend the factory GM lines, I think they were 120 new.

Here is a 4x4 99 V8 5speed

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/ctd/5070826571.html

In reply to TIGMOTORSPORTS:

I wish that I hadn't seen that...

Damn.

Weren't all the factory NBS manual trucks 4.8s? I've seen a few with 5.3s but they were swapped.