Lifted 77 Westy with 4.3l Vortec

[Tristessa]

.. how on EARTH did you pull that off?

[superwrench73]

No regrets on the 4.3 here. It is overkill though. You can definitely get by comfortably with less horsepower. Biggest thing that I found out from my experience of blowing out my stock second gear is to have chromoly gears installed in a beefed transaxle...or loosen your throttle cable so you can't nail it. The stock second gear only lasted about 50 miles, if that. The first time I put my foot into it after a quick shift, it was toast.

Finally some progress to report! After another home renovation, a three car garage construction project, and a new baby, I actually put aside some time to spray some paint. Told myself it would be two months, but it only took about 2 1/2 years. Should have the pop top painted and installed this weekend.




Bottom half is going to be a brighter yellow. With any luck, I'll have the rest painted by Christmas. At least I'll have it back on the road in the meantime.

[fastmc25]

Sweet... Can't wait to see the fresh paint on the rest .

I ended up ordering a GM Performance 3.4Liter Crate motor.. 40 more HP and a 3yr- 100,000mi warranty. I is a stroked 2.8 so all the external parts interchange... I Just fired it up a few minutes ago..... runs like a top ... I still need to do the final button up and initial oil change.

Come back when you can and give us some updates ....

[superwrench73]

Windshield in, top on, back glass in,...waiting on seals for the rest.

Good start to the 4th. Actually got to take it out this morning for what it's meant for....having fun in the great outdoors.



Mountain biking in the Wichita Mountains.

[bay_bay]

i am going the same route just picked up a 4.3 vortec but instead of lifting it
i wanna keep it lowered, would you have any pics of how low the pan sits?

[superwrench73]

It looks lower in the pic, but my oil pan sits about 2" below the bottom of the crossmember

[bay_bay]

thanks for the reference pic, now i can't wait to drop the 4.3 on my
bay and keep it low thanks again

[superwrench73]

You shouldn't pull this much weight with a bus....but I finally got to test its capabilities on a boat ramp.



It backed down a moderately steep boat ramp and pulled the boat right back out after we were done without a hitch. Rear tires spun very little. Keep your eyes out for me on World's Worst Drivers...someday it might pull me in the lake!

[fastmc25]

Wow.... Cool....... I don't think i'd have a power problem towing that but the tongue weight would have me worrying.... That boat is huge..

[panel]

The yellow and white theme almost match. Wheels almost too

[Aimsmall]

Wow, thats a cool bus! I've been having similar problems with my 4.3 powered baja and just came across your thread and started reading because I thought it was cool... Now I'm wondering if I have a bad PCM too lol.

[fastmc25]

You're making me want to put my lift back on Clyde.... I just got a new Plasma cutter and up to 3/4" steel is cut like butter .... I would need to get the improved axles though..

[Aimsmall]

I noticed in your avatar the bus looks painted now, can we get a few updated pics please?

[fastmc25]

I noticed in your avatar the bus looks painted now, can we get a few updated pics please?

That was a before pic ... He's only painted the white section recently...

[Aimsmall]

Oh yeah, I see that now. That bus is really cool.