Playing With The Dump Runner - Why I Bought This Total Rust Bucket

What started as a simple engine swap for my rusty old dump-runner turned into months of unexpected problems, upgrades, tuning, dyno sessions, fires, broken parts, and finally a trip down the drag strip. This 2007 GMC work truck was burning coolant, filling the crankcase with antifreeze, and was headed for the scrapyard. Instead, we pulled the tired 4.8L, built a budget 6.0L LQ4, swapped in a 4L80E, lowered the truck, tuned it on the dyno, and tested it at the track to see what this junkyard project could really do. Along the way we dealt with spun bearings, failed oil pressure sensors, injector limitations, melted wiring, exhaust issues, and more. In the end, the old rust bucket surprised us. Timestamps 0:00 The Rusty Dump Runner 0:48 Coolant in the Oil 2:34 Engine Swap Plans Change 3:22 Building a Budget 6.0L LQ4 4:22 Lowering the Truck 5:34 Exhaust Upgrade Ideas 6:08 Underneath Inspection & Engine Removal 10:42 Differential Upgrades 12:24 Engine Installation Complete 13:20 Tuning Rant & Drivability Issues 15:11 First Oil Change Inspection 21:49 Checking the Rebuild 25:07 Dyno Tuning Begins 28:01 Snowstorm Tuning Session 30:38 Engine Bay Fire! 33:14 Injector Problems on the Dyno 35:36 Another Failed Oil Pressure Sensor 37:00 First Track Test 38:05 Dyno Results & Future Plans 39:39 Quarter Mile Results This truck may be rough around the edges, but it's proof that you can build something fun without spending a fortune. Let us know what you'd do differently and what upgrades you'd like to see next! #GMCTruck #LQ4 #4L80E #EngineSwap #DynoTuning #DragRacing #BudgetBuild #ProjectTruck #LSSwap #TruckBuild #prairiewingsperformance #JunkyardBuild #CarProjects #Horsepower #QuarterMile for inquiries email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram - prairie_wings_performance