I am just playing around with this idea.
Wondering about the feasability of swaping out my 5.3/4L60e with a Duramax/Allison.

Think my 02 half ton frame can handle the torque?
Obviously the rear axle will have to be swaped to a 14B and was planning to SAS in a 60.

Now one might say that it would be easier to just go buy a 3/4 ton Duramax but my truck is nearly paid off, I dont want another/new payment. Not including shipping, a good used, low milage Duramax can be found for around a grand, not including the tranny.

So tell me, am I off my rocker being stupid? Or can this be done with realitive ease?

Not including shipping, a good used, low milage Duramax can be found for around a grand, not including the tranny.

Where the hell are you finding duramax's for a grand.

If I could get them for a grand they would be in all of my rigs

well I just found this one on Ebay.
$700 to ship it
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GMC-DURAMAX-2005-LLY-COMPLETE-ENGINE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQitemZ2900 97202437QQrdZ1

well I just found this one on Ebay.
$700 to ship it
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GMC-DURAMAX-2005-LLY-COMPLETE-ENGINE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQitemZ2900 97202437QQrdZ1


And you think its going to sell for that price. My guess would be $3000.

And you think its going to sell for that price. My guess would be $3000.


I think I even low balled it.

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__W0QQBrand3d75b67ZDuramaxdb42f2c4QQPar tType8182f47ZEnginesComponentsbe8eb8dfQQEngineComp onentsPartType35243e15ZCompleteEnginesb14aae8aQQ_f xdZ1

I have a brother that wants some on to drop a dezel into his 1972 blazer, he has it the way he wants it except he realy wants to go dezel:D :D My advise do the swap if you really like the truck. If you are doing it just to keep from buying a new one, dont bother it will cost a lot more than you think:smokin: :smokin:

This swap is a bitch, buy the right truck to begin with, it will be much cheaper in the long run.

Rule #1 of engine swaps - never spend thousands & thousands of dollars attempting to achieve something that's not quite as good as something the factory built tons of.

If you want a late-model Chevy Duramax, just go buy one.

I'm just guessing here but I think it would be easier to buy a rolled/wrecked 2500HD and switch bodies. You can find one with lower miles for as low as $7500. That was for a reg cab long box 4wd. But really unless you just have more time and money than brains just sell your truck and buy a diesel. I've been trying to sell mine for under book for months and no one even calls:shaking: , so finding one for a pretty good deal from a desperate seller shouldn't be to hard.:D

This swap is a bitch, buy the right truck to begin with, it will be much cheaper in the long run.

X2

From what I have heard you will have one hell of a wiring problem. The duramax/allison is all electronics. You would probally have to use the t-case that came with the donor as well as the dash components to get it to work right.

X2

From what I have heard you will have one hell of a wiring problem. The duramax/allison is all electronics. You would probally have to use the t-case that came with the donor as well as the dash components to get it to work right.

X3

I've looked into details of how it works. At the very least you need the guages off of a duramax equipped truck because the ECU uses information from the guages. Plus all the wiring and then you have to find out how to mate the allison to your 205 or other case of choice (excluding factory options of course). Then after you figure out the connection between the allison and tcase, the allison requires a speed sensor on the output of the tcase to function correctly. The guys on Extreme4x4 managed this on their suburban gorilla build but it invovled a univeral mount kit and machining the rear output down to accept the speed sensor gear. Plus the 1/2 ton frame wont hold up to the torque of the motor for very long and you have to remember that you'll be significantly increasing the front weight of the vehicle. So you should probably look into heavier duty springs for the front and definantly better shocks. All in all if you choose to do it, its going to be a swap filled with little demons and countless headaches. But if you really want it then find a totaled truck that you can pull everything out of. :)

P.S. You still lovin that shakle flip? Any new changes to your wheelin truck?

P.S. You still lovin that shakle flip? Any new changes to your wheelin truck?

Yea shackle flip is great.
But it wont last.
I am going to be making the switch to Rocks and probably doing a 3/4 eliptical or going with what seems to be the ole stand by 4 link

as to the Desiel swap. I have been searching it out for a while on Google and have come to the conclusion that it will be a whole lot easier to just go buy a truck rather than go through all the heart ache. While I am sure I can get it done for probably cheaper, it seems that even if I were able to get it done cheaper than buying a good used 3/4 Duramax/Allsion combo, it would not be that much cheaper.
SO...for the sake of my sanity, I guess I will just do as you all sugest and take the easy route.
thanks for the input

if bolt in simplicity is what you're after, why not the 6.2/6.5? Or even a cummins 4bt from a step van? You could get these all with mechanical injection pumps and no wiring nightmares. Plus I think they'd be a better match for a half ton frame.

The duramax/ allison will not fit the 1500 frame and body easily you will need a 2'' or 3'' body lift and radiator and maybe front sheet metal. Not worth it! Not to mention axle up grades.

Just do a 6.0L or 408 stroker swap or sell it for a 3/4 ton if your stuck on a expensive diesel!

X3

I've looked into details of how it works. At the very least you need the guages off of a duramax equipped truck because the ECU uses information from the guages. Plus all the wiring and then you have to find out how to mate the allison to your 205 or other case of choice (excluding factory options of course). Then after you figure out the connection between the allison and tcase, the allison requires a speed sensor on the output of the tcase to function correctly. The guys on Extreme4x4 managed this on their suburban gorilla build but it invovled a univeral mount kit and machining the rear output down to accept the speed sensor gear. Plus the 1/2 ton frame wont hold up to the torque of the motor for very long and you have to remember that you'll be significantly increasing the front weight of the vehicle. So you should probably look into heavier duty springs for the front and definantly better shocks. All in all if you choose to do it, its going to be a swap filled with little demons and countless headaches. But if you really want it then find a totaled truck that you can pull everything out of. :)

P.S. You still lovin that shakle flip? Any new changes to your wheelin truck?

Not to hijack....but the speed sensor into the 205 was pretty easy...I took the output shaft and extension housing to the machine shop and a couple of hours and 150 bucks they gave it back to me finished...I did have to "turn" the speed sensor collor down about .120" to get the correct gap but man it worked sweet.

As for a swap......check out www.dieselplace.com there are a ton of oil burners over there and it's all about the D-Max

And you think its going to sell for that price. My guess would be $3000.

Damn your good! Looks like it went for $3100....with shipping of course as that needs to be factored into the deal.

why not the 6.2/6.5?

You ask why not those motors are only good for a boat anchor. Thats just my own opinion some nay have different opinion. In the past they had fuel system problems.