Straight axle duramax build
 

This may be frowned upon by there's no section for me and my 09 duramax. I guess I'll just post it here in the 99-06 area.

I bought this truck a few years back with the intent I was done with lifted trucks and wanted a "grandpa truck". I think I nailed it cause it was a stock truck. Within a few months I did an emissions delete and tuner, leveling kit and 33s. After driving it almost 2 years now I'm starting to get bored with it. I decided I'd spark our relationship again and I would do the 6" lift and 35s. After sleeping on it a few nights I decided I wanted something different, something not seen everyday. The next day I made a call to american force and in a few weeks had a set of forged 22x12 wheels. In my internet searching I came across a company name wfo concepts specializing in off-road builds and more importantly gm straight axle kits. I'm currently in the works of figuring out what all I need from them to get the project going.

The truck:

2009 gmc sierra 2500hd
6.6 liter duramax with the Allison 1000 tranny
Emissions deleted with a ppe race tuner with 4" mbrp exhaust

Plans:

Wfo 4 linked straight axle conversion using a super duty Dana 60

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Here's the truck. This is the night I put the cab lights on it

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

I also did a front end change on it. Here's the 07.5-10 front end

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

And here's the 11-14 front end I put on. Between new take off stuff on craigslist and ebay I did this conversion very cheap. Put a new bumper with the cap and lower valance, grille, emblem and fog lights

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

And here's what it does best, tow the other pride and joy around

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

The 22x12 american force jade wheels. I plan to run 37" nitto trail grapplers

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Here's the crossmember with 4 link

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Killer! I'm in!

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

I am in! I love SAS on new trucks!

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Thanks guys I'm getting excited. Still collecting parts as I can

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Got tires today. 37x13.50r22 toyo mts. I was really wanting to go with nittos this time but they were on back order with no eta. I've had vibration problems with almost every set of toyos I've had so I have my fingers crossed

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Also found a killer deal on a new ford hub on eBay so I'm 1/2. Ford hubs go for 400-500 each! That was one thing I never considered or budgeted for. Looking to get another this week and need to have them drilled to 8 on 6.5.

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Scott, that's a killer build you're doing. I love it! Those wheels are pretty sweet. Did you have a hard time trying to find an 05 up Ford 60?

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Thankyou. I came across the axle on local craigslist. It was the only one at the time and the only one since then. I assume since there still pretty new there fairly hard to come by. There is also a kit that accepts the dodge AAM axle so I figured whichever axle between the two I found first I would get. I also lucked out by getting the right gear ratio.

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Got my cross member and links today. WFO concepts is who the kit came from. I figure this to be the port built of the 4x4 community. There service is excellent and the work is even better. The craftsmanship and pride is unmatched. Best part is made locally in California.

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Here's a portion of the 3 piece cross member. A little more weld porn for ya

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Straight on pic. You can see its in need of a lift

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Well I've sure been away from this one for awhile. I may of even forgot I started a build thread on this. Well good news the truck is on the road now. I worked on this start to finish about 6 months. Hope you guys like it and feel free to ask and questions you may have.

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

After de construction of the ifs I cleaned up my frame rails and plated them. Rather then going with a coil over I decided to use the factory ford bucket and lift springs

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Before and after of the dana 60. Rather then cleaning it had it blasted. I then rebuild everything on the exterior of the axles as well as new seals in the axle

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

With everything mached up I was able to locate the axle and set my caster. As well as build for my track bar, steering, and get all the frame mounts done

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Very cool, looking forward to more pics!

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Thanks buddy. The one thing about doing things yourself is you can put as many hours in as you want and it doesn't cost you anymore. With that said I don't know how many days after work I have into getting the coating off my frame. The way to do it is a torch a putty knife. It gets the stuff really soft then comes right off. After that I sanded it then primed and painted it. I think I've gotten more compliments on my frame then anything else. The frame is semi flat and I had everything else powder coated in gloss black

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

The piece you see is the new trans cross member but also holds the 4 link. WFO put in some serious R&D into this and it paid off

Re: Straight axle duramax build
 

Not much real Interesting up until this point. It would blow your mind how well this works together and it is very simple to change the suspension on these trucks. The sway bar you see is the factory sway bar with new end links. The abs splices right into the gm wires with no issues. I had the brake lines made to adapt to the ford brakes.