54 Duramax build
 

I'm about done with my 54 so I thought Id share with everybody my progress on this thing. I started looking for a 47-54 truck about a year ago with intentions of doing an LS swap and taking it on the 2016 Hot Rod Power Tour. The plan got a little off track but it'll still be on the power tour come this June. I found this one locally (west texas) and its been a west texas truck its entire life so rust was almost none, cab corners, floor pans, all in great shape. Here it is the day I drug it home
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...E84F03081E.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...DF5936E7E0.jpg
I immediately started tearing the factory drivetrain out
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...EA890F19_1.jpg
In the middle of planning the LS swap an 07 LBZ Duramax/ Allison pullout popped up on CL locally for a price that I couldn't pass up. So I snagged it with no idea if it could be made to fit. But I figured it was worth a shot.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...FDC03E4F_1.jpg
I got it tore down the the frame
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...05D4F2D0_1.jpg
I called Heidts and talked to them about the added weight of the diesel drivetrain and ended up ordering the MII front and 4 link rear setup from them.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...8170DF61_2.jpg
I boxed the frame while I had everything off.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...1F189AF2_1.jpg
Then it was time to see if the duramax could be made to fit.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...29612105_1.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...4B7C557D_1.jpg
Got the cab on and started test fitting inner fenders, radiator, etc.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...A1FB42F9_1.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...5496B229_1.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...BCB44E88_1.jpg
I had to trim the drivers side inner fender to make room for the power steering pump pulley, but other than that it fit nice and snug everywhere, everything is almost touching everything else, but that's ok. I obviously had to cut the cab to make room for the Allison
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...EA7340B0_1.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...524C994_10.jpg
The outside will be left as is, I love the Patina on this truck but I wanted the interior nice so I got started on that.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...6116C734_1.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...917E9AED_8.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...3C56DDC_16.jpg
So the truck likes this currently
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...B4BD880_21.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...53785C5C79.jpg
It starts and runs, I've driven it around the block a few times. Gotta get the windshield put in and then I'll venture off to further parts of town to work out any bugs that might pop up. It seems this is sure an abbreviated version of how the truck got to where it is but hopefully its a good shortened version, lol.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...B49B72CC9A.mp4

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Welcome, and wow! That was a short summary. You have a very cool truck and hopefully you can make HRPT this year.

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Awesome

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Thanks guys, I feel like I could do an entire thread on everything from the wiring to the steering but figured Id leave all those details out. I've got hundreds of pictures of just about every step of the way but didn't feel the need to bore everybody with all that. Most of you guys have done all that already and probably did a better job than I did.
This thing will make the HRPT for sure, I need to order gauges and the vintage air setup and then it'll be ready. The only concern I have is about the radiator being a bit to small, but time will tell on that, if it is our Texas heat will bring that issue up for sure.

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Nice project AJ. I have a '54 and a duramax but I won't be putting them together. When you get the windshield in and hit I20, be careful the backend don't try to come around to the front so maybe you better keep several hundred pounds of sand in the bed to keep it straight. Again, nice project. Clay

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

AJ, wouldn't be boring at all. Even if any of has "done that" before, we can learn a different and often better way. Besides, looking over a build sure beats watching TV!

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Awesome looking truck!!

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Cool project.
I like the details so would be interested in any further information you care to post.

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Well the first major hurdle that almost sidelined the entire project was the fact that this motor and trans came out of a 4wd truck, so the trans needed to be converted from 4wd to 2wd, doesn't sound to bad just typing it out. I did some research on the duramax forums, didn't find a lot, but enough to jump in and try to tackle it, I found out quickly I was probably in over my head, on top of the known tailhousing section and output shaft there was reluctor rings and spacers and snap rings that all their own special place. I believe I finally got it all together correctly, it does seem to shift just fine but I worry about that still.
In an effort to give this radiator its best shot at keeping this thing cool I wanted to keep as much heat away from in front of it as I could, so I did a remote mount trans cooler under the bed with its own fan and used -10 hose to plumb it all up.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...EACDC462_1.jpg

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Here's a few pics of kinda how the motor sits in there, these were taken during mock up obviously but that's exactly how it ended up sitting. The downpipe went on the turbo just fine with enough room to slide atleast one piece of paper between it and the cab, lol. The duramax from the factory has a huge fan/fan clutch setup, well there was no way that was gonna fit, but it looks like the fan clutch plays a role in holding on the water pump pulley when its installed, so I took the plasma cutter and hacked up the fan clutch just to get the snout off of it so I could screw it back onto the pulley and hold that thing in place. You can kinda see it in one of the pics I posted earlier, its ofcourse centered up with the electric fan motor perfectly and wouldn't allow the radiator/fan to be installed so I had move the electric fan up and over on the shroud to make that all fit.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...178EC104_2.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...BA1CE0BC_2.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...4B0D7D94_2.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...B2051FB3_2.jpg

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

If anybody is curious what a duramax standalone harness looks like, here it is, 7 keyed hots and 4 constant hots. It was surprising how simple it was really to wire up. All I can compare it to was a few LS swaps, but id say it was easier in terms of wiring than LS stuff. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...32DF47A647.jpg

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Anybody ever seen one of these? I found it under the seat. I'm not sure if you will be able to read the small print but its basically a tire inflator, you unscrew a spark plug and screw this thing into the spark plug hole and use the motor to air up your tire! Why do we not have stuff like this still?!?
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...9E556DDBC3.jpg

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Fantastic job. Knowing how I put my diesel in my '52 I would love to hear and see more details. Heck What else are you going to do with the hundreds of pictures you took?!

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

[QUOTE=_AJ_;7483491]Anybody ever seen one of these? I found it under the seat. I'm not sure if you will be able to read the small print but its basically a tire inflator, you unscrew a spark plug and screw this thing into the spark plug hole and use the motor to air up your tire! Why do we not have stuff like this still?!?

We don't use this kind of thing any more because most ppl don't even know where there spark plugs are or look like.

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

I've read through your build thread, you've done an awesome job man. That's gonna be a sweet 52 when its all said and done.

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Too cool!

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Cool build. I'm very interested in thee diesel swaps,

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Great build.

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

What did you use for the trans tunnel?

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Hot-Rat-Street...134?nav=SEARCH

I used this one, I took the back part of the tunnel and cut it off, then used that part to finish the front against the firewall. Worked out great for my truck. I mounted my shifter on top of it and it's plenty sturdy.

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Great work. Love that beefy trans crossmember. Should keep frame flex to a minimum with all the added torque.

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Well I finally got enough bugs worked out that I decided to hit up the Lone Star Roundup in Austin, Texas. It's about a 5 hour drive from where I live. The wife and I left out Thursday with a group from here and headed for Austin.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...BCAB066F92.jpg
Didn't have any issues getting there. I stayed with my brother who lives in the area, checked over a few things Thursday evening, all seemed well so we hung out at the show Friday and Saturday.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...BBD4071A45.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...8A8B86D3CB.jpg
Had a great time at the show, saw more cool cars/ trucks than you could count and then came home home this morning. Took a few pics on the route home. All in all we drove 940 trouble free miles.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...A0FB500341.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...CF6B5120E6.jpg

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Wow congrats on the trip. You must be so happy.

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

I'll see you on the Power Tour, assuming I finish mine. Your Dirtymax install fits a lot better than my 12-V Cummins! I stayed with a heavy frame and suspension (1999 Ram 2500), and I'm doing a lot of spit and polish on mine, and piling on a lot of options so all of that is slowing my down but I'm putting in the hours to finish by HRPT.

Re: 54 Duramax build
 

Super cool. :metal: