4x4 1971 K20 build

[Rednwhitec20]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

The real difference will be in the engine mounts. You will probably have to build your own engine mounts and cross member. I'm not really sure if anyone is manufacturing them for a GM 4wd swap. You shouldn't have to modify the fire wall either. You'd have a little more work doing the exhaust and getting the RH drop tcase set up if you use an allison than an LS swap. In the long run I wouldn't think it would be that much more difficult. You can get a harness reworked for the duramax just like the LS's, and if you got a donor truck you'd have everything you need to transfer to your truck. (Other than the RH drop tcase)

That doesn't sound too terrible. The main thing I'm worried about is wiring but I know plenty of people that could get it done if I can't, just may be a few more dollars.. In the long run I think it'd be worth it. I also plan on running a manual transmission instead of the Allison since I just got my floor pretty much done and I don't want a body lift. thanks by the way!!

[Rednwhitec20]

And money.. I'll probably stick a 6.2 Ls with a 5 speed manual or an automatic if I get a package deal.

[Rednwhitec20]

Axles hung

[Rednwhitec20]

I went and checked on how the body man is doing. He has one bedside looking mint. The other needs some massaging. Currently getting the bed floor patched. I have to get my fuel tank so he can get a fuel door put in the bedside.

[Dieselwrencher]

That's cool!

[Rednwhitec20]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

That's cool!

I hope it will be!

[1972K20]

Can't wait to see this.

[Rednwhitec20]

Originally Posted by 1972K20

Can't wait to see this.

Your telling me!

[Rednwhitec20]

My Duramax engine, harnesses, and coolers are coming in Friday! The guy doing my body work is moving pretty well. He has got the inner fenders and core support coated with a smoother bed liner. The fenders and hood are primed. The bed needs some little patch panels to remove some bad denting. And then it's ready for its sand and prime. The cab is about to be started. Super excited as I get to build my dream truck. Also my c20 "daily" is getting a 700r4! She's been off the road for a while after I blew the old th350. We've been so busy on the farm we just haven't got around to it.

[Dieselwrencher]

Awesome man! Good for you! The body work is looking great!

[Rednwhitec20]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Awesome man! Good for you! The body work is looking great!

Thanks. Yeah he's doing a pretty dang good job on it. Wanting to get the drivetrain stuck in so he can get my floor built to accommodate the Allison. Although I want a zf6 the Allison is available and cheaper but it'll also be faster

[1972K20]

I'm interested to see what's done to make the Allison fit. I've got an Allison as well that I will be using in my K30 build.

[Rednwhitec20]

Originally Posted by 1972K20

I'm interested to see what's done to make the Allison fit. I've got an Allison as well that I will be using in my K30 build.

That's one thing about this thread is I want to make it ver informational. I'm not going in to it blind but a lot of it we'll see as it goes.

[Rednwhitec20]

Got my duramax, Allison is getting picked up Sunday, front clip is assembled.

[Rednwhitec20]

Harness has been sent off, right now I'm gathering misc. engine parts that were taken off the truck when pulled. Also ordered an egr delete with a 3" down pipe. The bed is done pretty much. Just needs another coat.

[Rednwhitec20]

Harness is done and on its way back. Ecm and tcm are getting tuned and should be headed my way sometime this week. I tore down the engine and painted it. Waiting on a few parts to finish it up and we will be putting it in place. I'm wanting to get by with little to none frame notching but I also want to run a stock hood. I am not going to do a body lift either. I'm not too concerned about cutting my floor or a bit of my firewall up. We will se as we go. And yes the cab still needs aligned.

[Wide Open]

Awesome project!

[Rednwhitec20]

Originally Posted by Wide Open

Awesome project!

Thanks! Looks like you need to start a thread for your k10! The L92 was an option along with the 8.1. But the duramax has always been my dream! Things should start to pick up a little as we aren't seeing 3 digit temps and we won't have to wait on many parts.

[Wide Open]

Originally Posted by Rednwhitec20

Thanks! Looks like you need to start a thread for your k10! The L92 was an option along with the 8.1. But the duramax has always been my dream! Things should start to pick up a little as we aren't seeing 3 digit temps and we won't have to wait on many parts.

Depending on how your project goes I might just change my mind

[Rednwhitec20]

We will see. I'm really excited to see how she turns out! I haven't seen an l92 swap yet. Either way you can't go wrong! I'm trying to get my build to be very informational so others can do it as well!

[Wide Open]

I'm definitely interested to see how it turns out and how much work it takes along the way.
I thought about putting a 6.5TD in my truck because they have great fuel economy and ok power. I didn't put much consideration into a Duramax because I didn't think it would fit without a really big hammer so I'm very interested to see what you have to do on yours.

I already have the 6.2 and transmission from a previous project (2000 Silverado RCSB). Wiring that was a pain because of the two different protocols. It it was a beast when it was done. Putting it in my 72 should be a breeze compared to that.

[Rednwhitec20]

It shouldn't be too difficult for you then. The thing about a duramax is there isn't much support for swaps. Getting it to fit shouldn't be too difficult, it's just all the other stuff like the fuel filter and the extra cooler and such. But I think we can make it work. I'll keep my thread updated and I'll try to remember to let you know. I skipped my pita wiring and sent it off and had it custom made and my ecm and tcm tuned for my exact truck. And if you can, find a donor truck! I couldn't find one and bought my engine and trans separate and also my coolers and wiring separate. The little things forgotten add up really quick!

[Wide Open]

Originally Posted by Rednwhitec20

It shouldn't be too difficult for you then. The thing about a duramax is there isn't much support for swaps. Getting it to fit shouldn't be too difficult, it's just all the other stuff like the fuel filter and the extra cooler and such. But I think we can make it work. I'll keep my thread updated and I'll try to remember to let you know. I skipped my pita wiring and sent it off and had it custom made and my ecm and tcm tuned for my exact truck. And if you can, find a donor truck! I couldn't find one and bought my engine and trans separate and also my coolers and wiring separate. The little things forgotten add up really quick!

I've subscribed and will be following along. Best of luck with the project!

[Rednwhitec20]

Let me know how yours goes as well! Thanks

[Rednwhitec20]

Took the engine and trans over Monday night. He is finishing up the cab this week and the beast will be ready for the dmax. After we get it in all he has left to do is build the floor, get the intercooler and radiator modified into the core support and finish sanding, priming, and getting all the body lines to line up.