Has anyone actually put a duramax in?

[RCKSTR]

Im sorely tempted to do this myself. I have seen the conversions done by preditor etc, but the prices are outrageous and I have a donor truck. The mechanical part of the swap is straight forward, but I hear the firewall needs to be recessed.. any truth to this? Any other major headaches or hurdles that come with the swap?

[Rene S. Nielsen]

Just make sure that you do a full description with pictures to put on this forum

But I would guess that there might be some computer (BCM) issues. Just a guess since I don't know very much about this. (see first paragraph)

Go for it

Rene

[RCKSTR]

I am well prepared for the wiring and ECM/BCM issues, as well as driveshafts, exhaust, transfercase and tranny, intercooler and rad, intercooler piping etc. The unknown for me is the firewall clearance and the transmission tunnel clearance.. I hear they may need some massaging... You bet when I get it started there will be a full thread with detailed pics!

[timgco]

...and a 2.5" body lift. There is a local guy that has the conversion done. I think he had his done in KS for around 28K otd with power upgrades.

[RCKSTR]

all the ones i've seen do not have a body lift, Im assuming if I did a body lift, I would not need to clearance the firewall or tranny tunnel...might be a much better way of going, thanks for the idea

[IRA51]

the cost is the problem .

[RCKSTR]

Thats why Im going to do it myself. Will keep everyone updated, wont be starting for a while, going to try to plan it all out ahead of time so fewer headaches. If anyone thinks of anything in the meantime, let me know.

[HumminNBoatin']

I beg of you to lead the way so when Its my time I have a clue what I am doing.

[IRA51]

You will realy need to know what your doing . this is no easy swap and what you will need most is a boat load of money . it will also go over budget and take a lot longer than you figure . there is a very good reason GM did not make a D max H2 . if you have to have one no matter what it cost ,then go for it but it will be expensive as hell even if you do all the work yourself .

[RCKSTR]

Originally Posted by IRA51

You will realy need to know what your doing . this is no easy swap and what you will need most is a boat load of money . it will also go over budget and take a lot longer than you figure . there is a very good reason GM did not make a D max H2 . if you have to have one no matter what it cost ,then go for it but it will be expensive as hell even if you do all the work yourself .

A boat load of money huh? And how many of these have you personally done? Thats what I thought. IF you had read the whole thread, I have an entire donor truck. The only things that will need " a boat load of money" thrown at them are the new driveshafts, radiator, intercooler and piping. The reason the cost is so high on a swap is A) the cost of engine, trans, t case, computer, wiring harness, gauges etc.. and of course B) The rediculous labor rates. Im doing all the work myself, and got a donor for a really good deal. GM did not make a D max H2 because they knew they were going to loose the line so why invest a ton of money into R&D when it wasnt worth it? I love your negative attittude so keep your posts to yourself and go hit the golf course.

[HumminNBoatin']

[IRA51]

first off let me say I have more experiance in auto truck repair,mod's,and sales than most. I have been in the auto biz since 1972 spent 10 years as a factory GM tech at a Chevy dealer and now have my own used car lot for the last 20 years. I a'm a (ADEQ) emission inspector and have built more race cars and engins than you can count. In high school at the age of 16 I did a Crown conversion on my 1966 Corvair Corsa convertable with a 400 hp 355 I built my self ,it was my every day driver . I could go on and on ,but the point is while I have not done a Dmax H2 conversion I have bought and sold 3 (and made good money on them )and have driven them a good bit . I can tell you that I was not impressed with the trade off's and the price . the ballance and handeling suffers and while the power is great I would much prefer a supercharged 6.2 gas engine with a built trans. you do what you want ,and save every last receipt and log every hour you put in to it and than and only then will you know what the true cost in money and man hours it takes to do it right . FYI It won't matter the slightest to me if you do the conversion or not I was only trying to be helpfull and let you know what your in for . if ya wanta be a smart ass,come to Phoenix and do it in person .at 58 I can still out Sell,Wrench,F*ck,Fight,Party,and drive most people .

[RCKSTR]

. if ya wanta be a smart ass,come to Phoenix and do it in person .at 58 I can still out Sell,Wrench,F*ck,Fight,Party,and drive most people .[/quote]


At 26 6'4" 260lbs with 4 king of the cage fighting championships I can guarantee I can out ****, fight, party and drive you. You keep your selling/wrenching day job. It sounds lovely. Im not here to start a keyboard fight, as lame as this is. All im saying is people who dont have posotive or constructive comments can keep them to themselves.

[IRA51]

Being old sneaky and well armed I'm ready for anything any time . as far as my day job it's more of a hobby now ,I do it because I enjoy it . I do not have to work ,and haven't had to since 1999, I got mine . I can out drink most people and can out out drive most people ,and with Viagra can still get it done ,I would not be able to win a FAIR fight with a 26 year old 6.5 260 lb cage champ how ever ,so ya got me there

(if you realy are ). as I said B4 constructive or not most folks do not have the skill required to do the conversion them selves ,if you do great go for it . you should drive one first and decide if it is worth the time,cost and agrivation. not looking for a fight ,but ain't running and easy to find .