The Official PSA Duramax gets Built Ford Tough!

[HotRodTractor]

I want to start off this thread by saying that I play around with all brands of trucks - each has its own unique qualities that make them better than or worse than their competition. I'm know a whole lot better in the Power Stroke world and am even a moderator on one of the forums - the forum where this thread was started nearly two months ago. I'm bringing it over here to get some more eyes on it and just to get some impressions from a different forum where I don't normally do a lot of posting. The truck has MPI compounds, Danville modified VGT, FASS lift pump, Spearco IC, and some EFILive tuning. It has been and will continue to be my tow truck for my 36' gooseneck trailer.

Link to original thread: http://powerstrokearmy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11749

The time has come for me to correct GM's major failure with their Silverado HD truck line - the crappy IFS front end. My solution: an '05 Superduty Dana 60 front axle, 4 link suspension, Icon coilovers, a Ford NP273 transfer case - plus some additional changes like 7" lift, a Dodge AAM 11.5 rear axle (larger and thicker tubes than the Chevy version), plus some cosmetic upgrades to get rid of the pappy farm truck look.

As it sits:

Four link parts supplied by XXX Traction:

Rear Axle:

Front axle (and a bunch of random junk):

Not pictured is the hydro assist steering components, the new skid plate, and who knows how many little doo dads and widgets. Bryan (01Dmax) is doing me a huge favor and stripping the front end apart while I am at work - so hopefully I'll be plasma cutting brackets off the truck tonight.

This is an upgrade that is being done out of necessity - I've plum wore out the IFS components taking it "easy" on this truck - I'm tired of taking it easy and to repair the IFS with all new joints everywhere just to take it easy on them again was not appealing to me.

 

[HotRodTractor]

Front end components removed:

A plasma cutter and a whole lot of grinding... and I was off to start mocking up the coil towers:

Skid of wore out junk:

ARB front axle install, PSC Hydro assist mock-up, and just generally refreshing the front axle:

Burning in some mounting brackets on the frame for the new skid plate:

New skid plate... had paint issues.... it looks much better now:

 

[HotRodTractor]

Test fitting skid plate:

Mocking up the Icon coil overs:

More mock up:

 

[HotRodTractor]

Then there was the initial look at it sitting on the ground on all fours.... the rear just mocked in place:

Then off came the bed for some finalization out back... relocating the batteries, adding on board air, air bags, sway bar, etc...

Then..... like all 2006 trucks.... LOL I took it to the bare frame!

While it was down that far - I did some upgrades under the hood as well. With some assistance from Mark at Danville - I had a plan for bigger compounds, more fuel, and hopefully keeping it alive on a stock bottom end (for a while.... lol).

Also tossed in there was a 10mm Exergy pump, 60 over sticks, headstuds, reworked the heads (valve guides shot), etc...

I played around with polishing the fuel lines and rails..... don't bother they rust quick when done like this.... next times its apart I'll get them chromed:

 

[03badmaxxx]

looks nasty !!! :thumb:

 

[TeaBagger2006]

looks like its going to be a sweeeeet truck

 

[Ryan T]

I like the front shock towers, nicely done!! :thumb:looks good !!

 

[o4dirtymax]

That's sick. Nice work

 

[DIESELMAFIAPER.LB7]

wow that looks sick:thumb:

 

[04D_MAX]

sweet:thumb:

 

[catman3126]

subd

 

[durtymax]

Very nice!!

 

[DieselmafiaLLY]

looks nice

 

[Kspen90]

Sub

 

[HotRodTractor]

Somewhere in there along the way I test fit the NP273 tcase:

Frame and a whole lot of parts got painted.... then reassembly started:

A mock up of the new SS grill and clear headlights - aftermarket SS bumper cover on the way:

 

[HotRodTractor]

I'll fill in some details on everything as time goes along - but I wanted to give a broad brush stroke of what the project is and what its about.... its almost finished for this round - just a few more details to button up before I can test drive it - but here is it firing up for the first time and a quick walk around - better video and pictures to come when things get all buttoned up in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for all the support - I've been a lurker on here for a long time with very few posts - but I figured this project might change that a little bit.

[YOUTUBE]__3YznIAPvk[/YOUTUBE]

 

[z79outlaw]

Looks good man I can't believe how rusty that frame was though that b&w looks like it was in a salt bath.

 

[nmeyer414]

subd

 

[bartman432]

This is such a bitchin project HotRodTractor. How much time do you have in it?

 

[HotRodTractor]

This is such a bitchin project HotRodTractor. How much time do you have in it?

More time than I care to admit. LOL

I drove the truck into the shop in January of 2012 with the intention that I would drive it out in 8 weeks. :roflmao: I probably could have met my goal - but I wouldn't have been happy with it. Knowing what I know now I would have proceeded much differently and probably would have been done by now and saved some money and headache in the process. A project like this is not for everyone - that is for sure.