06 Tahoe body lbz chassis

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dylon333

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Dec 24, 2017
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Some of you probably read my other post, but I'm going to start this thread over as I've gone back to using the 06 Tahoe body.

Im wanting to build a duramax tahoe, with a 2500 chassis. Along with doing the "cat eye" front end swap. 6 in lift dropped down to 4 with 20x12s. I already own the Tahoe, and a crew cab lbz. Got a good deal on both vehicles and the wife loves the Tahoe and wants nothing to do with getting into a truck. But I need her into a diesel, we run on waste veg oil and she drives a lot! So the savings in fuel will be worth it to me, not to mention it'll be bad ass!

So here's what I know already, a single cab long bed frame matches the shape of the Tahoe as far as the front section middle section and rear hump, but the axle would need to be moved to go that route. But seeing as I have a crew cab short bed, I'm hoping I can cut the center section down and get every thing to line up. I built a single cab short bed Cummins a few years ago that I still hauled a gooseneck trailer with regularly so frame cutting ous nothing new to me.
I know I gotta mess with drive shafts, brake lines, tail light wiring and that stuff no biggie there.

Any ways, from what I can tell the wiring is pretty direct swap, gotta change the 4wd switches and I'm sure other things?? Maybe someone can help me answer that?

But what I don't know is, how well does the intercooler trans cooler, bigger radiator and condenser fit into the Tahoe core support? Think I'll be using the fuel tank out of an excursion it's supposed to fit in the rear frame and give me a 40 gallon tank, the fuel system is all custom due to the oil so no worries there. What about abs module, body module?? Seeing as the vins wouldn't match so I just need to reprogram them with right vin to match?

This needs to be done right, everything work, no warning lights no issues.

I'm going to keep this thread going so I can ask questions as time goes on. This is something I plan to start on this coming summer.

If I can figure out how to post pics I'll post some of what I'm starting with.

Thanks guys for any info I can get

Deff sticking with the 2500 chassis.
 
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dylon333

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Dec 24, 2017
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I looked through a bunch of those threads but didn't find much actual info. Most are only a few post long. But will keep looking tonight. You seem pretty sure of that, is there something I'm over looking on doing the frame swap? I just feel like the beefier frame rails, leaf spring suspension, 8 lug diffs will be better long term? Not arguing just trying to see what your thoughts are.
 
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LCAC_Man

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Aug 27, 2017
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go to the gmupfitter website and look in the body builder section and compare the drawings of the frames (particularly the elevations/contours) and how that will effect your ability to put body mounts where they need to be.
 
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dylon333

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Dec 24, 2017
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I don't think I'll have much of an issue as far as that goes from what I can tell and one guy I talked to about it. I don't have photo bucket account or anything so can't post the pics I have of the Tahoe body on 2500 frame
 
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dylon333

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Dec 24, 2017
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b3f626e2eef80660bf71330fcb71dfd0.jpg
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So this is a guy that I talked to that has done the swap. He used a sclb 2500 frame and moved the axle forward and cut rear frame shorter. And added 2 mounts


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LCAC_Man

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Aug 27, 2017
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Looks like he did a nice job with fab/install of the new body mounts and relocating the rear suspension mounting. Getting the spring mounts off without mangling them and relocating (so that they are square) is a fair amount of work. I don't mind the metal fab projects but lots of guys don't want anything to do with it..
There will be a lot of little time sucker stuff like sorting out parking brake cables, brake lines, fuel fill, etc..
 
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dylon333

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Dec 24, 2017
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Cutting torch the head and then knock them out with air hammer should come right off as far as the spring hangers go, if not they sell em. Brake lines are easy, parking brake cables will have to be custom but that ain't a big deal we have a company that can do that. I feel like the frame work will be the easy part. I'm more worried about how the other things I posted about


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LCAC_Man

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Aug 27, 2017
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swapping the "cateye" LBZ front clip would be the easiest, the 06-07 classic duramax silverados use a taller hood than the previous versions to allow for the bigger cooling stack. Stay with the truck UHFB and both the forward and rear light harnesses. Definitely incorporate a lift pump while you have the body off and access to all the wiring, kennedy's pump and harness (with the oil pressure switch) are a good investment. Other than just adding a few wires (tap shift, wait to start, coolant level, dedicated power for the TCM, etc...) your wiring should be pretty straight forward. I don't think Tahoes had rear a/c so you won't have to mess with that or the dual tank tuning crap that they do on the suburbans.
 
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dylon333

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Dec 24, 2017
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Go figure mine has rear air, I'm going to have lines made up. Local parts store can do that for me.

Part of the veg oil system it'll be getting a sump, two lift pumps two separate fuel filters. Basically two separate fuel systems that come into one right at the injection pump.

Any ideas on how to get the intercooler in there? Have torn it down yet to set what I've got.

It'll get studded and maybe a bigger turbo during the process too depending on funds


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LCAC_Man

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Aug 27, 2017
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There are a few ways to handle the dual a/c connection, just look through some of the duraburb builds and pick the one that works best for you.
If you use the truck front clip/core support then intercooler mounting is no issue..
 
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dylon333

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Dec 24, 2017
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Ahhh gotta change the core support!! Duh didn't even think about that



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dylon333

Member
Dec 24, 2017
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So your saying gotta lift the rear to match the front due to the diesel core support being taller I assume?

On a side note going to call insurance today and make sure I can get full coverage on this build.

And to really throw a wrench in my plans the wife thinks she might rather have a suburban for the added space***** sure Would Make Life Easier.... so Now I Gotta regroup, But I Think I Might Stick To Tahoe just For The Cool Factor


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LCAC_Man

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Aug 27, 2017
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you would only need that body lift if you stayed with the tahoe frame...since you are using the truck frame those elevations are already built in..
 
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