So ive been kicking around the idea of updating my trucks looks with a cheap body from a 2008. Right off the bat body mounts and gauge cluster/bcm compatibility with the lb7/zf6 come to mind as potential issues?
2008 body on 2002 lb7/zf6 2500hd chassis?
- Thread starter rickcdewitt
- Start date
Im thinking mounts should be pretty easy but the electronics might be a challenge if i have to go past swapping sensors and splicing at the firewall
I have a pretty nice shop and wouldnt be paying out for labor. What parts come to mind other than a 4000$ body?
As a side note I've recently put in new injectors,cp3,mahle headgaskets,arp studs,wetzel wheel in rebuilt and ported turbo,edge j/a(Efi live in the works),down pipe,4"exhaust,lml manifold,165 ad 4g,exhaust brake,lift bags and some stuff I'm probably forgeting.
I don't want to get rid of it just keep building it in a new direction. I thought about putting the drivetrain in my 72 k20 but i put a 2002 6.0/nv4500 in it last year before getting the diesel bug.
So anyways it's about the journey as much as anything for me.my friends tell me I'm not happy with a truck I'm not modifying:thumb: . The part that worried me is getting the cab to play nice with the ecm?
I don't want to get rid of it just keep building it in a new direction. I thought about putting the drivetrain in my 72 k20 but i put a 2002 6.0/nv4500 in it last year before getting the diesel bug.
So anyways it's about the journey as much as anything for me.my friends tell me I'm not happy with a truck I'm not modifying:thumb: . The part that worried me is getting the cab to play nice with the ecm?
My truck was a coastal truck so the body has a bit of rust. That's the motivating factor for a body swap.figured I could pretend I have a 30,000 dollar truck with a little elbow grease,lol.
Is the gmt900 sheet metal more rust prone or thinner?I do agree about the interior.
I have a brother up there near medford
Is the gmt900 sheet metal more rust prone or thinner?I do agree about the interior.
I have a brother up there near medford
It's a lot more than you think...there is very little in common. I take on some odd projects and I can tell you there's no way I'd do this for a pickup...you'd be miles better off buying an LLY or LBZ powered truck..
If you were building something that isn't otherwise available (duramax suburban or van) then it is at least justifiable.
All I have to say is if you want to do it, then do it. I would at least get 03 to 04 lb7 electronics because I think you could get it to talk to the body way easier than 01 02 electronics. I think but not sure they make talk over some of the same protocol. Ask Duratothemax and see what he has to say. I think there are pros and cons to the gmt 800 and 900 bodies. Having owned both, I like the 900 better. To each their own. I think if you want to do it, then try. This is how we all learn things.
Thanks everyone.definitely more to find out about what the gmt 900 cab needs to be happy.
Maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way but it seems like gauges/warning lights and a semi stand alone harness are the hardest parts to this? I don't mind dumbing it down to a diagnostic port and gauges. Lcac and others are there specifics that you find too challenging?
Also as far as a newer gmt 900 diesel- no zf6 and way too expensive. I have two spare lb7's to burn through when the current one is burned up. One also had updated bosch injectors done in the last 10,000 miles.
Maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way but it seems like gauges/warning lights and a semi stand alone harness are the hardest parts to this? I don't mind dumbing it down to a diagnostic port and gauges. Lcac and others are there specifics that you find too challenging?
Also as far as a newer gmt 900 diesel- no zf6 and way too expensive. I have two spare lb7's to burn through when the current one is burned up. One also had updated bosch injectors done in the last 10,000 miles.
I see your point.the cpu is generating the signals used by the gauges. I'm probably not lucky enough for voltage/resistance/pulse ranges to be the same.
Hmm gmt 800 gauges/dial motors? Lbz/lmm cpu with lb7 tune?
Hmm gmt 800 gauges/dial motors? Lbz/lmm cpu with lb7 tune?
nope.
putting the body on is the easy part, the rest is going to be extremely hard if you are not electronically inclined
No you can't flash an LB7 tuning calibration into any other ECM. I think you're going down a road that you shouldn't. You're better off buying a new truck as previously stated.
As a clarification an 03-4 gmc donor(i like the look)would be fine with me as well. Also there will be no gmt900 lbz/lmm in the driveway.lol. This is an exercise in what it would take to achieve the title of the thread.
I appreciate the opinions of those who know more than me but would appreciate their theoretical solutions to the problem at hand even more:thumb::baby:
I appreciate the opinions of those who know more than me but would appreciate their theoretical solutions to the problem at hand even more:thumb::baby:
Staying within the GMT-800 would be wise. Still not sure why you're staying in an LB7 most convert/upgrade to an LLY top end to get anyway from those garbage LB7 injectors.
I have three lb7 motors two have had updated injectors within 10,000 miles. When those are gone an lbz or lly is something to look at.
Anyone have links or other directions to learn about the electronics in these platforms? Thanks!
Anyone have links or other directions to learn about the electronics in these platforms? Thanks!
So i read this post by duratothemax https://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55510
It explains why it would be such a pia to do this swap
It explains why it would be such a pia to do this swap