So my father is the typical father figure I'm sure must of us grew up with... (Straight pipe your truck and you're wasting your money on your truck type) So I was totally surprised last week when he came down to the shop with a proposal. His favorite grain truck (first tandem he'd ever bought 1974 Chevy c-65 427 5+4) has been needing overhauled for several years now. And instead of rebuilding the 427 gas, he wants to do a dmax/Allison swap. But not only just a swap he said only way he will do it is if we also put compounds on it lol! Just so happens I have an lbz engine and 6 speed sitting here along with complete wiring harness's from the truck engine and trans came from which I was gunna use for my 97. But initial plan is to swap in the lbz/6 speed Allison, triple disk converter, rebuild with new factory clutches and upgrade hydraulics. Then couple the 4 speed behind the Allison. Then for the engine just do a 75/stock. He wants to keep vgt so we can utilize turbo brake. Keep engine around 400/450 hp.
First thought was the Allison 1000 wouldn't hold up. But the more I thought about it, I didn't see why I couldn't. The 5+4 transmissions held up with a measly 12" dual disk clutch. since they were splitting the load and held a 230hp engine hauling 50,000#.
The Allison has held trucks making over 1000 hp and matching torque numbers. I've never seen an automatic coupled with a manual trans either so that will so be interesting. Around the farm we will leave it in 2nd and just let the Allison do its thing. Then as we go to town we will work the 4 speed to get taller gears.
The 5 speed measures 28" from bell housing to tailshaft, all my 4x4 allisons measure 30 from converter housing to rear of 4x4 adapter. The drive shaft connecting the 5 speed and 4 speed is 48" long so that shouldn't be a problem since a custom shaft will need to be made anyways.
Should be a fun truck, conversation piece and maybe get us a spot in a magazine
First thought was the Allison 1000 wouldn't hold up. But the more I thought about it, I didn't see why I couldn't. The 5+4 transmissions held up with a measly 12" dual disk clutch. since they were splitting the load and held a 230hp engine hauling 50,000#.
The Allison has held trucks making over 1000 hp and matching torque numbers. I've never seen an automatic coupled with a manual trans either so that will so be interesting. Around the farm we will leave it in 2nd and just let the Allison do its thing. Then as we go to town we will work the 4 speed to get taller gears.
The 5 speed measures 28" from bell housing to tailshaft, all my 4x4 allisons measure 30 from converter housing to rear of 4x4 adapter. The drive shaft connecting the 5 speed and 4 speed is 48" long so that shouldn't be a problem since a custom shaft will need to be made anyways.
Should be a fun truck, conversation piece and maybe get us a spot in a magazine
