Duramax in a Half Shell

D-MAX Mafia

D-MAX Mafia

Hood down, smoke up!
Nov 4, 2009
1,112
13
38
Phoenix
This would be a bad ass truck! If it was me I would do the 2500HD and back half the rear. Tube frame, 4 link on air bags or coil overs and a short bed. It would be much more work to swap all this over to a half ton. Better yet build a full tube frame from the front clip back. You would drop a lot of weight and be very rigid.
 
TrentNell

TrentNell

Finally underway !!!!!
Jul 7, 2008
7,543
0
0
44
slc tuah
D-MAX Mafia said:
This would be a bad ass truck! If it was me I would do the 2500HD and back half the rear. Tube frame, 4 link on air bags or coil overs and a short bed. It would be much more work to swap all this over to a half ton. Better yet build a full tube frame from the front clip back. You would drop a lot of weight and be very rigid.
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I already did the gutted 3/4 ton , mines pretty light ( 5500 lb ext cab ) , could be lighter with same concept and different design with some chromally , but i would like to be 4600 lbs ( lightest allowed per rule book for Pro street rule book ) and think the 1/2 ton chassis would do it , plus I could swap drive train with alooot less time than building custom chassis, this year I am choosing the easy route to go faster ....................... alot more HP :rofl: if that fails the torch is coming back out :D .
 
James Hess

James Hess

New member
Jun 9, 2008
45
0
0
40
Tucson AZ.
Yeah thats what ive been reading as long as you keep the doner and the truck its goin in close or same year its mostly plug and play on the harness aside from adding a couple wires that the gassers idnt have into the fuse box.
 
S

S Phinney

Active member
Aug 15, 2008
4,008
18
28
Quncy, Fl
TrentNell said:
I already did the gutted 3/4 ton , mines pretty light ( 5500 lb ext cab ) , could be lighter with same concept and different design with some chromally , but i would like to be 4600 lbs ( lightest allowed per rule book for Pro street rule book ) and think the 1/2 ton chassis would do it , plus I could swap drive train with alooot less time than building custom chassis, this year I am choosing the easy route to go faster ....................... alot more HP :rofl: if that fails the torch is coming back out :D .
Click to expand...

Frame on a CCSB is only 800 lbs. It will take a lot more to get you down to that weight.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
 
TheBac

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,610
1,864
113
Mid Michigan
malibu795 said:
car-part.com

i have been collecting parts ;)
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Yeah, car-part is great for finding deals. Ive been trying to find a complete donor, though.

I missed out on an $1500 LLY drivetrain by 1/2 hour and am currently waiting on a return email about a complete LB7 truck for $2800. I just keep checking craigslist, wheelerdeeler and other avenues.
 
TheBac

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,610
1,864
113
Mid Michigan
Let the games begin!

For all the people who thought I was just "blowing smoke" about this idea.....

Found this on Craigslist yesterday, and brought it home today. 1999 Silverado, RC/SB/2wd. 4.3/5spd stick. Paid $800 for it. Well, actually Roni paid for it. Told her about it this morning, and she says, "When are you going to get it? I'll buy it for your Father's Day gift." To say I was :eek: is an understatement. Bang bang bang and 5 hours later I have the truck. I have a wonderful wife. :thumb:

No A/C, manual everything. New clutch, battery, alternator, etc. Tonneau and plastic bedliner. Exactly what I was looking for

Problem is, it will turn over, but wont start. Throws a P1351 code, must be in the ignition system somewhere. Truck hasnt been started in over 8 months. I would like to get it to run first so I know the condition of the motor and trans before pulling them.

Needs a windshield, new front bumper, P/S front fender, D/S rocker panel and bondo work above both rear wheel wells. Has a dent in the D/S rear of bed, but its not bad. Rear bumper is rotted out, but I have a rollpan for that.
Frame in typical Michigan shape (rusty but nothing bad), and floorpans and inner bed in good condition. Will need brakes, and lines will get replaced just to be safe. Underhood oily but looks intact. Electrical is in fine shape, everything works as it should.

Turned out the owner is an ex-Marine who was in the same unit as Dustin (othrgirl) too. Small world we live in, for sure.

Next on the agenda is to find an LLY or LBZ donor truck and start swapping parts. The plan is to transplant another motor in BBT (no injector worries anymore) and put the old reliable LB7/Merchant trans/11.5 under this truck.

Keep in mind that this crazy little plan of mine wont be done overnight, so please stay patient as work progresses. It'll be slow going.
 

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SmokeShow

SmokeShow

Well-known member
Nov 30, 2006
6,818
34
48
43
Lawrenceburg, KY
...Well, actually Roni paid for it. .... Bang bang bang and 5 hours later I have the truck. I have a wonderful wife....
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She went and banged the guy for 5 hrs?!?!? No wonder it was so cheap!!

:roflmao: :rofl: :roflmao: :rofl: :spit: :woott: :happy2:






Sorry, I couldn't resist and meant no disrespect to you or Roni. Cool deal though! I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of this!! :thumb:
 
TheBac

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,610
1,864
113
Mid Michigan
SmokeShow said:
She went and banged the guy for 5 hrs?!?!? No wonder it was so cheap!!

:roflmao: :rofl: :roflmao: :rofl: :spit: :woott: :happy2:






Sorry, I couldn't resist. Cool deal though! I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of this!! :thumb:
Click to expand...

:roflmao::roflmao: Um, I didnt think it read like that when I posted it, but now that you say it.....uhoh....oops. Geezus Mitch. :roflmao::roflmao:
Seriously, though....I told her about it at 8:30 this morning, she gave green light. Called the guy at 9:00 and talked truck for 15 minutes and arranged meet later that day, all while Roni went up to the bank and got the $$. She sure as hell caught me completely off guard on this one.

The owner was completely frustrated by the non-start issue and just wanted to get rid of the truck. Darn thing has about $800 worth of new parts on it, so I cant bitch about it.
 
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