New Project Pulling Truck
- Thread starter SmokeShow
- Start date
Well, true to form, it's likely that there's gonna be a change of tactics. 
Now that the cab is off the 06, it is pretty evident the 83 body is not going to mount up to the 06 chassis very well. Although both frames have the step up in the back where the bed mounts, the "step" is a good bit higher on the 06 frame as compared to the 83 frame. That would make the 83 body way too high off the frame if the bed were mounted directly to the frame. The amount of frame showing on our trucks is enough, it would practically all be showing under the 83 and that'd just be fugly so that's not gonna happen.
So, we're most likely going to go back to the plan of putting the 06 drivetrain in the 83 chassis. I'll just have to see if the frame needs any additional bracing once it's put together and hooking. If it's flexing too much, we can pull the bed back off and box in the frame if need be. Only real option to still keep the conversion a body swap is to get the rear step in the 06 lower. This could happen if I sectioned the frame in the middle of the step to get the wheel base the same as the 83. We'll have to do some measuring to see if enough frame would be taken out in the step area to draw the wheel base tighter AND lower the rear section enough to get the bed low enough that the frame won't show so bad.
Progress to date....
Now that the cab is off the 06, it is pretty evident the 83 body is not going to mount up to the 06 chassis very well. Although both frames have the step up in the back where the bed mounts, the "step" is a good bit higher on the 06 frame as compared to the 83 frame. That would make the 83 body way too high off the frame if the bed were mounted directly to the frame. The amount of frame showing on our trucks is enough, it would practically all be showing under the 83 and that'd just be fugly so that's not gonna happen. So, we're most likely going to go back to the plan of putting the 06 drivetrain in the 83 chassis. I'll just have to see if the frame needs any additional bracing once it's put together and hooking. If it's flexing too much, we can pull the bed back off and box in the frame if need be. Only real option to still keep the conversion a body swap is to get the rear step in the 06 lower. This could happen if I sectioned the frame in the middle of the step to get the wheel base the same as the 83. We'll have to do some measuring to see if enough frame would be taken out in the step area to draw the wheel base tighter AND lower the rear section enough to get the bed low enough that the frame won't show so bad.
Progress to date....
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Got going on it more yesterday with the help of a friend.
Like stated previously, the cab et al had already been removed from the 06 so we pulled the engine/trans together. NO I'm nor running the Allison but my zf6 is being stored at a friends place & I couldn't get to it so we used the Allison for clearance check be use I'm pretty sure it's atleast as big as the zf6 if not quite a bit bigger.
So we have engine/trans out of 06 chassis & pulled the doghouse off the 83. To my amazement, thx engine/trans fits surprisingly well between the frame rails. Had to pull the oil filter but that's it. The mount on drivers side sits right down on the 83 engine mounting plate that bolts to the frame. They don't match good though. Hafta make an adaptor between the two to bolt it all in. The pass side doesn't match up as good but pretty close. Again, an adagor will hafta be made between the 83 mounting plate & the Dmax mounts. May have to notch the front crossmember just a tad for comfort. It's a little less than 1" away as it sits but will be tighter once the mounts are modified & it sits down a little more. There is adequate clearance between the oil pan & front diff!
The coolest thing is that GM rocks for not changining things for decades at a time!! The trans mount for the 83 sm465/np205 is exactly the same as the allisone & zf6. Just might have to move the crossmember back & redrill holes. Aldo might have to space it up a tad. But that's all a load easier than building a new crossmember & mount!!
So that's where it's at after 1 day. Engine/trans is sitting in the frame.
In short order is to get harness shipped & modified & back do we can see if it runs. I've got to figure out exactly what to do for brakes. The other conversions I've seen use the hyd assisted setup rather than vacuum. I'm just not sure about how they plumb it into the pump on the Dmax or adapt the old pump to the Dmax? The other big items are getting an adequate clutch master cylinder that'll bolt to the firewall & have proper fluid dispersion to operate the zf6 clutch. I can't seem to find answers about bore size & rod travel of the mc in the gm800 Dmax trucks with zf6's.. And finally is how to mount up the throttle pedal setup.
All of that has been done before with exception to the master cyl stuff so it shouldn't be too bad to figure those things out.
Then there's LOTS of little things to iron out.
I'll get some pics up when I get them from my friend.
Later
Like stated previously, the cab et al had already been removed from the 06 so we pulled the engine/trans together. NO I'm nor running the Allison but my zf6 is being stored at a friends place & I couldn't get to it so we used the Allison for clearance check be use I'm pretty sure it's atleast as big as the zf6 if not quite a bit bigger.
So we have engine/trans out of 06 chassis & pulled the doghouse off the 83. To my amazement, thx engine/trans fits surprisingly well between the frame rails. Had to pull the oil filter but that's it. The mount on drivers side sits right down on the 83 engine mounting plate that bolts to the frame. They don't match good though. Hafta make an adaptor between the two to bolt it all in. The pass side doesn't match up as good but pretty close. Again, an adagor will hafta be made between the 83 mounting plate & the Dmax mounts. May have to notch the front crossmember just a tad for comfort. It's a little less than 1" away as it sits but will be tighter once the mounts are modified & it sits down a little more. There is adequate clearance between the oil pan & front diff!
The coolest thing is that GM rocks for not changining things for decades at a time!! The trans mount for the 83 sm465/np205 is exactly the same as the allisone & zf6. Just might have to move the crossmember back & redrill holes. Aldo might have to space it up a tad. But that's all a load easier than building a new crossmember & mount!!
So that's where it's at after 1 day. Engine/trans is sitting in the frame.
In short order is to get harness shipped & modified & back do we can see if it runs. I've got to figure out exactly what to do for brakes. The other conversions I've seen use the hyd assisted setup rather than vacuum. I'm just not sure about how they plumb it into the pump on the Dmax or adapt the old pump to the Dmax? The other big items are getting an adequate clutch master cylinder that'll bolt to the firewall & have proper fluid dispersion to operate the zf6 clutch. I can't seem to find answers about bore size & rod travel of the mc in the gm800 Dmax trucks with zf6's.
. And finally is how to mount up the throttle pedal setup. All of that has been done before with exception to the master cyl stuff so it shouldn't be too bad to figure those things out.
Then there's LOTS of little things to iron out.
I'll get some pics up when I get them from my friend.
Later
a few pics...
06 Cab coming off
Ready to pull Dmax/Alli
Dmax/Alli Out (Yes, the engine hoist is cheap and over taxed with the combo )
Front Clip off 83
Ready for Dmax
Going in
Almost there! :rockon:
06 Cab coming off
Ready to pull Dmax/Alli
Dmax/Alli Out (Yes, the engine hoist is cheap and over taxed with the combo
)
Front Clip off 83
Ready for Dmax
Going in
Almost there! :rockon:
decided not too... seems easier this way. I do have worries about the frame strength but folks have been pulling this era of trucks for decades. I can figure out a way to make the frame robust enough to handle the task if we find it's a problem. :thumb:
I do have worries about the frame strength but folks have been pulling this era of trucks for decades. I can figure out a way to make the frame robust enough to handle the task if we find it's a problem. :thumb:
1 of ur post says that u are planning to have it ready by the super pull n Dec. Is that still the case?
That was when I thought it was going to be a little easier body swap. It's doubtful to be ready by then. For 1, tmoney for turbo isn't there even if truck is running by then. I am still hoping it might be. That'd be pretty fun first hook! :lol:
I am still hoping it might be. That'd be pretty fun first hook! :lol:
It is now going to be IFS & the Front end parts get here mon.
Got all the dual cp3, cam, injectors, remote turbo setup, turbo, Clutch, etc.
Besides getting the harness back, It's really just a matter of assembly now. Of course that's tough in the driveway & I'm working a lot lately. I'm trying but it's tough. A friends shop may be available to borrow soon.
Got all the dual cp3, cam, injectors, remote turbo setup, turbo, Clutch, etc.
Besides getting the harness back, It's really just a matter of assembly now. Of course that's tough in the driveway & I'm working a lot lately. I'm trying but it's tough. A friends shop may be available to borrow soon.
OK I think I am a little lost going IFS did you go back to a body swap though that it was just going to be a engine swap. Or are you putting IFS on the 83 frame? What ever way it sounds like you have most of the parts that you need keep up the good work.