Does anyone know if the new Duramax drivetrain fit in the 73-87 body style? I have an '85 C1500 that I'm restifying, and dont want to go the Big block gas engine route. I am boxing the frame and using 1 ton suspension parts (dually) what should I be aware of?

 

im sure it will, ive seen an 87-98 body style stepside with a DMAX as well as a 87 Grand national and a 63 impala, GO FOR IT!!

 

It should fit in the pre 87 body style, seen one a few months back with a d-max, dont remember the site but a guy did it. Alot of fabrication time and money was involved from what I could tell

 

You would probably have to go with a 4L85 transmission. I don't thank you will get the allison to fit with out doing some cutting.

 

unless he does a body lift? that might be an option, then again the amount of fabricating he will be doing anyway, he might as well just do a custom transmission tunnel?

 

Trans tunnel mods are not a problem, I have to replace some sheet metal anyway. A body lift is definately out of the question, I am going for a minor drop. maybe a 2/3". Fabrication is not a problem. I've built a few race cars in the past. and the truck originally had the 6.2 diesel

 

Maybe I'll just go with th cummins

 

There was a write-up on a 73-87 pickup that a guy swapped in a Cummins recently. I believe it was in last months Diesel Power mag.

 

cummins is an easy swap on them pretty much bolt in

but there was a guy who had a lb7 6 speed swap on a mid 80s crew on the diesel place

will require some cutting on the tunnel not to much and maybeye few little fab mods

 

I'm going to follow this one. I've thought about doing this because I, too, don't want to go the usual big block or modified small block route. Does anyone know of links to some swaps?