Hey everyone I have been doing a lot of reading on a lot of diff. Sites. I have have a 99 1/2 ton (new body style) and I have been looking into putting a dmax into it. What I am thinking right now is buy I totaled out dmax with the alison, swaping out all the running gear I would need to swap the dash out put a 3 inch body lift in, and probly all the wiring from bumper to bumper.. I know most people are just going to say just go buy a 3/4ton and be set, but I. Kinda want a challenge and why spend 20k on something that isn't just the way I want it when I can spend under 12k and ihave what I want.

 

It won't be ideal because the frame is not as strong as it should be.

If you are serious about it I would re-enforce the frame near the motor mounts and the trans cross member.

The wireing would need to be changed for the motor and trans while the rest of the systems should be the same.

It would be a large undertaking but by no means impossible.

 

I was planing on boxing out the back half of the frame I really havnt looken into the front yet... you you know of anyone that makes air bags for the front? I know I'm going to need a little extra suspension in front

 

I don't know that anyone makes a kit for the front but fabbing them isn't that hard. I just went with shockwaves and they were installed in about 30 minutes.

I got mine for $500 because they were only used for mock up.

 

I would love to do this one day, and it's definitely possible with a few modifications. check out youtube and there's a bunch of tahoes and suburbans with duramax swaps. also there was a reg cab silvy not too long ago on the forums too.

 

i am not going to be starting my project till next summer most likely but i just want to get as much info as i can. i have read of people doing it and saying it will cost over 20k into there builds.

 

you dont need a stronger frame, around here are like 10 duramax swaps into 1/2 ton already and they have no issues (some race, some use it as a light daily, some work hard with them, there are 3 denali sierra trucks that changed the 6.2 for a duramax too

go for it

 

you will also need a 3" body lift i think.. Or at least you do on the 2500 suburbans because the allison has a bigger bell housing. The 2500 trucks have a 2" taller frame.


If you do it take very good notes.. i have 01 2500 suburban thats high on miles... would love to do a D max swap...