Okay, was doing some reading and well it seems that excessive weight breaks stuff about as much as excessive power does.

So, I figure early Fall I should be in the clear enough to go for a heads/cam/converter swap. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I figure then the weak link will be my rear axle then my trans. If I ger silly enough, Magnacharger will be getting a call from me. <img border="0" alt="[evil]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" />

Is the 1500HD frame the same as a 1500 frame? Seems to me to be the same, just with the 3/4 ton driveline.

Does the 1500HD use the same AutoTrac transfer case as the 1500's do?

So, does anyone know if that 14 bolt axle from a 1500HD is a direct swap aside from the 8lug axles? If I had some 6lug axles made, I should be able to use my rear disc brakes too right?

Don't the 1500HD's also have a larger front IFS at 9.5"? If the frame is the same, that should swap over also, right? I like this idea as Eaton has an E-Locker for the bigger IFS setup.

Also, the 4L80E is far stronger than the 4L60E ever will be so...I read that the 4L80E w/ 4x4 is slightly longer than the 4L60E w/ 4x4, is this true? What all would entail this swap? Obviously the trans itself, prolly the crossmember, but what else?

Sorry for all the questions, but I need to know for my long term plans. I basically need the HD drivetrain in my light 1500.

 

The 1500HD is a crew cab only version of a 3/4 ton truck. It doesn' t have the wider front end as the 2500HD and 3500s do. It may have a C clip version of the 14 bolt with 10.5 ring gear. The 1500HD is a luxury truck, leather interior bose sound polished alloys most of them i've seen are LT package. I still wouldn't think twice about my 2500HD for the price of a Z71 I have bigger motor, trans, and a Diff (pumpkin) thats about the size of a 4L60E.

 

The 1500HD is a crew cab only version of a 3/4 ton truck. It doesn' t have the wider front end as the 2500HD and 3500s do. It may have a C clip version of the 14 bolt with 10.5 ring gear. The 1500HD is a luxury truck, leather interior bose sound polished alloys most of them i've seen are LT package. I still wouldn't think twice about my 2500HD for the price of a Z71 I have bigger motor, trans, and a Diff (pumpkin) thats about the size of a 4L60E.

 

I'm not an expert on this subject, but I'll throw my $.02 in the mix.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> I figure then the weak link will be my rear axle then my trans. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think it would go trans, then rear axle. Our 10 bolts are stronger than the POS's they put in F-bodies.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> So, does anyone know if that 14 bolt axle from a 1500HD is a direct swap aside from the 8lug axles? If I had some 6lug axles made, I should be able to use my rear disc brakes too right </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I've done a couple 14 bolt swaps on older non computer controlled trucks and they were a bolt in for the most part. You would need to find out if the ABS would still work, if you would need to change rear driveshafts because the 14 bolt may use a 1310 u-joint, and if it's a full floater or not. I know some folks that have run the 6 lug rotors and they had to machine out the opening to clear the hubs. I don't know what else they did though.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Don't the 1500HD's also have a larger front IFS at 9.5"? If the frame is the same, that should swap over also, right? I like this idea as Eaton has an E-Locker for the bigger IFS setup.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Even if it is a direct swap, you are talking about a LOT of work and major $$$$ because it involves suspension, axle, and all.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Also, the 4L80E is far stronger than the 4L60E ever will be so...I read that the 4L80E w/ 4x4 is slightly longer than the 4L60E w/ 4x4, is this true? What all would entail this swap? Obviously the trans itself, prolly the crossmember, but what else?
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">If the tranny is longer then the front drive shaft will need to be lengthened, and the rear shortened. But if you run everything your talking about, you'll want aftermarket HD driveshafts anyway.

Your looking at a solid 100 to 200 hours of work, plus several thousand dollars to complete that project. You may be better off either building up what you already have or going ahead and buying a HD or 2500 to begin with and modding it. Good luck with what ever you decide though! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

Well, lets forget about that bigger IFS. Seems silly now that I think about it. I posted this up at 11pm last night!

I still need to know it the frame is the same, just longer...if it is, the 14 bolt alxe would be easy to swap in.

'Yelo' was talking about the swap to a 4L80E, which how it sounded was pretty easy. Apparently the length is negligable with the 4x4 trannies...