A little update, I purchased an aftermarket core support and upon unpackaging I discovered it was dented and overall very poor quality. So I am working with Spaldings to see what they will do about it. It wouldn't be that big of a deal except I bought it while picking the sub up and live 8 hours away. So now I need to purchase an OEM core support.

Also, i was going to hold off on painting everything, but I am thinking about just painting everything now, fender, hood, core support and misc underhood covers all in factory charcoal.

So now I am researching what paint I should buy and clear, and all of the misc supplies. So far the research hasn't yielded much. I am not an expert of body work, but no stranger either. My last duramax I prepped for paint but did not paint. This one I am thinking about doing myself.

Any of you paint and body guys are welcome to chime in with your perfered paints and clears as well as any tips and tricks.

So that is the update for now.

Oh, and I have decided to eventually go the 4l80e route for tranny.

 

I found a helluva source for paint, not sure that they offer factory replacement paint colors, however..... For $200 for a gallon kit that comes with paint activator and clearcoat, i will deal with a non factory color, it lays really nice too so long as the jackass(me) isnt getting over zealous with the clearcoat and running the hell out of it.... And didnt run out of the primer the entire truck was covered in and try to use a different type and end up with a nasty looking krinkle effect in two spots on the driver's door

 

That is a great deal! I am not repainting the whole rig, just the replacement parts. I also really like the factory charcoal color. So far it is looking like around 120 for a quart plus clear and primer. I guess it beats paying for someone else to do it. But I also get the experience myself. I wish I knew some great auto painters.

 

My buddy that has banned me from ever holding a paint gun again is really good, doe it on the side in his garage, my trans case is the first thing i think i have ever painted at least on this truck that didnt run!!!! My 80 z28 the valve cover timing cover and air cleaner lid didnt have time to run it was about 25* and we were heating them up on back side with an oxyacetylene torch..... And the stone look crap i did the dash in my s10 with was so thick it coukdnt run..... I even made rattle can bedliner run when i coating my inner fenders on the bed of my truck.... Lol

 

I hear ya. It is hard to get the hang of how much paint to apply, and usually by the time you realize you overdid it- its too late!

Part of me would rather just pay a pro to do it, but the other part of me says I can learn how to do it and have that much more pride about the job. Plus I want to start customizing this one to set it apart from normal DD's. Hence the painting of the core support. I will have the intercooler pipes powerdercoated as well as the front accessory drive. I am trying to settle on the color for those...leaning towards grey or red... or ATS type of purple. I really loved seeing that purple turbo on top of my dmax.

Mmmm SEXY.

 

Hmmm purple turbo??? Nice

 

I have a thing for suburbans. If you want boost a 4L80 is what you're gonna need. I have one of those "everything and the kitchen sink" 4L60s. $3,000 in just parts and 30k miles later it's never skipped a beat, but I still wouldn't trust it with boost. These hook super hard with the 4 link/track-bar setup. Look into getting a Hummer H2 or Cadillac Escalade 14 bolt semi floater. They bolt in with no modification. The H2 rear though is 8 lug and the shock brackets need to be modified. The H2 rear comes with 4.10s and an E-locker.

 

Yeah, I am coming to that conclusion. Only thing I don't like is the higher first gear....I wonder how the parastatic loss is of the 80 vs the Allison...I might just go straight to the Allison. 5 or 6 forwards is better than 4, plus it gives me the good OD and I can lower my gear ratio.

I also have a thing for suburbans, glad I am not alone!

Btw I love your sig pic. Very original!

 

Allison is bigger and you would need a body lift to fit it under a suv same with 6 speed manual.... Looked into putting 6 speed in my truck but despise body lifts!!!

Agree with comment on 11MPG's sig.....

 

Yeah, I actually looked into doing a duramax allison swap before I bought this, but decided to do a turbo 5.3 instead (even over a turbo 6.0 or 8.1...because I considered all the options)

This one will probably get 3/4 ton axles all around...still haven't ruled out the alli, even though I do despise body lifts as well.