Hey guys.I have a 1991 v3500 4 door dually(old style 73-87)and I would like to install a duramax with an allison.Anyone out there done this before.Thanks.K.W.

It has been done. Google it.

From what I know, it does take some work and you might have to retrofit the entire console onto your rig.

It is ultimately what I'd like to do in my rig.

ETA: Actually, I want to do a D-max/ZF6 conversion, rather than an Allison.

Put a pencil to the true cost of the conversion. I can't see doing that conversion when you can probably get an 01 Duramax for about double dollars of the conversion. less the sale,if saleable present truck. The 91 won't be worth what it cost when you get done,IMO. Explore this before you start would be my suggestion. I couldn't live with that antiquated truck,doing all the work,spending all the money,etc. What is your motivation ??????

Motivation would be that it would stand out in the crowd and would be different. Also Have the cool style of the truck, but have the power that a Dmax can put out. If I had the time and the money I would buy a donor Dmax, and convert my truck to a dmax. But I don't have the time, space, or money and probably won't for a long long time haha.

Plus, I think it would be a cool learning experience and would be fun!

The o"the"r diesel page have a write up to convert it. Or you can pay membership there.

Next time you pull up and see that d max take a min to look at 2 things. Bend over and look at the center section of the rear axle. After compair to yours. Next look over and behind the rear wheels at the size of the frame rail, Now turn and look at yours.
The thought had crossed my mind. Right after handing dad his keys back to his 02 d max.

x2 Green Machine. The 90's body style is by far my favorite. Too bad the Motor isn't my ideal and the interior isn't my ideal.

But those are fixable. For what i would spend on a Dmax truck, I could build a dmax truck with the body style I want.

Put a pencil to the true cost of the conversion. I can't see doing that conversion when you can probably get an 01 Duramax for about double dollars of the conversion. less the sale,if saleable present truck. The 91 won't be worth what it cost when you get done,IMO. Explore this before you start would be my suggestion. I couldn't live with that antiquated truck,doing all the work,spending all the money,etc. What is your motivation ??????

It's called indivuality, haveing the best looking body style ever made, plus the best motor ever! Why do D-max guys put 6 inches of lift and two turbos on their trucks, because it's cool! Plus the older trucks are lighter than the D-max trucks, so theoretically, with the right amount of work, you could build up an OBS truck that was faster than a true D-max truck.

Hey thanks guys for the advise and info.I'm 51 and have done many types of conversions over the years and to be honest I like doing mods but am tired of the ongoing little items that just never end up the way you want them.I am a GM tech working at a dealership and I see these 6.6's everyday and I just can't see me spending 10-15 grand on a 01-02 truck.Some of you are right as to what would it be worth after but then the only concern is what its worth to me.After all when my 6.5 non turbo drops to third climbing a hill with the Prowler on behind it would be nice not to drop a gear with a dmax-right?.Thanks for your time.K.W.

Hey thanks guys for the advise and info.I'm 51 and have done many types of conversions over the years and to be honest I like doing mods but am tired of the ongoing little items that just never end up the way you want them.I am a GM tech working at a dealership and I see these 6.6's everyday and I just can't see me spending 10-15 grand on a 01-02 truck.Some of you are right as to what would it be worth after but then the only concern is what its worth to me.After all when my 6.5 non turbo drops to third climbing a hill with the Prowler on behind it would be nice not to drop a gear with a dmax-right?.Thanks for your time.K.W.





do a few searches. Some guys have pulled 18K or more without issue with the 6.5 (granted turbo 6.5) and are very happy with it.

If you want to tow, depending on the gear, the 6.5 does fine. Adding a turbo would be more cost effective than a Dmax.

If you want tire smoke and coal poring from the tail pipe then the 6.5 won't work.


Put a pencil to it, look at the bank account, make your choice. The mod would be a lot of work, but satisfying.
(Electrical would be a killer)


Good luck

BTW, welcome the to the Diesel Place.
Take a minute and put your trucks details into your signature. It helps everyone know what your working with.

John

There's a guy on ebay selling a conversion manual, IIRC he done it on your body style truck. I ran across it the other day, just search for duramax engine, it should pop up.

Item, 200282560378

:think:
Just buy a Duramax truck

To me!
Doing a conversion would be fun, and I(you) could be proud of the finished product. To be able to do this you need to own all your own tools and a shop big enough to do it. That would save you lots of money.

When ever I get a real job and stop playing with guns everyday, I will do a conversion of my own. Of course this will not be done for atleast another 5+ years.

If you do the conversion, video tape it. Then you can share your knoweledge with everybody else.(turn yourself into a subject matter expert)

Wish you luck!

I heard about a 4.5l GM engine with it's own PCM.
rumor or not?
Should be a good upgrade---

The 4.5 was suppose to come out this year but I think it has been delayed because of the problems GM is having. Was suppose to be 300 horse and 520 lbs of torque.

Stick around Kwarwick.Seems GM employed techs here are few & far between. You will find people here on the 6.5 section are generous with there time & knowledge.If you work the truck line/dept. yor input here would be valuable to some.I can't speak for the Durabucks crowd though .Supposedly GM never made a reg. cab short bed 6.5 92 & up truck so that would be an interesting truck to me for a Duramax Hot Rod. A truck like that would weigh about 4500LB with a 6.5/6.6 so that would knock the snot out of the 6500 LB & up factory Duramax powered trucks.

:think:
Just buy a Duramax truck



x2

Put a pencil to the true cost of the conversion. I can't see doing that conversion when you can probably get an 01 Duramax for about double dollars of the conversion. less the sale,if saleable present truck. The 91 won't be worth what it cost when you get done,IMO. Explore this before you start would be my suggestion. I couldn't live with that antiquated truck,doing all the work,spending all the money,etc. What is your motivation ??????

its good to be different, thats like asking someone why they would spent $50,000 restoring in a 69 camaro. of course you most likely wont get your money back out of it. its just the cool thing to do and different.

here you go, very possible, and this is my dream truck. im a huge fan of the old crew cab longbeds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_8i-X2-sX4

Now in a 73-87 crew longbed, solid front axle. even I would want to do that. In a 91 IFS? YUK! Hows about a 6.6 in a Yukon Denali? Would that make any sense? It's a really cushy ride. A D/A swap in that would be fantastic.

Greenmtn, the 91 in question is SFA.

my bad on the 91 SFA. the body style is still ugly compared to the old style.

Ugly compared to old style?

73-87.

Ah. I see.

I know that there's a good bit of info out there on putting a Duramax into an 87/92-98/00/02, but haven't seen much on the older ones.

Way back when I had a 84 "square style" gasser. loved that truck, still love the styling. The interior was even my favorite, even compared to the 99-up restyle. I would love to get a 3500 crew longbed dually for either D/A or Cummins swap.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garage.php?do=view&g=3767

Here is the link to AHON's garage he is the member here with the blue CCLB D-max in the earlier video. Honestly, on the value thing, I would pay just as much for a clean '91 with a D-max, as I would for an '01 with a D-max.

^^^same goes for me

That truck is sweet i would love to have one like it.

73-87 or do you mean 73-91 if you include 1 tons and crew cabs blazers and subs.

my bad on the 91 SFA. the body style is still ugly compared to the old style.

^^ thats what i was thinking. he wants to put the d-max in a square body style crew cab 91 i thought???

This "square" style.:)

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/library/uc/ucgraphics/yermomTHUMB.jpg (http://4wheeldrive.about.com/library/uc/ucgraphics/yermom.jpg)


Not this "square" style
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/1990/Chevrolet/9373/1990.chevrolet.ck1500series.2179-300x189.jpg (javascript:void(0))

Let me edit this for you:rolleyes:

This "square" style. Is the same body used on crew cabs, 1 tons, Blazers and Subs. up till and including 91.

:)

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/library/uc/ucgraphics/yermomTHUMB.jpg (http://4wheeldrive.about.com/library/uc/ucgraphics/yermom.jpg)


Not this NOT so "square" style started in 88 on 3/4 tons and below but not on 1 tons , Blazers and Subs until 92
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/1990/Chevrolet/9373/1990.chevrolet.ck1500series.2179-300x189.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:void(0))[/quote]

^^^ exactly right

this is a 1991 1 ton, look at the price BTW.. thats about how much a clean won is going for..

http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/find/listing/photos/print/76609373/

$8500 for a '91? Not from me!
That sure is a dark white - Maybe from the gasoline fumes?

No offense meant to a fellow Hoosier, but (maybe) $3500 - and it would have to be really clean for 35. [been wrong b4 though]

Check this one out (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1993-CHEVY-3500-DIESEL-4X4-5-SP-TOPPER-GOOD-SOLID-TRUCK_W0QQitemZ220322946037QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Truc ksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash =item220322946037&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 ) - If it weren't so far.........

holy sh!t, that's an ugly truck, look at this one:
1987 CHEVY 3500 CREW 4X4 DUALLY 454 - $3900 (SHELBY NC)

Reply to: sale-950071291@craigslist.org [? (http://www.craigslist.org/about/help/replying_to_posts)]
Date: 2008-12-08, 3:03PM EST



1987 chevy 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 big block, Loaded, Nice Clean Truck Runs and Drives good. No Issues, Ready to Pull. Call 704-538-1144 http://images.craigslist.org/1161f91283n13kb3l38c86c543425802a17c2.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/1f214913c3kb3od3p28c8b5b90ddfd9361c91.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/1f313a14a3n03pf3l48c885267203f4941680.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/11c12c1343md3oe3l18c8d46f240073391b49.jpg

I'll take it who can deliver it to me?:DI'll pay gass and you can have the motor.:rolleyes:

holy sh!t, that's an ugly truck, look at this one:
1987 CHEVY 3500 CREW 4X4 DUALLY 454 - $3900 (SHELBY NC)

Reply to: sale-950071291@craigslist.org [? (http://www.craigslist.org/about/help/replying_to_posts)]
Date: 2008-12-08, 3:03PM EST



1987 chevy 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 big block, Loaded, Nice Clean Truck Runs and Drives good. No Issues, Ready to Pull. Call 704-538-1144 http://images.craigslist.org/1161f91283n13kb3l38c86c543425802a17c2.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/1f214913c3kb3od3p28c8b5b90ddfd9361c91.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/1f313a14a3n03pf3l48c885267203f4941680.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/11c12c1343md3oe3l18c8d46f240073391b49.jpg