Hey guy's, want to fit the duramax driveline into a Jeep. Any potential issues I should be aware of? Seems like a perfet match to me.:)

I think it's a great idea if you got a complete donor vehicle, be my guest. I would go lighter if it's going to driven a lot and/or trail abused. That's a lot of motor in that frame and tons of wiring and trouble shooting. I would think about a 4BT or such but that's my 2 cents. Manual pump, near zero wiring, maybe a 4L80 cause the stand alone computers are kinda reasonable.

I have the Jeep, 1978 cherokee, came factory with a 401 / 400. Fitting the engine and trans is no issue really, lot's of room in the engine bay. Biggest problem like you mentioned is the wiring. Basically wanted to use the complete wiring harness gauges and controller from a donor truck. So can enough pressure be generated from a manual pump, I understand a great deal of fuel pressure is needed, is that correct?

No a D Max won't run off a manual pump, they run + 20,000 psi. I was suggesting a manual pump motor to ease the wiring, 6.9, 6.2, 4BT.... This would be a monster project if YOU don't know your way around a D Max engine and computer harness. Let alone the added issues with nonexistent sensor or 12 that your not going to put into the Jeep that will give the computer fits.

I'm not trying to burst your bubble, yes you can fit a D Max and Allison into a jeep but can you wire it?

Well, my first thought was to buy a GM electrical schematic. If I have a wiring diagram I can wire anything. Not saying it won't be a challenge, but that's half the fun of it, right? Besides I have all you guy's for support, LOL!;)

I have a strong electrial and system controls background, field devices such as switches, sensors, generate inputs, tellijng the controller which outputs to turn on. Basically it's all the same just wrapped in a different package.

So you think there's about 12 or so sensors I wouldn't use on the Jeep, which ones are thinking of?

I think it's a great idea if you got a complete donor vehicle, be my guest. I would go lighter if it's going to driven a lot and/or trail abused. That's a lot of motor in that frame and tons of wiring and trouble shooting. I would think about a 4BT or such but that's my 2 cents. Manual pump, near zero wiring, maybe a 4L80 cause the stand alone computers are kinda reasonable.

The 4BT and a DURAMAX are about the same weight, roughly 850 pounds. It is probably doable, but from how tight I have seen the 6.5 swap being into one I believe you will require quite a bit of body lift to fit it. The DURAMAX is quite a bit taller that a 6.5 is and also wider at the top. The wiring isn't that bad, but there are some hurdles along the way. Hopefully I will get all of mine ironed out here soon though. Persoanlly for that vehicle a 6.2 or 6.5 mechanically injected engine backed up by a turbo 400 would be a good match.

You really think it will be tight in a full size cherokee? Maybe the trans tunnel, or hood clearence?

http://www.adinms.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/dsc05489.jpg

If you look at my Duramax buggy I can say anything is possible with time, money and a torch. Now, I can also say the wiring is not your biggest problem on this swap. Yes the Duramax is one of the tallest units out there but the problem will be the fit of the Allison. By the time you lower it enough to clear your floorboard the oil pan will drag the ground. This unit is 38" tall. Check a few measurement from under your hood to the ground and from your floor to the ground. I would be glad to send you layout pictures of my buggy as it was being mount. I my case, the engine and tranny were set on the floor and a 2x4 frame was built around it to get dimensions to design a chassis around it. IT IS BIG! It can be done but final ground clearance will be your problem for 4-wheelin'.

I have no problem modifying the floor pan or Trans Tunnel. Would love to see some layout drawings though. That would be cool.

Yes it is one tall SOB. My trans pan unfortunately does hang about 1/2" below the frame rails, but I didn't want to do a body lift. As for hood clearance, I believe my SUBURBAN has about 3-4" more height in the engine bay than the JEEPS had, and my intake pipe on the LB7 JUST touches. It is doable, but will take a torch, body lift and possibly a cowl hood to fit it.

You go for it then! Mig's and plasma's can fix anything that won't fit!

I think one thing the Jeep has going for it is a strait axle and no front crossmember. So I may have some flexibility over the suburban in that area. Would be nice to get all of it under the hood, but that I think is the least of my worries. We'll see I suppose, need to find a donor duramax truck with all the components.

I see a donor.....


2002 2500HD Duramax 4X4
Superchip
K&N Air Filter

:D LoL, well maybe not that one. Kind of need it in one piece.

If you look at my Duramax buggy I can say anything is possible with time, money and a torch. Now, I can also say the wiring is not your biggest problem on this swap. Yes the Duramax is one of the tallest units out there but the problem will be the fit of the Allison. By the time you lower it enough to clear your floorboard the oil pan will drag the ground. This unit is 38" tall. Check a few measurement from under your hood to the ground and from your floor to the ground. I would be glad to send you layout pictures of my buggy as it was being mount. I my case, the engine and tranny were set on the floor and a 2x4 frame was built around it to get dimensions to design a chassis around it. IT IS BIG! It can be done but final ground clearance will be your problem for 4-wheelin'.

So is that 38" for the tranny or the engine? I too would be interested in seeing your layout. I've recently purchased (still need to pick it up) an 02 drivetrain for a motorhome swap. Now I don't have a tunnel and won't be going off road as well as the frame/chassis sits way up off the ground, so I don't think I will have troubles, but would like to know some more dimesnions to start planning and checking on clearances.

Thanks in advance

Here are a few dimension of an LBZ:
length, front of fan to rear mounting face: 35''
length, Allison: 28"
width, air intake to steering tank: 34"
fan shield diameter; 27"
width issue is fuel filter being 18" from centerline
oil filter is 14" from centerline but it sticks out...(3:00 from crank centerline.)
engine oil pan is 1" lower than tranny pan when sitting level
high, oil pan to air intake: 38"
high, tranny oil pan to top of bell housing: 19"
drives side engine mount is 18" from front of fan
pass side engine mount is 14" from front of fan

These are close but it will give you a good idea of where it fits. :)

Those numbers will be very helpful, thanks! Man you got any video of the crawler in action? Sure would like to see it.