Squarebody on a Duramax frame

[Blue Ox]

I think everyone knows what happened when ford designed their own engine
The 6.0 disaster

The 6.0L Diesel disaster was Navistar. Same with the 6.4L.

The current 6.7L Powerjoke is a Ford design.

 

[CSFJ]

You try typing
“Duramax squarebody”
in google or DuckDuckGo ?

Why anyone would want a zillion expensive sensors and a expensive computers on a old pickup , I don’t know , but here ya go .

I’d use a 12 valve Cummins and a five speed.
cheaper ,easier and more reliable with no computer

Using a dmax isn’t keeping it GM since GM was not capable of designing or manufacturing a new diesel and had to pay Isuzu in Japan to do it for them

I’d also start with a K-30 frame .
Noticeably stronger than the K10 or 20 frame

But if you put those retarded giant rims on it ......

https://www.dieselarmy.com/features/car-features/the-perfect-swap-lml-duramax-swapped-1986-gmc/


https://www.google.com/amp/blog.calibratedpower.com/blog/85-square-body-fitted-with-a-built-640hp-duramax?hs_amp=true

https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?178733-Duramax-Diesel-Engine-Conversion-Kit

Technically, isuzu was a division of GM when that happened. Diesels just don't seem to be GM's strong suit, at least not from a ground up standpoint. If you look back to the 6.2, Detroit Diesel had some input into that, and like the D-max, they pretty much claimed that as their own too. I can't really fault them for turning to the Japanese for diesel tech, as they had a **** ton more experience with it from all the decades they were building them for the rest of the world. Especially since they already had isuzu in the corporate family. It's too bad that Dodge had Cummins tied up, because that would have been an awesome combination with the Allison trans. I've had the opportunity to tear down and build the new L5P at work, and yeah they're a complex bitch, and yeah there's a **** ton of sensors, but, damn. The amount of power they're getting out of them is insane. I waiting to see what's coming in the next redesign to compete with Dodge now that they're putting down 1000lbft of torque. Rumor is the coming Ford redesign will have more than the Dodge.

 

[Blue Ox]

Too bad they couldn't get together with Caterpillar for a pickup engine. I guarantee the CAT logo on the fender would sell some trucks.

 

[Frankenchevy]

Worldwide, I think Isuzu is the number 1 producer of diesel engines by volume and Mercedes is #2. At least that was accurate in the not too distant past.

 

[Blue Ox]

GM also owns a huge chunk of Isuzu. Or at least they did at the time.

 

[CSFJ]

Too bad they couldn't get together with Caterpillar for a pickup engine. I guarantee the CAT logo on the fender would sell some trucks.

Completely agree. Look at how they market the trucks with the Allison. How often have you ever seen a transmission brand name badged on a truck? Cat Allison would have been huge.

 

[roundhouse]

Completely agree. Look at how they market the trucks with the Allison. How often have you ever seen a transmission brand name badged on a truck? Cat Allison would have been huge.

Only see the transmission badges when every automatic behind any diesel failed early and often

I remember when they first started putting automatics in school busses on the late 70s so they could hire women drivers

The failure rate in the first year was 75%

 

[CSFJ]

Only see the transmission badges when every automatic behind any diesel failed early and often

I remember when they first started putting automatics in school busses on the late 70s so they could hire women drivers

The failure rate in the first year was 75%

Makes sense. However, 40 years later, that Allison is dialed in. I've seen the insides of those with 300k plus of torture test towing, and they looked damn near new inside when pulled apart for inspection. Granted, I'd still have bought a manual if they offered it, but the sad fact remains that you need to be inat least a medium duty truck to get a stick that will live behind the torque these engines are putting down. When the auto trans started to eclipse the strength of the manual years ago, that was the beginning of the end. I don't know how much space the big manuals require, or if they would fit in anything less than the medium duty chassis. If I had to have an automatic, I'm glad I have the Allison. It's the reason I went with the diesel instead of the gas when I ordered my truck last year.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

I'm sure a CAT emblem would sell some trucks, but I dont think I'd buy one.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[jonve]

Grave did, but did you get anywhere with the frame swap?

FWIW: Duramax is a joint venture between Isuzu and GM based out of Ohio. It's 60% owned by GM. It's more GM than Isuzu. Also, the previous diesels used in GM/Ford were made by IDI. None of the major manufacturers really made their own diesels until DMAX and the Powerstroke.

 

[Blue Ox]

Grave did, but did you get anywhere with the frame swap?

FWIW: Duramax is a joint venture between Isuzu and GM based out of Ohio. It's 60% owned by GM. It's more GM than Isuzu. Also, the previous diesels used in GM/Ford were made by IDI. None of the major manufacturers really made their own diesels until DMAX and the Powerstroke.

So the 6.2L/6.5L in GM trucks were made by who?