The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Duramax in a 49

So I have a 49 chevy 1 ton longbox,I also was just given a 2001 2500 duramax truck that had a electrical fire under the hood that melted a bunch of plastic and wiring under the hood.

The question I have is would it be feasible to try to swap the duramax in or would a frame swap be possable.i don't have the 2001 home yet so can't get any firm measurements.
Any insight would be great

Thanks
Pete

Interested too. I've got a 50 GMC 450 looking at possible Dmax install. Will keep an eye on your thread. Jim

You are going to have to do some work to the firewall to make it fit. You will also have to do something with the original steering box because it will be in the way. Transmission choice will add to the project also. Big job no matter how you look at it.

A friend just down the road from me used a Cummins in a 49 one ton and it works well. The inline six looks right in that body. You might check out using the front frame clip off the 2500. Big AD trucks had wider fenders which might be needed. One thing for sure; the playbook is wide open for this project. My wife's 64 Ford short wide came with a 4 cyl Perkins which I would not recommend.

Hopefully I will get the duramax home this weekend and can get some measurements.since everyone is using s10 frames for swapping I'm guessing the stance of the truck is too wide to swap frames. Also the 2001 is a 4x4 so I might not be able to use the driveline. The fire was pretty small so the engine should be fine mostly melted plastic. I don't know a ton about diesels so maybe I'm in over my head.guess I'll see as I can always part out the diesel and put the money into my truck

Pete

we installed a duramax diesel into a grand national for a client.no mods needed to the firewall.its maybe a 6" longer than a small block but most of that is due to the turbo.if you look on the net for 18to1 you will see the build if david still has the forum up.