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1985 k30 budget EarthRoamer project [Deleted]

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The title says "budget build", but swapping out the stock T400 and 454 big block for a 4L85E and an 8.1 LS is not a budget build.
It's budget if you are using what you have, he already has all those parts.
If he gets the Allison then he's not sticking to the theme
 
If you have an old used up 8.1 that needs all new coil packs, injectors, plugs wires, and plastic intake manifold that is not low budget. Then you have to hope there is no major valve train, or rod and piston problems.
 
There's a place called C&C Equipment on YouTube doing a crew cab deuce and a half with a mechanical International DT466 and a 6 speed allison then adding a truck bed camper to make it an overland style rig. Should be cool.
I buy parts from those guys. Problem with the Deuce ( I have several A2 & A3) is they are super old and just kind of suck. A DT466 would help. The A3 has a CAT 3116 and Alison but still only does 50 mph. Looks great as a SEMA build but an actual nice overlander would require a ton of upgrades. The weather seal of the cabs and doors are terrible. Manual crank windows that just kind of rattle around. No real soundproofing or heat shielding.
 
I buy parts from those guys. Problem with the Deuce ( I have several A2 & A3) is they are super old and just kind of suck. A DT466 would help. The A3 has a CAT 3116 and Alison but still only does 50 mph. Looks great as a SEMA build but an actual nice overlander would require a ton of upgrades. The weather seal of the cabs and doors are terrible. Manual crank windows that just kind of rattle around. No real soundproofing or heat shielding.
Yeah I probably would've done a newer nicer crew cab International and just put the deuce axles and 4x4 under it. I think they are working with what they have mostly. Except last episode they had to start over cuz the newer 6 speed allison they scored wouldn't bolt to the older DT so they have to swap to the newer DT that came with the Trans. Still mechanical but a way better version of the DT.
 
Yeah I probably would've done a newer nicer crew cab International and just put the deuce axles and 4x4 under it. I think they are working with what they have mostly. Except last episode they had to start over cuz the newer 6 speed allison they scored wouldn't bolt to the older DT so they have to swap to the newer DT that came with the Trans. Still mechanical but a way better version of the DT.
Thats exactly what I had in mind. We picked up a C4500 4x4 crew with an 11' bed a while back to replace the Deuces. Way more useful truck. Its still cool too, just different cool. A longer version would make an excellent overlander.
 
No 8.1 will be used in this build. Nowhere did I mention a low budget. I’m fully expecting 30-40k depending on how far I go with the electrical system and what trans I do.

have been thinking more and more about finding an allison though, a zf6 would be wicked cool and I’d fit in better with @ZooMad75 and all the cool camper guys with manuals. But seems like that would be very expensive.
 
Thats exactly what I had in mind. We picked up a C4500 4x4 crew with an 11' bed a while back to replace the Deuces. Way more useful truck. Its still cool too, just different cool. A longer version would make an excellent overlander.
I love my LBZ kodiak, had it been 4wd and crew cab I definitely would’ve used it instead.
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No 8.1 will be used in this build. Nowhere did I mention a low budget. I’m fully expecting 30-40k depending on how far I go with the electrical system and what trans I do.

have been thinking more and more about finding an allison though, a zf6 would be wicked cool and I’d fit in better with @ZooMad75 and all the cool camper guys with manuals. But seems like that would be very expensive.
A ZF6 would be cool but they make a nv4500 look like a toy size-wise and way rough on the budget. I think that massive size would require some major floor rework or a taller body lift for clearance. I think for what you are doing the automatic is a good fit.
 
No 8.1 will be used in this build. Nowhere did I mention a low budget. I’m fully expecting 30-40k depending on how far I go with the electrical system and what trans I do.

have been thinking more and more about finding an allison though, a zf6 would be wicked cool and I’d fit in better with @ZooMad75 and all the cool camper guys with manuals. But seems like that would be very expensive.
I got a Allison 1000 5 speed sitting under my bench. Bit far away though.
 
I have a common rail 4 cylinder 16 valve Cummins... ISB170... with an allison 1000 behind it...

I just think the duramax would be pretty cool.

And yes, I could use the allison I have behind the cummins , but it’s a 5 speed I’m pretty sure and I think I’d like to find a 6 speed and get the ECM/TCM all from the same truck.
 
I might have found what I will use for seats.
Second row seats from the Escalade, I think I can easily lower them close enough to stock after removing the foldable part, probably even with a slider, and the back reclines.

I kind of wanted black interior, but these are going to be close enough to factory tan I think I’ll just stick with that. And I have a complete extra interior out of the spare Escalade body.

Not sure about center console yet.

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Ok.. so... i know what would be easier for this build and easier to put Escalade interior in and have an LBZ duramax.


And it’s an LBZ duramax. 63FE58FE-35E9-4FE8-A1B2-61E8F9B1966F.jpeg

I have the files and plasma table to put an 05+ superduty 60 under it. And I even have half of one already cut out in a pallet.EB56FDA2-CDC9-4BF2-9A70-57B8D615ADB5.jpeg
And you guys are right, The extended cab would be nice, then I could slap an Escalade front clip and door molding on it and look gangster pulling the other Escalade.


I can buy the truck from my dad and sell the bed And be into the truck pretty cheap. 250k miles, less than 100 miles on new headgaskets, we bought it on the insurance auction and have driven it a couple miles in 3 years.
 
Cut up that IFS duramax truck with the crane on the back. I like your plan but that K30 is too damn clean to sacrifice for this project. Fix what little it needs and leave it stock or close to it.
 
Ok.. so... i know what would be easier for this build and easier to put Escalade interior in and have an LBZ duramax.


And it’s an LBZ duramax.

This sounds like a great plan!
Looking forward to seeing this come together.

Happy to see the K30 maybe get to stay together also.

BTW, my wife says thanks for introducing us to the exciting world of Copart auctions,LOL.
I'm not sure she really meant that friendly-like, though.
 
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