85 c30 duramax swap question

[79bonanza]

Ok I'm looking into swapping a duramax into my 85 crew cab dually and everything that I'm looking at seems fairly understandable. The only thing that seems to give me issues is the transfer case and front axle issue.

Where the duramax zf6 and Allison have a driver side drop but the square body has a passenger side drop. I was thinking of just running a ford Dana 60 instead of tryin to swap transfer cases and deal with all the alignment and custom fab'd tcase adapter.

What do you guys think would be easier. Axle swap or t case swap/fab

 

[76zimmer]

Russell has been through this swap...60's are getting harder to find, but it may be the way to go overall...does the Duramax/Allison require a driver side for clearance reasons?

 

[muddermilitia]

You are converting this truck to 4x4? If so, then I would say ford dana 60 is the way to go, since you are swapping an axle in there anyways

 

[kennyw]

The 78-79 Ford Dana 60 front axle is the best way to go. The high pinion is a good plus as well.

 

[79bonanza]

Thanks for the replys guys but I've been reading more and more into the swap and I think I'm just gonna scrap the duramax zf6 plan and go with a mild built 8.1L and a nv4500. Just because its a easier simpilar swap and it uses more readily available parts.

The duramax zf6 combo would be cool but I'm more of a big block kinda guy anyway so I'm just gonna stick to my strengths lol.

I did however find some decent write ups on pirat4x4 about adapting a ford np205 to a allison 1000. Ill say the guy who did it was no novice when it came to fabrication.

I am kinda surprised at the lack of an aftermarket for the allison and zf6 as far as adapters and conversions go. Somebody could corner that market right now if the offered a np205 zf6 bolt on and go adapter.

 

[rksjd8420]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/21655834-post273.html

 

[Russell]

I run an 02 LB7 Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 in my Tahoe. The install is no more difficult than an LS engine (or 8.1L for that matter) other than the intercooler. Which should be easy in an older square body. There are engine mount adapters available on eBay.

I am running a 79 Ford Dana 60 in the front of my truck. The NP241 had it's input shaft replaced with one from an NP261 to convert it to 29 spline. Otherwise it is stock and works great! The 78/79 Ford D60 has a perch width within 1/2" of a Chevy D60 and is why they are so popular and in demand becuase they bolt right in. The newer diffs have a wider spring perch width and the differential is offset more to the DS which makes them tough to install in a leaf spring application in the older square body trucks. They work fine in the newer trucks for a SAS though.

You must run a DS drop due to oil pan vs driveshaft clearance. It is set off to the passenger side to allow the drivshaft to tuck in up beside it in the stock truck. The ZF6 uses the stock transmission crossmember in the stock location.

The 8.1L will bolt in nice and easy as well, but if you want to go diesel I wouldn't be shy to go for it. Both make similar power but the diesel will net way better fuel economy.