72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Here is some pics of this thing in progress.

Dates aren't shown on pictures, but are as follows:
12-29-2010, 1-6-2011, 1-8-2011, 1-8-2011, 1-9-2011

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Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

More pics. Dates as follows:
1-9-2011, 1-10-2011, 1-10-2011, 1-31-2011

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Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Dates:

2-1-2011, 2-1-2011

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More pictures to follow. Need to sort through the memory card on camera.

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Here are pictures and dates when I could actually drive it around the shop on it's own power.

2-16-2011, 2-16-2011, 2-20-2011, 2-20-2011, 2-20-2011

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Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Rest of these all taken on 2-20-2011

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Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Taken 2-20-2011

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Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Very nice! Did you use a stock harness from a truck or a standalone ecu?

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Wow, that is awesome :metal: It looks like a nice tight squeeze in there, but it looks good :chevy: It must drive and sound awesome !

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

It was nice seeing your Suburban in person! You did a great job on the install and in record time for a build for sure. And, thanks again for the sweet deal on the clutch TH400. It'll be put to good use. :lol:

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

firewall mods?

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

no firewall mods but the challenge was the trans tunnel because of the size of the allison started with a 4x4 tunnel then raised it about 4 more inches

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

I saw some pictures of the white short bed pick-up at SEMA with a D-max and that tranny tunnel was tall too!

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

well the trans is on the bench gettin the rebuild it didnt need but tryin to make it bullet proof I quess.

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Is that your trans cooler behind your transmission? That's slick!

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Gonna need to see some video....Please?????

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

thats the trans cooler it is a tube and fin derale 16 pass and is the only trans cooler I have on the trans. With that being said it is coming off and i am going to a plate and fin type cooler from the same company because of heating issues. They asured me that it would do the job i quess i should have done my homework first before purchasing the one i did.

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

If you are having heat issues I would definitely do something different! If the other cooler doesn't work, what about a hydraulic oil cooler? They will be more pricey, but with limited forced air-flow the "bigger-is-better" approach may be the way to go. A hydraulic oil cooler will also be tougher built. Maybe a spoiler between the frame and the rocker to force some air over the frame if that is the way your fan pulls. Are you using a trans temp gauge? Now I really wish I was going to the diesel drags!

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to add this link. Have you seen the PPE truck?

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Nice project!!!

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

the trans temp runs about 150-170 on my 2010 truck and I have seen trans temp as high as 220 in the burb in know these are not good numbers for any oil. Temp breaks down oil the fastest. Derale told me I just used the wrong cooler for the job so I am going with the pro opinion on this on I quess. Also thought about the shroud to pull fresh air in but not good for the gravel road I live on when it rain and turns to mud. I talked to them about the air shroud and they said it would not be needed. I will let you know the results.

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Since I"m bugging you about coolers, what can you tell me about that radiator/fan combo? How does that hold up to the heat?

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

The radiator is a griffen 31 inch wide with 2 13 inch fans offset. I have never seen the engine temp above 195 unless you are running the air and sitting in traffic then it will just keep creeping up the highest recorded temp i think is 230. If i am stuck jn traffic I wiil just turn off the air and roll down the windows. On the power tour we saw some pretty high outside temps along the way so all in all I am happy with the engine cooling.

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Very cool burb!
I saw it at the Des Moines Goodguys event.

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

when will our projects ever be complete?

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Yeah, I'd like to figure that out some time too. :lol:

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

here is the latest update from the car craft nationals in minneapolis check it out. look at you tube 72 suburban duramax burn out. As i have said before I am not handy at the computer so dont know how to upload the link

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Diesel wrencher hope to see you in Denver next weekend maybe jbclassix also.

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

I wish we could make it out there man. The car is torn apart again. There's no engine or trans in it. :lol: Maybe next year. Have fun out there man!

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

We made it
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Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Trust me, if I didn't have Drill I would have been there! especially since you are curious about a 4th door!

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Very nice project. I have been really considering the same thing. I have a factory C-10 402 burb and I want it to be basically a daily driver and also keep true to the numbers ie 6.6ltr 402. I am really curious about some of the specifics of your build to see how hard it was and which motor you went with, lly, lby ect. You have an amazing ride. I am very jealous. Maybe some day.... All information would be very much appreciated and helpful.
Thanks,
Andrew

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

yeh same as this guy above...im swapping a lb7 into my 71 gmc. i would like to know as much as possible about the harness, motor mounts, problems you had, what type of gauges you ran, and how you rigged up the gear selector for the trans, i plan on using after market gauges to keep the truck looking old. thanks bud awesome burb !!!

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Vacation is over it was a blast what a way to travel wife 4 kids and a old burb! Went to bandameir on sunday ran my to time trial passes then had to leave to go to the ccr concert in loveland. Ran a 13.501 at a 103.41 on the first pass and a 13.506 at 102.70 on the second pass what fun. as far as the info on the swap goes here is some of it. I ran a lokar steering colum mount cable shift to the 6spd allison which had to be modified on both ends but works slick. Motor mounts i started form scratch. the engine is a 2006 lbz with the 6spd allison. I went with classic industries gauge panel so it still looks old but has all electric sending units. The intercooler i had custom made by spearco and the harness ppe helped me out with that. All in all it went pretty smooth if you would like to talk to me pm your number and I will give you a call. Glad you all like it I just keep lookin for reasons to drive it.

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

started a new project check it out twin hair dryers (here we go again) think the burb will keep up?

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Linky! Linky! Linky! Where's the link! I wanna see!!!!!

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Im currently working on this swap in my 67, and my engine mount situation is driving me nuts! Any advise/help is appreciated! Did u put stiffer coils in the front? Lift pump? Intercooler? Love the build!
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Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

My engine mounts i made from scratch set my engine where i wanted it and started cutting and welding. I looked at the stock mounts but couldnt see a good way to mount them so started over. The front has 2in drop spindles and the stock coils puts it around 3 or so inches of drop total. The intercooler also was a custom built piece also think itwas done by spearco. hope i was of some good to you.

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

I love this build its the perfect family hauler and the durability is tremendous to go cross country its an incredible job well done. Id love to be able to swap my trucks powertrain out for this but Im unsure of all the stats. I dont need a huge amount of horsepower but gas mileage and trust that I wont have major issues is what Im looking for. Have you run into any issues with post build running around in it?

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

well its been about 1 year now since I completed the burb it has seen over 11000 miles of road and around 15 states. I have been nothing but happy with it but of course with any project there were some bugs to workout when i first finished it. The mileage is pretty much 22mpg hills or no hills hot or cold nothing seems to matter.

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Damn that's really impressive Im sure the old burbs got around 8-10 on good days and a giving downhill haha I know my truck doesnt do much more than 10 but maybe its the led foot around my buddies. But that's awesome to hear it getting plenty of mileage out there I hate the builds that get finished and are just garage queens just breaks my heart there

Re: 72 suburban with a duramax (the build)
 

Hey duraburb, what gear ratio r u running?
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