1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

So I traded for this pickup in 2010. I drove it around a few years before tearing into the rust repair project. Things quickly got out of hand with every aspect of the build. Since I started, I’ve built a house, had more kids, started a business, and built a shop.
The specs:
1971 K30 long bed original orange/white paint (Truck was 2wd originally)
2007 duramax engine with 42,000 miles
ZF6 manual transmission with southbend super street clutch
Custom billet adapter to NP205
GM Dana 60/14 bolt with 4:56 gears and rear locker (military truck doner)
Custom 52” leaf springs with FGB52 kit from diy4x (10” lift total)
Fully boxed frame with all custom tube crossmembers
44x18.50 ground hawgs on 16.5x14 weld sidewinders
I just finished repainting the truck myself in the factory colors with SPI products

I’ve spent so much time working on this thing. My goal is to reassemble it and drive it to Rod Run in Long Beach, Washington 2021.

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

I love it already and it's not even done! Keep up the great work and keep us posted.

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

Twin turbos? :D

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

Looking great, how did your engine crossmember turn out?

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

Yes it has an s475 over stock compound setup.
All the crossmembers are dom tubing. All the mounts are 2” dom sleeves with poly bushings and 5/8” bolts. The engine sits as far down and back as possible. The firewall has been completely redone to allow shoving the engine back.

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

Very nice truck! High quality

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

Nice truck
How far back did you have to make space for the duramax ?

I have added a k30 to my project build list only thing in my yard missing is a dana 60 front diff

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

The couple that I’ve seen have the engine far enough forward to clear the stock down pipe. I recessed the center of the firewall and make the opening larger to clear the heads. Probably 6” recess and 3” total on each side wider. I further recessed a box to clear the hot side pipe leaving the stock turbo. There is no room inside the frame to run exhaust in the passenger side. The transfer case to frame rail clearance in a few inches. That’s why most guys run a ford high pinion Dana 60 to be drivers side drop. I didn’t want to do that. A classic Chevy is passenger drop. That’s why the exhaust is outside the frame. I had to notch the cab supports a bit to give clearance without the pipe showing under the truck. It will all be heat wrapped.

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

Nice lots of hard work
I agree keep it chevy diff
Those dmax with zf6 stick shift trucks are fun to drive

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

Amazing work! Look forward to seeing it done!

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

That's going to be a cool truck

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

Nice work! That’s gonna be a beast. Are those real deal Hawgs or the interco remakes? Real deal hawgs are hard as hell to fine anymore. My dad had a set on a 71 K10 when I was kid. I love the look of them under these trucks.

Re: 1971 k30 duramax/ZF6/np205 orange!!
 

They are originals. Interco hasn’t made the Cobalts in 16.5.