Mods
2009 LMM Duramax and 6 speed Allison transmission
20% tune
FASS Fuel Sump and Pump
20% tune
FASS Fuel Sump and Pump
Build story
This project started as a dream back in 2014. In 2024, my wife and I travelled to Florida to purchase the truck and drove it back home. I spent the summer of 2024 lifting the body off the frame, removing the stock 5.3L gas engine, and installing the 6.6L LMM Duramax. The fuel system was modified, and a reverse rake body lift added. I used the cooling stack from the donor pickup, but the radiator from a LB7.
After getting the body back on the frame, I started the truck for the first time. It produced a lot of white smoke, and was misfiring. Lots of oil was coming out of the exhaust as well. I found a replacement motor for much less than the cost of injectors, and installed the new one.
After driving the truck for a couple of months, I took it to a mechanic to diagnose a coolant leak. The rear cover had a small crack, and was replaced with the cover from the first motor.
About two months later, the crankshaft broke while driving. I managed to coast into my property and the truck sat for a few months until the weather improved. The engine was removed again, and I took it home to diagnose the issue. I determined that the crankshaft was broken, and sent the engine to Northtown Machine to be rebuilt with the crankshaft from the first engine.
Northtown Machine cleaned all the parts, and reassembled the engine with new bearings, piston rings, and seals. I picked up the engine and spent some cold evenings adding injectors, glow plugs, fuel lines, and wiring.
Just over a year after breaking the crankshaft, the engine was reinstalled in the truck. It took a few weeks to put all the pieces back together to start driving it.
It drives well, and has plenty of power. As a bonus, it averages about 9.4L/100km, or 25 MPG.
After getting the body back on the frame, I started the truck for the first time. It produced a lot of white smoke, and was misfiring. Lots of oil was coming out of the exhaust as well. I found a replacement motor for much less than the cost of injectors, and installed the new one.
After driving the truck for a couple of months, I took it to a mechanic to diagnose a coolant leak. The rear cover had a small crack, and was replaced with the cover from the first motor.
About two months later, the crankshaft broke while driving. I managed to coast into my property and the truck sat for a few months until the weather improved. The engine was removed again, and I took it home to diagnose the issue. I determined that the crankshaft was broken, and sent the engine to Northtown Machine to be rebuilt with the crankshaft from the first engine.
Northtown Machine cleaned all the parts, and reassembled the engine with new bearings, piston rings, and seals. I picked up the engine and spent some cold evenings adding injectors, glow plugs, fuel lines, and wiring.
Just over a year after breaking the crankshaft, the engine was reinstalled in the truck. It took a few weeks to put all the pieces back together to start driving it.
It drives well, and has plenty of power. As a bonus, it averages about 9.4L/100km, or 25 MPG.