2003 GMC DURAMAX -toy with family manners

[WCO]

So I'm finally starting my own build thread for my truck:
2003 GMC 2500HD
LB7 Duramax
Allison
Ext Cab, Short Bed
Fully Loaded

I bought it off a good friend of the family in April of 2011 with 95,000 on it. He was the kind of guy that took it in every 3000 miles for oil changes, and had every service done by the dealership (for better or worse). Fortunately the diesel mechanic at our local dealer is one of the most well versed guys with the duramax motor I've met.

It was completely stock when I got it, but will be slowly changing as time/$/wife allows.

The buildup will serve many purposes. I raise/train/breed German Shepherds, and need to be able to transport dogs and equipment ( www.ortnervdpfalz.com ). I am also big into hunting, so I need a truck that can get me in/out of places, haul what I kill, and also serve as a place to sleep/camp. I also need my truck for basic chores around the ranch. On top of all that, I need the truck to remain comfortable and accomodating for my wife and eventually family.

I've started a few things on it:
ARE utility shell
bed platform with storage (not quite finished)
PIAA Lights (I know they're not great, but 10 years ago when I bought them, I didn't know that:Wow1: but one day they will be replaced with HID's.
Procomp leveling kit
just bought some Hummer H2 wheels with 315.70.17s that I'm going to stuff under the rig.

This is what she looked like when I brought her home.

 

[whatpavment?]

I just replaced my Duramax headlights with HIDs and it's a world of difference. 6k 35w lows and fogs.

 

[WCO]

Some of the projects I've done since I got the truck: INJECTORS

So the first thing that I had to do was injectors. Quote from the dealership: $5800. That wasn't going to happen after I just paid 20 G's for this truck. So after some talking with our local diesel guru at the GM dealership, I hooked up with SoCal Diesel who specializes in Duramaxs. They match all their sets of injectors (so that each injector flows the same under the same pressures) and I got out the door at about $2,000 after the $800 core. Another $250 for all the orings, gaskets, two t-stats, coolant, brake cleaner, and GM gasket maker, and a few new CD's from walmart and I was ready to hit the shop. I'd done injectors and i-pump on my cummins, but the dmax is a different animal....A LOT of wires and connectors. I started 1 by 1 labeling everything I could and taking some photos:
I never took any photos of the overall unfortunately so I won't upload too many as they won't make much sense.

You have to remove the two piece valve covers which proves to be quite the pain on the drivers side as the rear 8mm hex bolts are about 1 inch from the firewall.....cut and bent some allens to fit and finally got them off:
Passenger side valve cover

Passenger side valve cover off

Injector with return lines still connected

And here you can see what brings death to these duramax injectors, lots of particles from poor filtration and finikie design. Fortunately the new injectors from bosch are a much better design


Unfortunately didn't take any pics of putting it back together, but now have over 8,000 miles and she's running fantastic:smiley_drive:

 

[WCO]

The new shell

Since I bought the truck I had been hunting craigslist for a utility shell.....after 6 months, finally found one for $300, an ARE with rear barn doors. I was hoping to find a 36" high model, but when used you settle for what you can get:
I put the roof top vent on, I'll take some pics of it in detail later and post them. I have dogs in the truck all the time and needed the ventilation, it'll also be great when hunting and sleeping in the back.

I also built a platform, but as well, need to take pics. Since college I've gotten really bad at photo-documentation outside of work.

 

[WCO]

Before the hummer wheels

As it sits now, I threw some procomp keys in it to get the front end up, and am going to do 1-1/2" blocks in the back and one more inch up front when I put the new wheels/tires on.


I had these old PIAA's from a truck I had about 8 years ago, so I threw them on for now till I have the extra funds for some light forces. They're pencil beams, and work good for some of the long farm roads I am on a lot, but not so great on trail


I will be putting the new wheels/tires on thursday hopefully, I'll post up some pics then

 

[DoMiNiC1]

Love the rig. Looks great, I really like that topper! Every time I see one out here on CL they want 600+ I found a shell for 100 and painted it black but it is only temporary till I find something with barn doors and a little taller. I went with the H2 wheels also and am very pleased with the look and ride (bfg-at 275/70/17), you should get a bit of lift out of those tires too. My truck is getting injectors as we speak and I am thinking about extra filtration... are you going to add anything in addition to stock filter?

 

[WCO]

Hey Dominic, thanks for the compliments! I've been following your build! I have been toying with the idea of putting another filter/housing on from a catipillar......but really haven't given much thought to it yet. I'm replacing filters more often right now (pretty much each oil change) and running good addative. The h2 wheels I got are wrapped in 315s, I was going to try and stuff them in there as the reason I got the wife to agree to them was that they had A LOT of tread left.....uh oh......Might be selling the tires pretty soon to pay for part of a new set. If I get new, I'll probably run 285's.....we'll see.

 

[bftank]

talk to bfdiesel about the filters and bases, if you don't have the part #'s already. that is what he ran on his duramax when he still had it.

 

[WCO]

talk to bfdiesel about the filters and bases, if you don't have the part #'s already. that is what he ran on his duramax when he still had it.

Thanks bftank! I will pm him.....I've got some housings/bases from old tractor projects, but I am definitly interested in what he did!

 

[bftank]

anytime

 

[WCO]

Camper vent and platform

So as I continue to try and catch this thread up to my current state, I took some closer pics of the vent I put on my Camper. I had been shopping around for one of these vents, and had a hard time finding anything cheaper than 30-40. I then stopped in at a local factory direct trailer store in Gilroy, and low and behold, they sell parts at their cost plus a little. So I got the brand new vent for $17 and he threw in some of the sealing tape for free.......

Unfortunately the screen didn't hold up for very long......I am going to make a stainless frame with bolt on screen to replace the plastic (once work slows down and I can use solidworks for playing again)

I siliconed the ******** out of the flange, and then taped over it, but ARE does this stupid folded over itself seam right down the middle of the roof, so it still leaks. I am going to get some of the sealant they use for the roofs of campers and RV's and seal the whole roof, then paint it white again. Eventually the sides and rear of the camper will be paint matched to the truck, and I'll leave the roof white to help keep it a little cooler in back for the dogs.

I need to take some more pics of the platform when I clean out the bed. I still haven't made the drawer for it yet, but just use the tuperware for now. The drawer will be 52" long, so I can build a gun box in it for my shotguns/rifles, and be able to keep them out of sight. The front 24" of platform is a seperate compartment where I store tools and recovery gear, and the stuff I don't need on the daily. But right now, this is what its set up for every day as I almost always have at least one dog with me.

The reason for the platform sitting about 8 inches from the back, is that it's the only way I can get my crates in and out since the camper is cab hight. I still need to finish the hinged sides to completly fill up the bed and give me some more covered storage. When the wife and I go camping, I'll make a little insert to extend the platform to the back doors.

 

[WCO]

Some other past toys

Thought I'd throw up some pics of few of my past toys I've had in no particular order:

99 24V Cummins, with A LOT of engine mods.......496hp, 978ft/lbs, dyno'd at 245,000 mi, sold at 265,000mi

Grandpas 1917 Dodge Brothers horseless carriage

93 Prelude I had in high school, built top end, 260hp

2004 Vovlo XC70 (got in trouble at the dealership when I brought it in for a service because "they had never seen a car with so much mud on it")

95 Chevy 2500, built and blue'd 454 at 485 hp, hooked to an NV4500

New bumper I had built after hitting a flock of turkeys at 60mph

 

[WCO]

A few more

Hauling my buddies 75 ford F250 to laughlin back in 2007

Cal Poly's 1/4 scale tractor I helped design/build (I think this was in 06-07) with my nephew helping me out

And an old 82 cherokee I had for a while in college, but never really did much with

 

[rotti]

Have you thought about a Fantastic Fan:
http://www.fantasticvent.com/products/products.html

That is what I ordered for my FWC camper roof vent. I have Rottweilers and they really don't do well with heat, but that FF really moves the air.

Like your truck and I for one love that IFS on the GMs.
I just ordered a 2500HD CC but with the 6.0 gas. Looking forward to following your build.

 

[WCO]

Ok I found a few more.....

Little 3/4 ton flexing

And I can't forget my first truck, got it when I was 13, and learned a lot with it

Those are, unfortunately, indeed steer horns on the roof.....I thought I was really redneck back in the day....haha Ok I'm done for now