Rat truck
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Teching In
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Rat truck Im building a rat rod truck on a 2003 Chevy 2500hd frame and using a 5.3/4L60e out of a 99 half ton. Not knowing hardly anything about Chevy I figured I’d be able to drop the Powertrain in and maybe have to change motor mounts a bit but they are way off. The chassis had a duramax originally, is there a mount kit that i can buy to bolt in my 5.3 or will i have to weld up my own? The motor sitting in the engine bay currently is up higher and possibly back from stock location as well as being crooked. I’m not having any luck searching so any help or a link would be greatly appreciated.
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Teching In
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Ill be using the 2500hd chassis regardless. I have a complete 99 that had the 5.3/4L60e in it, i bought it as a parts donor so i have the Powertrain, wiring and computer, cooling system and can cut the frame mounts off to weld on my frame. I wanted the heavier frame and longer for that matter, i had to stretch a crew cab chassis another foot for my cab. So will my best/easiest bet the to cut off the frame side mounts off of the 1500 and weld them in place of the ones on my 2500hd?
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That’s why i was hoping it could be near bolt in, 6.0 is basically the same block. Where would you recommend looking for the mounts? See if i can track down some used parts or just look for new and return them if they wont work?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
The problem I see is that you are starting with a diesel-equipped chassis. It could very well have a different engine mount crossmember than the gas-powered trucks. Don't know for sure on GM trucks. The diesel engines are usually heavy enough to require different frame members, if not different frames altogether. This is why it was suggested to use a chassis that was originally gas powered.
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From: PDX-OR-USA
Do you have emissions testing? Cause gas-diesel can be a bugaboo as well, the VIN on the frame is different gas vs diesel..
Your fighting similar issue to swapping a Jeep straight six into a 4cyl chassis,, its a LOT more rework than you'd think at first.
Your fighting similar issue to swapping a Jeep straight six into a 4cyl chassis,, its a LOT more rework than you'd think at first.
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Thread Starter
Teching In
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There’s no emissions testing that I’m aware of plus when I get the truck titled it will have a new vin and the ones on the body and frame will be void. I have to buy new motor mounts anyways, mine are crunchy, so I can see if they’ll work. If not I plan on cutting the diesel ones out and welding in the gas ones. It’s just gonna take a little longer than originally planned I guess
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From: sarasota fl
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I put together a 1954 international crew cab and am usin the factory front sheet metal and a widened bed on my frame. Waiting on the moderators to approve my picture for the post. I’m wantin an old looking truck on a newish frame and Powertrain.