Full Build: Duramax Swapped Classic Squarebody - 1987 Chevy 1500

We're taking an '87 Chevy 1500 and giving it a serious upgrade into Project Nightrain. We're swapping out the old gas V8 for a powerful Duramax diesel engine paired with an Allison transmission, turning this classic two-wheel drive, regular cab short bed truck into a high-powered diesel beast. We've sent off the harness to be transformed into a stand-alone setup, and they're even tweaking the PCM for some extra oomph. The truck's got some mileage, but the real excitement lies in making room for the big diesel, modifying the exhaust system, and tackling that school-bus-sized transmission. Of course, we didn't forget style-our Chevy will sport a fresh cowl hood to accommodate all that power under the newly painted roof, blending that midnight blue perfectly.

[@standodge7687]

Anyone else's legs go numb from sitting on the toilet watching this for almost 2 hours lol

[@theroadjack3437]

On the crapper watching it right now

[@Titian92]

🤣🤣

[@cheddardavis5818]

My preferred way of starting my day

[@joshuagunderson6065]

Buy a higher toilet

[@americandreamer2279]

Working on it 😂

[@tjhanlonjr]

I love how motor trend always starts off with one host and ends with a new one all of the time

[@twistedrproductions7463]

I actually wished the fella at the beginning would've stayed and got to take it for the first drive since he did all the engineswap... the two at the end annoyed me

[@johnk6206]

Just so everybody knows, this series of episodes (Night Train build) originally hit the air in Jan 2015.

[@darrenroot4562]

A decade!

[@Beardest_Fishing]

Doesn't quite excuse that gawdy 90's grill but to each their own.

[@andrewatkins1328]

Explains the sub $5k for an ‘87 square body

[@stevendaniels5447]

Do they even still record this

[@DanBeanner-zo3ms]

Ok Capt. 🎉Obvious🎉😅

[@Mouldyturnip75]

That was a solid truck build.

[@anthonyslazas6413]

They make it look way to easy painting the new hood. Nice job guys.

[@JasonGarber-n9y]

Gotta love the whistle of a turbo doing its job!

[@SwineBrothers]

I love these full build comps!

[@JasonGarber-n9y]

I always liked that the allison trans comes with a spin on trans filter. I installed one in my e40d from diesel site a external filter and a fluid flow guage make alot of cool diesel aftermarket parts .

[@kennetheugene6402]

you guys see him using those Hyper tough impact tools and drill tools !!! good enough for him I went and got that high torque 1/2 impact and 3/8 ratchet.

[@denniscarreno5882]

Just a beautiful work guys!

[@JasonGarber-n9y]

This is one of the coolest builds ive seen . The only other build i liked as much as this was the build by DEBOSS GARAGE where he installed a catipillar inline six turbo diesel along with an allison 6 speed trans , he put a 2016 f250 interior and air ride suspension. He did this on a 1996 f350 4 door longbed with a 4x4 ...

[@Rs500ybd]

That Looks Proper Sick Total nailed it ,. Happy new year everyone .🙏

[@Rs500ybd]

I Had and old Rs It was Pearl pacific Blue looked Purple at night Such a Nice colour.

[@454budman]

I would buy this in a heart beat

[@franciscooper.retired]

I'd go for the sleeper look, I just love handing out nasty shocks.

[@jamesn.4892]

It’s been two years now. As a medic in the area I can say this is one of the best tools we’ve been given. I feel so much safer when approaching a busy intersection. Money well spent!

[@jtfberryfarm9592]

Thanks for the build and info. I'll get right on my old rusty.

[@kevincarroll9031]

Keep the roll pan just killed it

[@JasonGarber-n9y]

That digital paint matching gadget is awesome when u dont have a paint code on the door...

[@samd7601]

Some boys with some toys✌️

[@aydinvideo]

Absolutely awesome build. Love it.

[@cwbintn8949]

I'd love for these dudes to build me a truck one day, but I'm neither rich or famous.

[@rekleif]

Loved the VHT rebuilding kit for the front suspension as a certain fan of vise-grips used to say......

[@RayYontz]

God this truck is so sweet the want is real ! ❤

[@Spennyman10]

Sweet build! I'd ditch those hideous wheels though.

[@zmanmd1641]

The rear fuel tank only has that thin roll panel to protect it from collisions. It needs a tow hitch added to provide stronger protection for that tank since the bumper has been removed.

[@JasonGarber-n9y]

One of the best things about this build is it doesnt have all the newer emissions crap and the DEF , DEAD ENGINE FLUID ....

[@454budman]

I like how the egr disappeared lol

[@nickayivor8432]

HAPPY NEW YEAR,POWERNATION 2 👍 from Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧 ⏰️ 19:43pm Good Evening

[@WhyIsTheRumGone68]

I like to use the 3" cutoff wheels from industrial depot....

[@cheddardavis5818]

Great patch job on the oil pan that oil soaked cast aluminum is a nightmare

[@JasonGarber-n9y]

That is the first time i saw a calipers that u could the the brake pads through the back , thats pretty damn cool! And i would also assume the brakespads and rotor are gonna run alot cooler from air hitting them dead on target

[@SimonCas]

5 grand for that truck, yeah right I’ve seen rusted out trucks with no doors or engines looking for 5k.

[@NASTYcraftX]

I swear PN has more turnover than McDonald's.

[@19chev81]

This was 10 years ago 😂

[@jeffcarmichael9393]

1 Ton duallys went thru 88.. I have one, 6.2 diesel

[@rogermcbride9265]

My dad had the bright idea of using compression fittings for brake lines and it sucked I lost count of how many I stripped

[@6806goats1]

The website you mentioned seems bogus. Do you have the direct link to what you have?

[@mdlusk6112]

i would love to see yall put a 5.9 cummins in a 2nd gen dodge 1500

[@Werner-l6i]

Id just slap a 6.2 gm diesel, they fast once you upgrade the injector pump

[@SantasLittleHelper1]

Bro got sick of the “new guy” jokes and did something about it…

[@vickypratamaputra4363]

Truck Tech Full Build 1987 Chevrolet 1500

[@johnharmon7655]

You should get some train horns

[@reece7259]

The squarebody 2 door truck ran from 1973-1987. However the suburbans and blazers went until 1992

[@WhyIsTheRumGone68]

They went through 1991

[@TheAleutiansolution]

Why do the background music kinda sound like Everlong from Foo Fighters?

[@quanahweedon9532]

How about the song "Midnight Special".

[@salmanfarooq7738]

It a nice effort but will b more informative if at the end u will add the cost of whole project itemized !

[@zednott]

i dont think cost enters in to the equation with her on this. its more of a passion project. its more about getting it perfect

[@ckc2002]

Cant find this website. Can you give us the website in the comments

[@MrMattMohler]

31:34 19 gallons!?

[@robbiemckinnon7901]

@lawrencetolman you look like you're about 12 in this video, LOL!😂

[@dakotastevens9245]

The entire build was awesome but that “fix” for not being able to utilize the instrument cluster is extremely distasteful

[@Adam-he9wd]

what happened to Ryan? why'd he leave halfway through the video?

[@harrisondavis9957_]

Correction, they were built from 1973 to 1991.

[@patrickpennington140]

Half-ton trucks were changed for 1988. 3/4 and 1 ton trucks along with all Suburbans and full size Blazer/Yukon continued with the Square Body evolution with updated grills among other minor changes until 1992 when the redesign was fully implemented across the entire lineup.

[@thecman26]

There's nothing more 1980s part store than a roll pan on a truck... Just need some 8 ball valve stem caps and fuzzy dice for the rear view mirror! Great job on the rusty bed! Just do the right thing and ignore it. Cover it up, nothing to see here!

[@mikedavis1714]

I wish I had a dollar for everytime he said deezle

[@waynerohde1036]

Coukd be a drinking game, take a shot everytime he says it lol

[@essexja6]

Where can I buy it?

[@1990smitch]

Please put the chevy grill back in

[@bmxcmx]

Am I crazy or does he sound exactly like Chris fix

[@TheHumpster69]

Lmm came out 2007.5. That looks like a lbz

[@albertchaidez6317]

Why would you have huge prybars and a ratchet when you just need a Milwaukee 1/2 inch impact. For that flywheel

[@thecman26]

2015

[@BryanGilig]

Ka Kinsa na imong gi trabsho Yan

[@ЮрийСураев-й7ы]

👍..🍺..👏

[@wade.plummer5]

Only downside about this build was those awful stock shocks, could’ve spent the money you spent on optima’s for a good set of aftermarket shocks

[@JasonGarber-n9y]

If u guys made it 4 wheel drive this build for me IMO WOULD be damn near perfect!

[@zombienectar]

Where in the fuck was that truck for sale for 5 grand ?

[@craigstark2712]

This is an old re-run. You can't get it for that price today.

[@Rs500ybd]

@@craigstark2712 thats giving it away sheeeeeeeeeeitt

[@bmstylee]

10 years ago when this was built you could get a square body for 5k

[@freerepublicusa2064]

Factory grill looked better imo. Shoulda arp studded the heads while the engine is out and delete the factory fuel filter and install a fass lift pump and fuel filters. Imo

[@beefsupreme5132]

19 gallons is a small tank for a diesel.

[@vertonmccaulou5]

Actually only had 20 gallon on the stock lbz duramax truck i own the chevrolet version and the gmc version they are both like that

[@waynerohde1036]

Don't they get decent mileage

[@vertonmccaulou5]

@waynerohde1036 18 on a great day here in Montana, but a lot of our speed limits are 70 to 80 Miles an hour, so that plays a factor as well.

[@howitworks3607]

You know this is the “Instagram” version of a build when he says “everything worked perfectly” 😂

[@waynerohde1036]

It does for them when they have all the good professionals helping them with the build

[@Titian92]

Leave the stock hood.

[@gtsimdriver5524]

LOL... How long ago was this series. Still affordable.... LMAO! Kick ass build though.

[@Bwilson-31]

Jeremy has been around for years so he's not a new guy.

[@waynerohde1036]

Acting like its hard to fit lol 454s and 632s fit in there just fine and their bigger

[@johnathanmyers3794]

Piss of the world drop a 6.0 in one 😅

[@garyosborn3168]

Anyone know if this is an authentic channel or are they just recycling content from the main PN channel?

[@nestorlugo.]

You lost me at less than 5K for the truck 😂😂😂

[@Alex_the_Reign]

Jeez, start cutting out those dumb midrolls

[@Shouganaigarage]

Stance and wheel setup are wack. Squarebody Syndicate formula is the only way.

[@RogerJohnson-j9v]

shouldve used a Cummins way easier and way more power

[@ScottRay77]

Beautiful truck the only issue I have with it is the engine. I prefer my classics to sound like built American muscle and not a 18-wheeler going down the road. To each his own.

[@WBOS72]

I agree, ruined a classic.

[@kalh.9241]

How about both of you shut up 😂 “I’d rather have a 300 horse small block Chevy” BORINGGG

[@ScottRay77]

@@kalh.9241 how about you grow up little boy. it's okay if people's opinions are different than yours. On that note I'll gladly shut up if you can make me. 😂 300 horses is laughable no matter what kind of engine it is.

[@Backyard_Racing]

This is an easy swap… if you have 30 grand sitting around.

[@ProfessionalDriver101]

First to comment

[@randypullman1155]

Tell us you've never owned a diesel without telling us.

[@butterflyeffect-q7r]

You DID NOT buy that for $5000

[@shintot970]

give me car

[@barryhebert5839]

Needs to be dropped 2 more inches front and rear

[@FrancisCooper-m7d]

What was the point of all that nonsense in the car park?

[@mechanic350]

Guys there’s no such website in existence. I looked and it doesn’t come up. Don’t know what’s going on.

[@lazerwolfdiecast]

Why do you insist on showing the welding? Do you not realize that even video of welding can damage your eyes?

[@AR_420]

😂😂😂😂🤪🙄

[@greg6895]

No it can't, your screen has a maximum brightness level and it's not even close to the real thing.✌

[@Gladiatorguy1998]

My goodness.🤦🏻‍♂️

[@1990smitch]

This is a joke right?

[@SeanGiampietro]

How about you rip that EGR off and double the engine life