Trucks, Vans and Jeeps

Chevy K2500 Duramax Swap: Sam & Kelsey’s Twin-Turbo GMT400 Beast

Read about Sam and Kelsey Lauchner’s Chevy K2500 Duramax swap—a handmade twin-turbo GMT400 build with an NV4500 manual, compound snails, and true enthusiast craftsmanship.

r0cean11

Chevy K2500 Duramax Swap: Sam & Kelsey’s Twin-Turbo GMT400 Beast

Chevy K2500 Duramax Twin-Turbo GMT400 Beast

Sam & Kelsey Lauchner – 2000 Chevy K2500 - Duramax-Swapped | NV4500 Manual | Twin Turbo “Couple Snails” Setup
Instagram/TikTok: @the_truck_wizz | @diesel_goddess

Photographer/Author: Donnie Rochin | IG: @r0cean11 | FB: r0cean11 Photography | www.r0cean11.com

A Love Story Written in Diesel and Steel

Some builds come from shops, some come from budgets, and some come from catalogues — but the really special ones? They come from people. In the wide-open spaces of Wyoming, Sam and Kelsey Lauchner have crafted a truck that doesn’t just make power; it tells a story.

Their Chevy K2500 Duramax swap is more than a mechanical masterpiece. It’s a symbol of their relationship — built through long nights, tough challenges, and victories only wrench-turners truly understand. They've been building trucks together since 2018, making multiple SEMA appearances while bringing a raw, humble, authentic energy to the automotive scene.

Sam, an industrial mechanic in the oil and gas industry, is the kind of person who solves problems by rolling up his sleeves. Kelsey, a store manager by day and garage warrior by night, matches his passion step for step. If Sam is torque, Kelsey is traction — and together they get things moving.

“This build isn’t just mine,” Sam says. “It’s ours. Every bolt. Every weld. Every late night.”

Twin-Turbo GMT400 Beast

Where the Passion Began

To understand why this build matters, you have to understand Sam.

He was that kid — the one who took apart toy cars, pulled the wheels off bicycles, and had a natural urge to see how things worked. His first real project was his high school truck, an old OBS Chevy that planted a seed he never stopped watering.

Through career changes, life changes, and everything in between, he carried a single goal:
One day, build the ultimate OBS-style truck.

Kelsey laughs about her own entry into the lifestyle. “At first I was helping,” she admits, “but once we started going to SEMA and wrenching together, it became our passion.”

Why the Chevy K2500? A Dream That Never Faded

Ask Sam why he chose a 2000 Chevy K2500 GMT400, and he won’t hesitate:

“It’s the truck I always dreamed of.”

The GMT400 is iconic — rugged lines, timeless presence, and a platform that lets builders create something truly personal. For Sam, it brought everything full circle: from his high school OBS to a K2500 now packing an LB7 Duramax heart and compound snails.

“This was the chance to build what my younger self always wanted,” he says. “Except now… we did it better.”

Built in a Barn, Not in a Shop

This wasn’t a shop build. It wasn’t outsourced. It didn’t rely on a fleet of fabricators or a corporate SEMA timeline.

This beast was born in a friend’s ranch barn, with the soundtrack of good music and the smell of welding fumes cutting through Wyoming nights.

“Every nut and bolt on this truck has both of our fingerprints on it,” Sam explains. “We fought through wiring headaches, plumbing nightmares, small clearances — everything.”

But like most builders know:
The moment you fire it up for the first time, every frustration disappears.

Twin-Turbo GMT400 Beast

Driving the Duramax-Swapped K2500

If you ask Sam what it feels like behind the wheel, he doesn’t hold back.

“Unreal. The spool, the scream of the compound turbos, the torque — it’s raw. And that NV4500 just brings it all home. You feel everything.”

Kelsey sees it from another angle.

“When people gather around at shows, they’re not just seeing a truck,” she says. “They’re seeing our effort, our time, our story.”

This isn’t a trailer queen — it’s a working, breathing representation of years of passion.

The Build Specs – Chevy K2500 Duramax Swap

Engine & Drivetrain

LB7 Duramax swap
Compound turbo setup (S475 over stock)
Upgraded injectors & head studs
NV4500 5-speed manual transmission

Suspension

Fully custom 16-inch 4-link SAS, built entirely in-house
All components cerakoted for longevity

Brakes, Wheels & Tires

GM 14-bolt rear disc conversion
22x12 TIS 544 Brushed wheels
40x15.50R22 Nitto Mud Grapplers

Interior

LRB Speed full aluminum dash kit
Custom headliner
Custom seatbelts by Seatbelt Planet
More cabin refinements in progress

Audio System

Dual 10-inch subs behind the seat
Tuned for clean, punchy sound without overkill

Exterior

Two-tone paint sprayed by Sam & Kelsey
Aftermarket grille & trail-ready bumpers
XK Glow lighting, integrated into rack
Chasing Big Days chase rack with moto mount
Real Truck Power Retrax tonneau cover

Twin-Turbo GMT400 Beast

Advice for Builders Taking on a Duramax Swap

Sam doesn’t sugarcoat anything.

“Don’t underestimate a swap. The wiring alone will test your sanity.”

His biggest advice?

Build for yourself.
Not for trends, not for comments, not for likes.
Because satisfaction comes from creating something true to you.

He also laughs about the compound turbo setup:
“Compounds aren’t for the faint of heart. Do it right the first time.”

What Makes This Duramax K2500 Truly Unique

A Duramax swap into a GMT400 platform is already rare.
Add:

A manual NV4500
Compound turbos
Full in-house fabrication
Husband-and-wife builders

…and you get something that stands alone.

“It isn’t built to sit still,” Sam says. “It’s built to move.”

Twin-Turbo GMT400 Beast

Community, Culture, and SEMA Moments

Sam and Kelsey don’t just attend shows — they contribute to the culture.

“The scene gave us everything,” Kelsey says. “Friends, opportunities, SEMA invites. We try to give that back.”

And their message to new builders?

“If our journey inspires someone to start theirs, that’s a win.”

Future Plans for the Duramax K2500

The build is far from done.

Larger high-pressure turbo
Billet internals
More refined suspension tuning
Additional custom fabrication

“A build like this never really ends,” Sam says with a grin. “It evolves.”

Dreams That Keep Getting Bigger

Today, this truck represents everything they’ve ever wanted. But dreamers don’t stop dreaming.

“We’d love to build something even wilder,” Kelsey laughs. “Maybe on 30s. Who knows? Whatever it is… we’ll build it together.”

Because at the end of the day, the Lauchner K2500 is more than a truck — it’s a rolling love letter built in diesel, steel, and teamwork.

Call to Action

Do you have a build story like this one? Got a build on a budget? We want to see it. Submit your story to Stance Auto Magazine, and you could be the next featured owner showing the world how to do it right—without breaking the bank.

And hey, don’t forget to tag us on socials. Use #stanceautomag on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook so we can see (and maybe feature) your ride.

Test Your JDM Car Knowledge and Take Our No. 1 JDM Car Quiz

Order Your Stance Auto Car Magazines From Our Amazon Book Store

Test Your Automotive Knowledge and Take Our No. 1 Car Quiz

Get Noticed Use our Hashtags - #stanceauto #stanceautomag #stanceautomagazine #modifiedcarmagazine

UKTM no: UK00003572459

The Printed Magazine

Tags:

Like 0

Dislike 0

Love 0

Funny 0

Angry 0

Sad 0

Wow 0

r0cean11 Photography began as a simple hobby for me—something I explored out of pure curiosity and passion. Twenty-four years later, it has grown into one of the defining parts of my life. Before stepping fully into automotive photography, I spent years building cars for SEMA. I photographed my own builds and projects long before I ever considered taking the craft seriously. That all changed when my last build was totaled; from that moment, photography became more than an interest—it became my purpose. ----------- Today, I shoot and write for Stance Auto Magazine, PASMAG, 742 Marketing Events, Super Lap Battle, Global Time Attack, RACEWORZ, and a wide range of automotive events across the United States. ----------- To me, automotive photography is more than capturing a vehicle—it’s about telling the story that lives within it. Every builder leaves a piece of themselves in their car, and my job is to honor that by showcasing their vision through my lens. ----------- You’ll find my event coverage, feature shoots, and automotive storytelling across all my platforms. I’m always open to connecting, answering questions, and collaborating with builders, enthusiasts, and fellow creatives. ----------- I am also a Partner with Stance Auto Magazine, serving as the Director of Marketing and Media. ----------- Facebook (Personal): Donald Rochin (Donnie Roc)