Will there be a Duramax Suburban?

[Stlheadake]

My guess is the Allison tranny not fitting. Imagine hooking that burban up to that 7 ton trailer and pulling it (and the family, the luggage, the dog, the groceries, plus all the holiday gifts for Uncle Bill and family) across the country. I'd bet the D-max would be up for the job, but I seriously have questions about the old trannies.

I don't know much about the new one. But that's my guess...http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/t...ons/icon10.gif
Talking

[aloharovers]

I don't understand why they wouldn't modify the floor in the same way they do with the pickups.
It just boggles the mind the decisions that car makers make.

[DmaxMaverick]

The GMT-800 pickups (01-07) don't have a modified floor/tunnel. GM's answer was a 2" body lift. It's my guess the high center of gravity of SUV's, and accompanying public controversy, made GM very hesitant to do the same for the Suburbans. You can probably thank the publicity of the Samuri, Bronco II and Explorer for their reasoning.

[aloharovers]

Ahh that makes more sense. Also explains the more ruged stance on the HDs

So I guess if someone didn't fear the sawzall and they had a 03 Sub and a wrecked 03 HD pickup the conversion would be straight forward?

[DmaxMaverick]

It's been done.

[JohnC]

It's been done.

And you heard it here first!

Dmax Burb Article

[Colorado Kid]

Even the "Allison won't fit" argument doesn't hunt. They've built the D-max Express Van with the 4L85-E, and I'd own a Diesel Suburban even if I had to take it with a de-rated D-max. It's been "comming next year" since 2001. I stopped holding my breath on 9/28/04 when it became obvious that it wouldn't happen for 2005, and I bought the flex fuel Suburban. It's nice, but I'd rather burn LSD than E85. (Although, the way the price of diesel has stayed above the prices of gas and E85 the last couple years I think I'd have spent more to fuel a D-max.)

[Buck]

The Allison will NOT fit in the new GMT-900 'Burb, without a body lift of some sort. It was in the latest Truck Trend mag. (if you can believe them)

GM needs to get off their rears and get a Diesel in the 1500 pickups and the tahoe/'burb lineup. It needs to be capable of 25+mpg and they won't be able to build enough of them. I heard the new 6 speed auto in the Escalades are really nice.....

[More Power]

Regarding a new Duramax Suburban, we've waited in eager anticipation for seven years now. Here are my thoughts...

GM's latest web site explains why a gas engine offering in their medium-duty line-up is a worthwhile consideration, and perhaps hints at why GM is not bullish on diesel. The following was clipped from their web site.

The advantages of gas:
1- Gas engines cost less than diesel engines.
2- Gasoline is more universally available.
3- Quiet operation.
4- Good solution for lower-mileage applications.
5- Easy to service.
6- Fast cab heater warm-up.

GM has kept its finger in the pie, and has developed many diesel Suburban prototypes in the past seven years - using both the Duramax 6600 and a V-6 derivative. In my opinion, they haven't moved on it because of a lack of corporate will. Their V-6 was poised to pounce, but when Ford dropped their V-6 PSD, the V-6 Duramax was quietly moved off the table. GM was waiting for Ford to break the ice - i.e. to assume more of the risk in market development.

We've been told the Duramax/Allison won't fit the Suburban without a body lift. GM has said a body lift would make the Suburban more prone to roll-overs. I think these are valid points. All it would take is a change in the die that stamps the floor-pan to accomodate the Allison. But, the Allison is not necessary for a Suburban. The G-series cargo vans are available with the Duramax 6600 and 4L85-E automatic. Why not the Suburban?

Back in 2001-2002 period, I was told that GM was selling all of the gas Suburbans it could produce, and the question was posed to me, "Why would we complicate the manufacturing process by offering a diesel engine?"

If Ford began offering a new diesel SUV, GM would soon follow. They already have the diesel programs, they already have the engines, they already have the prototypes. They just need a little corporate will - in my opinion. So do Ford and Dodge.

Jim