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.
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.
6.2 NA, SM465, Dana 18, Saturn OD, Dana 60's all crammed into a 1970 Series IIa 88" Land Rover
1998 K2500 Burb, relocated PSD, upgraded injectors, cold air intake.
http://www.aloharovers.com
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.
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?
6.2 NA, SM465, Dana 18, Saturn OD, Dana 60's all crammed into a 1970 Series IIa 88" Land Rover
1998 K2500 Burb, relocated PSD, upgraded injectors, cold air intake.
http://www.aloharovers.com
And you heard it here first!Originally Posted by DmaxMaverick
Dmax Burb Article
The Constitution needs to be re-read, not re-written!
If you can't handle Dr. Seuss, how will you handle real life?
Current oil burners: MB GLK250 BlueTEC, John Deere X758
New ride: MB GLS450 - most stately
Gone but not forgotten: '87 F350 7.3, '93 C2500 6.5, '95 K2500 6.5, '06 K2500HD 6.6, '90 MB 350SDL, Kubota 7510
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.)
2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD CC D/ZF SB Fire Red 2WD no longer the fastest stocker up the hill at the TDP Pull Off. -sold-
2004 Chevy Suburban 5.3L 2WD
1996 GMC Sierra 1500 5.0L 5sp 2WD LB
The latest Diesel magazines seem to think that the DMAX is done and that a newer engine design from a different supplier may be an option (hope those are false rumors). I too am in the baby DMAX in front of a 4L85E or the upcoming 6L80E would be a very nice rig. Too bad GM doesn't get on the band wagon. I hate to rag on GM, I know they have their issues and regulations to meet, but throw me a frickin' bone and build it already.....pleeeease!
JP
Jeff
"But officer, I ain't Speedin', I'm just flyin' low"
2001 Silverado 3500 Dually LS Ext Cab, 6.6L Diesel, Banks Stinger Kit, 4" Exhaust, VR Straps, Bilstein shocks, 255/85/16 BFG KM2s
2004 Suburban 2500 LT 6.0L 4x4, Bilstein Shocks, Federico front/rear sway bars
1996 Caprice 5.7L LT1, B4U Suspension, KYB shocks & Hotchkis sway bars, BMR RCA - alas I miss ya.
2013 Caprice PPV 6.0L
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.....
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.
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.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.
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
Last edited by More Power; 02-01-2007 at 22:46.
Because the van doesn't have the allison. it uses the 4L80E and thus the 6.6L Dmax has to be derated and everything fits together nice without a body lift. Heck I fried the 4l80e @ 65000km with my 6.0l. so much for durability. I would not put a 4l80e on a DMax, derated or not.
Except that Ford already did that with the diesel Excursion and GM, well, did nothing.Originally Posted by More Power
Sigh. I'd trade my '02 2500HD in for a GMT-900 Suburban/Yukon XL with a diesel motor right now.
- Mark
'02 Sierra 2500HD D/A 4x4 CC SWB, Kelderman Air Ride rear suspension, Bilsteins, Westin step bars, Hawk HP SuperDuty brake pads, Tekonsha Prodigy, Line-X, 265/75-16 Michelin LTX M/S -- Truck Pics
Race car:
http://www.justracing.com/homepage/mdadgar