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nvestysly · 10-15-2011, 07:43 PM

I'm creating a new thread related to the DuraBurb - customized Suburbans (and Yukon XLs) that have been retrofitted with Duramax diesel engines and Allison transmissions. See the information below from Brenda at DuraBurb. Brenda also sent lots of pictures and I'll post them soon.

Hello,

Thank you so much for your interest in our DuraBurb conversions and for recommending us to your "traveling" friends.

I am attaching pictures of the two DuraBurbs we have in stock for sale and brief descriptions. You will also see copies of body titles and donor drivetrain titles and Carfaxes to verify all mileages. The SUV bodies are both one-owner clean title vehicles. I have also attached a copy of the one-year unlimited mileage Warranty on the conversion workmanship. There is no warranty on the drivetrain, but everything is mechanically certified at the time of delivery.

2007 GMC Yukon XL 2500 LT 4x4 - This SUV has 95K miles on the body and 54K miles on the drivetrain. It is black with an Ebony leather interior. The second row currently has captain's chairs, if you needed a bench row that can be changed. The interior has all the upgrades including Navigation, backup camera and DVD. The drivetrain has been converted to a Duramax Diesel engine, Allison 6speed transmission and 11 1/2 inch rear end. In addition we also added heavy duty tow mirrors and changed the front clip from the Yukon to an HD GMC Sierra, making this a very aggressive looking SUV. It is equipped with a 5 stage tuner which includes towing, fuel economy and a race tune giving this SUV upwards of 650 HP. With the heavy duty rear end your stock towing capacity will now be 12K lbs. Average fuel mileage for these conversions will be in the range of 17-18mpg and 23-25mpg on the road. This SUV has also been customized with an HD GMC Sierra front clip ( hood, bumpers, grill, and fenders) giving it a very aggressive look complimenting the Diesel conversion. The cost for this DuraBurb is $57K.

2007 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 LT 4x4 - This SUV has 103K miles on the body and 49K miles on the Duramax Diesel drivetrain which includes the same engine, transmission and rear end. It is Black with a light gray leather interior. The second row is also captain's chairs but can also be changed to a bench row if requested. The third row has a center console but can be changed to a three-person seat as well. The interiors on both these SUVs are in very good condition. This Suburban has a sunroof and the other LT upgrades but no Navigation or DVD. Those can be added for only the cost of parts. The body of this Suburban remains stock. There is a stock economy tune installed on this SUV but can be upgraded to the 5 stage tune if requested. The cost for this DuraBurb is $45K.

Here are links to YouTube videos for both vehicles and a segment on the tuning. (Please note the front of the Suburban shows some small paint chips on the front of the hood which will be painted before delivery.)

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

If someone wants to provide their own SUV body (2003 to 2011) we can provide them with a customized quote for the conversion they request. We can also locate a body through our wholesale contacts if necessary. I am more than happy to discuss the customizing process and approximate costs with anyone interested. My phone contact is (407) 257-9657. The turnaround time for a completed conversion is about 3-4 weeks, but we usually stay booked up about 90 days out. We take a small deposit to secure a spot in the production line and commence our search for the Diesel donor parts.

Thank you so much for all your interest in our DuraBurbs. Please do not hesitate to call me for any additional information you would like to have concerning these SUVs. If I do not answer please leave a message and I will return you call pretty quick.

Regards, Brenda, Duraburb Sales brenda@duraburb.com

nvestysly · 10-15-2011, 07:53 PM

Pictures

nvestysly · 10-15-2011, 07:56 PM

More Pictures

nvestysly · 10-15-2011, 07:59 PM

Even More Pictures and Other Information

Denis4x4 · 10-15-2011, 08:09 PM

Check out page 40 of the 12/11 issue of HOT ROD. Guy put a Duramax LBZ with twin turbos from Buick Grand National into a 1966 Nova four door wagon. Claims 585HP with 790 foot pounds of torque going through 4L80E four speed with o'drive Silverado transmission . Rear gears are 2:42 with a locker. Story says $40,000 to build it.

phbarnhart · 10-17-2011, 03:09 PM

Thanks for the post and all the pictures! I really wish that I has known that I was going to be buying an Airstream when I got my Suburban; I would have gotten a Duraburb in a heartbeat. I'll probably hold on to my current gasser until the new body style comes out and then see what they offer. If Chevy doesn't wise up and put a diesel or ecoboost-like engine in the Suburban I may think about the Duraburb conversion on my SUV.

nvestysly · 07-15-2012, 07:21 AM

I watched several more of the DuraBurb videos on YouTube and I find these vehicles really interesting. It's hard for me to imagine why GM is not making these vehicles. When we find ourselves looking for a new/replacement tow vehicle I sure hope DuraBurb is still around.

Check out this unit with Quadrasteer:

Duramax Yukon XL Qudrasteer by DuraBurb - YouTube

wahoonc · 07-15-2012, 09:25 AM

I will have to see if I can get pictures...

Somebody has a 1974 Chevy 'burb 4x4 that has been converted. The story is that it was a factory 454 that they purchased in AZ with a blown engine. They already owned a rolled 2500 pickup for the donor. Very interesting beast. I see about once a month at the local shops.

Aaron

nvestysly · 07-16-2012, 01:00 PM

It would be interesting to see pictures.

One of my nephews made a diesel Suburban back in the early 90s (made from mid 80s parts) and he loved it. It's in the junkyard now but it sure was am interesting project.

Findrussel · 08-25-2012, 04:58 PM

I purchased a GMC Yukon XL with Quadrasteer and the Duramax/Allison swap done by Dieselsuburbans in Colorado. The swap done is excellent and when I take it into the GMC Dealer everyone's eyes pop out the conversion was so clean. It came with a large 4" exhaust and an Intake system added.

I have since upgraded the transmission and put on a tuner and it really gets up and goes. On a recent trip from Boston to Chicago the big rig was getting 20.5 MPG.

There is also one featured in the October 2012 issue of DieselPower Magazine. Awesome Tow Rig.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvestysly

I watched several more of the DuraBurb videos on YouTube and I find these vehicles really interesting. It's hard for me to imagine why GM is not making these vehicles. When we find ourselves looking for a new/replacement tow vehicle I sure hope DuraBurb is still around.

Check out this unit with Quadrasteer:

Duramax Yukon XL Qudrasteer by DuraBurb - YouTube

nvestysly · 01-03-2014, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Findrussel

I purchased a GMC Yukon XL with Quadrasteer and the Duramax/Allison swap done by Dieselsuburbans in Colorado. The swap done is excellent and when I take it into the GMC Dealer everyone's eyes pop out the conversion was so clean. It came with a large 4" exhaust and an Intake system added.

I have since upgraded the transmission and put on a tuner and it really gets up and goes. On a recent trip from Boston to Chicago the big rig was getting 20.5 MPG.

There is also one featured in the October 2012 issue of DieselPower Magazine. Awesome Tow Rig.

I hadn't looked at this thread in a while so I missed your post. Please post pictures if you have them. Sounds like one great vehicle.

Texasdiver · 01-12-2014, 04:46 PM

I know this is kind of an older thread but I do have one question related to these diesel conversions.

How does the Duramax/Allison conversion affect payload? From everything I have read about towing with 1/2 ton SUVs such as the Suburban and Expedition, it seems that the payload is the limiting factor that determines towing capacity....especially with the larger airstream that are pushing 1000 lbs tongue weight.

From reading through these threads it appears that all they are basically doing is swapping out engines and transmissions for the heavier duty diesel. I don't see any discussion of beefing up the suspension or axles or any other component that would affect payload capacity. I don't know how much additional weight one is adding with this swap but I have to imagine it is considerable as the Duramax/Allison combo has to weigh significantly more than the stock V8.

Seems like one is simply swapping torque for payload and would end up with an SUV with monster torque but reduced payload. I'm not sure how that really helps if one is trying to tow a larger airstream.

PhilipKS · 01-12-2014, 05:45 PM

All the swap outs I've seen are on the 3/4 ton Suburban, not the 1/2. I know they have done a Tahoe, but not sure how the running gear was modified. When I win the lottery, I'll find out.

Texasdiver · 01-12-2014, 07:39 PM

We'll that makes more sense then

Findrussel · 01-14-2014, 08:28 AM

My Yukon XL is a 3/4 ton. The Allison Trans required a slight body lift so my truck sits up pretty high - just like the one in the video. Taking it to the shop to get a few more motor tweeks done to give it more power and durability.

I will get photos posted when it comes back.

RAH · 01-14-2014, 09:01 AM

I talked to the Duraburb folks in September 2013 and said they would put a Duramax LML engine into either a 2500 Suburban or a 1500 Suburban, whatever the customer has. Obviously one big difference between the two is the suspension and payload capacity. If you go the route of putting Duramax engine into a 1500, there are some states that will not allow registration of the vehicle (because you have put a heavy duty engine into a vehicle with a VIN that identifies it as a light duty vehicle or something like that). So you can register it in Ohio (currently) but not California. Since I plan to hold a vehicle for 10 years, I didn't want to take the risk that laws would change or I would move to make registration impossible. The Duraburb folks were very honest in telling me all of this. They said if I wanted to avoid that risk, I should pick a 2500 Suburban. That was one factor that dissuaded me from the Duraburb - the 2500 Surburans are not as plentiful in the used car market as the 1500's are. So instead I bought a 2500 GMC Sierra with the Duramax, bought the 2014 model because I liked the exterior looks and interior better than the new 2015 redesign that will be available in 2014. I bought my truck in October, if you buy today I don't know if you get the 2014 or 2015 model.

nvestysly · 03-08-2014, 06:59 AM

I stopped by to see the DuraBurb folks in Apopka, Florida to see how they do the conversions. 4 - 5 people were very busy on the current project(s). There were focusing on a Suburban and I think they had two H2 Hummers in the garage too.

I did not realize that most (if not all) conversions are for 4WD Suburbans. I think the reason is that most of the donor trucks are 4WD so it makes sense to keep the 4WD aspect of the drivetrain. I suspect you could do the conversion on a 2WD Suburban but the donor vehicle would have to be 2WD also.

I'm surprised how much DuraBurb has to pay for a donor truck. Even trucks that are totaled, smashed, banged-up, pieces of rubble are many $$$$ so that affects the price of the conversion. I guess if you're a horse-trader you could come to them with both the Suburban and the donor truck and that would cut your cost dramatically. Something to consider.

Eric at DuraBurb took a few minutes to explain what's involved in the conversion. Some of the work is obvious, some is not. Radiators, transmission coolers, linkages, dashboard, body parts are some of the visible changes. Then there is all the wiring.... Diesels have different sensors than gasoline engines. Suburbans have different wiring compared to trucks. Engine Control Modules, Body Control Modules and lots of other things have to be rewired and reprogrammed. Some vehicles have heated seats, some don't. Some have power extended mirrors some don't. Suburbans have rear heat and A/C, trucks usually don't. My head started to hurt! This is definitely not a shadetree mechanic project.

Somewhat by chance I purchased a used 2005 Suburban K2500 recently. If the DuraBurb folks are still around in a few years maybe I'll consider the conversion.

Until then, I hope the DuraBurb guys and gals are successful and continue to build this unique vehicle.

boondockdad · 03-08-2014, 08:37 AM

I heard FORD is putting a diesel in their Expedition EL

that would almost make it a decent SUV, almost.

m.hony · 03-08-2014, 10:27 AM

Wouldn't that be basically a 1/2 ton Ezcursion?

**moosetags** · 03-08-2014, 11:02 AM

The Duramax Suburban is a very interesting concept. I've been looking at it, off and on, for the last several years.

I have had three 2500 Suburbans since 2000. The last two have been Quadrasteers. I still have the 2005 Yukon XL 2500 (Olivia) which is both four wheel drive and four wheel steering. I refer to her as a 4x4x4.

Olivia is still one of our active tow vehicles. She brought Lucy over to Jacksonville on the current trip that we are on.

We also have another tow vehicle named Fred. He a 2011 Chevrolet 3500 four wheel drive Duramax.

Having both these tow vehicles at the same time, I can see a great advantage in having a Duramax Suburban.

I think that it would be really neat to have a four wheel drive, four wheel steering Duramax Suburban.

We had already decided that when Olivia wears out, we were going to replace her a 2500 short bed Duramax pick-up. Olivia is currently closing in on 140,000 miles.

Under these circumstances, it may be feasible and cost effective to consider making Olivia into a DuraBurb.

Brian