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gsmithii · 10-12-2011, 07:36 PM

Diesel Suburban? There's a former farmer in the wilds of Western Virginia who modified his own Suburban with the Duramax/Allison combo. As the mechanic related, it was so popular that he custom builds to order. He does need to modify the tranny tunnel but for a custom order? No worries.

Oh! and no more farmin'.

SafariSS · 10-12-2011, 08:04 PM

My 2003 k2500 with 8.1 liter and 4:10 gearing is rated at 12,000 lbs towing and 19,200 combined. All I know is it pulls my safari 30 like a utility trailer and my old 6.0 and 3.73 was working hard for the same mileage even! I have kept my 03 and will until they offer something better than the 6.0 and lame gearing options.

phbarnhart · 10-13-2011, 12:39 AM

There's an outfit in Florida that specializes in making "Duraburbs." I have to admit, I've been really tempted to give them a call.

Check out the video: Duraburb

xrvr · 10-13-2011, 04:15 AM

Wow, what a neat conversion! If I had the money. jim

Road Ruler · 10-13-2011, 06:07 AM

About 20 years ago a guy here in the area took an engine out of a Cat bulldozer and put it in his Burb. Apparently it worked well.

c_lewis77 · 10-13-2011, 06:15 AM

Cataburb? Sounds mean!

boondockdad · 10-13-2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafariSS

My 2003 k2500 with 8.1 liter and 4:10 gearing is rated at 12,000 lbs towing and 19,200 combined. All I know is it pulls my safari 30 like a utility trailer and my old 6.0 and 3.73 was working hard for the same mileage even! I have kept my 03 and will until they offer something better than the 6.0 and lame gearing options.

Ditto.

Wayne&Sam · 10-13-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JStanley

Just yesterday I received a letter from my local Chevy dealer wanting to buy up to seven Suburbans within the next few days. Early indication? If they are discontinued expect a premium for the older ones.

That's just a marketing ploy. Lots of folks get them for lots of vehicles.

nvestysly · 10-13-2011, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phbarnhart

There's an outfit in Florida that specializes in making "Duraburbs." I have to admit, I've been really tempted to give them a call.

Check out the video: Duraburb

Duraburb does not have a web site at this time. Feel free to contact Brenda at (407) 889-5966 or via email at brenda@duraburb.com

Brenda indicated she will email pictures to me later today. I'll post them when I have time.

Lucius

boondockdad · 10-13-2011, 10:51 AM

Landlubbers aren't the only ones interested in a duraburb..

Why no diesel Suburban? - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

JFScheck · 10-13-2011, 11:11 AM

DIESEL - V6 or mini V8.....

GinMame · 10-13-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jammer

What's the current wisdom from Detroit on the future of the Suburban? Is it still being discontinued? Are they ever again going to have a 12,000 pound tow rating as they did in the 2002-2008? Will there be a diesel someday?

I can't imagine that GM would kill off the Burbs in their various flavors at this point, they would be getting ride of one of their highest profit rides.

Other have commented on the comparison to the Crown Vic, but the comparison with the Crown Vic / Grand Marquis doesn't quite apply to the Burbs. While it is true that government agencies like both the Crown Vic and the Burbs, the Burb has one thing going for it that the Crown Vic never had, legions of Soccer Moms using them to drive the kids around.

(IMHO) While I have no idea what GM is planning, I suspect that we will see some sort of alternative fuel (i.e. Diesel or EcoBoost / Hybrid) in the next generation Burb. However, along with the better mileage, we will also see lower tow ratings. The big three were just a little bit too quick to agree with the government's new CAFE standards the last time around.

But then again, maybe people are buying more Silverados & Sierras for towing, so maybe GM's marketing department feels that the Burbs don't need to have that tow the 5000 SqFt ranch home around the country capacity anymore.

Cheers All,
Rion

Jammer · 10-13-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GinMame

But then again, maybe people are buying more Silverados & Sierras for towing, so maybe GM's marketing department feels that the Burbs don't need to have that tow the 5000 SqFt ranch home around the country capacity anymore.

It's pretty clear that the crew-cab pickups have taken over a fair amount of that market at the same time that 5th wheel hitches have taken market share from bumper hitches among SOBs.

Around here a trip through the used car ads shows that 9 out of 10 suburbans that are out there aren't set up for heavy towing. Quite a few are sold to families of 7 or more who can't fit into a minivan, and they've always been popular with people who hunt and fish who can't fit all their stuff into a Tahoe without removing the 3rd row seat. Those seem to be the market segments Chevrolet is interested in addressing.

I'm going to keep mine until the body panels are full of rust holes unless something better comes along than what Detroit has to offer today.

phbarnhart · 10-13-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvestysly

Duraburb does not have a web site at this time. Feel free to contact Brenda at (407) 889-5966 or via email at brenda@duraburb.com

Brenda indicated she will email pictures to me later today. I'll post them when I have time.

Lucius

Please have time!

ROBERT CROSS · 10-13-2011, 03:11 PM

So you want a Duramax 'Burb...anything is possible for the right price.

I gave up and got the last 8.1 works well for me.

Bob

nvestysly · 10-13-2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phbarnhart

Please have time!

I sent an email to Brenda and I spoke to her on the phone. I have not received a response yet. If I don't hear from her by tomorrow morning I'll call her again. Inquiring minds want to know.

Lucius

ROBERT CROSS · 10-13-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finalcutjoe

Ditto.

Me too Joe....

Bob

Goin camping · 10-14-2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Me too Joe....

Bob

I don't have a picture but I picked up an 02 8.1 4X4 with 3.73s. Pulls the 25 footer up hills with ease.

ROBERT CROSS · 10-15-2011, 05:30 AM

They just seem at home towing any Airstream....

Bob

nvestysly · 10-15-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvestysly

If I don't hear from her by tomorrow morning I'll call her again. Inquiring minds want to know.

I received a brief email from Brenda indicating she's been too busy to put together the pictures and descriptions. She promised to send information soon.

Lucius