BenK wrote: There is a guy who converted his Suburban to a Duramax and then started a company
to do those conversions.
IIRC, you supply the base 8.6K GVWR Suburban, pay him $40K and he will return your
Suburban with a Duramax conversion. That was a few years ago and maybe he has
recouped his costing and now selling them for a bit less
The issue with stuffing a Duramax/Alli into an 8.6K GVWR Suburban is that the frame
rails are too close together and there isn't enough room in the body tranny
tunnel. A body lift is needed and GM won't do this.
Anyone tried a Duramax/4L85E in a Burb, as used in the vans?
John and Elizabeth (Liz), with 3 nutty cats
My beloved St. Bernard, Marm, lost him 1/2/12
Current rig:
1992 International Genesis school bus conversion
Go with the long bed, you will be glad you did. I have a 2003 7.3 CC long bed, lariat. 187K miles on it. I change fluids regularly.. That old is not an issue. it will pull a hill too....and towing I get 10.5MPG. around town I am averaging 14.8MPG. I havent driven on the highway without towing in a long time,so my best guess would be around 18mpg lately. I also use the silver dieselklean every time I fuel up.
Randy
Go Mark Martin? 2003 F-350 SRW CC/LWB 4X4 7.3PSD
2011 Keystone Cougar 327RES
Happy Campin'
Randy
Piedmont area of NC
We did a very similar change, 'cept 1500 burb. Crazy difference on grades. Towing our ~6500lb TT, it can accelerate up a hill in OD. No more getting pushed around by passing trucks.
Only owned our 7.3 dually two months, but have used it for about 9 months. No problems while borrowing it, then a couple issues. Check the coolant, should be the green stuff. Smell for fuel in coolant, the fuel will float to the top. If so, an injector cup(s) is cracked and can be replaced for about $1300 or $300 yourself. Have yet to check unloaded MGP but towing was 12.5 before I did some much needed maintenance.
It was used to pull a horse trailer all its life and has some scars, but we much prefer towing with this desipe the repair bills. Oh, with the burb, some of the kids would get car sick almost every trip over a hour long, but that has disappeared with the F-350.
Early 1999 F-350 7.3 DRW CC, 4.10
(retired from towing) 02 Suburban 5.3 3.73
2011 Passport 290BH - Blue Ox Sway Pro
3 Kids, 2 Dogs, 1 Wife.
I have a 2001 CC SB 7.3. It has never left me on the side of the road. At least once a month, while I'm filling it up, someone asks me if I would be interested in selling my truck. Ive had offers of $22k for my truck, in the past 6 months. Father-in-law has 2001 CC LB Dually, same thing. Zero problems. Just look the truck over. Find out what kind of oil. Find out maintance record. PM me if you have any other questions.
2001 Ford F-250 CC 7.3l Diesel
2006 Cedar Creek 31LRLS
Either of those trucks should be just fine, provided they have been well cared for. Condition of the truck will be the most important factor.
As to long bed or short bed, I personally would not be served well at all with a short bed. Long bed trucks only for me, since I use the trucks for hauling and need the most load carrying ability possible.
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