cestlaviethree
New member
Hey Gents,
New to the Diesel world, I've been doing most of my Expedition on two wheels. So now I've gone ahead and jumped in the deep end of the diesel world and will have Eric from Duraburb begin a conversion on our 2007 2500 Suburban. Here is the down and dirty on the build, feel free to follow our blog during the build if you are interested. Build starts 12-Sept. Link to our blog for pics and updates (http://cestlaviethree.com/the-man-cave/duraburb-july-2015/)
I first learned about Duramax powered suburban on a business trip. The burb’s gas engine and drivetrain was all replaced with a Duramax and 1 ton running gear. It was astonishing, the fit and finish was factory in appearance, great quality and professionally done, and I never heard a negative word mentioned about the truck. So, I made a couple of google searches and it didn’t take long to find the man responsible, enter Eric of Duraburb in Apopka, Florida. The truck forums across the internet covered Eric and his company in praise. So on one of our wayward Disney World trips I swung by and had a talk with Eric and toured his shop. The shop wasn’t anything impressive, but Eric and his products on the other hand were. He spent the better part of 2 hours answering questions, brain storming, and shooting the breeze. So I left Duraburb with a plan…
Step 1: Find a high mileage, low cost, ¾ ton Suburban (4×4 optional)
Step 2: Get on Eric’s build schedule
Step 3: Enjoy the potential
Step 1 is complete. We picked up a used 2007 ¾ ton suburban from a family in Louisiana. The ‘burb is sporting an LT package, 6.0L engine, 130k miles, 2 wheel drive, and a fair amount neglect…but the price was right we walked away paying $13K. Leaving $22k in our budgets. Since picking up the truck we’ve towed our trailer 36' about 2400 miles. Here is what I’ve noticed. The towing capacity on these things is borderline false. The trailer owns the Suburban, as the trailer fights pretty hard even with a 12K lb weight distribution hitch with sway control. The engine under load is struggling, heaven help us if we ever go anywhere with a slight elevation change, foot floored on a typicall 6% grade will yield me only 45-50mph. Most of the time we cruise in the mid 3K RPM range at 60mph, which chugs gas. Best MPG I’ve ever recorded off of DIC is 8MPG and 8.7 hand calculated MPG.
This reaffirmed our decision to contract out a build with Duraburb, so we contacted Brenda and Eric and schedule a build date and specifications. Here’s the details…
Convert 6.0L gas engine to LMM Duramax Turbo Diesel
Replace transmission with Allison 1000 Transmission
Install 4 Wheel Drive (Transfer case, Differential, half shaft, etc.)
Install 11.5 AAM rear axle with 3:73 gears
Install 4in Exhaust
Delete emissions equipment
Install Cold Air Intake System
Install Duramax Power Tune w/ 5 position switch
The goal is to make this a 500K mile truck, which will slowly be converted to an Overlanding Vehicle which can tackle our wildest dreams of exploring. Let the fun begin.
Before and After pictures to be posted.
New to the Diesel world, I've been doing most of my Expedition on two wheels. So now I've gone ahead and jumped in the deep end of the diesel world and will have Eric from Duraburb begin a conversion on our 2007 2500 Suburban. Here is the down and dirty on the build, feel free to follow our blog during the build if you are interested. Build starts 12-Sept. Link to our blog for pics and updates (http://cestlaviethree.com/the-man-cave/duraburb-july-2015/)
I first learned about Duramax powered suburban on a business trip. The burb’s gas engine and drivetrain was all replaced with a Duramax and 1 ton running gear. It was astonishing, the fit and finish was factory in appearance, great quality and professionally done, and I never heard a negative word mentioned about the truck. So, I made a couple of google searches and it didn’t take long to find the man responsible, enter Eric of Duraburb in Apopka, Florida. The truck forums across the internet covered Eric and his company in praise. So on one of our wayward Disney World trips I swung by and had a talk with Eric and toured his shop. The shop wasn’t anything impressive, but Eric and his products on the other hand were. He spent the better part of 2 hours answering questions, brain storming, and shooting the breeze. So I left Duraburb with a plan…
Step 1: Find a high mileage, low cost, ¾ ton Suburban (4×4 optional)
Step 2: Get on Eric’s build schedule
Step 3: Enjoy the potential
Step 1 is complete. We picked up a used 2007 ¾ ton suburban from a family in Louisiana. The ‘burb is sporting an LT package, 6.0L engine, 130k miles, 2 wheel drive, and a fair amount neglect…but the price was right we walked away paying $13K. Leaving $22k in our budgets. Since picking up the truck we’ve towed our trailer 36' about 2400 miles. Here is what I’ve noticed. The towing capacity on these things is borderline false. The trailer owns the Suburban, as the trailer fights pretty hard even with a 12K lb weight distribution hitch with sway control. The engine under load is struggling, heaven help us if we ever go anywhere with a slight elevation change, foot floored on a typicall 6% grade will yield me only 45-50mph. Most of the time we cruise in the mid 3K RPM range at 60mph, which chugs gas. Best MPG I’ve ever recorded off of DIC is 8MPG and 8.7 hand calculated MPG.
This reaffirmed our decision to contract out a build with Duraburb, so we contacted Brenda and Eric and schedule a build date and specifications. Here’s the details…
Convert 6.0L gas engine to LMM Duramax Turbo Diesel
Replace transmission with Allison 1000 Transmission
Install 4 Wheel Drive (Transfer case, Differential, half shaft, etc.)
Install 11.5 AAM rear axle with 3:73 gears
Install 4in Exhaust
Delete emissions equipment
Install Cold Air Intake System
Install Duramax Power Tune w/ 5 position switch
The goal is to make this a 500K mile truck, which will slowly be converted to an Overlanding Vehicle which can tackle our wildest dreams of exploring. Let the fun begin.
Before and After pictures to be posted.
