Duraburb Project
- Thread starter klmore
- Start date
I have seen this done once before on a 3/4 ton Burban with quadrasteer. They put a duramax in it and it was done so well most people at the dealership thought it came with the duramax in it. They had installed a small bodylift in it but other than that it was one heck of a sleeper.
I am getting excited. I didn't realize how much I used my Suburban. I have a company 2wd Yukon I can use, but it just doesn't function like my Sub. Due to my work schedule I'm driving a lot each day and most of those miles are within a 25 mile radius. I figure I'll rack up a couple of thousand miles in no time and shake out any issues. I know Eric has built many of these with no major issues, but I'm going to keep it close to home for the first couple of weeks.
My impression of Eric Swanson could not be any more positive. He communicates very well and isn't afraid to bring up potential problems and issues. His paper work is much like a construction project. A contract, scope of work, and anything I add has a change order with a price on the front side. It keeps every thing even and in order. I also like the fact that he didn't hesitate to take on the custom fuel tank for me. Things like my AGR steering that required almost a day to resolve were not that big of deal.
I'm going to reserve my final opinion until after a couple of thousand miles, but I couldn't be more pleased to this point.
My impression of Eric Swanson could not be any more positive. He communicates very well and isn't afraid to bring up potential problems and issues. His paper work is much like a construction project. A contract, scope of work, and anything I add has a change order with a price on the front side. It keeps every thing even and in order. I also like the fact that he didn't hesitate to take on the custom fuel tank for me. Things like my AGR steering that required almost a day to resolve were not that big of deal.
I'm going to reserve my final opinion until after a couple of thousand miles, but I couldn't be more pleased to this point.
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It's Alive
The truck is running and moves under its own power. I'm really liking the truck front end. The ARB is to be installed today, and the fuel cell should be completed as well.
The aluminum tank sure looks great. Eric is going to do some pressure testing on the cell for a day prior to install. I like the way they cut the rear of a Suburban frame and took it down to the fab shop for fitting. The fab shop used a water jet to cut the pieces and have saved it. So if you want a larger reserve tank for a 2500 Suburban they will have them available.
Hopefully we will have some more pictures soon.
The truck is running and moves under its own power. I'm really liking the truck front end. The ARB is to be installed today, and the fuel cell should be completed as well.
The aluminum tank sure looks great. Eric is going to do some pressure testing on the cell for a day prior to install. I like the way they cut the rear of a Suburban frame and took it down to the fab shop for fitting. The fab shop used a water jet to cut the pieces and have saved it. So if you want a larger reserve tank for a 2500 Suburban they will have them available.
Hopefully we will have some more pictures soon.
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Duraburb
I had a Excursion that my wife thought was a tank to drive, it was stiff but I felt for traveling was a safe for a road trip. We sold it and bought a 2008 Surburban LTZ. It has a great ride but can't pull anything. I took a bunch of boy scouts camping last summer. I always pulled the troop trailer. I am dissapointed in it performance doing so with my new vehical. I thought the vehical was going to blow up along with 8 mpg. I just stumbled on the duraburb videos and am glad you show your progress. Duraburb not having a website showing there company leave a little doubt. Thanks for doing this because want a Duraburb just need to know how to go about it.
Thanks again.
I had a Excursion that my wife thought was a tank to drive, it was stiff but I felt for traveling was a safe for a road trip. We sold it and bought a 2008 Surburban LTZ. It has a great ride but can't pull anything. I took a bunch of boy scouts camping last summer. I always pulled the troop trailer. I am dissapointed in it performance doing so with my new vehical. I thought the vehical was going to blow up along with 8 mpg. I just stumbled on the duraburb videos and am glad you show your progress. Duraburb not having a website showing there company leave a little doubt. Thanks for doing this because want a Duraburb just need to know how to go about it.
Thanks again.
While talking to Eric last week I mentioned that he really needs a website with more info. I have wanted to do this for two years, but was nervous because of the lack of information by owners. After talking with Eric for almost an hour on the phone I realized just how knowledgeable he is on the GM SUV platform and decided to take the chance on him.
In full disclosure I do own two collision repair shops and I have also worked for GM at the Arlington truck plant that built these trucks. So I have an above average knowledge of vehicles and the GMT800 platform. With that in mind I figured if there were any problems with my Duraburb I could sort them out myself. This project is costing a good sum of money to do, but it is still cheaper for me to pay Eric to do the conversion than to do it myself.
I loved my old 7.3 Excursion and I wish I had never sold it. I won't make the same mistake with this truck. If I sell my Duraburb it will be because I had Eric build a new one, or Ford comes out with another Excursion.
locrwln
Expedition Leader
Does look good. Gotta love the mad cat eye front ends.
Do you know what the differences (if any) are between the suburban and pickup rear frame? You said above they cut up the rear of the suburban frame for mock up, was that another frame they had lying around? Or did they use the truck frame? I am digging the fuel tank and 30 extra gallons would be great.
Also, are you using the rear tank as a reserve style? I assume you will be using it to fill the main tank as you use that fuel, correct? I had that kind of system in my landcruiser and loved it. You can never have too much fuel in the backcountry.
Jack
jgreen-fsi
New member
Very nice! I can't wait to see it finished with the ARB on!
Here it is with the front bumper back on. I'm going to have to cut the front bumper mounts off and move them up 2" to compensate for the front body lift, but other than that it looks good.
Eric is racking up some miles and going through his QC process. It should be done in a couple of days.
Eric is racking up some miles and going through his QC process. It should be done in a couple of days.
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jgreen-fsi
New member
Gonna be awesome! I'm so jealous!
The fuel tank took much more time than anyone had intended, but is now completed. I think I'm going to add some rubber between the mounting straps and the aluminum tank when I get it back and I'm going to make a skid plate for it as well. The rear picture shows that the tank doesn't hang down to low, but I still feel some protection is in order.
I love the Mag-Hytec rear cover.
Hopefully my Sub will ship back out to me later this week.
I love the Mag-Hytec rear cover.
Hopefully my Sub will ship back out to me later this week.
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Thanks for detailing this project out; enjoyed reading and look forward to the wrap up; etc. Question on the new tank; does it now feed into the original tank? I have an 02 K2500 with the 38 gal factory tank (running the 8.1l and Allison 5 speed) and have not found a way to add additional capacity. If they've made the mold; could another be made for me to fit into the spare tire area and connect? Appreciate your input!