Duraburb Project

[klmore]

Pinion angle

This pinion issue is wearing me out. I pulled the 4* shim out and replaced it with a tappered block and new ubolts. That just made the problem worse, it wasn't even safe to drive in my opinion. After Thanksgiving I got tied up and couldn't mess with it. The up side is I had time to think about it and I decided to drop the transfer case 1". I talked with Eric and he agreed that it may help.

I fabbed some cheap spacers and dropped the transfer case mount 1". I will go back and fab a custom mount later after some more testing. I will say the 1" drop made a huge improvement, but I'm still having some slight vibration and sound at 1500 RPM. I think this may be from the large block causing axle wrap. I do know the amount of load on the drive line does cause a change in the sound. My next step is getting a camera mounted under the truck and see what it is doing when I drive around.

Over all the truck drives great and other than a couple of rattles I'm hunting down it has no issues. I have put about 450 miles on the truck and still have over have a tank of fuel.

 

[klmore]

Today I put the Suburban in the shop to get a couple of items fixed. My LBZ has the seeping lines that the 06-07 models are known for. I'm having new lines made and installed. The brake line on the LH rear is leaking slightly and needs to be addressed. I also have decided to have a new drive shaft made for the truck to see if it helps with my vibration. The dropped transfer case took care of 80% of the issue, but it still makes noise between 1400 - 1700 RPM.

Another issue that will have to be handled later is the axle wrap. The large blocks in the rear have to go. I'm going to try to get a video of the axle under load while driving to post up. If the axle wrap looks anything like it feels it should be interesting. Any input on spring selection would be helpful.

Other than the small things I really enjoy driving the truck. I'm not having any steering or alignment issues. It drives just like a 2500HD should drive. My MPG's came up to 12.3 and continue to get better as I keep my foot out of it. I have yet to get on the highway for any extended period of time so I'm not sure what the highway MPG's are going to be. I have started to look into the SAS swap for the front. Once I get the driveline worked out I'm going to start ordering parts for the SAS swap. The biggest problem with that will be the transfer case. I'm still on the fence on which way to go on that.

I'll try to get some new pictures up soon.

 

[sixcampbells]

Looking to get a hold of Eric at DuraBurb

It has been great following this thread. Over the last week I have talked myself out of buying a new Dodge Ram 2500 with Cummins to replace my 2005 Yukon XL 2500 with 8.1 (93000 miles). I really need the people space as I have 4 boys and a 5/6 passenger pickup is not going to cut it. So I started the journey of finding a way to convert mine to a Duramax. I spoke to Mike at Mash Motors today who said he can do this and has 4 years experience. Most of it with H2/H3's but seems confident he can do mine. Thoughts?

I would like to talk to Eric about doing mine but I don't know how to get a hold of him.

Is a $25K budget realistic?

Would you do it all over again?

Much appreciated

 

[496Burb]

It has been great following this thread. Over the last week I have talked myself out of buying a new Dodge Ram 2500 with Cummins to replace my 2005 Yukon XL 2500 with 8.1 (93000 miles). I really need the people space as I have 4 boys and a 5/6 passenger pickup is not going to cut it. So I started the journey of finding a way to convert mine to a Duramax. I spoke to Mike at Mash Motors today who said he can do this and has 4 years experience. Most of it with H2/H3's but seems confident he can do mine. Thoughts?

I would like to talk to Eric about doing mine but I don't know how to get a hold of him.

Is a $25K budget realistic?

Would you do it all over again?

Much appreciated

I was interested in contacting Eric about getting a second fuel tank like Klmore had built; but have not contacted them yet. Probably will do next spring. While watching one of the youtube videos I caught (407) 257-9657 as the number and verified it on Google; but have not called the number myself. Looks like besides Klmore there was another gent who was also having pinion issues; so just know you'll have a few issues to work out on any conversion. I know from following Eric's other videos that they've done many Suburban/Yukon XL/Escalade ESV platform conversions.

 

[klmore]

It has been great following this thread. Over the last week I have talked myself out of buying a new Dodge Ram 2500 with Cummins to replace my 2005 Yukon XL 2500 with 8.1 (93000 miles). I really need the people space as I have 4 boys and a 5/6 passenger pickup is not going to cut it. So I started the journey of finding a way to convert mine to a Duramax. I spoke to Mike at Mash Motors today who said he can do this and has 4 years experience. Most of it with H2/H3's but seems confident he can do mine. Thoughts?

I would like to talk to Eric about doing mine but I don't know how to get a hold of him.

Is a $25K budget realistic?

Would you do it all over again?

Much appreciated

Yes $25k is more than enough. I didn't even come close to $20k even with all the extras I did. I think the conversion can be done for under $15k if it was planned well.

Even with the problems I have encountered I would do it again. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

 

[496Burb]

Today I put the Suburban in the shop to get a couple of items fixed. My LBZ has the seeping lines that the 06-07 models are known for. I'm having new lines made and installed. The brake line on the LH rear is leaking slightly and needs to be addressed. I also have decided to have a new drive shaft made for the truck to see if it helps with my vibration. The dropped transfer case took care of 80% of the issue, but it still makes noise between 1400 - 1700 RPM.

Another issue that will have to be handled later is the axle wrap. The large blocks in the rear have to go. I'm going to try to get a video of the axle under load while driving to post up. If the axle wrap looks anything like it feels it should be interesting. Any input on spring selection would be helpful.

Other than the small things I really enjoy driving the truck. I'm not having any steering or alignment issues. It drives just like a 2500HD should drive. My MPG's came up to 12.3 and continue to get better as I keep my foot out of it. I have yet to get on the highway for any extended period of time so I'm not sure what the highway MPG's are going to be. I have started to look into the SAS swap for the front. Once I get the driveline worked out I'm going to start ordering parts for the SAS swap. The biggest problem with that will be the transfer case. I'm still on the fence on which way to go on that.

I'll try to get some new pictures up soon.

How's the rig doing? Were you able to get the vibration/drive shaft issue resolved? How's the mpg's settling in at?

 

[Phatate]

what are the combinations possible between the burb and the donor truck. what would be the best mix for an easier fit. what about the quadra steer.

 

[klmore]

How's the rig doing? Were you able to get the vibration/drive shaft issue resolved? How's the mpg's settling in at?

Sorry for the lack of updates. I have been really busy at work the past few weeks.

I have since had the drive shaft made for the rear of the truck and that has helped out some. I'm still having a vibration at 1700 rpm, but now it is much smaller. I really think the problem is with axle wrap more than anything.

I bought a GoPro camera yesterday and I'm going to get some video of the rear end under load and see how bad the axle wrap really is.

I'm 1400 miles into the conversion and my MPG's range from 12.5 to 14.5. I was amazed that with my trailer I got almost 15 mpg on a recent trip.

 

[klmore]

what are the combinations possible between the burb and the donor truck. what would be the best mix for an easier fit. what about the quadra steer.

I think just about anything that is on a 2500 HD can be put on the Suburban.

 

[Phatate]

Thanks klmore. what year burb does it have to be. i think there is a restriction there. btw, saw your truck on duraburbinc. looks real good.

 

[klmore]

Stuck

I recently got my truck stuck. I was getting some fire wood and the ground was much softer than I expected. When I installed the new winch I put off respooling the line with a load. I was forced to winch out the truck and it did some minor damage to my new winch line. Lesson learned.

I ordered some cut out front fender flares this week to replace the front flares. The the tires hit the fender still and make it difficult to actually use the Burb off road. I will update with pictures and info.

Sorry for the bad pictures, but all I had was my cell phone.

 

[chilliwak]

I have the same problem in soft ground. I have learned to keep the pedal to the metal:Wow1: and hang on for the ride. Some real Beautiful `DureBurbs´shown here. I wish I had the major coin for a vehicle like that.:drool:

 

[MoreMorvs]

added bonus

you've got two good doors to boot!

Pictures of donor truck.

 

[Kerr]

Interesting reading. I talked to them a few years ago about doing a swap on a my 01 8.1L that had a whipple on it at the time.. I never pulled the trigger on the swap. Now the 8.1L has a big cam, headers, and turbo on it... went from ok mileage to thursty ...

After looking threw your photos who / what rear bumper is that. I have an aftermarket one on mine but now want to do a spaire tire carrier..

I wouldnt having one of those skid plates for the gas tank.. did you do skids on both tanks or just the one where the spair was?

 

[happygilmore]

Reply to 496

Hello Happy; just joining this discussion to follow the conversion. I have an 02 K2500 Suburban with the 8.1 and Allison tranny; and am getting 12 mpg around town; 14 on the highway; and 9-10 if I really stomp on it. I will admit that I did have to learn how to drive more like a diesel with this truck as opposed to the old 350/700R combo; just wondering what's driving your mpg down?

Hello 496,
Sorry it took so long to answer, didn't know the thread was still going.
Yes, the Yukon was stock with exception of tires. It seems some of My
posts got deleted?? Don't know how!! So i am going to repost at the end
check it out.
Thanks, Happy