Duramax vans

[sledge]

Anyone have experience? Doing my research on the diesel forums but figured I'd ask around here.

 

[BGIII]

What do you want to know sledge? I have a buddy that runs a small fleet of diesel vans. I'd be happy to ask him any questions you might have and see what he says.

 

[Chris]

All diesel vans are tough to work on under the hood. Otherwise it's a Duramax pickup with a box body.

 

[sledge]

Thanks BG! Specifically transmission issues (if any), but overall...performance compared to the pickup.

 

[BGIII]

sledge, his current GM fleet is young, they are all just over 100,000 miles and he has had no issues with anything. Worst one averages 14.63 MPG and the best one gets 16.46 MPG. They are delivery vans hauling heavy parts so they are definitely getting some rough use. I know they have tried them all (all except Dodge of course) in the last 30 years and they seem to have trended toward the GM vans.

 

[Birdog]

Good friend has one,over 100k and runs great. he loves it

 

[sledge]

Thanks guys!

 

[jwurl]

I work at a GM dealership. We do not see any Duramax vans in with problems. The Duramax vans do not have the Allison tranny and the engine HP is detuned to 300HP. Duramax P/U trucks are now 365HP. All carry the 100k mile drivetrain warranty. Jeff Wurl

 

[JupiterSunsation]

I work at a GM dealership. We do not see any Duramax vans in with problems. The Duramax vans do not have the Allison tranny and the engine HP is detuned to 300HP. Duramax P/U trucks are now 365HP. All carry the 100k mile drivetrain warranty. Jeff Wurl

I drove a new diesel 2500 pickup recently and couldn't believe how fast/smooth it was compared to my 03 duramax 2500.

 

[sledge]

Jeff, did the torque rating on the van Dmax change? IIRC they were 260/460 originally, where 460 just happened to be max torque of the 85E? And does the 85E still have max GCVW of 16k?

Much abliged!