KD4UPL wrote:
Here's what I know:
The 8.1L production ended was only from 2001 to 2007. The 7.4 L engine was greatly improved in power output when it became the "Vortec" around '96 I think.
The 8.1 is an excellent engine. I have one in a dually. It is quiet, smooth, and powerful. It is almost as powerful as my '05 Duramax. It does, however use a lot of gas. I get about 10 mpg no matter what I'm doing with it.
You may consider looking for a "Duraburb". These come from a company (in Florida I think) that builds them. They take a 2500 suburban and install a Duramax/Allison drive train in it. Everything is done with factory parts and it looks factory when done. I've seen a few in person and they look like them came off the assembly line that way. It's not really as expensive as you might think.
Would LOVE to have a "DuraBurb" or a Quigley 4x4 diesel van for that matter but with a growing family & a healthcare worker salary (LOL) part of what's attractive about an older 8.1/7.4 2500 Burb is that I'm finding them in a range I can pay cash for, and the thought of having only 1 monthly car note in the family is very attractive.
Example- 03 2500 Burb 8.1L 4x4 on Craiglist, pewter, LT with leather, yes high miles at 170k but the guy wants $9000 which makes me think he'd take $8500 all day.
