Thanks for the input KD4UPL. I would love to do a Duraburb, and hope to some day, but it's between $25-$30k on top of the burb to have it done. I've looked into it. They are awesome. I just can't do a van. The 4x4 conversions are very expensive too.
I do like your thoughts on the 8.1 though. It may even be fun to get a higher mileage one and rebuild. Really no downside to them other than the rarity and trying to find one. I don't like the GMT800 Burb body style as much, but that's secondary. It's also a real gas hog, but the 6.0 Burb or 6.8 V10 Ex would be close or just as bad.