PM JoeyD , he has one.

 

I have one, 06 2500 Express, what do you need to know?
I came out of a E250 to this and being newer it's clearly better but it's a van at the same time. The seats are better in the GM but the Fords were good. Turning in the Express is much better as well as the ride. The 5.4 was a good motor and I ran it to 110,000 until it was totaled out, never used oil and had plenty of power. The D Max is more powerfull and gets better milage. I went from 9-11 up to 17-18 90% of the time as I don't do many highway miles. I have one trip of highway on it and it got just over 22. I run with traffic which is 70-75.
I have almost 14,000 miles on it. I had one recall about the glow plugs program and thats it.

 

Thanks for reply...I would like to know how the trans is performing, parts availability (oil & fuel filters/etc)

I just have this lingering doubt about GM putting a beefed up 4L80E behind the duramax ...don't get me wrong I hope its a good setup..

I am skeptical due to being burned by these trannys just as they went out of warranty...previous gas van user...

thanks bill

 

The motor is detuned to 250 hp and 460tq and in stock form the trans will last. They don't have the tow haul program figured out yet, it holds gears way to long for a diesel. It shifts firm in tow haul or reg setting like it should.
I like to change the oil so I did a change at 1000, 3000, and at 5000 switched to synthetic Amsoil 15/40 with the new EA filter. I never reset the oil light to see when it would come on acording to the oil life and it came on just under 10,000 miles. I am going with a bypass filter as soon as I decide on which one.
The fuel filter I did at 10,000 but I am going to do it at 15k because I now have the proper kit which has the pre filter and the filter with the O rings just to keep a reg 15k change out standard. Filter kits are almost 80 dollars.

 

New Duramax Cutaway

I only have 370 miles on mine, so I don't think the mileage is going to be representive 14.5 so far. I bought it to replace my Sprinter RV conversion, since it is a little too cozy and under powered. I pull a tandem axle trailer behind me and in the mountains, the Sprinter runs out of steam. Since no one is offering a Duramax Class C rv, I am building my own. I have a Aerocell 17' body on it, which is supposed to get better fuel mileage. The Sprinter towing the trailer get a consistant 15-16 all highway, depends on the wind.

 

Input and output shafts have been hardened and possibly planet carriers ( not sure on that ). If you decide to bump the hp on these vans, the 4L85 may not hold it very well. Converter will go very quickly.

 

Input and output shafts have been hardened and possibly planet carriers ( not sure on that ). If you decide to bump the hp on these vans, the 4L85 may not hold it very well. Converter will go very quickly.

The converter and that's about it, a 4L80 rebuilt right should do a dandy job.

 

If anyone is going to know if a 4L80/85 will handle higher HP and TQ from a diesel, its Mike.

 

Ok the whole van thing intrest me, lets get some of those shaggin wagons into the 13's!!! If i remember right the 6.0 van isnt intercooled(i could be wrong) is the dmax van the same, what makes it different from the trucks??

 

From what I've read, the only difference is in the programming. I wondered if they have a slightly smaller radiator, too (gasser size).

 

The 6.0 van has an intercooler but the 6.0 has too many problems that come with it and I don't need that being on the road all the time...

Not sure if the duramax is intercooled...

Appreciate the information on the tran's upgrades and any other upgrades that would help keep the trans living behind the duramax/van setup used for towing... btw...BTS tranny was an early upgrade for the ford too!

thanks...bill

 

The 6.0 van has an intercooler but the 6.0 has too many problems that come with it and I don't need that being on the road all the time...

Not sure if the duramax is intercooled...

Appreciate the information on the tran's upgrades and any other upgrades that would help keep the trans living behind the duramax/van setup used for towing... btw...BTS tranny was an early upgrade for the ford too!

thanks...bill

Hey whats wrong with the 6.0?

 

problems w/6.0 in a van?...here are 2 owners talking , I won't post any others...there are many...
http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubb...49571&Searchpage=2&Main=3043038&Words=hapaschold&topic=&Search=true#Post3049571

6.0 in a van is a nightmare, can't even remove a valve cover...

 

problems w/6.0 in a van?...here are 2 owners talking , I won't post any others...there are many...
http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubb...49571&Searchpage=2&Main=3043038&Words=hapaschold&topic=&Search=true#Post3049571

6.0 in a van is a nightmare, can't even remove a valve cover...

Now that you metion it my brothers 6.0 in his F-350 looks like a nightmare in a van, i couldnt imagine a 6.0 or 6.6 in a van, that would be really fun!

 

Ok the whole van thing intrest me, lets get some of those shaggin wagons into the 13's!!! If i remember right the 6.0 van isnt intercooled(i could be wrong) is the dmax van the same, what makes it different from the trucks??

You will need some traction to do that. With the Predator on 85 the rear tires just smoke like your on ice.

 

or you can get a quigly(i think thats the 4x4 conversion place), that is of course if you have deep pockets!

 

Depending on if the van frames are similar, I would think you might be able to retrofit a 2500HD 4x4 IFS setup into one.

 

a guy who works in the shop next to where i work drives a 4x4 express van. it looks like it has the same ifs front axle as the hd chevy trucks.

 

Quigley has 2 options for 4 wheel drive one is the coil spring solid axle and the other is the GM IFS system out of the HD's. Only 2 in taller

 

Didn't even know you could get a duramax in a van. opcorn:

 

2007 Duramax Van 3500 with 'LLY'

I bought one. When I blow the TQ I'll do the Trans too. Who does a great job on these transmissions with the billet TQ?

What little pep ups can I do without adding physical mass to the engine area? It's a Van. Not much room.

 

Suncoast has a full trans out for them now.

 

A stock 4l80 or 85e doesn't have enough beef. I toasted mine in my old truck with a 6.0l gasser after only 30.000kms some were hard towing. Not towing it will be fine, but other than that, forget about it. :squish

 

The 4l80 and 85's are a very good trans. Your going out at 30k was not common. I have 120k on my 98 and never an issue with it. I have 32k on the Express now and no issues. I had been running the Predator on the 85hp setting for 3 months before going to EFI live. Not sure how long it will last at the power but we will see.

 

I'll be towing 10,000 lbs of generator 2,000 miles one way next week. Is there any minor chip sets I can use without blowing the trans?

Thanks for the tip on Suncoast! :thanks: