Anybody want a FORD?

[spareparts]

I have expanded my seach for a work van to include a GMC or Chevy2500-3500 Van(long cab) with a duramax. I didn't realize GM even offered a diesel in the vans till I started searching. I wpould prefer a GM over a Ford(personal prefernce). Skools/Ferm/ any one?, any input on the Ford or GM. Trying to stay below 10.000 so I'm looking at pre 05 stuff with at leats 100,000 miles on them.

[THEFERMANATOR]

GM didn't offer the DURAMAX in a van until 06, so that sort of gets you there. The old 6.5 isn't a horrible engine, but is by no means a heavy duty diesel you can go beat on day in and day out like the old 7.3L powerstroke. For a diesel van it is hard to beat the 7.3L FORD vans though.

[spareparts]

thats what i though, but I've seen several 02-05 GM vans listing them as duramax, are they the 6.5's?

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by spareparts

thats what i though, but I've seen several 02-05 GM vans listing them as duramax, are they the 6.5's?

Yep. they're a decent engine, but do require some upgrades to be reliable.

[spareparts]

I used to work for a company that built street sweepers. we used the 6.5NA(no arse)in the twin engine sweepers(aux engine for the hydraulics). They got a bunch of them from GM at a special deal. They would test drive teh sweepers from one town to antother about 40 miles away. Half of them didn't make it back(spit the cranks thru the pan). We had all kinds of probelms with them. Used the 7.3 mostly, very few problems with them. Used the 5.9, but it didn't match the torque below 1000 rpm that the 7.3 had(ran below 1000 while sweeping). It wasn't untill cummins came out with the 4 valve head that it would work as hard as the 7.3. But thats been a while back, just trying to up to date on them

[RidgeRunner]

The problems with the Allison in 2001 may have been isolated. The torque converter came apart on one of the first trucks to the Florida market. At that stage of the game the dealership was instructed to replace it with a new one (torque converter and tranny). Allison/GM did not trust the technician with the repair. I have heard of injector issues with the Duramax but never had a problem.
The Dodge has them all beat on mileage IMO. Especially with the 6 speed stick which GM discontinued. I like my Duramax and Allison but mileage is 14/17 with a best of 19mpg hwy driving it like there was an egg under foot and no speeds above 65mph. A friends 3500 Dodge dually gets 21MPG interstate with the six speed manual with a small trailer in tow at 70-75 mph. I saw it with my own two eyes and was very impressed with the Cummins power. Mash the accellerator at 60mph in high gear and it pulls, meanwhile my Duramax/Allison is searching for the right cog before accelleration happens. Not that I want a stick mind you, just pointing out the one shortcoming of the Allison slushbox.
Weren't the GM vans that were equipped with the Duramax rated to make less hp and torque than the trucks. I think the tranny was the 4L80E like the tranny behind the 6.0 and big block gas engines, they detuned the engine to help the tranny survive. It was rumored the Allison would not fit in the vans. Unless Ferm gets hold of it :)....

[Skools Out]

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

I think the tranny was the 4L80E like the tranny behind the 6.0 and big block gas engines, they detuned the engine to help the tranny survive. It was rumored the Allison would not fit in the vans. Unless Ferm gets hold of it :)....

They didn't need to detune the motor for that trans, the 80 is tough as cut nails. according to the specs on the L80's they will hold up to 1000 hp and 1500 ft pd of torque. i have a tahoe with a diesel and the L80 with well over 200k miles no issues and i give mine hell too. had a torque converter replaced at 210k miles due to a noise.