I currently have a 2002 Suburban 1500 with 5.3 vortec. I'm trying to decide on whether to buy a 2500HD D/A. My reasons for this are fuel mileage and pulling power since I tow boats and accessories more than 3800#s. Has anynone converted from the Sub to 2500HD D/A and what are your thoughts and experiences. Thanks http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

In the July Issue of Four Wheeler magazin there is a story over building a diesel suburban. It doesn't go way into detail but would give you some ideas about what needs to be done.

I think I need to clarify that I'm not wanting to convert my Sub to a diesel but to trade it in for 2500 HD D/A.
I'm looking for people who've had subs that have traded them in for HDs and if they think it was worth the extra cost given current fuel prices.I know there are no comparisons to towing abilities compared to a sub.
Thoughts ex sub owners?

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hdh828


Funny you should ask. I traded my 98 Suburban in on my 04 D-max, and boy I have never looked back. Why it took so long to go "Diesel" I'll never know. Being that my Burb was 6 years old, I only had 52,000 miles on it so it wasn't exactly worn out. In the last year I had replaced all the things that make it ride better, and let me tell you that I really like the ride on the new truck. Now you might say well of course it's new, I mean I like the way the 2500HD rides much better then the 98 even when it was new. The power of the diesel and the better milage is also a plus. Can't say enough good things about the truck. Hope this helped but I'm sold on this here truck, all the way..


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Can you tow in OD with your 02. I had a 92 and was not able to use OD to tow. I traded it in on a 01 6.0L (gas) 2500HD 2WD CC long bed with 4.10's and the 4L80E tranny. Which means I could town in overdrive. I loved the upgrade. I installed a manual rear slide window on the 01 and put a cap on it with a front slider window in it. This was so the family could move back and forth between the truck and the bed of the truck while on the road. The pulling power between the two was quite different and an improvement. I recently purchased a 04 3500 dually 2wd Duramax/Allison set up. I was traveling up I-77 &amp; I-81 From NC to NY. Many steep grades. It was pulling around 4000#. I set the cruise at 75mph and it was like the truck was pulling nothing. It actually rode better pulling a load. I averaged around 17 mpg and haven't paid more than $1.65 for fuel yet!!! I put over 100,000 miles on the Surburban and about 25,000 combined on the pick ups. To make a long story short, I'm glad I changed. The pick up is much better suited for pulling and the kids like to sleep in the pick up bed while we are on the road. It's all preference though.





ScottEdited by: BART

yes , I can tow in OD and I'm pretty sure it goes into 5th gear as my rpms hit 2000 going 70. On hills I hit 3000 rpms and 2500 rpms getting back up to speed after slowing down. On a 177 mile trip from San Antonio to Aransas Pass I use almost a full tank(32 gallon tank) towing a boat. I think I should do better but wind ,weight and hills keep mileage low. I just would like assurance by other people's experiences that I am doing the right thing buying new and starting all over.

I traded my 01 2500 8.1L 4.10 ratio Suburban for an 04 2500HD LLY Crew cab. There is no comparison pulling my 8500# boat. The DMAX will run circles around the 8.1 and get better milage than the 8.1 will NON-TOWING.

Don't expect any big gains in fuel mileage at least not empty anyway, the 5.3's are pretty good. I had an '01 Silverado 1500 Z71 5.3l and traded for an '04 GMC 2500HD D/A LLY mainly because I pull heavy loads like 10,000 - 15,000lbs or more. 3800lbs is nothing for a 5.3 especially wth 4.10's and I was actually pretty impressed with how well my little Chevy pulled.


When you get into heavier weight, however, the Duramax/Allison really shines and the bigger, heavier truck handles the weight much better; its what these trucks are made for, and even though my mileage is no better, right now with the rising gas prices I'm saving about $15 to $20 a tank compared to a gas.


As far as cost goes, yes the D/A is more expensive initially but considering resale value and some fuel savings etc., in the end the D/A will not cost much, if any more than a Suburban or 1/2 ton.

I have an 03 suburban and an 04 2500HD CC/LLY


I have only pulled a 3000lb trailer a short distance with both and with the truck you don't even feel it. The suburban has a much better ride, but I am loving the price of fuel for the truck way better right now.

I have both a 99 6.5 Suburban 4X4 with towing package (4:10's) and a 02 D/A CC 4X4 2500HD. Both are used for towing the same trailers - a 12,000 GTW dump and a 18,000 GTW enclosed triple axle car hauler. The Sub - better ride, better fuel mileage, haul a couple more people, rear air, tows great up to about 20,000 CGVW. The D/A - more uphill power for the Cascades and Grapevine, handle CGVW to 33,000 with no problem. I often take both vehicles with a driver driving the Sub. Sub stays with the D/A, gets better fuel mileage, and works great towing most stuff. I prefer to drive the D/A and prefer to pull with the D/A and don't care about mileage &amp; ride. The D/A has more power and better feel - longer wheelbase.

Sold my 2001 2500 Suburban LT with the 8.1 to purchase the 04 Chevy 2500HD D/A LT in my signature. Am constantly pulling 9,000 lb race car trailer and 10,000 lb camper. If you don't need the seating capacity of the Suburban, the truck in absolutely fantastic!!! Went from getting 7.5-8 mpg to currently with only 10,000 miles 11-11.25. With fuel prices the way they are and the additional miles per gallon I am very happy and my wife loves the new truck also. You won't be disappointed.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Sold my 99 suburban and got the 2500 CC 2WD DA three weeks ago. Really like the truck, but its currently in the shop for a tranny problem. They think a bad valve or electrical wire harness. They assure me it is a minor repair and under warranty, so no real problems other than the inconvenience.

I'm getting about 18.5 MPG on my own calculations. The computer says about 19.5 or 20 mpg. I think the 18.5 is correct. My suburban with 5.7 got 17 or so (best) on the hwy and 14-15 in town.

I get better mileage, can pull heavier loads when needed, and fuel is cheaper (currently about $1.559 here. I think the D/A will hold its value much better. My poor suburban dropped in value by the minute from day one.

I did like the dry area to haul stuff the Suburban offered. So I have ordered a cab high camper shell, paint to match my truck. It looks like a suburban kinda. When i'm not needing the camper (usually long trips) I can take it off. Campers are now usually clamped on with c clamps and can be removed fairly easily.

Just some of my thoughts!
Edited by: dchilders