Diesel SUV???
 

I have found a bunch of trucks but can't find an SUV.

Good luck. Your only bet other than having one converted is to find an older Excursion or even older Suburban. I saw a new Ford Van in Huntington Beach, Ca. that had a conversion done to it. I looked into and found the company that did the conversion but can't seem to find that information right now. I think the conversion for the van was $12k. Van cost was $40k, so you better want to keep it for a long time if you go that route. The van I saw had a 4 inch lift with 32" tires. Good luck with your search.

There was hope of a few SUV diesel options before the economy took a dump. Hopefully the automaker plans for a diesel come back to life.

The reason is no one makes them. I think in the late 90's GM made a few suburbans with a diesel but they are pretty rare. And actually I guess I need to amend my statement. Noone makes a full size SUV with a diesel. Jeep has one in their Grand Cherokee, and I think Mercedes has a couple, but nothing full size. You could always do a conversion. I know a guy who has a Cummins powered Escalade.

please don't buy a mid 90's GM. those engines are junk. My dad worked for Cummins Engine Company for years before buying this place. We had our fair share of diesel conversion vehicles. The one I would like to have back it a late 80's ram conversion van with a 6B in it. It would roll. The only problem was with the engine basically sitting between the driver and passenger it was a little noisy. We used to pull our camper with it and it did a hell of a job.

ford excursion isn't a full size suv. i've seen plenty with diesels. it looks full size. i know they don't make it any more, but post doesn't say new or used.

In a midsize Jeep used to make a Grand Cherokee with a Cummins, but stopped making them about 2 years ago (they never did any marketing on them etiher). Mercedes has a couple models with diesels and BMW and VW also have them, if you go with a midsize I'd recommend something with an air suspension.

Say What????? :confused::confused: The Excursion is most definitely a full size SUV...

whats the towing capacity on those cherokee's with the cummins?

Ahahahaha. You're right it's bigger than full size, more like EXTRA LARGE.

VW Taureg has a diesel option.

I dont think the diesel in the Cherokee was a Cummins....I believe it was sourced from Mercedes and very similar to what you find in the ML and GL SUVs.

i meant to put a ? after that sentence refering to the statement above mine that says no one makes a full size suv. sorry for the excitement.

I completely spaced out on the Excursion, If you can find a 7.3 with good miles that would be sweet, I've heard good and bad about the 6.0, I almost bought one and have had friends that have run theirs to 275K with no issues, but I ended up with a cummins. And I do believe the Jeep is an MB engine. Supposed to be pretty good though, have also heard great things on this site about the TDI. I was spacing out this morning, when he asked about SUV's my mind went straight to Tahoe's, expeditions, etc. my bad

Rumor has it, than chevy is dropping a deisel suburban in 2012..... ill buy it!!

I came across a duramax van. It should have the mounts in the floor for the 2nd and 3rd row seats but no rear side windows... It has potential.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1931218649.htmlAttachment 8153

So what do you consider full size??
Maybe Kenworth or Peterbuilt :D

oops didnt see your last response

I saw a couple of H2's with a Duramax conversion done.
Cant immagine what the going price for one of those is though:(

I think that Benz GL is probably technically "full size". It is basically the same size as a Tahoe...perhaps even longer.



Here is probably the baddest full size (custom) diesel suv...


And all of these will probably pull a boat...like it isn't even there...lol

I would like to see a diesel in a Tahoe,/Yukon/Explorer size vehicle but if it's made I'm sure it will be wrapped with plenty of bacon.

Check out these...see very bottom for Epic boat behind van...
http://sportsmobile.com/4_4x4sports.html

http://sportsmobile.com/z-PO_calif.html

Also check out Quigley4x4.com.

Why not get a crew cab diesel truck and put a shell on it? Or do you need more seating than a crew cab allows?

VW Toureg is available in a diesel.

You know, you could probably find a good used diesel motorhome to tow your boat. If you are going to spend ~50k on a converter van or suv, then get a smaller motorhome.

If I could have what I wanted I would call DuraBurb!

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/...b/51a8ca2f.jpg

Touareg and Q7 now have a diesel option. 3.0L i believe. That will get you 7700 towing cap and better brakes than any American SUV. Plus you'll be rolling in style.

With no money left in your pocket and none to pay for all those nice expensive VW parts!

Why not get the Porsche then?

I like the fun stuff on eBay better... This just sold for $6,100.... :eek:

http://www.oniva.com/upload/1877/F350.efqr3.jpg

http://www.oniva.com/upload/1877/F350.ia5.jpg

http://www.oniva.com/upload/1877/F350.ia6.jpg

F-350 Thing on eBay

If you go used, the Touareg had a 5L V10, think it was from 06-08. Plenty of towing power and very capable suv.

Wow, it's rare in Europe to find a GAS SUV... they're mostly Diesel.. just makes more sense.

How wierd that you don't have them....

I have a 96 3/4 ton Diesel suburban with the 6.5 TD. Sure they won't light the world on fire but it tows well and gets good enough mileage to be a daily driver even lifted with 33's. Mostly the 6.5 got a bad rap as people don't know how to work on them. I have around 400k miles combined on two 6.5's and haven't had one major failure. Besides the fact that you can get'em dirt cheap.........

This guy makes F250 and Chevy HD 2500 "Excursion" Conversions. He has a few for sale every once in a while.

http://www.customautosbytim.com/

No diesel in the Porsche in the US...I've been considering once the new 2011 body style gets around this next year, to pick up an 08 when the price drops a bit. Maybe it will cost 30-35K for a decent one (maybe). The V8 is pushing 400hp with torque not much below that. Some people will spend 30-35K on a new Highlander, why not get an unreliable but stylish SUV instead? :) Extended warranty is a must with these cars!

Go for the Excursion 7.3. They're getting harder to find but you can do it, and they go fast when they come available. I bought a 02 last year with 90k on the clock for $16. 6" lift and 35's and I got 17.5mpg towing to Shasta from Portland.

^^^^^towing what a jet ski. i want one of your mileage calculators.

I've been going down the same road...want a SUV, but in a diesel, the Excursion is it. I'm thinking just adding a top end shell and carpet kit to the F250 will be close enough, since I don't need a 3rd row of seats.

Ok believe what you like. Hand done math, not a trip computer and towing a 23' Malibu.

Easily done, even more so if it has 3.73 or higher gears, 35's and overdrive. My old 12 valve cummins would get 24 towing my SAN with a 5 speed and gear vendor on 35's.

Thanks guys next question if I needed a beast to pull with thats an SUV whats the best way to go. This is more of a work thing so I want something with a great towing capacity but plenty of space when not dragging the trailer around. I don't need one of those 18 wheeler looking things. So Excursion etc what size engine. Just towing around Florida so not up and down hills.

Wow.. My powerstroke must be broken.
I get about 13.5 towing my 21' Tahoe.

Stock tires, full turbo back exhaust, egi delete, and custom tow tune. :(
however it is a 6.0 dually 4x4 with 4:10 gearing.

Oh by the way.. These are diesel too :D

http://www.classytrucks.org/Hummer/hummer.1999-03.jpg

Well I have a F-250 with a 6.0 powerstroke. It has had its problems, and many 6.0's haven't just hit or miss. The best thing you can find is an Excursion with a 7.3 Powerstroke. Rock solid reliability but they are more expensive than the newer 6.0's. You can also find an Excursion with a V10, which I had once and never had a problem! Just got 14mpg Hwy and 10mpg city..

The dually and the 4:10's are killing you mpg wise. I believe I'm at just about or under 2k rpm at 70mph.

Dodge Mega-Cab with a topper.

I have the MB GL 350 Bluetec. It is a full size diesel SUV. Pull my 22' Avy just fine. Pulling out of the ramp is no problem since it is 4 Matic. I have pulled a 30' center console to the beach and it didn't give me any problems. Not the GL is not cheap at all, but you can fine some good used ones fairly cheap. Or do like I do and lease it. I get the write it off of my taxes and I trade up every 2.5 years.

I have a 2005 Excursion. Last year made, most of the problems sorted out with the 6.0. I have pulled a 29' 8000lb DCB cat at 90 MPH (long story) and it didn't even flinch. Most "problems" with 6.0 motors can be related to turbo's (rusted due to lack of use) or someone putting a 90 hp programmer on one and then blaming the motor for problems.
Check the carfax and if it has been in the shop a bunch of times, probably should pass.
I would not hesitate to buy another one. Mine is not for sale. :)

We, here at work, make our living repairing diesel engines. I LOVE when people buy the 6.0 because they will need help soon. I am looking at upgrading boats too so please buy one.

why add the rediculous markup for a diesel ,not towing a house.

true, headstuds, and and egr delete would help, but turbo and injector problems will always plague them

pretty much all SUV's sold in Europe are diesel, nobody wants a petrol engine as they drink too much fuel and have nothing like the torque. Audi, VW, Toyota, Nissan, Merc, Landrover etc etc all run diesel engines. I've always been amazed the US never picked up on it, petrol/gas is very much in the minority now...

I second the Touareg V10 TDI... love mine... wouldn't trade it for anything. TONS of pulling power... huge brakes, yet easy to drive around town... and great MPGs.

Just got a 02 Excursion with the 7.3L only had 50K miles and I had to pay the price.... Ya its a full size SUV same size as a F250 extended cab/short bed.
They made it from 2000-2005 and with the 7.3L ( the good motor ) from 2000 -2003ish ( some 03 can have the 6.0L or the 7.3L most are the 6.0) It really is the only full size SUV made with a diesel ( besides that old 90's suburban) like others said the 6.0l motor is hit or miss with problems. And the first year 2000 have different pistons then the 01+ ( stronger if you are trying to make crazy power). And they sell FAST one got listed at night ( around 11pm) went to go look at it the next morning around 10am and it was all ready sold and gone... But they did have one with a 6.0L :(

Oh and if you dont mind paying the $$ and want new some company convert new F250's into excursions.
http://customautosbytim.com/index.html
They will even make ya a 6 door version :)

Price.. Ouch
2008/10 Four door Excursions
* You provide the truck 2008 thru 2010 F-250/350/450/550/650 *
starting at $25K 2011's $30K

So give them the truck and 25K lol I think I would get a new boat :)