Re: [A/S] Avalanche Question - Allison Transmission

["Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Craig,

A year or so ago, I spoke to a Chevrolet rep at a trade show and asked about
the possibility of a Duramax (and Allison transmission) in a Suburban or
Yukon.

The rep said that they were seriously looking at the problem.  Initially,
there would be no rush, since there was a limited supply of Duramax engines.
However, in the long term it would be another matter.

The problem is more involved than swapping power trains.  The cross member
of the frame and the floor pan have to be changed in order to fit the larger
transmission.  Thus, the most likely availability will be when the next body
style goes into production (which would include accomodation for the
Allison)

Also, the hood has to be higher in the front to accomodate the Duramax
engine (which is not a big problem).

This is why the Duramax/Allison (and 8.1 liter gas engine/Allison) is only
available on the HD series of pickups.(which have the room to mount the
Allison transmission, and Duramax as well).

I think the next generation GM pickups are due for the 2005 model year (or
2006 worst case).  The SUV models often come out a year later, but
competition is so fierce that I would think that they would likely come out
at the same time as the new pickup.

Chevrolet showed a "concept car" pickup at this year's auto show which
featured an independent rear suspension (like the Ford Expedition).  Here
too, there is a good possibility that the next redesign of the GM pickup
product line will include the independent rear (an engineering design long
overdue, in my opinion).

Oliver Filippi