Pickups get the diesel, SUVs keep your stuff dry, so why not make what GM didn’t
Diesel swap gets HD truck sheetmetal and a new interior
The GMC Yukon XL is one of the best things around for towing and hauling and carrying a load of people at the same time, but there’s one thing missing. There’s no diesel engine! At least not until the 3.0L inline-six arrives in the new model sometime later this year. But that’s not enough for everyone, so that leaves room for companies like Duramax Specialties to build beasts like this.
It’s the ultimate tow Yukon, except that it’s actually a Chevrolet Suburban. And it’s marked Denali HD on the door. We’ll explain.
The buyer had a vision, their dream version of the Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban twins, and Duramax Specialties built it starting with a 2007 model, the first year of the 10th gen Burb’. It’s a 2500 for the higher payload and tow ratings. According to their Facebook post (via Motor1) things got wild from there.
Photo: Duramax Specialties
How about an LMM version of the 6.6L Duramax diesel. That’s the version that made 365 hp and a whopping 660 lb-ft of torque, linked to a six-speed Allison automatic. Then it was converted on the outside, getting the nose from a Sierra Denali HD pickup to give this beast a bigger and badder look. The inside was upgraded with Katzkin leather for all three rows (though the steering wheel bowtie looks a bit out of place).
Duramax Specialties does the work using all new OEM or better parts, and even upgrades the fuel filler system to accommodate the bigger diesel nozzle. The suspension’s been thoroughly refreshed, keeping in mind that this was a 13-year old SUV.
Want your own? The base price with the Duramax is $44,900 (CAD 60,000), add $6,500 (CAD 8,700) for the HD bodywork, and from there the sky’s the limit.
