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Not yet.I am apart of a Astro site where members have started mock up the engine and not finish them yet.One of the major reasons is the cost of diesel as to why they haven't finished them yet.Also the side of the turbo normally is mounted on is a limiting factor.
Thanks! Yes, diesel is more expensive but it is not so bad if you factor in the increase in the fuel economy. I have read in forums of big pickups that got 12 mpg with gas engines getting 25 with a cummins 4bt If this works, then, if gas is 2.80 a gallon and diesel is 5.60 a gallon, your operating costs are the same. Diesel now, however is 3.40 a gallon where I live...so would realize a substantial savings. Even more so if you can throw SVO into the van
Yes, diesel engines tend to be taller than gas because of the fuel injectors and turbo mechanism. What engines have you considered? Have you considered the Dodge Sprint engine? The Mercedes 5 or 6 cylinder? There are a number of Japanese cars that (outside of the U.S) also came with diesels and am guessing that these are going to be on the smaller side.
Hi,
New to the forum and just saw this old post. We own an A/C service company in the Virgin Islands. We have 4 GMC Safari Cargo Vans with Isuzu D-MAX 3.0LS Ddi iTEQ Super Commonrail that uses a 3.0 liter turbodiesel engine, the 4JJ1-TC 2,999cc intercooler turbo DOHC 16 valve i-TEQ with MUA5H 5 speed manual transmissions These vans will pull a house down! St. Thomas is a volcanic mountain island with STEEP inclines, switchbacks etc. These vans perform! The gas engine astros and safaris we have would not come out of 2nd gear with the 3.23's. Second to third is going from 1.63 to 1.00 too wide of a ratio. In those we have 4.56 rear gears now and they work fairly well. Top speed on the island is 35mph so top end or cruising is not a concern. OD is never used in any of the gas vans. All have tranny coolers.
These vans all carry the necessary tools/parts /equipment to service/maintain residential/commercial A/C and Refrigeration. In short....a LOT of weight.
Last edited by endeavorniche; 10-08-2009 at 07:23 AM.
Hi,
New to the forum and just saw this old post. We own an A/C service company in the Virgin Islands. We have 4 GMC Safari Cargo Vans with Isuzu D-MAX 3.0LS Ddi iTEQ Super Commonrail that uses a 3.0 liter turbodiesel engine, the 4JJ1-TC 2,999cc intercooler turbo DOHC 16 valve i-TEQ with MUA5H 5 speed manual transmissions These vans will pull a house down! St. Thomas is a volcanic mountain island with STEEP inclines, switchbacks etc. These vans perform! The gas engine astros and safaris we have would not come out of 2nd gear with the 3.23's. Second to third is going from 1.63 to 1.00 too wide of a ratio. In those we have 4.56 rear gears now and they work fairly well. Top speed on the island is 35mph so top end or cruising is not a concern. OD is never used in any of the gas vans. All have tranny coolers.
These vans all carry the necessary tools/parts /equipment to service/maintain residential/commercial A/C and Refrigeration. In short....a LOT of weight.
The GMC Safari cargo vans you are specking of are the full size versions right???.Or did GMC make a mini van version I am not aware of???.Would you plse clarify that.
The GMC Safari cargo vans you are specking of are the full size versions right???.Or did GMC make a mini van version I am not aware of???.Would you plse clarify that.
Hi Gary, I'm Steve.
The Safari I'm describing is the Astro Twin. Not a full size van. Surely you know GMC makes the Safari Mini van! They're almost identical to the Astro but for the grille and I think the headlight might be a little different. Google 2006 GMC Safari. We purchased the vans new from a company in Malaysia. They started life in Michigan.
I don't know if Malaysia or some of the other countries like that special ordered them like this or if an aftermarket type shop converted them. I know all labels stickers etc. indicate a factory job. The owners manual is in english and it describes exactly what they are with the diesel, so a factory special order is looking strong.
Some countries can get vehicles from the big three that we can't buy in the U.S. For instance the 4 door full size four wheel drive Chevy/GMC trucks (K1500) were available in Brazil years before the U.S.
Anyway the vans are awesome for what we use them for. Top speed on the island is 35MPH. The terrain is volcanic mountains. 2 lane roads barely wide enough for 2 cars to pass. Incredibly steep inclines, switchbacks etc. We can carry close to the full load cap with no problem.
We searched far and wide for these vans. They're 2006's by the way, bought new in Dec 2007. The Astros and Safaris we had with the 4.3 4L60e and 3.23's would never shift out of 2nd gear. We mostly kept them in 1st. In the 4l60e First gear is 3.08:1, 2nd is 1.63:1. A huge difference.
So we put 4.56's in the rear that increased RPMs by 29.16 %, Increased torque by 29.17. An awesome increase that allows them to finally be able to carry more than the driver, his lunchbox, and a cup of coffee!
The diesel vans with a 5spd is great. Not such a wide ratio, you can control shift points better, and of course the diesel makes all of it's torque and HP at low rpm's.
As soon as I get back to the island I'll post pics. I'm in the U.S. now on a business trip.
Oh and another benefit of the diesel is it can be left idling for extended periods of time allowing use of a power invertor and the A/C can stay on. A big thing when it's always HOT.
Steve
Last edited by endeavorniche; 10-09-2009 at 05:10 AM.
Reason: Syntax Error
Yes, we definitely want more information. The factory that made these vans shut it's doors May 13, 2005, leaving 2005 as the last model year. I've spent way to much time trying to find Astro/Safaris made in other worldwide plants.
I have a feeling these van's might be re-manufactured with the diesel engines and 5-speed transmissions and then sold with newer model years.
Diesel engine in an Astro?
