Chevy Duramax C5500 Conversion Bus

[Preston]

Hi friends.
I have an opportunity to purchase a 2011 Chevy Duramax C5500 Shuttle Bus and I'm wondering if else has tried this combination.
I've been a diesel sprinter guy for years and don't know much about the Chevy diesel Duramax.
Seem the MPG is roughly 10-12 and since this is a 2011, it should comply with the new CA diesel laws...

Would love to hear ideas- either good or bad!

Cheers.
Preston

[WIbluebird]

Those buses can be extremely hard to work on since half the motor is buried in the firewall. Is the emissions sytem an aftermarket add on or factory? Make sure the dash works, it's a common failure point on these rigs.

Also I would read up on the emission laws in Cali, you may be exempt from them as a motorhome (don't take this as gospel)

[Danjo]

Yeah! I haven’t heard much bad about the 6.6 liter duramax except from my own experience and a lot of commentary online about the turbo getting gummed up due to excessive idling. I have one in a cutaway bus. The cowled body will make maintenance so much easier.

[Danjo]

Double check the CARB rules. I’m pretty sure a 2011 is in the clear. I’d call them actually.

[Johnny Mullet]

Duramax is a decent engine, but hard to work on even in the Kodiak body. As far as the C4500/C5500 chassis goes, these are pretty bulletproof.

[Preston]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

Those buses can be extremely hard to work on since half the motor is buried in the firewall. Is the emissions sytem an aftermarket add on or factory? Make sure the dash works, it's a common failure point on these rigs.

Also I would read up on the emission laws in Cali, you may be exempt from them as a motorhome (don't take this as gospel)

Very good to know about the difficulty working on the engine. This is an ebay auction and the sell doesn't know much about the fleet vehicle. So... I'm going to pass on it. I eventually found out that it's a 2009 and the complicates things just enough... Thanks for the suggestions!

[cadillackid]

I like the 09s better.. but from what i understand cali doesnt like anything older than 2010..



in 09 the emissions were standard.. but may niot have been clean enough.. I cant remember if it was 9 or 10 when they went to DEF on those vs regen only on the DPF..


-Christopher