The Diesel Page
2006 Rendezvous
Flint & Grandville, Michigan

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By Jim Bigley

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The Diesel Page 2006 Rendezvous was held this past June 23-24 in the beautiful state of Michigan. June 23rd found our group touring GM's pickup truck assembly plant in Flint, Michigan, then on Saturday, we spent most of the day with the folks at Peninsular Diesel, located in Grandville. Added to the mix were campground activities that included product discussions, some great potlucks and barbeque, and time spent with other GM diesel enthusiasts.

Each year since 1999, The Diesel Page Rendezvous has provided an opportunity for vendors and vehicle owners alike to interact with one another, learn more about their vehicles and engines, and most of all have a great time. Events like these begin many months in advance, arranging schedules and venues, and coordinating with those who provide the "content" for the event.

Member's trucks parked at GM's Flint, Michigan assembly plant parking lot.

Todd Smith describes the tour: Cameras were not permitted in the assembly areas, but please read along as I describe what we saw. To begin the tour, we were split into 3 groups of about 9 people each. Charlie, our tour guide, began by explaining that approximately 30 HD crew cab pickups are produced each hour, and 14 medium-duty trucks were produced each hour on the other assembly line. Next stop was the body area, where the cabs and doors are manufactured, inspected for defects, and then sent to the paint shop. Once painted, the doors are removed from the cab to be dressed out separately.

Next, we toured the frame assembly area, where the frames are assembled, and then components are installed onto the frames: axles, brake systems, front suspension & steering assemblies, wheels/tires, etc. to produce a rolling chassis (though still off the floor). Next up was the drivetrain area. Engines are loaded onto the line, and then any required parts are added, along with the transmission. Once the engine/trans assembly is complete, it is installed into a waiting frame. We were surprised to learn that about 85% of the HD pickups are equipped with the Duramax.

We then walked upstairs to the 2nd level of the plant, where many assembly operations are completed. The cabs, doors, and boxes are dressed out on separate lines. The forward cab sections and rear glass are installed by robots. The completed doors are then mated with the cabs - synchronized to ensure colors match. Each major assembly has a build sheet showing what components need to be installed at each operation. The cab, frame, and box are then assembled together at one station, without any human contact. For me this station was the highlight of the tour. After this station, the truck is now sent back to the lower level for completion.

Once back on the lower level, the truck receives all vital fluids, including about 5 gallons of fuel. Next, the front fenders and hood are installed along with the appropriate emblems and any remaining trim. Once complete, it undergoes a battery of tests to ensure all systems function normally. Each truck is then dyno tested to verify operation. If any problems are found, they are first documented, and then the truck is sent to a repair area. Minor issues are dealt with next to the dyno shop, while the truck could be sent to a tech area for something more serious. Once passing final inspection, the truck is parked in an assigned staging area and awaits delivery.

Touring Peninsular Diesel's facility in Grandville: Peninsular Diesel began offering marinized 6.2L diesels in about 1984, and continues through to today with the newest manufactured 6.5L diesel engines produced by GEP (General Engine Products). Nearly all of the marinizing equipment, from water-cooled exhaust manifolds and turbo housings, to specialized water-cooled charge-air-coolers, to dozens of special bracketry components are all proprietary pieces produced for Peninsular. Several different 6.5L marine diesel versions are offered, beginning with a 160 horsepower non-turbo version all the way up to a limited-duty 400 horsepower twin-turbo harbor enforcement type application (though I suspect it would make a sweet ski boat motivator!). Shown above is Peninsular owner Matt Koning describing the various marine diesel engines on display in their lobby.

Here, a high-end Peninsular turbocharged 6.5 is shown mated to a Mercury outdrive, showing the engine mounts, drive bellhousing and coupler.

This is a close up of the water-cooled marine charge-air-cooler. I couldn't help but think how easy it would be to use it on a truck with its own closed-loop cooling system.

This is Peninsular's heavy-duty turbocharged 6.5L, designed for the pickup truck and Suburban market. Aside from the low compression pistons, the high-flow low restriction non-wastegated turbocharger allows the engine to breathe at the higher power levels much better than the GM-x series of factory turbos. This is the setup needed by those who tow heavy on the open highway or in the mountains.

This is Peninsular's top dog! Twin turbos, low compression, special water-cooled charge-air-cooler and lots of fuel allows this engine to perform equal to or better than a performance big-block gas engine in a high-speed boat.

This engine configuration is suitable for either a P30 chassis (van or motor home) or an H1 Hummer, due to the fact that the turbo discharge can be positioned to exit either the right or left side of the engine.

Representing General Engine Products, Tom Bridgewater, who is GEP's Customer Interface Manager, attended the Rendezvous in Grandville by showing everyone the H1 Hummer and the Optimizer 6500 diesel engine. GEP is a wholly owned subsidiary of AM General.

The Optimizer 6500, as AMG now calls the 6.5L diesel, is essentially a new engine when compared to what it was in the 90's, brought about primarily by changes in head & block metallurgical composition and structural design, manufacturing processes and final assembly. And, there are yet more design changes in the offing that could totally revolutionize thinking about what the 6.5 is now and what it could be.

The high-end turbocharged AMG 6500 is currently rated for 205 hp & 440 lb-ft of torque, and is advertised as having a 250,000 mile durability rating, capable of meeting the 2007 EPA 50-state regs and has the lowest dollar per hp of any commercially produced diesel engine suitable for use in pickup trucks and SUV's. Peninsular Diesel is a retailing vendor for this engine.

Home base for this year's Rendezvous was Snow Lake Kampground near Fenwick, Michigan. With approximately 300 camp sites and numerous amenities, it was an ideal place to spend the weekend - for all members of the family. Several large and enclosed pavilions and food service facilities, pool, boating and a community atmosphere created a great spot for the Rendezvous.

More than half of the member vehicles attending this year were powered by the venerable 6.5L Turbo Diesel. This door emblem caught my eye.

Member Mark Vanderbent created some rather unique emblems for his 6.5TD Suburban. Done in brushed aluminum and with vinyl lettering, the effect is strikingly similar to the factory Duramax emblems... Well done Mark! This photo also demonstrates one way to shoot photos of emblems. (and you thought I wasn't in any of the photos...)

Jeff & Amy Mainous and family arrived in his late 90's 2500 extended cab. Great looking truck.

TDP forum moderator Todd Smith and his wife Linda drove their 2005 LLY down from Bay City, Michigan to join the Rendezvous. Todd installed the 2006 towing mirrors and a billet grille insert to update his '05.

It's only natural that a meeting of so many 6.5 experts and enthusiasts would create an opportunity to learn more about the engine, its fuel system and how to improve performance. During a break while at Peninsular's facility, John Kennedy's Tech II scan tool was used to set the injection timing TDC-Offset on Dave Evans' 6.5TD Tahoe to a value that many prefer for both performance and fuel economy.

Peninsular representatives Tim & Lori Knobloch towed their travel-trailer to the campground with their venerable 6.5L Suburban. Equipped with one of Peninsular's potent marine spec turbo'ed 6.5's, Tim reports exceptional fuel economy and performance, which includes an extensive use of bio-diesel fuel.

Impromptu bull sessions are an important aspect of these sorts of activities. Here, Dr. Lee (blue shirt on the right) talks with several members. The truck in the photo is Dr. Lee's 1984 Chevy that was re-engined using a Diesel Depot NA 6.5 in 2002, and which Lee drove to Michigan from Miami.

Anthony Miller arrived from DC driving his 6.2L powered 1983 GMC Vandura 3500 motor home. Anthony has been a member of The Diesel Page for many years, and has owned a variety of GM diesel powered vehicles, this motor home being the latest. The naturally aspirated 6.2L diesel has proven adequate for the vehicle and for Anthony's driving style.

Ken Hessler drove his 1992 6.5L Turbo Diesel all the way from Spirit River, Alberta Canada. Ken and his wife have attended every Rendezvous since 2002, and have driven their 6.5 for most of those trips. The Hesslers also own a Duramax powered short-bed GMC, but the slide-in camper is better suited for the long-bed 1992 GMC.

Fitting the June Rendezvous into their summer travel plans, Bill & Sylvia Lucas attended again this year with their 2001 Chevy 3500 and Bigfoot camper. Thanks to both Bill & Sylvia for helping with the various campground activities and potlucks.

While it took some coaxing, we finally convinced John Kennedy to talk to the group about the recent developments in aftermarket Duramax diesel performance. He even brought along a new LBZ Duramax that might find its way into a race truck. We're hoping it'll light the tires later this year.... We'll bring you the full story as the truck comes together.

The small photo shown above includes two EGR block-off plates for LLY & LBZ that are produced by Kennedy Diesel.

Shown above, is a new integrated auxiliary fuel filter and electric lift pump combination developed by KD that can mount in a variety of locations, including under the truck and against a frame rail. The filter element is easy to replace and easy to prime using the included electrical harness and priming button. Visit www.kennedydiesel.com to learn more. Thanks to Kennedy Diesel for providing a cooler full of prime Wisconsin brats and buns for the potluck Friday evening - expertly cooked by Greg Landuyt and Jeff Mainous. Thanks guys!

You'd never guess Greg Landuyt was an Amsoil dealer. :) Actually, Greg is a true believer of the products he carries, and has equipped his truck to function as a rolling demonstration. The dual remote oil filter assembly (shown above) is mounted just behind the cab, and provides an interesting visual as to what and how a dual-remote system functions.

Aside from answering questions all weekend and providing information covering the wide range of products offered through Greg's business, Lubrication Specialist, Greg also donated a couple car care package kits to Rendezvous attendees which included Amsoil car polish, metal polish, leather and vinyl cleaner and leather and vinyl protectant, 4 quarts of Amsoil 75W-90 gear lube, two A123 air filters and 10 quarts of Amsoil's Synthetic 15W-40 and EaO52 oil filter. Call Greg at 1-888-306-4255 or visit his web site www.lubricationspecialist.com to learn more.

This shot was taken Friday evening in one of the large pavilions we used for the evening potluck. Plenty of great cooking and lots of it. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

As part of the Rendezvous, The Diesel Page donated 17 Duramax Diesel ball caps, six t-shirts and nearly two dozen TDP window stickers to as many TDP members.

A big thanks go to Matt & Rose Koning, Tim & Lori Knobloch and all the crew at Peninsular for being such wonderful hosts, for providing a wide range of free gifts and especially for the buffet style BBQ and chicken on Saturday evening, and for supplying free hotdogs and cold beverages during the lunch break while the group was visiting Peninsular's facility in Grandville. Thanks! For providing logistical support, thanks to Ron Schoolcraft, Dr. Lee, Howard Mallory, John Kennedy, Greg Landuyt, and to everyone for helping things to run smoothly both during the tours and while at the campground. Thanks also to Leroy Taylor, GM-Flint Human Resources manager, for helping to arrange the GM assembly plant tour, and to Mark Hawkins, UAW Local 598, for assisting the tour group and for donating a number of UAW coffee cups.

And finally, I would like to thank everyone who attended. See you next time!     TDP

Rendezvous Host: