How about the Durango/Aspen hybrids?

[Hersbird]

Except it gets better mileage then the Tahoe/Esclade/Silverado hybrids. The Durango's 4wd version is the same as the 2wd Tahoe which also added aero mods, aluminum panels, and an Atkins cycle on the motor. The Durango has cylinder deactivation which the electric motors allow more use of.
I found the transmission on some parts sights, looks like $3800 brand new from the factory which is only about $1000 more then a normal 5 speed. The large battery is $1800.

[synergy]

As far as parts go just use car-part.com

2009
Transmission
Dodge Durango 5.7,,4X4 A.T.; 4x4, 5.7L, hybrid,NT 40,000 A YC9409 $985.11 LKQ - Star Auto Parts USA-WI(Janesville) E-mail 1-800-362-9451

A LKQ has a trans with 40k on it for 985. They will negotiate and they will warranty items like this. They also have a hybrid electric powertrain for $1015

The fact that only 400 were made is BAD for buying new parts BUT GREAT for buying used ones (since we have the internet).

How many of these SUV's do you think are currently looking for a used transmission? Id have to figure only a handful of owners each year would need a replacement (with only 400 made and some being crashed/totalled/notdriven) And with 5 or 6 sitting online and Id assume that 90% of owners would be using their warranty or replace it with new at the dealership. I think most owners of these as wealthy familys with mom driving. Hardly the type of people shopping around. The tranny goes Im sure hubby will have the dealer fix it for wifey :P

Theres also a battery in VA
2009
Battery
Dodge Durango A CKC1387 $800 Cunningham Brothers Auto Parts - PRP-MA USA-VA(Rustburg) Request_Quote 1-800-828-0707 Request_Insurance_Quote

800$. If they were willing to negotiate its almost worth buying as a spare.


Use car-part.com and owning this thing will be a breeze. It also matches part numbers to show you other cars with the same parts. So you can maybe get stuff off the chevys or esclades.

[Hersbird]

The Durango was sold before we got there so I didn't even get to test drive. Oh well, we did get an Aspen but spent $8000 less and just got the non-hybrid. It did return a bit over 18 mpg at 50-70 mph on a freezing interstate and 2 mountain passes. I'm looking into the ability to improve the cylinder deactivation tuning to hold the deactivation longer as it seems to go full power with the slightest application of throttle.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Neither the Durango or the Aspen would be my first choice if I were on the market for a hybrid SUV, actually I'm not sure if I would even be on the market for a hybrid at all. At least since the transmission setup is interchangeable at some extent with other vehicles with higher production figures I wouldn't be so scared to try one...