1500 Yukon XL Denali vs 2500 Suburban 8.1

ksu_j wrote:

"I'm considering installing Hellwig sway bars on the sub to help stabilize it further, and I've just added a Hypertech tuner to the mix to see if I can eek out a little better fuel mileage.

Keep us updated on all the details of your new tow vehicle when you get it. First thing I noticed when I went from driving our prior 2006 1/2-ton Suburban with the 5.3L engine to test driving the 2004 3/4-ton Suburban with the 8.1L engine - just touch the throttle & it wants to jump! That big engine is a beast!"

.........You'll be a lot better OFF without the tunner , In stock configuration , the computer pulls timing when it detects pinging as well as when it is programmed to protect the Allison from damage ! It was designed that way for a specific purpose............rebuilding the Allison will run about ~$4,000 or so . Learn how to be happy with it's stock performance , it'll last a whole lot longer . , jf




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I thought I'd give everyone a quick update. I had the suburban delivered last week and have been driving it a little bit here for the last several days. First impressions are that power-wise, it doesn't feel much different than the H.O. 6.0 I had in the Denali. This thing is certainly not optioned to the teeth like the Denali was, and it definitely has a more heavy duty feel to it than the Denali did. I expected both of that. The one thing I can't seem to get used to yet is how high the RPM's spin when I'm going down the highway. 75mph with the 4.10 rear end is up over 2500 RPM's. I think it partially has to do with the 245 R16's the dealer put on. I wish they'd gone with at least 265's if not 285's, but oh well.

I can certainly tell a difference in the transmission. The Denali was so smooth it almost felt like it was slipping sometimes. This thing has nice firm shifts. And I'm very happy to be back into a true 4WD rather than the AWD Denali. I don't miss the drivetrain noise at all.

All in all it's a good truck. Nothing fancy, but should be a true workhorse, which should be fine for a couple of years.

Please let me know how the Hypertech tuner treats you and if you see any noticeable differences.