Forum Discussion

bmanning's avatar
bmanning
Explorer
May 04, 2013

"Little things to know" about 2500 series Suburbans/Yukons?

Well, after feeling pretty certain that I wanted another diesel crew cab 4x4, after thinking it over (child #2 is on the way, grandma & grandpa love to tag along) I am starting to strongly consider a 2500 Suburban/Yukon with a 7.4L or 8.1L (depending upon model year).

Why?

1) ability to haul the 2 kids, the grandparents, & Uncle Sal (we visit family in LA on occasion)
2) could buy a TT and be able to tow it safely even with multi passengers (only considering 3/4ton & big block for that reason)
3) my daily commute is very short so the MPG isn't as painful as it'd be otherwise
4) my 2008 F250 never grew on me as I thought it would
5) Wifey loves big SUVs but is lukewarm on pickups

I have been surprised at the number of 3/4 models available in the area surrounding Phoenix, many high mile (doesn't scare me) and very budget-friendly (paying cash; 1 monthly payment is enough).

Finally, the question/request for opinion:

Any certain model years or "things to be aware of?" For example, on my old 7.3L F250, it was the Trans & CPS; on my wife's XC90, it's a noisy front suspension.

BTW would even consider a 90s 7.4L model in the right condition, as long as it had airbags (not sure what year Subs got them)
Tow Vehicles
  • Lowsuv's avatar
    Lowsuv
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    it is free "Dump Day " in Bend Oregon.
    2 weekends per year you can haul any kind of yard debris to the city dump for free.
    It is actually called " FIRE FREE " weekend .
    I have 2 vacant building lots and made 10 trips with pine needles, tree prunings , sagebrush and juniper in the back of my short box duramax .
    after i was done i swept out the pickup bed.
    then with my truck brush and palmolive i washed the pickup box clean .
    i have a lockable SnugTop fibreglass canopy on my short box.
    The guys at the dump with the suburbans and expeditions cannot clean out the back of their rig as thoroughly as i can with my canopy.
    the same thing goes for dirty camping gear on Sunday night.
    i cannot see how you can beat a crewcab or extracab pickup for versatility .
    we carry six passengers regularly in the airconditioned cab and all of the watertoys and personal belongings under the snugtop while towing our skiboat.
    the closest we tow is 47 miles one way , but we have a favorite lake 93 miles away. once again , the wet ski vests, wakeboards ,extra skis, extra cooler, are better under the snugtop.
    just a consideration .
  • Engineer9860's avatar
    Engineer9860
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    kevden wrote:
    BenK wrote:
    You named just a few of my reasons for owning a 8.6K GVWR Suburban...see sig

    I also own a pickup but when had a K5 (full sized SUV...think 2 door Tahoe)
    know how valuable a pickup, but did haul dirt/gravel/etc inside the K5. Large
    tarp's after removing the seats works...except for fertilizer... :(

    Also consider a full sized van, as that is my first choice (still is today) except
    they don't come with 4x4 from the OEM, nor big blocks...

    The full size chevy and gmc vans were available with awd and even the duramax/Allison combo


    The vans did not get the Allison. They got the enhanced 4L85E behind the DMax.
  • kevden's avatar
    kevden
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    BenK wrote:
    You named just a few of my reasons for owning a 8.6K GVWR Suburban...see sig

    I also own a pickup but when had a K5 (full sized SUV...think 2 door Tahoe)
    know how valuable a pickup, but did haul dirt/gravel/etc inside the K5. Large
    tarp's after removing the seats works...except for fertilizer... :(

    Also consider a full sized van, as that is my first choice (still is today) except
    they don't come with 4x4 from the OEM, nor big blocks...

    The full size chevy and gmc vans were available with awd and even the duramax/Allison combo
  • bmanning's avatar
    bmanning
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    KD4UPL wrote:
    Here's what I know:
    The 8.1L production ended was only from 2001 to 2007. The 7.4 L engine was greatly improved in power output when it became the "Vortec" around '96 I think.
    The 8.1 is an excellent engine. I have one in a dually. It is quiet, smooth, and powerful. It is almost as powerful as my '05 Duramax. It does, however use a lot of gas. I get about 10 mpg no matter what I'm doing with it.
    You may consider looking for a "Duraburb". These come from a company (in Florida I think) that builds them. They take a 2500 suburban and install a Duramax/Allison drive train in it. Everything is done with factory parts and it looks factory when done. I've seen a few in person and they look like them came off the assembly line that way. It's not really as expensive as you might think.


    Would LOVE to have a "DuraBurb" or a Quigley 4x4 diesel van for that matter but with a growing family & a healthcare worker salary (LOL) part of what's attractive about an older 8.1/7.4 2500 Burb is that I'm finding them in a range I can pay cash for, and the thought of having only 1 monthly car note in the family is very attractive.

    Example- 03 2500 Burb 8.1L 4x4 on Craiglist, pewter, LT with leather, yes high miles at 170k but the guy wants $9000 which makes me think he'd take $8500 all day.
  • MARK_VANDERBENT's avatar
    MARK_VANDERBENT
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    Dick, your 08 2500 burb should have no challenge with 7500 pounds. Do you tow in 3rd ?? only use cruise on flat land?? What rear end ?? 373 I would think. Have had every combo of suburban and have towed with all . The only one I didn't care for was my 05 with the 342 rear end. Right now I have a 2000 with 200,000 miles , and it has a 373 rear end.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    Here's what I know:
    The 8.1L production ended was only from 2001 to 2007. The 7.4 L engine was greatly improved in power output when it became the "Vortec" around '96 I think.
    The 8.1 is an excellent engine. I have one in a dually. It is quiet, smooth, and powerful. It is almost as powerful as my '05 Duramax. It does, however use a lot of gas. I get about 10 mpg no matter what I'm doing with it.
    You may consider looking for a "Duraburb". These come from a company (in Florida I think) that builds them. They take a 2500 suburban and install a Duramax/Allison drive train in it. Everything is done with factory parts and it looks factory when done. I've seen a few in person and they look like them came off the assembly line that way. It's not really as expensive as you might think.
  • bmanning's avatar
    bmanning
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    Dick_B wrote:
    As I've stated previously on this Forum I'd stay away from the new Suburban with the 6.0L gas engine for towing. It just doesn't have it when towing my 7500# travel trailer.


    No worries there; for me it'll either be 8.1L (first choice) or 7.4L (if in great condition).
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    As I've stated previously on this Forum I'd stay away from the new Suburban with the 6.0L gas engine for towing. It just doesn't have it when towing my 7500# travel trailer.
  • Bill___Kate's avatar
    Bill___Kate
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    BenK wrote:
    ....... Also consider a full sized van, as that is my first choice (still is today) except
    they don't come with 4x4 from the OEM, nor big blocks...


    But you can get them with a V-10 or a diesel and 4x4 added by Quigley ..... :C
  • BenK's avatar
    BenK
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    You named just a few of my reasons for owning a 8.6K GVWR Suburban...see sig

    I also own a pickup but when had a K5 (full sized SUV...think 2 door Tahoe)
    know how valuable a pickup, but did haul dirt/gravel/etc inside the K5. Large
    tarp's after removing the seats works...except for fertilizer... :(

    Also consider a full sized van, as that is my first choice (still is today) except
    they don't come with 4x4 from the OEM, nor big blocks...

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