Fordlover wrote:
what's wrong with the 2005 Yukon Denali?
If you can get over the gas mileage (15-16mpg probably max on the highway, 12 around town) there really isn't anything wrong with a 2005. There are several things better about the GMT900, but for a great deal it might be hard to argue about purchasing a GMT800.
While it has the 4 speed transmission, it does have the 4L65E, which is a step up from the 4L60E behind the 5.3L v8's. The other nice thing about that is that from a power stand point it actually is better than a 4 speed 6L 3/4 or 1 ton from that era. The 4L65E has a lower first gear ratio than the HD 4L80/85E. So, the 6L in the half ton is faster/quicker/more responsive than the 6L in the HD trucks off the line. On the highway they would be similar, other than the Denali was rated at an extra 30-35 HP.
The other nice thing is that GM only made a couple (few?) million trucks off of that platform. So there is lots of parts/upgrades and known typical issues (window regulators).
When I talk talk to a friend at work who is pushing like 300k miles on his 2002 Suburban and really has only replaced the window regulators and 4WD selector switch it makes me question why I got rid of my 2005.
