Trying to figure out the right vehicle to purchase..

We have 4 2500 suburbans, I have a 2500 avalanche and we love them. They were cheaper than other 2500s to purchase and are very dependable. One has 280k, one has 230k, one has a debatable 77k(277k), one has 140k, and my avalanche has 108k. Engines range from 5.7 vortec, 454s, 6.0 vortec and 8.1 vortec. We have ha the transmission rebuilt in two of them the 01 with 6.0 (233k) and the 97 454 77k(really 277k). For towing and working out them everyday the best bang for the buck. They aren't the fastest up the hills when towing but can't justify the upkeep and initial higher investment of a diesel for the amounts we tow. 2500s get better frame, trans, suspension, brakes, cooling, a lot different that 1500 that costs you weight and fuel mileage, but you gain in dependability and reliability.

Only left stranded once over the years due to a failed fuel pump with 175k on it. If they are taken care of with good oil and filters they will last to 200-225k with no major repairs.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another to replace one of our fleet if needed. My favorite is the 96-98 454 2500. Cheaper than the '00 and up body style and less sought after for that reason. I wanted and 04 and up 2500 suburban with the 8.1 but found and bought the avalanche with same options color etc for $6k less.

Our fuel mileage in all of these avg 13-15 empty and 9-13 towing on flat ground. Single digits in the hills.

The big blocks definitely tow better than both the 5.7/6.0 but the 5.7/6.0 ride a little better. The 6.0 tows ok, but likes 3500-4500 on the hills and is slow.
 
Ron said:
The one thing I would eliminate from the get go is anything with a Ford 5.4. If you arent replacing coil packs every 20,000 miles after 100k you have spark plugs broke off in the head or being spit out of the head. Biggest POS motor ford ever put in a vehicle, and yes Im including the 6.0 and 6.4 in that discussion.
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You forgot cam phasers.
 
Sticker on a new Sequoia is $60k.
 
Ron said:
This was the precise reason we bought the Expedition we had. I (the wife) had owned 3 Tahoes at that point and all had served well. I refused to support GM and bought an Expedition. I found out why Ford didnt need a bailout. They sold their damn SUVs twice; once at the dealership and a second time in the service bay.
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I guess looking at it, I have one of the few years that did not have a lot of trouble with the 5.4. Mine is a 03. Can't argue with the coil pack issues though. That is the only thing I have ever replaced and it has 160k. That and one unit bearing on the rear. I know the early 2 valve 5.4 blew the plugs and the later 3 valve had the cam phaser problems. Ah, maybe they arent that great of a choice. lol

I agree with all the other's on something that is a 2500. That would be nice to have.
 
shawn said:
Which are....?
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ANY gas SUV on the market. Show me a gasser under $15k that can get 18-19 on the highway at 70mph. Yes, newer ecoboost or cylinder reduction engines can get bet mpg's, but you're then in the $30k+ range.
 
On the way To harlan a while back, a buddy with a ford gas v10 truck and with 1500 lbs less trailer weight than I, got the exact same fuel consumption as the 97 454 suburban. We stopped just outside of Bristol, filled up, followed each other to harlan and back to same gas station and both topped off tanks. Exact same amount to the .01.

I was towing 7100 lbs.

His truck costs wayyyy more to purchase than the $4600 suburban, and spits out spark plugs.

A diesel will get better mileage empty for sure, but that cost savings is offset by higher initial cost, higher maintenance costs and higher fuel price.
 
With mixed road conditions and grades, my 7.3 Excursion averages 13-14mpg towing upwards of 8000lbs. On flat, straight highway, I can see 17mpg towing.

Yes, maintenance is MUCH higher when it comes to injectors, turbo, ect. But when it comes to a gasser motor
rebuild at 250-300k, the diesel is just getting broken in... So if you plan on long term ownership, I say maintenance is close to the same.
 
Mac5005 said:
On the way To harlan a while back, a buddy with a ford gas v10 truck and with 1500 lbs less trailer weight than I, got the exact same fuel consumption as the 97 454 suburban. We stopped just outside of Bristol, filled up, followed each other to harlan and back to same gas station and both topped off tanks. Exact same amount to the .01.

I was towing 7100 lbs.

His truck costs wayyyy more to purchase than the $4600 suburban, and spits out spark plugs.

A diesel will get better mileage empty for sure, but that cost savings is offset by higher initial cost, higher maintenance costs and higher fuel price.
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Why does his truck spit out spark plugs?
 
My favorite part is towing in OD. I have 0 issues with gasser tow rigs, but it makes me cringe when I hear my buddies 2500 6.0 Chevy go from OD to 2nd gear at 65 on the highway while towing his jeep, while I'm chugging along in OD at 7-9psi of boost.
 
R Q said:
Why does his truck spit out spark plugs?
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The 6.8's aren't near as bad at the 5.4's for doing this, but its not uncommon. I wouldn't even look at 5.4 Excursions. The 6.8's are great motors though and are designed to take high rpm to long periods of time. They put them in motor homes with this expectations and they perform quite well.
 
buddyantunez1 said:
ANY gas SUV on the market. Show me a gasser under $15k that can get 18-19 on the highway at 70mph. Yes, newer ecoboost or cylinder reduction engines can get bet mpg's, but you're then in the $30k+ range.
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You can find a 7.3 equipped Excursion for under $15k? :lol:

Don't forget about the cost in fuel. A gasser only has to get 16 mpg hwy to match your 18-19 dollar for dollar. Pretty much all of them do that.
 
shawn said:
You can find a 7.3 equipped Excursion for under $15k? :lol:

Don't forget about the cost in fuel. A gasser only has to get 16 mpg hwy to match your 18-19 dollar for dollar. Pretty much all of them do that.
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Bought my 7.3 4x4 Limited Excursion for $9600 with right at 200k...

Yeah they're not far off unloaded. Gassers towing and getting 8-10 mpg lol...Poor transmission too. They take a beating downshifting all the time.
 
My 8.1 tows great in OD. Gets 9-10 mpg towing on flat and the same 6-9 in the hills. But it also only gets 9-10 empty in the city.

Tows great in OD on the highway. Pulled 11k and only hit the tow haul button to firm up the shifts and hold in each gear better.


6.0 needs to downshift to pull anything. It doesn't do anything below 3500rpms. I have gotten as low as 3-4 mpg towing with 6.0. Also towed all day 450 miles in 3rd at 3000 -3500 Rpms all day. Still factory motor and had the trans done at 225k miles. Had this suburban since 40k miles.


As far as needing a rebuild at 250k, maybe. Depends on the motor and oil used.

Diesel short blocks may be just getting broken in at 250-300k, but the head gaskets, injectors, pumps, and auto transmissions are junk at that point. Throw a big hp tuner on one and that makes it happen all the sooner. Considering most suvs use similar parts to their 2500 truck counterparts, the same chassis suspension parts would show the same wear at 200k, except for the diesel weighing more.
 
Must have never owned a diesel. 20+ year Cummins' are still $10k+ in decent shape. Clean or low mile is even more.
 
I'm going to turn a profit on my Dodge when I sell it.
 
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