Suburban, tahoe and yukon guys......

[Blue_Runner]

'96 2 door 4x4 Yukon
Bought it with 126k. Engine blew at 183k. Had it rebuilt and now have about 30k on the rebuild. Rebuilding was an easy decision when it came down to it. My main gripes are there's always something breaking, door handle, cruise recently went out, etc. oh and don't forget the paint chipping on the roof and starting to rust. But what can you expect from a 15y.o. vehicle? I still love it and plan to get it painted and keep it going as long as I can. It towes my V well. I didn't know if I'd like the 2 door but I think I like it better. Only a minor inconvenience for the kids (11 & 14) to hop in the back and I get to enjoy and tight turning radius due to the shorter wheele base.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Go for a 00+ 1500 with a 5.3L in it. Yes it does take some getting used to for teh higher RPM range it turns, but they are MUCH more efficient even at the higher RPM's. Can't beat the milage or refinements in the 00+ either.

[jasoncooperpcola]

If it was me i would try to find a 6.5 Turbo Diesel Tahoe or Yukon, not just the big SUVs got the 6.5 TD.

Too bad GM dumped the 4.5 DMAX for their 1/2 ton trucks, bunch of idiots.

[Orlando]

i like the 6.2 diesel in my 84, cant kill it, close to 300k miles and still running great. and between 16-20 mpg. love it

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

If it was me i would try to find a 6.5 Turbo Diesel Tahoe or Yukon, not just the big SUVs got the 6.5 TD.

Too bad GM dumped the 4.5 DMAX for their 1/2 ton trucks, bunch of idiots.

I don't think CTT would be very happy with a 6.5. They are a decent engine, but theyare a wrench's engine to have. They will pretty much always need soem sort of maintence, and in stock form are pretty gutless and less than desireable for reliability. If you want a 6.5 BURB CTT, let me know. I'm on quite a few forums with 6.5 enthusiasts on them. The 5.7L is a good engine as well, but honestly I think it falls short of the 5.3L in a big way.

[RidgeRunner]

2001 Tahoe 2wd 5.3L - Tranny went at 40,000 miles while towing a 22' cuddy. Shell gear. Again at 60,000. Bit the bullet on a fresh tranny from GM (36,000 mile/3yr warranty no more issues) Check engine light with a generic computer failure message. ABS light on/off sporatically. Drives great, nothing a little electric tape wouldn't cure. Ride quality is better than the 96 Tahoe 4wd which had the 5.7L. The short wheelbase, same as a reg. cab shortbox, lent itself to a bucking bronco type ride on the interstate around here. The redesigned 2001 with similar wheelbase is more carlike in ride. Ferm is right on the 5.3 is more refined, simply a better mousetrap. Not that I had any problems but the Gen III chevy motors are easy to work on.
The 5.3 is built loose IMO. There is a little piston slap and the top end is a little noisy on cold starts but she is peppy.

[Skools Out]

i have a 99 Tahoe and turning wise nothing turns tighter but the 5.7 does has intake gasket issues unless it has been replaced. mine has 151K now but i also have a 94 Tahoe Diesel 6.5T and it out pulls my gasser. The 99 gets 19 hwy and 16 town but towing 12 all the time my 94 gets 18 town 21 hwy but 17 towing all the time. also have a 96 GMC Z71 but you don't want a truck but it falls in the middle tows better than my 99 tahoe but not as good as my 94 diesel. the 96 Z71 gets 20 hwy 14 city and 12 all the time towing.

[phatdaddy]

The 5.3 is built loose IMO. There is a little piston slap and the top end is a little noisy on cold starts but she is peppy.

100% correct on the cold knocking, RR. i try to let it warm up a little, but when the wife drives, she is at the stop sign down the block before the starter is disengaged.