Great info here! I knew somebody(s) out there had the info I was looking for. Thanks to all you guys for your input. Some responses: - If it was for me I'd consider a diesel, but I don't want a diesel for my wife to primarily drive. Too much for her to learn and think about. She won't like the noise and smell anyways. Also, more $$$. - I really wanted to be able to put something in the garage. We get lots of rain here in the summer. When your loading kids and buckling up, a garage is a big deal. But, I can live without it. - The 6.0L would be great for towing, but I imagine mileage stinks around town. I think a 5.7 or 5.3 will be plenty for what we need. Either one is faily common and appears easy to work on. One more question: If I get something with that Dex-Cool, should I switch to green stuff? I've heard all kins of stories about Dex-Cool eating hoses and fittings. True? Thanks again everybody.
Working at a GM dealer, heres my take..... Can not speak on behalf of the Ford contingent.... I would pick the "new" body style GM Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon based on these facts..... Improved braking (by far!) with the 4 wheel disc brake set up. Very few leaks of any kind with the 5.3 or 6.0. Only leaks I have seen are Water pump to block gaskets leak at times. Other than that, no leaks unless its a big time fluke deal. Trans has "tow/haul" mode. Reprograms shift points for heavier loads. Engines perform very well. And in my opinion, gas mileage isnt bad. I have a 1999 Z71 with a 4.10 gear (with the 5.3), and still get 15 all around miles. Runs strong at 85,000 miles and so far nothing drivetrain wise has failed. Sure theres more but trying to point out the things I really saw an improvement over the 5.7 powered 97 Z71 I had before this one Everyone has there own opinions on antifreeze, but mine is, if it has the Dexcool in it, leave it in! If it were a 3.4, 3.1, or maybe even a 5.7, maybe. But with the 5.3 or 6.0, I would leave it alone. Sometimes if you try to replace the coolant with another type, it tries to conjel (sp?), and I just dont believe you will have any coolant related problems with these engines. Things to look for in the 1999-up Subs, 1. Parking brake work? Shoes in the rotor (drum-in-hat design) are high wear items and can/will run the rotors. Expensive fix at times 2. Cold start knock? Carbon build up in combustion chamber. Easy fix, but see if it does it. Is annoying, but not harmful. 3.Bump feel in steering while turning? Intermediate steering shaft will need attention. (grease or replacement) 4. Positive battery cable post leaking? Delco batteries have this concern alot. If it has one, plan on a new one. 5. On a 4 wheel drive unit check both output shaft end seals, and while you are there, check the front of trans for the pink stuff. Not common, but they do leak at the front pump seal at times. 6. Abs modules go out at times. Short internally and staying running.(water gets into case) Just check to see if it has been replaced. Hopefully it has. (about a 600 dollar unit out of warranty) I think thats about it on the things that seem to happen a little more frequently. If you have any questions, I will try to help.
Jeff- give your wife a little more credit! I am a mother and wife and I love driving my diesel Suburban! What is there to learn? You just have to pull up to the diesel pump instead of the regular fuel pump. I put my foot on the gas and go, just like a car. I get better gas mileage than I get on both my Buick spare cars. It is a little noisy, but I just turn the radio up a bit louder. It is a bit smelly when I stop to fill up, but I keep a pair of work gloves in the back so I don't smell like diesel after I've pumped the fuel- we pump our own out here in the Northeast! I take special delight in passing a slow poke, getting back in front of him and then standing on it and leaving him in a dark, stinky cloud of diesel smoke! The license plate on the front of my vehicle says "Outta My Way" and I do mean that! People usually don't mess with me on the road and I can keep up with most with my turbo diesel! So, ask your wife and see what she thinks! You might be surprised! :Brow: Cheryl
Oh, I give my wife lots of credit. She's the best wife there is (really!). She probably wouldn't mind a diesel. But, it's not that big of a deal to me. I don't remember even seeing a diesel Suburban for sale around here, and secondly I would guess they are about $4-$5k more than a gas model. That is out of our range right now. Thanks for the thought. Thanks again you all. I hope this has been/will be interesting to others as well. Have fun.
The only 5.4 with the cylinder head problems were the 99's. As for towing, the modular engines seem to rev a little higher than the conventional pushrod engines to make the torque.
Expy has my vote! I have had both and find the seats to be more comfortable in the EXPY. Plus I pull quads, cars, anything else and it seems fine. Mine is a '99 4X4 with 4.6 and it is great!
I would like to suggest that you ride in them both. IMHO, the Suburban rides about 10 times smoother that the Expedition. I had a buddy with a 99 Burb and an 02 Eddie Bower Exp and the Expedition rode like a freight train and the Burban was as smooth as silk. And the GM reputation, I feel is worth more as well. Mike
Buy a Ford if........ Buy a Ford if you enjoy being nickeled-n-dimed to death. Ford: paint peeling, overheating, rough riding - they are cheaper to buy, but not worth it. GM provides the best value for the dollar. GM engineering & overall execution is second to none. Just my opinions, but they are opinions based on much experience with company fleets and personal vehicles. Good luck & enjoy whatever you decide to buy.
I have an older Suburban and just bought a 99 that I haven't even seen yet. They are the utility in SUV, you can even haul a sheet of plywood with the rear doors closed and pretty much whatever else you want. I never considered a Suburban until last year when I bought my first one, can't imagine life without one now. I would however avoid the 2000 up with a 5.3 for any work you may plan to do. This engine may be a nice engine but no torque to speak of and that transmission doesn't work well for towing. I have used a couple of the 2000 up pickups with the 5.3, feels like driving the A-team van it shifts so much, and sounds like it would blow before shifting if you don't back off the gas to get it to shift. The old Vortec 5.7 may not have as much horsepower but way more power where you need it for a work vehicle. The old trans without the tow/haul mode works so much cleaner. I have never driven an Expedition but have used many Fords with the 5.4 and I hated every one, I was a die hard Ford truck fan before the reconstruction of the trucks in 97. The super duty trucks are nearly unbeatable but the light duty series lacks a lot of the old Ford truck work ethic. If going with a Ford I would step up to the Excursion with a Powerstroke, but that would probably be out of the price range you want to be in, it was for me. The Ford Chevy debate has always been heated, but for me I have converted over to GM on the lighter trucks, I would still go Ford for a heavier truck 3/4 ton and up.
