I must say GM really did a great job with the LS engines! I have a 2005 Yucon two wheel drive with a 4.8 LS engine. It's a shame after 2006 they started the active fuel management, flex fuel and the direct injection, then later the engine start stop nonsense!
I would love to have a 1995 to 2005 GM truck or full size suv to kick around in. But in Ohio they are priced super high or super rusted out. Usually both.
Nice! My 03 Yukon had 230k on it before I sold it. Currently have a 2009 Tahoe with 237k miles on it (no afm because it’s a 6.2).
Was looking for a pick up truck at the time, found I could buy a loaded Yucon for was less. Got lucky, a Yucon came into Virginia from Hawaii and found it and bought it. Two wheel drive loaded Yucons are rare. Don't want all wheel or 4 wheel drive because of the maintenance issues and a bit harder to work on.
What maintenance issue, drain and fill a case every few years?? Grease an extra u joint??? I've had 0 issues from the 4wd in my 04 yukon 2500.......and so glad I have it. My yukon plows, tows 10k often. Had 13k in a 40 camper........yeah it was too much but the yukon managed it without too much fight or talking back. The only thing it needs in the 6.0 needs more torque in the towing highway rpm......wish I had an 8.1 or better yet a duramax conversion.......some day maybe. I'll be honest the 20 mpg from the oil burner would be alot nicer than 10ish the 6.0 gets
Front diff leaks are common, cv axle boot failure is common and t case’s eating themselves is common. Plus all the extra weight and rotating mass. I much prefer rwd stuff but sometimes difficult to find.
I guess everyone's needs are different. The 2WD I have is 4.8 and runs 3:73 gears and does an average of 18.4 MPG. Has the towing package and factory upgrade suspension. I did upgrade my PCM with all the up grades and running 3" front to rear exhaust with a Dynomax Super Turbo muffler that gives it a classic V8 sound. Only pulling a 10 foot landscape trailer and suites my needs.
I agree, tho I’m a fan of Buick engines, the LS is a damn fine engine, I just don’t like seeing them swapped into Buicks
My wife’s Tahoe has a 5.3 with 4WD AND 3.73’s gets an average of 17.6 mpg. My Tahoe with 5.3 and 4WD and 3.42 AND the stupid 6 speed auto gets the same mileage, BUT it’s a DOG with 3.42’s, absolutely no grunt, it’s gotta downshift to accelerate on the highway as opposed to my wife’s with 3.73’s and the 4 speed auto. GM screwed up the gear ratios with the 6 speed IMHO. The LS needs to wind up to 3500 rpm before it does anything.
Nice work AL......in your YUKON. Those 4.8 are higher revving. The drift racers like them for their screaming ability with shorter stroke. I still prefer the Vortec 5.0 and 5.7. More torque in everyday driving/towing. My 97 5.0 GMC ext cab pickup rated at 21mpg hwy but usually only get 18-19 with the speeds you have to go to keep up with traffic these days.
I made it to 230(?)k before having AFM problems. (‘07 Tahoe, 5.3 4x4). Patched the problem once, changed lifters on that side once, then swapped engines at 280k. I’m at 312k now. As for the 4x4 parts, I’ve done one axle at 250k (and a left mount around the same time which I had to do from the top because the diff was in the way). I’ve had to have the AC serviced once, and done an alternator once. Oh, and a radiator. Mine has been in Georgia its whole life so there’s zero rust on it. I’m going to keep driving it. I figure it’ll need a transmission at some point but I’ll do it. I’d love to find a 2500 Tahoe or Avalanche but I think I’ll keep this thing, too. Patrick
To me that’s a BIG plus! I’ll replace and repair ANYTHING mechanical if it needs it and no rust makes it worth it!
I'm selling a rust free 93 fullsize two door Blazer. It's from California... logistics might be a killer though
That's why I got rid of my 2013 Sierra 6spd auto, 5.3L, 4wd with 3.42s. The constant downshifting and upshifting drove me so nuts, after 3 yrs, I traded it in on something with a little more low end grunt, no high rpm downshifting, and no constant gear hunting, my 2016 2.8L turbodiesel Colorado. Tows my car and trailer great! I'd probably still have the Sierra if it had the 4spd auto in it. I think it would've worked better with the 4spd.
I really like my ‘97 Silverado extended cab with its 5.7 Vortec that I bought a couple of years ago. It was exactly what I needed and wanted. And like you, I get about 18 mpg on the highway. So far, parts are cheap and maintenance is easy.
Yes it is VERY annoying! When I found out my Tahoe had a 6 speed, I thought “Wow, with 6 speeds I bet it has at LEAST 4.10’s” Yeah right
Forgot to mention...my Colorado also has the same 6spd auto AND 3.42 gears that my Sierra did, but it doesn't hunt for gears up and down like the Sierra. That little 2.8L turbodiesel makes peak torque at 2000rpm(about 370ft/lb stock), so it just loafs along at hwy speeds at about 2000 rpm. Ease into the throttle and it just pulls, no downshifting needed. It doesn't wear you out on long trips because it's just so relaxed chugging along. Trailering my car to BG, it gets about 16-17mpg. Without a trailer, on the hwy, I can get from 28-30mpg, around town, 22-24mpg. Wish it was offered with a manual trans. The truck would be perfect then.
