I’m looking for a Suburban or Yukon with whatever motor is most reliable. I probably will use it for towing and don’t need 4x4. I’ve heard the 02-05 models were the golden years. All I’ll be using it for is ripping out the seats except for the driver/passenger for a bed for traveling and a toolbox. Light camping, like service roads an F150 can do, but not a Ford Mustang or Honda Civic. I prefer the 5.3, but would it be able to tow 7500 once in a while? I used to flip cars, and the most I’ve done on my Sequoia 2005 was a 2012 Forester on a U-Haul car dolly. The Sequoia might have been reliable, but it sure had no tow power and got 2mpg up a slight hill. TIA, will reply.
The 5.3 is a good engine and makes enough power, but the 6.0 and 8.1 are better for towing. 7500 lbs behind a 5.3 Suburban is going to be very reminiscent of your Sequoia. A 2500 Suburban with one of the larger engines would be better. All are reliable, but these are old vehicles, so you better be comfortable wrenching on them. MPG wise, all pickup-based SUVs are bad on fuel. In fact, a half-ton SUV will get worse fuel economy than a comparable half-ton pickup from the same brand. There are very few out there with diesel engines that get better economy (like the 7.3 Ford Excursion, 80s and 90s diesel Suburbans, etc.). As far as a specific year goes, they’re all great. Get one that’s been taken care of and you’ll be set.
Thanks for the info! Diesel Suburbans are 90s? What’s MPG like? Sounds fun. Towing would be once or twice a month. Would the 6.0 scoot by significantly better? Not sure I’d need an 8L but if MPG is similar, I’d rather have the extra torque. Good to know years vary the whole range; sounds like the Suburban is solid. What’s the difference between a same year, same drivetrain Suburban vs. Yukon?
80s and 90s GM full-size SUVs were available with Detroit diesel engines (6.2 and 6.5). They’re… okay. They get pretty great fuel economy and are reasonably reliable but made little power. The 454 and even the 350 are a better towing choice in those years. The 6.0 is a moderate upgrade over the 5.3 power-wise. They are super reliable and quite capable of heavier towing. The biggest upgrade over the 5.3 is the 4L80 auto transmission, which is a much more stout transmission than the 4L60, which is okay but nothing special. These are probably your best all-around choice. The 8.1 is among the last of the dinosaurs; figure 10MPG or less, but with almost as much hp and torque as the earlier Duramax. You may need a tanker following you on road trips, but they are excellent engines otherwise. The difference between Chevy and GMC is mostly the badge on the grill; they are mechanically almost identical. Generally, the GMC trucks/SUVs were optioned nicer, but Chevys are available with most of the same luxury options. There are 2WD and 4x4 models, as well as fancier AWD and Auto 4x4 systems available on both.
Thanks so much for your time and explaining everything, appreciate it a lot. Is the 4L60 also in like the GMC Topkicks and whatnot? Had one of those diesels but totally impractical for my needs now, so it was sadly sold… Edit: I’ve done motor swaps and rebuilds, electrical, so not worried about wrenching around. May even find one with a blown motor or transmission and put a lower mileage one in.