GMT400 suburban questions
- Thread starter peasy
- Start date
yeaaa ur rite. the extra money I'd pay in gas for the 6L might be worth it for how much it'd cost to put a 14 bolt/4l80e and maybe hydroboost under a 1500 ....hmmm
what yall think?
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/cto/5569503116.html
not a fan of body lift and wheel spacers but ...eh
what yall think?
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/cto/5569503116.html
not a fan of body lift and wheel spacers but ...eh
MTCK
Observer
For the mission you're talking about a 1500 might work fine. That's the only way you're going to get the better MPG. I also think buying a 1500 for the smaller engine and doing all those mods is throwing good money after bad. Also if you are looking 3/4 ton most folks don't do any better with a 6.0 than an 8.1, plus I think you get a 10.5" rear vs 9.5" that way. Interior looks nice on that rig but the fact that it's started rusting out (they don't stop once they start) would be a deal breaker for me. I'd look south and figure out if you need an HD or not. Good luck.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
That's not a bad price for a 2500 but I'd be leery of the rust. Mine has some surface rust on the frame (courtesy of 8 years in WI) but apart from a little on the bottom of the doors it is free from any major body rust. Here in CO it's dry enough that rust isn't generally a major issue on anything less than 20 years old. Up in MN I think rust is a much more serious issue and if that's where you live it's only going to get worse.
rayra
Expedition Leader
quarter million miles on our 5.3s, I've never averaged more than high 15s. You'd have to be driving AT the speed limit and pure highway to get anything near 18.
You have to put those MPG differences into a proper context. Don't put too much weight on the advertised / claimed MPG figures, except in general terms and by class of vehicle and engine. It's more dependent on your individual driving habits / use than anything else. And bottom line, you're talking about a giant bus. MPG concerns shouldn't be a primary concern or even in the top 5 concerns, especially if you are purchasing a used one. If MPG is, you should probably choose a lesser vehicle.
national average vehicle mileage is 15,000/yr. A 1mpg difference on that is 1000mi, or roughly 67gals. ~$200-250 per year. per 1mpg. So at max it's a $750/yr difference if you drive the Sub full time.
In my case, I'm only driving the Sub ~6k mi/yr. For me a 1mpg difference is <$100, on the most expensive gas in the nation.
So if a few hundred dollars a year is enough to put a substantial dent in your budget or trigger major alterations in your vehicle use, then the Suburban is probably not for you. And if the Sub is an 'extra' vehicle, then the MPG really shouldn't matter much.
You have to put those MPG differences into a proper context. Don't put too much weight on the advertised / claimed MPG figures, except in general terms and by class of vehicle and engine. It's more dependent on your individual driving habits / use than anything else. And bottom line, you're talking about a giant bus. MPG concerns shouldn't be a primary concern or even in the top 5 concerns, especially if you are purchasing a used one. If MPG is, you should probably choose a lesser vehicle.
national average vehicle mileage is 15,000/yr. A 1mpg difference on that is 1000mi, or roughly 67gals. ~$200-250 per year. per 1mpg. So at max it's a $750/yr difference if you drive the Sub full time.
In my case, I'm only driving the Sub ~6k mi/yr. For me a 1mpg difference is <$100, on the most expensive gas in the nation.
So if a few hundred dollars a year is enough to put a substantial dent in your budget or trigger major alterations in your vehicle use, then the Suburban is probably not for you. And if the Sub is an 'extra' vehicle, then the MPG really shouldn't matter much.
IDK if it's the dry-ness in CO- you guys don't salt the roads AFAIK and that is probably the closest state to me where u can get nice non-rusty trucks. Everything up here is rusty, but suburbans are generally owned by wealthy people with garages that can afford to wash the salt off their car throughout the winter so that helps. I don't think that a trip out of state to buy a car is really an option for me, as much as I'd like a rust free truck..thats a lot of extra dough.
Had a 92 chevy k3500 and I banged a 2 square foot pile of rust scales off the frame after I bought it :Wow1:
....I think I need to find a good deal on a -02/03 2500 until I can afford to drive it south and tow back a rust-free body donor.
Had a 92 chevy k3500 and I banged a 2 square foot pile of rust scales off the frame after I bought it :Wow1:
....I think I need to find a good deal on a -02/03 2500 until I can afford to drive it south and tow back a rust-free body donor.
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MTCK
Observer
yeah I guess if I'm planning rust free body swap in a few years down the road I shouldn't completely rule out the 8.1... I'd rather have the couple more MPG of the 6.0 cuz I really don't need the big block but they are more plentiful when it comes to the 3/4 ton models
...them goofy *** wheels tho - whats wrong with steelies?!? I know the new suburban wheels can go from 300-600$ each...we had a lot of them stolen from the GMC dealership I worked at; nobody gona steal mine when I put stock steels on
...them goofy *** wheels tho - whats wrong with steelies?!? I know the new suburban wheels can go from 300-600$ each...we had a lot of them stolen from the GMC dealership I worked at; nobody gona steal mine when I put stock steels on
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
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Alloys are lighter. I picked up a set of 2000-2003 Suburban/Tahoe 16" alloys for $140 on CL. Not too pretty but running 16's vs. 17's will save me around $200 total for a tire with the same width and diameter.
RoughRiderZ71
Observer
rayra
Expedition Leader
1500 LS and LT GMT800s have 16" wheels, the Z71s have 17. All three models have 13"/330mm rear rotors and 12" front. GM made several such incremental changes in wheel sizes over the trims / generations, without strict / corresponding enlargement of wheels / brakes.
awesome that's good to hear! Guess I'll be buying some wheels as well when I get a set of ATs
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
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When I pulled my spare I noticed that it was a 16.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
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I'm guessing the 16's only went on the earlier (2000 - 2003) GMT-800 Suburbans and Tahoes. FWIW my '04 LT has 17's however they're not the same 17's that are on the Z71. I call the Z71 wheels "snowflakes" because of the way they look. Mine are a 5-spoke pattern in a "star" shape. I don't really like them but they'll do until I can get a lift and then put some decent tires on.