Needing Something Bigger...

[jimmyv13]

I currently have an '04 Super Crew F150 and I am contemplating trading it in for a full sized SUV...Yukon XL, Suburban, Expedition or the monster Excursion. Since I am a ford guy at heart, I have done my research on the Fords in my list, but I know pretty much nothing about the GM's. Looking around online, the Yukon XL Denali has really caught my attention. If I were to go through with this, I'd definitely have to have the vehicle completely loaded...8 pass, dual climate, DVD, nav, leather, tow pkg, etc and it seems that almost all of the Yukon Denali's I find have what I want, except for the second row bench seat. A lot of the vehicles are set up with 4 captains chairs. Asthetically, it looks sweet and allows for easier access to the 3rd row seats, but my wife prefers to have the baby seat in the middle of the vehicle. If I were to find the perfect vehicle aside from the 2nd row bench seat, is it possible to swap out the captains chairs and install the bench seat?

 

Are there any models or things I should be aware of upon inspection of the vehicle? I can't spend a ton, my limit is around 400/mo, which puts me around 20K. My F150 is not paid off as of yet, but it's worth about 3K more than I owe.

 

I've read the '05's Yukons are more desireable because of the e-fans yielding more available HP. I've read the reviews online and of course any car salesman would sell you poop in a box and tell you it's the best thing ever invented. I'm here to get some feedback from the guys that love and drive these vehicles everyday.

 

What kind of MPG should I expect? Anything I SHOULD do to improve the longevity of the vehicle?

 

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Stevens03]

Well, with the denali's you get the 6.0 or the 6.2 (07-up) and that will get you tons of power. Mileage can be around 12-17mpg both city/highway. I think the first thing you need to do is drive some and get a feel for whether it "fits" your family. Personally, I think the rides awesome, powers great and mileage is ok. That pretty much sums it up.

 

As a must, 3.73s or 4.10's would be a must regardless of what engine (5.3 or 6.0) you get. Big vehicle needs all the help it can get.

Good luck on your search.

[jrrod2004]

I currently have an '04 Super Crew F150 and I am contemplating trading it in for a full sized SUV...Yukon XL, Suburban, Expedition or the monster Excursion. Since I am a ford guy at heart, I have done my research on the Fords in my list, but I know pretty much nothing about the GM's. Looking around online, the Yukon XL Denali has really caught my attention. If I were to go through with this, I'd definitely have to have the vehicle completely loaded...8 pass, dual climate, DVD, nav, leather, tow pkg, etc and it seems that almost all of the Yukon Denali's I find have what I want, except for the second row bench seat. A lot of the vehicles are set up with 4 captains chairs. Asthetically, it looks sweet and allows for easier access to the 3rd row seats, but my wife prefers to have the baby seat in the middle of the vehicle. If I were to find the perfect vehicle aside from the 2nd row bench seat, is it possible to swap out the captains chairs and install the bench seat?

 

Are there any models or things I should be aware of upon inspection of the vehicle? I can't spend a ton, my limit is around 400/mo, which puts me around 20K. My F150 is not paid off as of yet, but it's worth about 3K more than I owe.

 

I've read the '05's Yukons are more desireable because of the e-fans yielding more available HP. I've read the reviews online and of course any car salesman would sell you poop in a box and tell you it's the best thing ever invented. I'm here to get some feedback from the guys that love and drive these vehicles everyday.

 

What kind of MPG should I expect? Anything I SHOULD do to improve the longevity of the vehicle?

 

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Transmission should be looked at since they are the weaker link than anything else that I can think of. Other than that, a general inspection should be done on the vehicle to uncover any problems. As for the swap I do not believe that it is possible due to the configuration of the floor attachement points....

[sno]

I have been in your position (for the same reasons) and it's not an easy task. I searched the online inventory of every GM dealer in Oklahoma, SE Kansas, NW Arkansas and N. Texas to find our LTZ Suburban with a second-row bench. Finding a used Denali with a bench is probably going to be even more difficult as they are more commonly associated with 'image' vs 'function'.

 

If the bench is all-important (and it probably is), you may have to step down into the Chevy/Ford class of big SUVs. They may not have all of the bells & whistles, but things like heated cup holders are a small loss compared to keeping the baby as safe as possible.

 

I also come from a Ford background, so I can't help with your questions but I do wish you luck.

[jimmyv13]

Thank you for the reply, I almost spit Coke on my screen at the heated cup holders comment. This is day #4 online, I'm searching dealers within 100mi inventory everyday hoping to find something that will suffice. The 2nd row bench is important and will more than likely force me into the LTZ Burban or the Expedition or Excursion. Upon further research and over an hour on the phone with my local GMC dealer, the Yukon Denali did offer the 2nd row bench, but he did not remember ever selling one or having one on the lot for that matter. I honestly could care less about the rear DVD, I can add headrest screens if the wife REALLY wants something back there. The indash nav is pretty neat, but my blackberry has nav and it has gotten me around pretty good so far. The moonroof and tow pkg are definite necessities as is leather, those are the three things that I would not be able to live without.

[punmax]

Hey Jim. PM me your zip code, and I'll try to look for a truck for you. I don't really like the front styling of the Yukon/Yukon Denali, so I'd go with a Suburban LTZ.

[smattei14]

I have been in your position (for the same reasons) and it's not an easy task. I searched the online inventory of every GM dealer in Oklahoma, SE Kansas, NW Arkansas and N. Texas to find our LTZ Suburban with a second-row bench. Finding a used Denali with a bench is probably going to be even more difficult as they are more commonly associated with 'image' vs 'function'.

 

If the bench is all-important (and it probably is), you may have to step down into the Chevy/Ford class of big SUVs. They may not have all of the bells & whistles, but things like heated cup holders are a small loss compared to keeping the baby as safe as possible.

 

I also come from a Ford background, so I can't help with your questions but I do wish you luck.

 

I have the bench in my Denali...they are kinda hard to find..but I got mind with wanted the bucket seats.

 

 

if you tow alot..I would go with the Chevy or Reg GMC..not the Denali...

 

IMO....The denali is not the best for towing...the suspension is "softer" then the 'burb or Yukon.

 

if you are you towing less then 8000 lbs then the Denali is a good choice. I get around 13-15 overall for MPG...if its all highway 16-18 mpg.

 

PM me if you have any questions.

[smattei14]

Hey Jim. PM me your zip code, and I'll try to look for a truck for you. I don't really like the front styling of the Yukon/Yukon Denali, so I'd go with a Suburban LTZ.

 

 

I am with you...I like my style the best...the 07-09 years are not the best IMO.

 

I do like your Caddy style the best.

 

that is nice...

[Starrman]

Does the Denali have all time 4wd instead of the auto/2wd/4wd-high/4wd-low selector buttons on the dash?

[smattei14]

Does the Denali have all time 4wd instead of the auto/2wd/4wd-high/4wd-low selector buttons on the dash?

 

 

its all time AWD...you can't select anything else...

 

there are some out there that are 2wd...but they are few and far to find.

[Starrman]

yeah, that's what I thought. A lot like my old 5.2l '95 Grand Cherokee.

 

Viscous coupler=FTL

[jimmyv13]

I have been in your position (for the same reasons) and it's not an easy task. I searched the online inventory of every GM dealer in Oklahoma, SE Kansas, NW Arkansas and N. Texas to find our LTZ Suburban with a second-row bench. Finding a used Denali with a bench is probably going to be even more difficult as they are more commonly associated with 'image' vs 'function'.

 

If the bench is all-important (and it probably is), you may have to step down into the Chevy/Ford class of big SUVs. They may not have all of the bells & whistles, but things like heated cup holders are a small loss compared to keeping the baby as safe as possible.

 

I also come from a Ford background, so I can't help with your questions but I do wish you luck.

 

I have the bench in my Denali...they are kinda hard to find..but I got mind with wanted the bucket seats.

 

 

if you tow alot..I would go with the Chevy or Reg GMC..not the Denali...

 

IMO....The denali is not the best for towing...the suspension is "softer" then the 'burb or Yukon.

 

if you are you towing less then 8000 lbs then the Denali is a good choice. I get around 13-15 overall for MPG...if its all highway 16-18 mpg.

 

PM me if you have any questions.

 

 

My snowmobile trailer is quite light, but I occasionally, once or twice a season, tow a buddies trailer which is a covered 4 place steel about 5 hours to my cabin. I have no idea what it weighs, my F150 tows it and can feel it back there, that's for sure.

 

The more I look around, the Yukon XL is probably what I want most. I honestly could care less if it's a Denali or not, the wife is more concerned with looks. She finally agreed with me that the 2nd row bench seat is not a necessity, so now I have a few more options.

[smattei14]

I have been in your position (for the same reasons) and it's not an easy task. I searched the online inventory of every GM dealer in Oklahoma, SE Kansas, NW Arkansas and N. Texas to find our LTZ Suburban with a second-row bench. Finding a used Denali with a bench is probably going to be even more difficult as they are more commonly associated with 'image' vs 'function'.

 

If the bench is all-important (and it probably is), you may have to step down into the Chevy/Ford class of big SUVs. They may not have all of the bells & whistles, but things like heated cup holders are a small loss compared to keeping the baby as safe as possible.

 

I also come from a Ford background, so I can't help with your questions but I do wish you luck.

 

I have the bench in my Denali...they are kinda hard to find..but I got mind with wanted the bucket seats.

 

 

if you tow alot..I would go with the Chevy or Reg GMC..not the Denali...

 

IMO....The denali is not the best for towing...the suspension is "softer" then the 'burb or Yukon.

 

if you are you towing less then 8000 lbs then the Denali is a good choice. I get around 13-15 overall for MPG...if its all highway 16-18 mpg.

 

PM me if you have any questions.

 

 

My snowmobile trailer is quite light, but I occasionally, once or twice a season, tow a buddies trailer which is a covered 4 place steel about 5 hours to my cabin. I have no idea what it weighs, my F150 tows it and can feel it back there, that's for sure.

 

The more I look around, the Yukon XL is probably what I want most. I honestly could care less if it's a Denali or not, the wife is more concerned with looks. She finally agreed with me that the 2nd row bench seat is not a necessity, so now I have a few more options.

 

 

 

the Yukon XL SLE is a great choice IMO...

 

the weight you tow sounds like you could get away with a denali...you are not towing that much weight it seems like.

 

go for what your gut tells ya...good luck..and let me know if you have any other questions.

[tonygxp]

Denali, like the escalade has the AWD. Thats great for slippery conditions but if you like to go off roading like camping or beach trips ou'd be better suited with the selectable 4wd system found in a Yukon or Tahoe. I've been down the outer banks all week and have witnessed many an "AWD" blunder. The whole tire slipping before the front kicks in is a problem in sugar sand. But if you're buying it for the roominess? Then the AWD shouldn't be an issue. Just keep what I said in mind because you can find a Yukon SLT optioned out and save a few grand the Denali name commands (which still amazes me, they go for as much as escalades used lol. There is no comparison between the two, the caddy is far superior in interior feel/touch, the Denali pre 07, is just a few trim bezel pieces above a regular yukon SLT. it's almost as ridiculous as the Tahoe Z71's going for top dollar compared to a 2LT tahoe)

[jimmyv13]

Some great info guys, thank you!!!

 

I would be going off road...our cabin is on a 2 track which is not plowed everyday in the winter and can sometimes be a bit much for my wifes Saturn Vue with AWD. I've had drifts come over the hood on that thing heading back there...

 

I like the idea of having a switch to turn on/off the 4wd, it's on BEFORE you need it as long as, of course, you switch it on.

 

I stalked a guy in the Lowe's parking lot last night that was driving a Yukon XL. I wanted to ask him a few questions, but it was his brothers vehicle and he knew NOTHING about it, not even the year. Looked great inside, lots of room...leather, sunroof, DVD, no nav. The XL has my vote, but I haven't looked at a regular Yukon...what's the difference between a Yukon and a Tahoe? Aren't they the same, basically?