Just want model year older Suburban is best ?

[GMmaniac]

Wanting to get a nice older Suburban with 3rd row seat, Auto, tow package, etc.. Something that doesn't have 22 computers on it to function. :-) Hope I put this in the right section. All suggestions are appreciated.

 

Thank you

[00Silverado4x4]

If you don't want computers than you're looking at something in the range of a 1970s, early 80s Suburban. You want a tow package, so how much are you looking to tow? What are you looking to do with the vehicle?

[02suburbanZ71]

How about a 1980 suburban with a 454 or diesel. I think thats what you are looking for

[KMGZ400]

You say you don't want computers, which I understand but a 2001+ style suburban will be way more reliable then any previous gen sub out there.. The only weakest part about them is the 4l60 trans. IMO

[kstruckcountry]

Get a 2004 or newer GMT 800 IMO.

 

I think it would only have 7 or so computers. Don't be afraid of them, they are the difference between going 100k problem free and tuning the stupid thing every tank of gas.

[02suburbanZ71]

You say you don't want computers, which I understand but a 2001+ style suburban will be way more reliable then any previous gen sub out there.. The only weakest part about them is the 4l60 trans. IMO

Or the g80 rear end

[intheburbs]

Or the g80 rear end

 

The G80 rear is fine as long as you're not the type of driver that does a lot of wheelspin-type maneuvers. Doing a Dukes of Hazzard power-oversteer turn, doing donuts, or smoky burnouts is going to kill a G80 just like doing neutral drops kills your transmission and u-joints.

 

The 4L60 does a good enough job, and will last as long as you properly maintain it.

 

I have an 01 Burb with the G80, 190,000 miles, the original engine and transmission, and 15-20k miles pulling a 6500-lb trailer around the country. I do agree the rear end is the weak point on the half-tons, but not because of the G80.

 

Personally, as a guy who tows alot, if I could wave a magic wand and get any Burb I wanted, it'd be a 2006 3/4 ton.

 

Taking towing out of the equation, I personally prefer GMT900 to GMT800. Yes, more computers and whatnot, but I love all the options that weren't available before 2007- reverse camera/reverse sensors, 4 heated captains chairs, 6-speed transmission, etc.

[Snow White]

For what you are looking for you'll need a vehicle that hasn't seen a winter for which salt and all it's bretheren have been used to treat roads. North Carolina is as far north as I'd go and draw a line across the country east to west lol.... seriously. I bought an 84 s10 in 94, the rails were full of sand but otherwise, that south carolina frame and body was good to go until 2002, and sold it for 2500 (it never saw snow).

 

You can get a throttle body suburban and be ok, the OBDI is pretty simple. If you're really going pre computers, you're going carburetor... and for that you might as well get before the emissions mandates of the mid-late 70's and try to find a 'burban from like Arizona or New Mexico from the early 70's.... guy at work had one a few years ago, early 70's and it looked and ran great.

[gmtech4]

I had a 2wd 1985 'burb with a 6.2 diesel , 10 leaf springs per side ....

 

A tree stump puller and moved a 28 ft bunkhouse RV down the road easily

[GMmaniac]

I appreciate the advice. Would need to tow a 30 foot travel trailer every once in a while, haul Grandkids etc.. I own a 2010 GMC Sierra Z71 SLE Crew with 5.3l LC9 flex fuel, 3.73 gears, 23K miles on it and like it. Not enough room for 7 people and thought about selling it. Thought an older burban might fill the bill .

 

Thank you

 

Ken