Shopping Suburbans

[Z45]

The 6.2L V8 Vortec L94 was an engine produced by General Motors for use in luxury SUVs, namely the 2006-2014 GMT900-based Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV and GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali. Displacing 6.2 liters in a V8 configuration, the L94 was part of the Vortec (Generation IV Small Block) engine family.

 

So, no SUV with a 6.2L came without AFM, only the trucks with L9H.

 

 

L94 6.2L ◾Variable valve timing ◾Active fuel management.

[intheburbs]

Depending on model year, the 6.2L in the SUV had AFM. I believe 2007 up.

 

No. We were talking about 07-09, and the Denali/Escalade have the L9H which is no AFM.

[Z45]

You best check that because my info shows they DO NOT get the L9H, only used in trucks.

[RyanbabZ71]

L9H is the pickup motor

 

 

Ryan

[intheburbs]

L9H is the pickup motor

 

 

Ryan

 

 

You best check that because my info shows they DO NOT get the L9H, only used in trucks.

 

My bad. L9H was in the SUVs for only 2009, not 07 to 09.

 

L92 was 2007-2008. Neither engine had AFM. AFM started in 2010.

 

So I was right about the lack of AFM in those years, just not the specific engine type.

 

For example, from Amsoil:

 

2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE 6.2L 8-cyl Engine Code [2] L9H Flex-fuel

[spikesputnik]

Ok, so I'm getting a feel for where the AFMs are.... sorta.

So in Burbs, they are 07 and newer 5.3s. Never in 6.0s in 2500s.

In newer Yukon XL Denalis , AFM is in the 6.2s. But what about the older 6.0 Denalis?

 

This leads me to my next area of interest, the AWD system of Yukon XL Denalis. Seems to me the AWD, if full time, would lead to suckier fuel efficiency and maintenance. What I'm finding is that a disproportionate number of YukXLs are Denalis with AWD with few 2wds.

 

So what is the overall opinion on Denalis AWDs?

 

I fully understand that when buying a 10 year old truck there are going to be issues, I just don't want to go into it ignorantly and buy something with know track record of disproportionate failures due to questionable design. I'd probably buy a newer AFM 5.3 Burb IF I knew the owner had deactivated it early on...seems the consensus is damage done by this failure shows up by 50-100k. I might consider a rebuilt, but in trucks of this age no dealer is going to fess up to that bit of information LOL A private seller probably would though.

[intheburbs]

No GM truck has AFM prior to 2007 model year. GM rolled it out with the GMT900 trucks for 2007.

 

All 2007+ trucks with the 5.3 have AFM. Trucks with the 6.2 (Denalis, Cadillacs) got AFM starting in 2010.

 

Personally, I'm not a fan of the AWD system. I prefer part-time 4WD, and I especially like having a 2-speed transfer case. That being said, the AWD is not a dealbreaker. If I find a great deal on one for my daughter, I'm grabbing it. It's just not my first choice. AWD trucks also have lower payloads, and lower tow ratings, if that matters to you.

 

I'm looking at the following 2007-2009 trucks as my next purchase (all non AFM):

 

Suburban 2500

Yukon XL 2500

Escalade ESV (Cadillac Suburban)

Yukon XL Denali

Escalade EXT (Cadillac Avalanche)

Sierra Denali

 

I've got a bunch of searches saved in Auto Trader. I'm willing to drive up to 250 miles for the right truck. My budget is $15K to $23K. I'll be buying in the next 3-6 months. I've researched the ever-living hell out of this. Hours. Days. Weeks.

 

And again, I'm not totally anti-AFM. I know there are plenty of 07-09 AFM trucks that run flawlessly. But in the context of buying a used vehicle, where I want to make sure I'm giving myself the best chance for a reliable vehicle, AFM ain't part of the answer.

[KMGZ400]

Ok, so I'm getting a feel for where the AFMs are.... sorta.

So in Burbs, they are 07 and newer 5.3s. Never in 6.0s in 2500s.

In newer Yukon XL Denalis , AFM is in the 6.2s. But what about the older 6.0 Denalis?

 

This leads me to my next area of interest, the AWD system of Yukon XL Denalis. Seems to me the AWD, if full time, would lead to suckier fuel efficiency and maintenance. What I'm finding is that a disproportionate number of YukXLs are Denalis with AWD with few 2wds.

 

So what is the overall opinion on Denalis AWDs?

 

I fully understand that when buying a 10 year old truck there are going to be issues, I just don't want to go into it ignorantly and buy something with know track record of disproportionate failures due to questionable design. I'd probably buy a newer AFM 5.3 Burb IF I knew the owner had deactivated it early on...seems the consensus is damage done by this failure shows up by 50-100k. I might consider a rebuilt, but in trucks of this age no dealer is going to fess up to that bit of information LOL A private seller probably would though.

It was very common to have the bearings go bad in the center diff on the GMT800 AWD vehicles.. They usually didn't last much over 100k from what ive seen

[spikesputnik]

Intheburbs- thank you very much for clarifying. Sounds like we are indeed in the same boat. I'm not too concerned about payload, as long as I can pull/stop a 4000# total boat and trailer well. My Slivy is ok but not stellar puller/stopper.

I've only been surfing this for a couple of weeks myself. Feel free to search for me as well ;)

[spikesputnik]

Thanks for that bit of info KNGZ400. I also threw Escalade ESVs into the mix, but the AWD thing sorta bugs me there too.

[KMGZ400]

I think your best bet would be anything thats a 3/4 ton platform.

[kstruckcountry]

I would not be scared of the AWD. Personally my pick would be a ~2006 suburban though.

[Chris]

06 Burb LTZ should do you fine. Half ton with 6.0 and AWD and the 3 i have seen all had SS wheels

[spikesputnik]

06 Burb LTZ should do you fine. Half ton with 6.0 and AWD and the 3 i have seen all had SS wheels

Hmmm. Now that is an interesting combo of balls, reliability and ride quality and accouterments ...

[Chris]

Hmmm. Now that is an interesting combo of balls, reliability and ride quality and accouterments ...

Its the Great White Buffalo