GMT800 Suburban - 1500 vs 2500

[chrismje]

I'm looking at picking up a 2005 or 2006 Suburban and trying to decide between the 1/2 or 3/4 ton. More specifically, a 5.3L 1500 or a 6.0L 2500.

 

The 1500 is exactly what I need but I don't want to deal with the Autoride (aka auto leveling) air suspension. And I'm worried about the 4L60 transmission on some of these. I'm sure its fine if it was mostly a family hauler, but I won't know if someone was towing too much until its too late.

 

I don't plan on doing a lot of towing, and certainly nothing like long hauling 10,000lbs, so the 2500 is overkill but I've read the transmission, suspension, brakes are all better. But gas mileage and the rough ride are downsides. And the prices are higher, when you can find one.

 

I'm leaning towards picking up a lower priced 1500 and swapping out the autoride, wth the risk of a transmission change at some point if I get a bad one. Anyone have comments or suggestions on this?

 

And should I be worried about underbody rust on trucks from snow/salt states? I heard about folks replacing rusted out brake lines for a grand or so.

 

 

[sefiroxx]

Have 01 and 04 with 4l60. Have replaced granny on both 2x. 1x each were user faults, the other were worn out from use. Metal failures my fault, clutch burn out from use.

Later 4l60 have upgraded metal parts, but if you don't drive like grandma, you can expect a rebuild with in 150k. The 4l65 is a beefier setup on the gears, but you are still on nearly same setup on clutches.

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[02suburbanZ71]

I've owned a 1/2 ton for about 5 years now and i know 3/4th suburban owners. Every reason you should get the 3/4th ton is a heacache i've had with mine. The 8.65 rear end, the 60e, the weaker frame, front axle. The g80's in the 1/2 ton always blow. The 6.0 has an external oil cooler and hydroboost for brakes. The 2500 wheel bearings weigh almost 1.5 times as much as the 1/2 ton and are 4 bolt compared to the weak 3. The 2500's are easier to work on underneath as well because of the frame setup and suspension. The 6.0 mpg isn't too much worse. If you plan on keeping the truck i'd get the 2500. I sure wish i did. Today at work i actually looked up the wheel bearings to compare and look at the size difference. 

[02suburbanZ71]

The 2500's have the 4l80e FYI. For the cost of repairs on the 1/2 the 3/4th will pay for itself and save you in the long run. 

[chrismje]

It seems to be much more common for someone to move up to a 2500 than to move down to a 1500. The biggest complaint I've heard about the 2500 is its rougher ride when unloaded. Which is how I would be driving most of the time. I'm sure that can be adjusted at an extra cost. So i guess I'm back on the 3/4 side?

[02suburbanZ71]

20 minutes ago, chrismje said:

It seems to be much more common for someone to move up to a 2500 than to move down to a 1500. The biggest complaint I've heard about the 2500 is its rougher ride when unloaded. Which is how I would be driving most of the time. I'm sure that can be adjusted at an extra cost. So i guess I'm back on the 3/4 side?

Some people say the 2500s leafsprings make it handle like a sports car and it feels more planted than coil spings on the 1500

[SIERRA/T]

59 minutes ago, 02suburbanZ71 said:

 

Wow, that's quite a difference.

I never would've thought the 2500s were that much larger.