New Suburban

ebod · September 14, 2004

I'm about to get a new Suburban. It will be my third Suburban (first was a '95 1500 4wd--loved it; second was an '01 1500 2wd--hated it). I'm thinking about getting a 2500 4wd w/6.0L and 4.10 gears. I have some questions:

1) does the 2500 suffer the "intermediate steering shaft clunk" like the 1500?

2) How will acceleration in the heavier 4wd 2500 (but with the 6.0) compare with that in the 1500 2wd?

3) What are the tallest/widest tires I can put on the stock aluminum wheels (I'd like to go w/ 285 75's)?

4) What're typical city/hwy MPG on a 4wd 2500 6.0?

5) Any reasons, other than price, to get a 1500 over a 2500?

Thanks in advance for any answers!

Mike G · September 14, 2004

Can't comment on the steering or the acceleration, but here are some thoughts on the others. The stock wheel will probably come with a 265/75 mounted up. Going to the 285 is not really a big deal from there and will fit. I'm going to say you will probably be looking at around 13-16 city and slightly better on the highway from the bigger motor. As far as 1500/2500, that really depends on what you want to do with the truck. If you are doing any consistent towing, stick with the 2500. We rarely tow anything and if so, it's generally pulling or a light trailer and the 1500 has no problems. Now if it were a travel trailer, I would probably own a different vehicle...

Just a few $.01's, --Mike

Shaners · September 14, 2004

My 2500HD had the steering clunk but it is an '01. Hopefully GM has this issued cured on the new trucks.

The 6.0L runs strong. It may not be as quick as a 2wd 1500, but you'll be very surprised at how well the truck moves out especially with the 4.10 gears.

People have been mounting 285's and bigger on the stock PYO 3/4 ton wheels, but you may have a clearance problem for your application on the new Suburban. Technically speaking, most tire manufacturers don't recommend any tires larger than a 275/75/16 on the narrow stock wheel.

I would think your MPG's should be at least 10 city and 16 highway.

If you tow or ever plan to tow a heavy load then the 2500 Suburban is the right choice. It has better brakes, better tranny, better rear-end, better suspension, more HP, etc...

Truckman031 · September 14, 2004

If you aren't pulling anything, then I'd go with the 1500. The 2500 could have a worse ride. However, the 2500 is useful if alot of towing is in the future. I think the acceleration should be better in the 2500. You can fit 285s on there w/out scrubbing (1500 or 2500).

Big Bert · September 16, 2004

The 2500 4X4 Suburban comes with 245/75/16's and NO I couln't fit --- not even come close to fitting the 285/75/16 Nitto Terra Graplers on 16x8 wheels. so I had 265/75/16's put on and still had to trim the airdam a little and turn up my torsion bars 1 turn.

I average about 12 to 13 MPG and that is with city and highway driving..

As for the steering shaft clunk I don't have it yet but I only have allittle over 6000 miles on it.

acceleration is very good IMO

I think that the 2500 holds a better resale.

Hope this helps

2500HD4X · September 16, 2004

I've got a 2000 Silverado 2500-6.0 and 4.10gears. Not a Sub-but very similar... To answer your questions as best I can:

1. Mine did have the steering clunk, greased it and it went away

2. Acceleration= 4.10gears and a 6.0L= It will move ....especially w/a tune. I can outrun my buddies 2wd 99 w/5.3 no problem, especially off the line.

3. I have 285/75 BFG's on stock aluminum wheels- no problems. 2nd truck w/285's and stock wheels. No issues in 4+ years and 4 sets of 285's.....

4. Typical mileage= BAD....6.0L and 4.10's..... I get 10 around town, best ever about 14.5mpg on a long interstate trip running @ 70.

5. Pro's to a 2500-Better axle and transmission. Bigger engine, tranny temp gauge, better oil/tranny coolers, and the ability to pull just about anything you can ball hitch tow.... As previously posted, it does have a harsher ride though.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision!

o4yukonxl · September 17, 2004

I have the 2500 Yukonxl with an 8.1 and 3.73 gears. I get 11.5-12.5 mixed city and highway. Towing capacity is 10500 with the 3.73. It pulls very strong especially with the mods. The ride is not much different from the 1500, a little firmer but with the standard auto ride, it really pulls a trailer like it's not there. I traded up from a 99 1500 GMC and have no regrets. I do it again in a heartbeat.

rjgogo · September 17, 2004

I have a 03 Suburban 2500 but with the 3.73 and it is not bad on acceleration but it does use the fuel 10 in the city 13 to 15 highway maybe better if I would slow down.

As far as the cluck, I have no idea what you are talking about, no steering issues.

The only other reason to get the 2500 is you can get the quadrasteer. I have that as well and it is great for city parking and amazing for towing especially in reverse, much more agile. What they showed on the comercials is true. I would consider that option. The cost is much lower then it used to be.

I don't think I would go back to the 1500 version, sure the ride is a little frimer but knowing you can really load it up is nice, as well as the beefier components should make it hold up a little longer.

Daubs · September 17, 2004

Careful. Really think about what you want this Burb for. Got the wife a 2003 Z-71 Burb with the 5.3 and all the goodies (leather, DVD, On-staf, XM, etc., etc., etc.) She absolutely loves it!

I asked my buddy (GM service manager) about getting the 2500 Burban. He recommended to stick with 1500 unless you were really going to be pulling lots of trailers.

I checked chevrolet.com and here's the trailering specs (all 4x4's):

1500 5.3 with 3.73 gears = 7,200 lbs. (wife's ride)

1500 5.3 with 4.10 gears = 8,200 lbs.

2500 6.0 with 3.72 gears = 7,600 lbs.

2500 6.0 with 4.10 gears = 9,600 lbs.

2500 8.1 with 3.72 gears = 10,300 lbs.

2500 8.1 with 4.10 gears = 12,000 lbs.

You aren't getting that much more unless you go to the 8.1. My wife's Z-71 is an excellent ride. But she's getting 12-13 city and around 16 highway. The 6.0 is going to hog down the gas...that's why I opted for the 8.1 in my CC.

You should be able to get 285's on any Burb with t-bar crank

Don't think you can get the Z-71 option on 2500's. Wife liked the sportier look of the Z on her Burban. Stands out a little vs. rest of world.

Hope this helps. D.

superbee · September 17, 2004

Ride quality is definitely in the eye of the beholder. My buddy rode in our 2500 burban for the first time and said "Wow, this handles great!" Where I live in western PA, we have lots of hills and BAD roads. The 1500 burban, my buddies, handled like a big wet sponge with lots of bbbbounce. My point is: firmer ride sometimes = better handling.