Gonna Buy A 3/4 'burb! Any Advice?

Jettix2 · September 3, 2008

Hey guys!

Well, I finally made up my mind what truck to buy.

Currently in an '06 Tundra 4WD CC, lease is up in the spring and I'm turning it in.

Posted up here originally because I was thinking about getting a new Silverado. But, I don't put many miles on the truck (6-7k a year), as it's only used for towing a camper (right now, 4500#, but hoping to get a new one soon in the 6500-7500# range), plowing my driveway (with a SnoBear, non-hydraulic lightweight plow), and hauling merchandise to the post office. Figured the market is in the dumper for SUVs right now, even worse than a fullsize Crew Cab, so I might as well have a nice, steel-enclosed 'Burb versus a pickup with a topper.

I plan to buy an 00-05 Suburban /Yuk XL 2500 HD 4WD. (Probably an 02-04). Want to keep the miles under 80k, aiming for a 6.0L, prefering the 4.10 rear end (was 3.73 standard on the 3/4 ton?) I hear that the Autoride suspension is expensive to fix????? I don't really need the 8.1L power, nor the poor fuel economy..........it sounds as though it drinks a LOT more gas than the 6.0L, right?

Any other things to look for or steer away from in the HD model?

Thanks! Ben

dewfpo · September 3, 2008

I've had friends and family in Texas (the so called birth place of the Suburban) sell their Suburban's/Yukon XL's that were in excellent/showroom shape and take beatings on them so you should be able to get a great deal. Especially from a private party. Take your time and be picky about what you want, it's out there.

DEWFPO

Zembonez · September 3, 2008

Great time to buy. 3/4 ton Suburban is a towing beast. Condition is everything as always and you should be able to get a real feel from the owner about how they took care of it if buying from an individual. I've seen a lot if Suburbans for sale for cheap. Around here NICE 03-05 models are in the 10-14K price range... or about 1/3 of their original price. Pretty hard to beat that.

Jettix2 · September 3, 2008

Yep, those are the same kind of prices I am seeing here, too.

Trying to decide whether to bite NOW (pay the remaining 3k in lease payments and turn the Tundra in), or wait until March, when I'll only have $1000 left on the Tundra and do it then.

IF gas prices keep dropping, these big trucks may come up a bit in value, not sure. I have a hard time believing they'd rebound THAT much, though.

Ben

Great time to buy. 3/4 ton Suburban is a towing beast. Condition is everything as always and you should be able to get a real feel from the owner about how they took care of it if buying from an individual. I've seen a lot if Suburbans for sale for cheap. Around here NICE 03-05 models are in the 10-14K price range... or about 1/3 of their original price. Pretty hard to beat that.

Zembonez · September 3, 2008

Prices can rebound very quickly. It's all supply and demand. I've been in the car buying business for years and prices will rebound quickly if gas prices keep dropping. I am already seeing an increase in big truck and SUV sales numbers. Prices at auction are already going up. Come springtime, if gas stays lower, they will be higher. I've seen this happen many times over the years. (how MUCH higher is the question I don't have a real answer for)

Jettix2 · September 3, 2008

Hmmmm....on one hand, it would suck to have prices jump $4000-5000 by spring, but OTOH, I feel stupid paying $3-4k worth of payments on the current truck and giving it back early (paying for something I'm never gonna use).

Do you think it's possible the truck prices would rebound THAT much in a weak economy, even if gas gets back down to the low $3.00 range?

Prices can rebound very quickly. It's all supply and demand. I've been in the car buying business for years and prices will rebound quickly if gas prices keep dropping. I am already seeing an increase in big truck and SUV sales numbers. Prices at auction are already going up. Come springtime, if gas stays lower, they will be higher. I've seen this happen many times over the years. (how MUCH higher is the question I don't have a real answer for)

Zembonez · September 3, 2008

Going by what I've seen, I think gains of 1500 -3000 are possible but probably not more than that... If I were you , I would start keeping an eye open for that perfect example. It might happen in a week or might take 3 months to find but it IS out there.

Good luck.

Jettix2 · September 3, 2008

You've been a great help, THANK YOU!

I've got a local indy dealership who I do a lot of service business with, and he's willing to pick me up a truck from auction for me at a great wholesale price. If I asked, he might even let me tag along to the auction, which I think might be fun:)

Here in Michigan, 4WD truck prices typically spike in Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb because of winter.......

I'll start looking now, and we'll see what we can find.

Is the 8.1L a definite "avoid" because of the gas mileage?

Thx, Ben

Going by what I've seen, I think gains of 1500 -3000 are possible but probably not more than that... If I were you , I would start keeping an eye open for that perfect example. It might happen in a week or might take 3 months to find but it IS out there.

Good luck.

2001bigblockburban · September 3, 2008

I would avoid the 8.1 unless you think you need it (trailering alot and in the 5-8k weight range). Once you drive an 8.1 you will never want anything else. I love my 3/4 suburban, great tow vehicle. I've never driven one with a 6.0 so i really cant compare it to the big block. In the pick-up's it is night and day between the 2 motors, 8.1 all the way except on the mpg's. As I tell all my friends, the 8.1's will pass anything but a gas station. You will defiantly get a good deal on one. Good luck.

J

c4racer · September 5, 2008

yup - 8.1's suck fuel, but so do 6.0 burbs with 4.10's. And they are really dogs. I drove a 6.0L and I was shocked how doggish it felt compared to my Titan. The 8.1 is pretty comparable on power.

mpg isn't so bad actually - I average around 11 in city driving with some highway component.

12-14 on the open road.

13 for ski trips

10 towing ~6Klbs

I can't see a 6.0L / 4.10 / 4WD burb beating that by more than about 1mpg.

At $4 gas that will cost you a couple hundred bux a year. Really - who cares?

8.1 is a towing beast. And will tow 7-8K lbs with 3.73 gears very very easily.

Jettix2 · September 5, 2008

Sounds good, thanks for the info/advice.

I'm only putting 6-7k a year on it, and the Tundra I've got (06) is averaging me about 11-12 with a 50/50 mix of city/hwy, so none of these trucks are going to cost me a whole lot more to operate.

Is the 8.1's oil consumption commonplace or just a rarity?

Ben

yup - 8.1's suck fuel, but so do 6.0 burbs with 4.10's. And they are really dogs. I drove a 6.0L and I was shocked how doggish it felt compared to my Titan. The 8.1 is pretty comparable on power.

mpg isn't so bad actually - I average around 11 in city driving with some highway component.

12-14 on the open road.

13 for ski trips

10 towing ~6Klbs

I can't see a 6.0L / 4.10 / 4WD burb beating that by more than about 1mpg.

At $4 gas that will cost you a couple hundred bux a year. Really - who cares?

8.1 is a towing beast. And will tow 7-8K lbs with 3.73 gears very very easily.

ATMINF · September 5, 2008

I owned a 2001 3/4ton 2wd 6.0L Burban, and it ran great. It had good power all around, not as good as the big block, but with a good PCM tune it ran well. I would say that if your towing is in the 7-8500 lbs range the 6.0L is fine but above 8500 lbs get the big block. That big block burban was rated at 12000lbs in the 2001 models. All in all the 3/4ton burbans are good trucks.

c4racer · September 5, 2008

I owned a 2001 3/4ton 2wd 6.0L Burban, and it ran great. It had good power all around, not as good as the big block, but with a good PCM tune it ran well. I would say that if your towing is in the 7-8500 lbs range the 6.0L is fine but above 8500 lbs get the big block. That big block burban was rated at 12000lbs in the 2001 models. All in all the 3/4ton burbans are good trucks.

6L w/ 3.73 gears is rated at 8000lbs, 4.10 gears at 10K

8.1L w/ 3.73 gears is rated 10K and 4.10 gears at 12K

Keep in mind that is total including the cargo and passenger weight in the truck.

20% margin is a really good idea if you live where there are hills. I have enough hills where I live that it makes sense to apply that margin.

That said, I would agree that a 6.0L / 4.10 is going to work completely fine towing up to 7-8Klbs. The 8.1L will do it with less strain, less downshifting, etc.

6.0L is a really solid motor. But if the truck is purchased for mostly towing, I still say go with a big block because there really isn't much downside. Especially if you can find one with a 3.73 gear - which I think better suits the big block's power curve. The 6.0L really needs a 4.10 gear, so if you go that route make sure it has the 4.10's.

Look in the glove box for the code.

G4 = 3.73

G5 = 4.10

As far as oil consumption - mine has 90K miles on it and sucks about a quart every 1500 miles when doing mostly loaded driving. That is with 5W30 oil. I am going to switch to 10W40 and see if that helps - it should. The 8.1 takes a lot of oil too - I think 7 or 8 quarts, vs the 6 in the 6.0L. So there is some incremental cost there, but in the grand scheme of things it is very minor.

I still say for what you are going to use it for - look at both 6.0 / 4.10 and 8.1L / 3.73's and pick up the best example you find for the price. Can't really go wrong either way. The 8.1 is really a great powertrain tho - very very smooth, and so much torque it is almost silly. But don't kid yourself, these 2500 4x4 burbs are waaay heavier than a Tundra.

But I agree - the 2500 burbs are really great vehicles and now should be a great time to buy one. I can see prices going up next year if gas prices stay put or inch downward a bit. As people get used to the new levels it will be more back to business as usual. And let's be honest, if you need a 3/4t suburban - you need one - you are not cross shopping it with a Pilot...

I may end up giving mine up next year because I am most likely going to bail on the whole racing thing. Unless I decide to trade one money pit for another like a boat or something :-)

Jettix2 · September 6, 2008

Sounds great. 8.1L comes with the Allison transmission, too, right? I wouldn't mind having that........... Unless I find an incredible deal right now, I am going to hold off until Feb/Mar and buy one then (when I don't owe as many remaining pmts on the Tundra). Thanks to all! Ben

I owned a 2001 3/4ton 2wd 6.0L Burban, and it ran great. It had good power all around, not as good as the big block, but with a good PCM tune it ran well. I would say that if your towing is in the 7-8500 lbs range the 6.0L is fine but above 8500 lbs get the big block. That big block burban was rated at 12000lbs in the 2001 models. All in all the 3/4ton burbans are good trucks.

6L w/ 3.73 gears is rated at 8000lbs, 4.10 gears at 10K

8.1L w/ 3.73 gears is rated 10K and 4.10 gears at 12K

Keep in mind that is total including the cargo and passenger weight in the truck.

20% margin is a really good idea if you live where there are hills. I have enough hills where I live that it makes sense to apply that margin.

That said, I would agree that a 6.0L / 4.10 is going to work completely fine towing up to 7-8Klbs. The 8.1L will do it with less strain, less downshifting, etc.

6.0L is a really solid motor. But if the truck is purchased for mostly towing, I still say go with a big block because there really isn't much downside. Especially if you can find one with a 3.73 gear - which I think better suits the big block's power curve. The 6.0L really needs a 4.10 gear, so if you go that route make sure it has the 4.10's.

Look in the glove box for the code.

G4 = 3.73

G5 = 4.10

As far as oil consumption - mine has 90K miles on it and sucks about a quart every 1500 miles when doing mostly loaded driving. That is with 5W30 oil. I am going to switch to 10W40 and see if that helps - it should. The 8.1 takes a lot of oil too - I think 7 or 8 quarts, vs the 6 in the 6.0L. So there is some incremental cost there, but in the grand scheme of things it is very minor.

I still say for what you are going to use it for - look at both 6.0 / 4.10 and 8.1L / 3.73's and pick up the best example you find for the price. Can't really go wrong either way. The 8.1 is really a great powertrain tho - very very smooth, and so much torque it is almost silly. But don't kid yourself, these 2500 4x4 burbs are waaay heavier than a Tundra.

But I agree - the 2500 burbs are really great vehicles and now should be a great time to buy one. I can see prices going up next year if gas prices stay put or inch downward a bit. As people get used to the new levels it will be more back to business as usual. And let's be honest, if you need a 3/4t suburban - you need one - you are not cross shopping it with a Pilot...

I may end up giving mine up next year because I am most likely going to bail on the whole racing thing. Unless I decide to trade one money pit for another like a boat or something :-)