Help On 2005 Suburban

randyf · March 21, 2009

I am looking to buy a 2003 - 2005 Suburban......prefer an 05.....

I am presently looking at an 05 1500 4x4 Z71.....but the truck has 114,000 miles, any problems with these models that I should be aware of?

It's been awhile since I've owned a suburban....last one was a 87 6.2 diesel 177,000 miles.

Thanks for any advice..........

98 Z71 SLT · March 21, 2009

05 Suburban with 105k miles on it...dang...I'd be a player for that too .................

Anyhow...this truck has been on the road alot with 105k on it...take a wiff of trans fluid and make sure it isn't burnt...also look at the rear diff housing...if the paint is peeled off the rear axle cover, the diff has been overheated from towing...

check it over real good...these 800 series trucks are nearly bulletproof...

pm26 · March 22, 2009

check it over real good...these 800 series trucks are nearly bulletproof...

They are bullet proof as long as the bullet moves at 1 ft/s or less.

randyf · March 24, 2009

Anyhow...this truck has been on the road alot with 105k on it...take a wiff of trans fluid and make sure it isn't burnt...also look at the rear diff housing...if the paint is peeled off the rear axle cover, the diff has been overheated from towing...

check it over real good...these 800 series trucks are nearly bulletproof...

I've heard there is a fuel pump issue......also is the transmission in the 1500 strong enough to tow with?

C & A s Dad · March 24, 2009

Randy,

No fuel pump issue that any other vehicle with an in tank pump does not have. The life of an in tank pump on any vehicle is very unpredictable. It seems that a vehicle that has been run low on fuel constantly may burn a pump out sooner than those who run a tank more than 1/4 full. I would not let this concern me in anyway.

The 4L60E transmission has been said to be the weak point in these trucks. However, there are millions of them on the road with many of them with over 200K miles with no issues at all. What are you planning to tow? I tow a 6500lb camper with my 02 Yukon XL and have had no issues at all. There is a nother member on here, Dan T with a 2000 Burb that has spent most of its life towing a camper heavier than mine with no trans problems at all.

Look in the grille just behind the Bowtie and see if it has an aux trans cooler. If not, you will want to add one. If it does have one, you may want to upgrade it depending on what you are towing and where you live.

We can help you with this once you let us know more.

txab · March 24, 2009

You can also run it by a trusted mechanic and let him go over it

steveR · March 24, 2009

Lots of them out there. Choose the right one. Paid $14,000 for my 2002 sub. ran it for 2 years, sold it for 13,500.

I would like to do that again.

randyf · March 24, 2009

Randy,

No fuel pump issue that any other vehicle with an in tank pump does not have. The life of an in tank pump on any vehicle is very unpredictable. It seems that a vehicle that has been run low on fuel constantly may burn a pump out sooner than those who run a tank more than 1/4 full. I would not let this concern me in anyway.

The 4L60E transmission has been said to be the weak point in these trucks. However, there are millions of them on the road with many of them with over 200K miles with no issues at all. What are you planning to tow? I tow a 6500lb camper with my 02 Yukon XL and have had no issues at all. There is a nother member on here, Dan T with a 2000 Burb that has spent most of its life towing a camper heavier than mine with no trans problems at all.

Look in the grille just behind the Bowtie and see if it has an aux trans cooler. If not, you will want to add one. If it does have one, you may want to upgrade it depending on what you are towing and where you live.

We can help you with this once you let us know more.

I want to buy an 05 - change to electric fans......also prefer the Z71 - comes with G80 rear.

Does the Z71 package include the trans cooler ?

You tow in drive, not OD correct?

I will tow a 3000 - 4000lb boat and occasionally a 6000 - 7000lb trailer.

C & A s Dad · March 25, 2009

If you are doing the towing you are talking about, I would leave the fan alone. I considered and researched a change to e fans on my Yuk XL but decided it would not be best for my climate and towing conditions. You could free up a few ponies but the fact is a properly operating fan clutch pulls very little HP when the fan is not engaged. Some have done it and they work fine but I would ask you to consider one thing, have you ever seen a 3/4 or 1 ton Truck come from the factory with E fans?

I would assume any truck with the Z 71 package would have an aux trans cooler. Even if it does, you may want to consider an upgrade as these OE coolers are pretty small and not adequate in my opinion for serious towing in high heat climates. Once you buy a truck, let us know and we can help you with any cooler questions.

I tow in 3rd with T/H engaged because I am typically running 55 MPH or less and this keeps the 5.3 right in it's sweet spot with the 4.10 gears. If I wanted to tow above 65 MPH I could easily run in OD but I choose not to drive this fast with a 6500 lb brick behind me and my family in my truck.

zsk · March 25, 2009

I am looking to buy a 2003 - 2005 Suburban......prefer an 05.....

I am presently looking at an 05 1500 4x4 Z71.....but the truck has 114,000 miles, any problems with these models that I should be aware of?

It's been awhile since I've owned a suburban....last one was a 87 6.2 diesel 177,000 miles.

Thanks for any advice..........

zsk · March 25, 2009

I am looking to buy a 2003 - 2005 Suburban......prefer an 05.....

I am presently looking at an 05 1500 4x4 Z71.....but the truck has 114,000 miles, any problems with these models that I should be aware of?

It's been awhile since I've owned a suburban....last one was a 87 6.2 diesel 177,000 miles.

Thanks for any advice..........

OK, so I lost control of the keyboard....

My wife has a 2005, LT 4X4 with the Autoride. This is one fine vehicle. There is an OCCASIONAL bug in the electrics. We sometimes get weird warning lights that go off and never come back. Happened twice so far. We've had it a couple of years. Man, you can't beat a Suburban. those miles wouldn't scare me if I had MY mechanic check it out.