2008 Suburban Sensible mods

[bigskypylot]

My dad has a 2008 LTZ Suburban(5.3 flexfuel)which he's had since almost new (he bought it as a demo with under 10k and most miles since have been highway), what sensible mods should be made to it for using it as a tow rig (he's interested in the Oliver brand trailer, the smaller of the two) He won't be doing harsh stuff but wants it to handle stuff that a typical trailer/tow rig wouldn't see (FSR out west etc). I'm thinking tires and shocks. Maybe a few skids? He's a very sensible/practical and methodical person (he was an air traffic controller for 32 years lol). Frugal but won't buy cheap over quality just to save a few bucks

thanks in advance!

 

[rayra]

Trans temp gauge. Lot of sorry anecdotes about 4L60E trannies not holding up well to either heavy towing or much towing with higher mileage. Have to ensure you keep the trans temps down in a safe zone. And the 1500 series don't come with the gauge in the cluster. The sensor and wiring is there, but not the gauge. There are several paths to be able to monitor things, prices range from $40 to $400.

LTZ ought to already have the tow package, top package already has a trans fluid cooler in series after the factory in-radiator loop. It's front and center just behind and below the chevy logo on the grill.
Tow package came with a bundled wiring harness and provision for electric trailer brakes. The fuse panel connection is low on the firewall just behind the depressed emergency brake.

'08 might have the auto-ride adjustment and you'll have to decide if you are replacing that or trying to beef it up.

LTZ K1500 ought to already have a factory skid plate under the front axle and engine. and transfer case.

Frankly for a light / pop-up trailer, you don't need to do much of anything.

 

[bigskypylot]

That's good info. Thanks, rayra!

 

[Martinjmpr]

Trans temp gauge. Lot of sorry anecdotes about 4L60E trannies not holding up well to either heavy towing or much towing with higher mileage. Have to ensure you keep the trans temps down in a safe zone. And the 1500 series don't come with the gauge in the cluster. The sensor and wiring is there, but not the gauge. There are several paths to be able to monitor things, prices range from $40 to $400.

.
I know that's true on the GMT-800 trucks, is it the same way on the GMT-900 trucks, i.e. the 5.3 models had all the wiring for the Trans temp but they just didn't get the gauge?
.

 

[rayra]

Not 100% sure, but GM has a long track record of not changing things unless they have to or until the old inventory is used up. They'll use the same harness or bracket or subcomponent for years, across year ranges and even several models, whenever they can. For both reduced engineering costs and economies of scale.


But I'll amend that remark about the -900. Doesn't seem that cluster layout even has a space for a trans temp gauge. It's Oil PSI over Fuel on the left and Volts over Coolant Temp on the right. There isn't even a place for the Trans gauge to go. I wonder if there's still even a trans temp sensor in there, for the low cost OBDII scan / bluetooth tool and Torque app.

 

[Barb The Yeti]

My GMT900 Silverado (2013) has a trans sensor, but it is only displayed in the digital readout where the Odometer is.
I am almost 100% sure your suburban has it in the same place.

 

[2025 deleted member]

My dad has a 2008 LTZ Suburban(5.3 flexfuel)which he's had since almost new (he bought it as a demo with under 10k and most miles since have been highway), what sensible mods should be made to it for using it as a tow rig (he's interested in the Oliver brand trailer, the smaller of the two) He won't be doing harsh stuff but wants it to handle stuff that a typical trailer/tow rig wouldn't see (FSR out west etc). I'm thinking tires and shocks. Maybe a few skids? He's a very sensible/practical and methodical person (he was an air traffic controller for 32 years lol). Frugal but won't buy cheap over quality just to save a few bucks

thanks in advance!

As long as all maintenance is up to date, I'd just make sure it has a high quality all-terrain tire on it.

 

[Buddha.]

I have a scanguageii I'm not using anymore if OP is interested in buying it. I used to track the trans temp on my chevy.

 

[bigskypylot]

I'm not sure he's ready to make any upgrades yet as he's not towing yet. As for the AT Tire, what are the best choices currently out there. Keep the 20" wheels? I want him to get an Icon Stage 4 kit with 18" methods and 33s lol. Oh, and an E-Force blower and an arb bull bar/winch combo with custom sliders. But that's just me lol

 

[Barb The Yeti]

If I were you, I'd step down to 17" methods, and go with BFG KO2's. You'll save money, and have better sidewalls. I've had a lot of good luck with them, especially in dirt.
Sliders are awesome for gmt900 series, especially since the doors are flush with the bottom, (you can write them off as really heavy duty steps)
If you want a less expensive lift, the bilstein leveling shocks are a good cheap alternative, if he isn't doing fast offroading.

 

[Tinbanger]

Here is my 08 suburban. It has 285 65 r18 toyo at2 extreme tires with 18" rims. I did the bilstein 5100s up front on top ring (if I did it again id go one from the top, I feel Im a little tall up front.) Its not 4x4, but it has the g80 rear end, which I hope that combined with airing down the tires will get me most everywhere I want to go.

 

[DirtbagOverland]

always stoked to see GMT900 builds posted on here! This is my 07 Avalanche, essentially the same vehicle... For you and your dad's intended purpose I would address the obvious ground clearance issue with a quality leveling kit or lift. As someone stated before this will depend whether you have auto-ride? BDS is a great company and makes high quality kits. Leveled you can fit 33" ATs with possibly some trimming up front, and I would opt for smaller diameter and wider rims like an 18x9 for more rubber and a better ride off-road. Skids are a great investment and sliders (which I'm currently looking for a fabricator myself)

 

[chilliwak]

Nice looking Avalanche you have Mr Dirtbag. I also agree with you concerning BDS lift kits. Good quality for a reasonable price. Cheers, Chilli..

 

[Burb One]

Here is my 08 suburban. It has 285 65 r18 toyo at2 extreme tires with 18" rims. I did the bilstein 5100s up front on top ring (if I did it again id go one from the top, I feel Im a little tall up front.) Its not 4x4, but it has the g80 rear end, which I hope that combined with airing down the tires will get me most everywhere I want to go.

I really did not like the look of the GMT-900 when's they came out, but yours and Dirtbag's look awesome! The bodystyle has definitely growing on me!

Also, I agree, the more rubber the better (for a given diameter tire) for off road!

 

[Kevin108]

First, take off the front air dam before you rip it off.

After that: lights, armor, locker, and lift - in that order.