GMT900 Overland build anyone?

[Klutch7]

Anyone else building GMT900’s?

I’m potentially looking at a 2013 Tahoe for ski trips and glamping mobile. Very keen on one that’s for sale—nice color and Z71 package.
Only mods it’ll get are small lift, 33’s, full length roof rack, and a dongle to deactivate AFM.

I have a 2009 Tahoe that is my daily. 226k miles and will serve me with many more. It is a 2WD truck that is lowered, so a different use case, but I think the 2010-2014 4WD trucks with the 6 speed are the last relatively simple, reliable Tahoes. You've already noted the disabling the AFM, which is the one large weakness until dealt with. If it is a well-maintained truck that's clean, I think they can provide hundreds of thousands of miles of relatively cheap usage. the coilover-style front end lends itself well to a modest level and 33's pretty easily through a Bilstein setup or similar.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I have a 2009 Tahoe that is my daily. 226k miles and will serve me with many more. It is a 2WD truck that is lowered, so a different use case, but I think the 2010-2014 4WD trucks with the 6 speed are the last relatively simple, reliable Tahoes. You've already noted the disabling the AFM, which is the one large weakness until dealt with. If it is a well-maintained truck that's clean, I think they can provide hundreds of thousands of miles of relatively cheap usage. the coilover-style front end lends itself well to a modest level and 33's pretty easily through a Bilstein setup or similar.

Mine's a K2 pickup (2014-2018/19) but the coilover system is the same. 5.3 and 6 speed with Tow/Haul and Manual modes. I did the Bilstein setup with 33 inch BFG A/T LT load range "C" tires on 17 inch stock steel 7 spoke rims and I absolutely love it. Long over the road trips in all kinds of weather and light to moderate off-road use is quite within its capabilities and comfort zone. Really they are built for that, as the GMT 900 Tahoes, Yukons and Suburbans are all built on the pickup truck platform that ranchers and farmers have been using for decades.

Over 10 years and over 200k miles on mine. Just make sure to service the tranny!

 

[phsycle]

I like those 7-spoke Steelies.
I do slightly prefer the ones below a little more and if I end up with this Tahoe, I’m going to replace the stockers with them. And fit some take off 285/70/17 BFG KO2’s.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I like those 7-spoke Steelies.
I do slightly prefer the ones below a little more and if I end up with this Tahoe, I’m going to replace the stockers with them. And fit some take off 285/70/17 BFG KO2’s.

View attachment 861861

Ok, that's the newer steelie, correct? Seen them mainly on work T1's. And that's the size BFG I have, if I am not wrong.

The steelies are heavier than similar sized alloys, and the load range C BFG ko2's a bit heavier than highway tires. Probably amounts to a mpg penalty. Leveling the front and removing the chin under the front bumper dings your mpg still a little more.

But I drove home 55 miles in the pouring rain and cold last week without breaking traction. Waiting on measurable snow