Newer Suburban (2008-13/ gmt900) 2500 thoughts

[anomaly]

Hi I am looking to replace my 08 Tundra with bed rust issues with a Suburban 2500.

I searched extensively but given the newness there are much less examples for adventure use than older vehicles.
I understand that the 2500 sub is now only available new as a fleet vehicle with a high price.

I live on the East Coast (Delaware) so I am mostly interested in long distance trips and I need something to haul stand up paddleboards, bikes, kayaks, etc along with my family.

On trips with the tundra we have 4 adults and my daughter and with another one on the way we are out of space to fit in a pickup plus the double cab is a bit tight for people.

I also hope to be able to store a 14' paddleboard in the sub between the seats without having to mess with the roof rack for short 1-2 person trips to the bay.

I live 5 miles from work so I will use it as a somewhat regular driver though for longer trips that do not need to haul stuff I will take a more fuel efficient and easier to park ride.

Eventually I would like to use it to haul a boat if i can convince the wife that we need one.

The 2500 with 6.0 VVT Vortec and 6 speed trans seems to be well regarded overall although its not a diesel. What I would like more information on is the tire clearance and value between LS and LT options and your opinion on seat configuration.
I would like as many seats up front and in the middle as possible so the rear seat can be removed for sleeping and hauling so I am thinking LS with bench seats front and middle.

Any downsides to a newer 2500 sub besides the cost? I am after something mild from an offroad perspective, capable but not looking to go crazy.

Thanks
Nate

 

[02TahoeMD]

The 2008 and up Tahoe / Suburbans are too overloaded with plastic for my liking to trust them with much hard use off road. I was dismayed when they debuted and I saw they had no real metal bumpers on them. I have a 2011 Tahoe for work and I am not really impressed with the durability of the exterior. You could rip off your airdam the first time you take it off road if you are not careful. I have 50K on it and it has been run hard, has spent some extended time in the shop (up to 3 days once) but nothing too out of the ordinary for a vehicle that I do not treat gentle.

That said, the newer rigs that you are looking at should work just fine for the needs you describe, I just would be hesitant to beat on it much in a truly off road environment.

 

[rayra]

"I also hope to be able to store a 14' paddleboard in the sub between the seats without having to mess with the roof rack for short 1-2 person trips to the bay.'

Nope. At best it's about 12.5' sitting on top of the dashboard. It's about 8'3" from the back of the front seats to the inner face of the Liftgate. You want 14' it will have to stick out the back window or be strapped on top. I once crammed a 16' piece of wood trim moulding in my Sub within the cabin but it was bowed, diagonal, stuffed in the front passenger wheelwell and wedged in the top left corner of the Liftgate.
The roof line is about 9-1/2" from rear to the top of the windshield. The cross bars on the roof rack are max 7' apart, I think a little less, from front to back.

Your seat plan sounds fine, if you can still get a front bench. You'd be seating 6 then without the third row seating.

No significant difference in clearances between LS and LT. On the GMT800s it's 31"+ in stock config and you can fit ~33" with a mild 2" leveling / lift kit.

Your fuel economy short drives around town with that engine, I think you'll be lucky to reach double digits, regardless of the manufacturer's claims. I don't think I'm getting 13 around town on short errands, with the 5.3L. And I eke out high 17s on the freeway if I set the cruise to ~75mph. I don't know what sort of leaps they've made with the 900 series, but I don't expect it's much better.

And frankly it's a LOT of money for that next gen. Big step up in price for essentially the same vehicle as an '06, except exterior styling. And the ability to pretend / look like it's a few years newer than it is.

 

[kojackJKU]

Rayra, are they not coil springs up front on the new ones? if so, That is worth the price of admission there. Easier to lift and keep spring rates sensible, even though spring rates from chev are laughable. Like floaty caddilac soft...

 

[Martinjmpr]

Rayra, are they not coil springs up front on the new ones? if so, That is worth the price of admission there. Easier to lift and keep spring rates sensible, even though spring rates from chev are laughable. Like floaty caddilac soft...

Yes, coilovers on the GMT-900's.

To the OP, why are you set on a 2500? It doesn't sound like you will be carrying a heavy load or pulling a big trailer, so a 1500 would probably suit you just fine. Easier to find, cheaper, etc.

IIRC they only made the 2500s for a few years in the GMT900 series. I don't believe they currently make a 2500 Suburban or Yukon XL.

 

[kojackJKU]

I really like the Z71 new style suburban...looks great..can be made to be really nice!

 

[p nut]

To me, this has "Get a van" written all over it. I'm not sure what your definition of "mild" in offroad capabilities, but out here in the West, I've seen vans go plenty of places. 4WD AND 2WD's. Lots of room for cargo and people. I think you should consider Sprinters, GMC Savana (comes AWD), Astro's, E-series Fords, etc.

 

[justcuz]

The 6.0 and 6 speed automatic is a nice combo and certain packages had the 14 bolt semi float rear axle with a 9.5" ring gear. Starting in 2015 all Suburbans got the 14 bolt. My 2015 with the six speed and 2.43 rear axle gears is equivalent to a 4l60E wit 4.56 rear axle gears, that is how much lower the 6 spd first gear is compared to the 4 spd.

I agree with p nut though, find an AWD GM van.

 

[evilfij]

Ok so now I want a new suburban 2500 as I really like the new body style. I did not know they made them. Only $79k MSRP. I wonder what I can get off one of them? My father has a 2013 Yukon XL and I have to say, it is too small in the drivers compartment compared to the 1998 he sold to me. Otherwise it has been bulletproof.

 

[justcuz]

I have not seen one yet, just prototype pictures.
Supposedly they are only available for fleet purchase. So if you know of a public entity buying some (a large municipal fire dept.) you may be able to piggy back on their order.
79 grand is kinda nuts for a 3/4 LT Suburban though and if you think the 2013 is tight you won't like the 2016 with buckets and a center console.

 

[Tiki]

OP, if possible I would search (or have a dealer search) for a low mileage southern GMT800. Similar drive trains but the GMT800s just seam to have a better build quality in my opinion (I've owned both) with the 6.0 getting the nod due to availability and mod-ability compared to the rarer 8.1.

Rayra, are they not coil springs up front on the new ones? if so, That is worth the price of admission there. Easier to lift and keep spring rates sensible, even though spring rates from chev are laughable. Like floaty caddilac soft...

Yes, coilovers on the GMT-900's.

To the OP, why are you set on a 2500? It doesn't sound like you will be carrying a heavy load or pulling a big trailer, so a 1500 would probably suit you just fine. Easier to find, cheaper, etc.

IIRC they only made the 2500s for a few years in the GMT900 series. I don't believe they currently make a 2500 Suburban or Yukon XL.

The 1500 GMT900s got coils but 2500 GMT900s retained the same torsion bar suspension from 2001-2013. There are companies that make the equipment to utilize coilovers.

Ok so now I want a new suburban 2500 as I really like the new body style. I did not know they made them. Only $79k MSRP. I wonder what I can get off one of them? My father has a 2013 Yukon XL and I have to say, it is too small in the drivers compartment compared to the 1998 he sold to me. Otherwise it has been bulletproof.

I have not seen one yet, just prototype pictures.
Supposedly they are only available for fleet purchase. So if you know of a public entity buying some (a large municipal fire dept.) you may be able to piggy back on their order.
79 grand is kinda nuts for a 3/4 LT Suburban though and if you think the 2013 is tight you won't like the 2016 with buckets and a center console.

They are only available through fleet purchases.

 

[evilfij]

They are only available through fleet purchases.

That has never really been an impediment to getting something, I doubt it would be now.