Tahoe VS Surburban

[98dango]

Ok lets keep this on track gmt400 gmt800 4x4ifs small block.

we all love the old 1969-1991 suburban but lets talk 1992-now

Fuel mileage seems to be better on the Tahoe but only a few mpg.
Weight is close i have not found any good solid numbers 5500-8600 depending on who is talking.

Gmt400 Tahoe
199 long with a.117 wheel base
gmt400 Suburban
220 long with a 131.5 wheelbase
Both came in the same trim with the typical powerplant being a 5.7 v8 and a 700r4/4l60e others where available but most common was this setup




Gmt800 tahoe
198 long with a 116 wheelbase
Gmt800 Suburban
219 long with a 130 wheelbase

both offerd in the same trim but with varied power plants and transmission options 4.8/5.3 in the Tahoe.With the Suburban getting 5.3/6.0 and the 8.1
Curb weight I have no idea.


So

 

[98dango]

Ok this may help many with there choices.

I have to make the choice my self with a wedding a move and my current daily commute I am looking at downsizing my fleet of rigs. I drive.100 miles daily and 300 every weekend on top of any exploring we do. Also a move to Benson Az is not far off. I have come down to wanting a gm for many reasons. I how ever can not lock on the suburban or tahoe. I like the GMT400 as I like the 5.7 how ever the fuel mileage is 15mpg on average.

I like Suburban always have but there long heavy. My thought is a tahoe should typically get better mpg and would be more nimble offroad.

 

[1leg]

If we are talking only about late model LS engine based GM trucks

I now need a truck that tows around 7000lbs+. So my vote would be for a 6.0 or 8.1(not LS) 2500 suburban. Gas mileage would not be so much a concern for me. I only drive about 3 miles to work.

If I was building a daily driver and weekend fun rig it would be a Tahoe with a 4.8/5.3. If I lived in the mountains or needed the truck to tow sometimes I would install a 6.0 when the 4.8/5.3 wore out.

 

[1meanz]

I've had my '98 Tahoe for 6 years. I've put 100K miles on it and it has 200k on it now. All I've done is general stuff, fuel pump, alternator, starter, intake gaskets, brakes, pittman and idler arm. No joke, thats it. I have added a leaf to the rear springs, did a moderate crank on the front and installed a 14 bolt SF with a Truetrac LSD. It pulls my Camaro around perfectly now with the added spring rate. I'm newer to the offroad thing, but i've used the truck for camping and hauling/working since I've had it and I've never really wished I had more space that a suburban could provide. I've never needed to haul a large object and 4 people at the same time. Any time I've been camping or had 4 guys in the truck I still had plenty of room in the back. I'm 6'4" and I've comfortably slept in the back with one of the rear seats folded down and my gear moved to the side. I much prefer the Tahoe's vastly shorter turning radius, and it fits in my garage WAY better than a Suburban would. If you were going to run big tires (35s or bigger IMO) I'd give the nod to a 3/4ton Suburban for the larger front diff. But if 33s to 35s are going to be your deal, I'd stick with a Tahoe unless you need to haul tons of gear or large objects AND 4 people at the same time. I love my Tahoe and I'd do it all over again, I have no regrets.

 

[BurbanAZ]

Ive always had suburbans, ive had 3 i had a 95 suburban with a 350, a 92 suburban with a 454, and a 94 with the 6.5 diesel. I like the extra room of the suburban. Their so close though that if im already going with a full size rig id rather have that extra couple feet. Also with towing id rather have the slightly longer wheel base. I think their so close that it just comes down to personal preference. Id always go with a 3/4ton 4x4 suburban over almost anything.

 

[noJeepshere]

If you're looking for an off-road ride that will be lifted and just for you and your wife, the Tahoe is a far better choice. Same power, same capability, but in a slightly smaller package. The Tahoe platform "acts" a little more nimble as well, doesn't treat itself like a huge beast of burden like a Suburban would. As for your choice between the gmt400 and gmt800 platform, my personal opinion is that the 400 platform is a much better off-road setup. Simpler suspensions, simpler motors, more room inside, and I think better fuel economy (99 burb 5.7l 3.42 gears would get 16.7 hwy, while a 2005 burb with 5.3 and 3.42 gears gets no better than 15.3 hwy, both driven by me)

There are a number of upgrades to the first gen vortec motor that makes it produce as much or better power than the second gen equivalent (5.7 vs 5.3) and better economy still. Things like a 0411 pcm swap, second gen injectors, etc.

My 99 Yukon has 200,000 original miles on it, and I can still make a number 11 on the pavement, and it does all I ever want it to, without complaint, and looks good while it's at it.

 

[noJeepshere]

Ive always had suburbans, ive had 3 i had a 95 suburban with a 350, a 92 suburban with a 454, and a 94 with the 6.5 diesel. I like the extra room of the suburban. Their so close though that if im already going with a full size rig id rather have that extra couple feet. Also with towing id rather have the slightly longer wheel base. I think their so close that it just comes down to personal preference. Id always go with a 3/4ton 4x4 suburban over almost anything.

I towed my 81 Jimmy with my Yukon, and after repositioning the Jimmy for proper tongue weight, it was as stable as anything out there. But I do prefer longer wheelbases when towing.

 

[1meanz]

With Bilstein HD shocks and a $60 pair of Rough Country add-a-leafs, my Tahoe tows anything a 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck has any business pulling. It is stable in the wind and does a good job under heavy braking too. It pulls as well as any other truck I've owned or towed with.

Before

After

 

[noJeepshere]

I towed my 81 Jimmy with my Yukon, and after repositioning the Jimmy for proper tongue weight, it was as stable as anything out there. But I do prefer longer wheelbases when towing.

Dug up a pic of when I towed my Jimmy when I sold it:

 

[98dango]

Well it looks like I will be in a sub for one reason and reason only. I apparently own one.Talking to a.buddieof mine last night who i do a lot of swap trade deals. I ended up with a 94 gmc suburban 2 years ago. Its a 1500 4x4 needs a motor but.that's easy .

 

[87GMCJimmy]

I vote Suburban!!! We bought a Yukon for my wife and after only a year we are trading it in for a Yukon XL. With the third row up, there's no space behind the seats to store much of anything in a Yukon vs a good bit of space in the Yukon XL. Since we commonly have 6 people in the vehicle, this makes for some packing problems! Even if we commonly hauled less people, the extra interior space is a great thing to have!!!! Plus, the full back doors make the second row of seats easier to get into and out of and allows the back windows to roll down all the way, and the third row gets extra foot/leg room!

Ah, just saw you got a Suburban after all! Congrats!!! That's funny that you've had one for two years and didn't know it! LOL!

 

[rob3827]

I would say it depends on your needs. I use to own a 1998 Tahoe. It was a tight squeeze for my three children in the back. That truck was great. However when it came time to go on trips it was to small. It ran really well and i finally had to sell it for something bigger,with 179k on the clock. I now own a 2001 suburban. The third row seat was great. The kids were able to spread out. It was still able to haul all of our stuff. In my opinion, the tahoe had a better ride and was easier to work on (engine,suspension, etc). My suburabn has the autoride suspension. The engine has to warm up in the winter because of the horrible 5.3 cold knock(piston slap). it currently has 168k on the clock. However, I loved both of these vehicles. They have serve my family well

 

[Chili]

I had the Tahoe vs Suburban debate when I bought my Suburban last year. I was looking for a 2000-06, preferably Z71. I ended up getting the Suburban for the extra space, and after the first big trip was glad I did. Ultimately I figured they were about the same price, and basically the same vehicle other than the added space of the Suburban. Keeping in mind I have 3 kids and 2 big dogs.

Of course I don't do any hard-core offroading, so that helped me make my decision. That said, after the first trip in my stock 05 Z71, I was pleasantly surprised with it's capabilities. Took me everywhere I wanted to go without issue.

My fuel mileage stinks, averaging about 13-14 with the 5.3, but that is because I am mostly on city streets. My commute is 11 miles each way, so ultimately the MPG isn't much of an issue. When we went to Colorado, very well loaded and pulling a small trailer, I averaged about 15. Of course there was a lot of elevation change.

 

[98dango]

Well we offroad more than most and have 1 child and if i have more i will be have ing a berry stern talk with a doctor and a wife. The dog is 12lbs of pug. I was leaning tahoe for its 20" less but oh well.

 

[Sonoran Explorer]

i had an 03 yukon and got an 04 suburban after the yukon was totaled in an accident. Love both vehicles but my preference is the suburban hands down, for the room behind the third row. good luck with your new suburban!