why not as many 96-99 suburbans?

[syoungs]

Getting really close to purchasing a suburban. Had my heart set on a 87-91, them saw a 93 someone had posted, and liked it equally. Went and drove a 97 with the 5.7 vortech, liked it OK as well.

Seems like everyone is building the older burbs due to the solid axle. Are the newer its burbs that bad?

What's coat of ownership like between a 87-91, a 92-95, and 96-99?

Long story short, a dealer kinda screwed me on my f250, with a bad title, so he's about to buy it back. I will either have 4000$ to spend, or he has a 99 suburban with a 7.4 he is willing to give me outright.

I'm liking the fact its a 2500. I'm unsure of reliability and cost of parts compared to older, and a little scared of fuel economy, though figure its probably pretty close to a small block.

Plans are to lift, get it on 35s and armored. Pretty basic build, will need to tow 5k# and be reliable.

Anyone have anything to say about these generation burbs, or the 7.4?

 

[syoungs]

A little more info. I won't be wheeling hard. Most of the time fire roads and two tracks, no crawling or mud bogging.
It won't be a dd, but may be pulled into service from time to time.
I am not afraid to tear into engines, swap trannys etc, and will be fabbing most things myself. (Bumpers, sliders etc)
I've never needed more them 33" tires and a single locker where I play.

 

[Gtstintpro]

I got 97 2500 burb with the 454 and love it. I plow with it. Gas is terrible but it pushes or pulls whatever.. Makes my Sierra denali look like a baby truck.. Maintenance isn't bad parts have been easy to come by and fairly priced..

 

[syoungs]

Just how bad is the fuel?

 

[Sentinelist]

Your aspirations aren't that far from mine, and seeing the lack of GMT400 love on here, I'll chime in. Yes, it's the IFS instead of the solid front axle that generally steers folks away. But for your described uses, it'll be fine. I can't speak for the 7.3 though- I have the 6.5. Sounds like a beast! Assuming 4x4, correct? If it's in good shape and doesn't feel too loose, go for it. Mine is a 3500 and rides very nicely for what it is- that should too. You won't be able to do 33s without a lift ($$$) or a leveling kit (n/a?) as I was trying to do on a budget, but a new set of BFG 265s worked just fine and look great. Spring for a cheap set of late-model 2500 alloy wheels for a nice updated look. I like the tidy square style of the GMT400 Subs- hatch or Dutch doors?

 

[evilfij]

Mine has now 311k on it and it is only a K1500. I got 18mpg driving 75-80mph getting it home.

 

[k9lestat]

Mine has now 311k on it and it is only a K1500. I got 18mpg driving 75-80mph getting it home.

mines got a 1500 with 262k miles runs great has a 5.7 ill drive it to california if i had too. my only complaint is the tail lights. for some reason mine only likes them for about a year then i have to change the circuit boards. i think it will surprise you how capable the big beast will be. oh one more thing on my dont like list is the push button 4x4. i'd rather have a shifter myself.

 

[truck mechanic]

for what you are saying you are going to do with it, I wouldnt let the ifs steer you away from it, the big block might with milage. But I had a 97 pick up. I wheeled it, ran the beach with it, plowed snow with it, and drove 2/3 of the country with it, was a good truck.

 

[BurbanAZ]

ive had 3 suburbans with the ifs and wheeled them all and went on trips with all of them. I had a 92, 94, and a 95 and one with each engne the 350, 454, and 6.5 and they were all great trucks. I loved the low end power the 7.4 had for offroadng and climing hills on rocks or sand. My 92 k2500 with the 454 was my favorite and the truck we used the hardest and never had any issues. I think the issues some have with IFS are exaggerated and the difference in the strength between the 1/2 and the 3/4 ton ifs parts is pretty significant. I think for what u are planning to do u would be happy with the ifs.

 

[topofpalomar]

I'm driving a '96 Burb 2500 4x4 for the fire department. It has 81,000 miles on it. Mileage is around 10 mpg with the big block. I don't care for the push button 4x4 either (kinda slow going into four wheel drive from 2 wheel drive) but other than that it's pretty nice. I rarely carry passengers but loaded with rescue gear it cruises great down the road with plenty of power. Wish it sat a little higher in stock form. Great truck.

 

[syoungs]

Is it possible to squeeze 11-13 mpg hwy with a bb vortec on 33s? Seems as if a TBI 5.7 can achieve numbers in this realm pretty easy.

I'm still on the fence of old vs new, seems like the older rig would have less things to go wrong. (Circuit boards yo run taillights for example). Maybe I'm over thinking it. I'm slightly jaded from my current truck as well. Broken cupholders, can't switch the heater off defrost. Auto hubs font work etc. These are all smallish issues as far as getting them fixed, but minor annoyamces add up to big frustrations.

I also just got back from looking at a 97 1500, I don't love it stock, its a little soft riding, little pigish. But I could def work with it.

 

[jimed43]

Love my 99 with the 5.7

As soon as the Christmas Holidays are over, the mods will start. It has 125k on the odometer.

 

[Sentinelist]

Shifter 4x4 ******! I'm loving my truck more and more each day, only bought it a month ago. We just experienced 'Icepocolypse 2013' here in Dallas this past weekend and I was just effing loving driving around in it every chance I could.

Is it possible to squeeze 11-13 mpg hwy with a bb vortec on 33s? Seems as if a TBI 5.7 can achieve numbers in this realm pretty easy.

I'm still on the fence of old vs new, seems like the older rig would have less things to go wrong. (Circuit boards yo run taillights for example). Maybe I'm over thinking it. I'm slightly jaded from my current truck as well. Broken cupholders, can't switch the heater off defrost. Auto hubs font work etc. These are all smallish issues as far as getting them fixed, but minor annoyamces add up to big frustrations.

I also just got back from looking at a 97 1500, I don't love it stock, its a little soft riding, little pigish. But I could def work with it.

Circuit boards are cheap- I just saw a set with the whole assemblies on eBay for $60 shipped sans-bulbs. Certainly don't let that put you off, worst-case. Even if they went out on a quarterly basis, I would still buy this truck. My cupholders are fixed in the front center console bin. My hubs are auto I guess- I simply use the 4x4 shifter and I'm in gear. No getting out in the cold to turn the hubs. Awesome system. I can select defrost or heater independently. Maybe some of this stuff varied by year? I'm not a GMT400 expert yet- get a 1993 like I have. The flat-front grille is also growing on me quickly.

P.s.: Hooray GMT400 love!

 

[k9lestat]

Not to high jack the thread, but I have a question. I put my burb in 4hi last night and turned the wheel rather sharply. The front tire behaved like it had some type of locker. The tires actually were turning at the same speed. I know the truck is stock. Is there such thing as a factory front locking differential?

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[Sentinelist]

I think it's normal- mine does that as well. When you need to start taking tighter corners, put it back in 2WD.

I stick it in 4-HI after I leave my neighborhood, until I get to the parking lot at work, if needed (I did the last several days with all the ice). It's a straight shot between point A and B for me, but wide turns aren't a problem.