Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

[sublauxation]

I'm looking to buy an 03'ish Suburban 2500 with the 5.3ltr. The motor is more than big enough to tow my boat but I'm worried about resale down the road being a 2500 with the smallest V8. Since a lot of you tow bigger stuff than me, any opinions on how hard it may be to sell something like this 2 years down the road with about 150K miles on it. Would there be a market from people who do tow bigger stuff? I know for fact the truck has never towed anything to date, but that will be hard to prove to any new owner.

Thanks for any and all opinions.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

I have a 2001 2500 w/ 6.0 over 200,000 miles. LOVE IT. Chevrolet built the 2500's to be almost indestructible. I don't know much about the 5.3L. My 6.0L feels as if there is no load behind it. As for resales, they hold their price well. I suspect the 5.3L might be a little more attractive given the price of gas. But, I doubt you will want to sale it. Note, I'm a Ford fan, so my opinion isn't a Ford vs GM vs Dodge.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

I've got an 03 Avalanche 1500 4x4 with the 5.3. It's pretty much the same chassis as the burban. The 2500 chassis will have bigger brakes (which you need) and heavier axles. You don't state if the burban you're looking at is a 4X4, if it is, it will be quite a bit heavier. That said, I'm very happy with the performance of my 5.3. They are prone to warp intake manifolds if you get them too hot, that will set you back about $700. My milage is 15 in town, 20 highway. I've got a 6.0 in my company truck (K2500HD). It's a great tow vehicle but I've bever seen more than 13 mpg out of it.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

It is a 4X4. 15 and 20 is pretty impressive for mileage. Any problems you've had or heard of besides the intake warpage? Transmissions? Any opinions on ride in the 1500 vs the 2500? I'm a Ford guy too, Loved all my Expeditions, so this is a new step for me. I have some concerns with high mileage since I'd be going down a year and buying one with higher mileage vs my Expedition but I've heard the 5.3 can go a long ways, and I have a chance at a helluva deal.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

I tow ALOT. The 5.3 will actually use more gas than the larger engine, because it is having to work harder. Personally, as a buyer I would not buy a small engine in a tow vehicle. WHen I have searched for tow vehicles in the past...most recently in November 2010...that was the first thing I looked at. I was looking for a Tahoe or Burb, Expedition or Excursion. If it had less than the 6.0 (GM) or 5.4 (Ford) I would pass it by immediately. Just sayin.

Add to that...I ended up buying an '06 5.4L 4x4 Expedition Limited with factory HD tow package, and have *zero* regrets. Pulls the 31' camper or the 21' boat perfectly, and Lovely Wife loves to drive it.

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

I worked at a Chev dealer up until about 2004......are you sure it's a 2500 with a 5.3? Cause it wasn't offered that way, or even available as a special order. Sub 3/4 with 6.0 was a damn fine tow vehicle and they're built like a tank with plenty of space for people and gear. There is a significant difference between chassis on a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton (not just brakes and axles). Avalanche is similar to a Sub 1/2 ton and they make great pullers as well. Avalanche 2500 is Sub 3/4 ton chassis.

To be honest, a 5.4 powered Excursion actually makes a decent puller, much like the old style Chev 2500's with the 350 V8, you need steep rear end gears, but they would pull very well. Smaller engines will chew gas while towing, just like a bigger engine will, the major difference is that the bigger engine just plain isn't working as hard and won't wear out as fast- fuel burn difference is pretty minor.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

2001 GMC Yukon -- 115000 miles, 5.3L. Last 3400 mile road trip heavily loaded (no trailer) produced 20.8 MPG. Trip was from MN, IA, NE, CO, NM, TX, OK, KS, SD and back to MN. SPent a week in the Colorado high country which is a fuel economy killer. How you drive, the axle ratios in the vehicle, and where you drive impacts fuel economy. If you have the choice of two identical vehicles -- one with 3.73 gears and the other with anything higher than that (3.53, 3.42, or 3.08, pass on them). Towing requires favorable gearing. Towing my pontoon produces varying results because of wind conditions. 17 MPG with no wind. Since pontoons are akin to towing a barn door through the wind, that can drop MPG to 14 or so. With fuel prices the way they are you should be able snag a very nice large SUV for a reasonable price. If fuel prices stay high it won't matter how long you keep it, you will take a beating since few people want a vehicle that costs $120+ to fill with fuel. Now is a great time to buy a big vehicle. Lots of folks own them and can no longer afford them so they take a bath on it and take another bath buying a cracker box car that is in high demand. Then when fuel prices drop they turn right around and make the same pair of mistakes again.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

I have to agree with ChampionShip. The 2500 came with a 6.0.
You better check on that. I have been wrong before.???
Run The VIN number.

 

[partskenn]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

What's the eighth digit of the vin? That will tell you the engine size.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

If you look in the glove box at the build sticker you will be able to tell which rear axle is in it and if it is a locking rear end. The codes with a G will tell you and you can look it up here http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cat...r_ratio_do_i_have_in_my_gm_or_chevrolet.html# differential%20cover

The 410 gears are much higher tow rating then the 3.73

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

What's the eighth digit of the vin? That will tell you the engine size.

Thanks for your help on this. 8th digit is a Z which is 5.3 FFV. It's looking like it's likely not a 2500, though they were insistant it is, which actually is fine for me and in some ways better since it's the 5.3. I appreciate you guys catching that. I thought it was odd it had the 5.3 to begin with then I looked it up in KBB which lists a 5.3 but no deduction for it, which again was odd. Still not sure how they missed the 1/2 vs 3/4 ton.

Still sounds like this is a decent vehicle to tow a 2500lb boat with 3 kids and gear.

 

[mikel1291979]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

I have to imagine this suburban is pretty close to my expedition. Same year and basically the same size engine (5.4). My boat weighs around 4000 with trailer, gear and fuel. I have no problem towing, cornering and most importantly stopping with this rig. I was worried about pulling the boat back out of the water, but I had no problems at all.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

I have to imagine this suburban is pretty close to my expedition. Same year and basically the same size engine (5.4). My boat weighs around 4000 with trailer, gear and fuel. I have no problem towing, cornering and most importantly stopping with this rig. I was worried about pulling the boat back out of the water, but I had no problems at all.

I have an Expedition now and if the Suburban deal goes through I will miss the Ford. They're nice trucks. Mine actually has the 4.6 and despite what people say about it being underpowered I haven't had any problems, it seems to compare equally to the 2000 I had with the 5.4. I'm a pretty fiercely loyal Ford guy so this would be a weird change.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

SUB. open the hood and look at the exhaust manifold bolts. Make sure the head of the bolt is 12mm,13 not sure. if they are 10mm you will be having problems. take a socket with you.

 

[Yellow Yota]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

How many lug nuts per wheel? That's the easiest way without looking any further. 1/2 ton will be a 6 x 5.5" pattern. 3/4 and one tons will be 8 x 6.5"

I have an '05 2500, and with the "measly" 6.0, I have no trouble pulling my 5,000 pound boat or my 6,000 pound flat bed with my rock crawler on it. It's not quite as good as my Cummins as far as power, but it is much more comfortable and has so much more room.

I'd make sure the deal is as sweet as you think it is. There's a ton of half tons out there, and they do not fetch as much money as the 2500's do.

 

[Blue2Green]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

I have an '04 Silverado Ext Cab with the 5.3L and she pulls effertlessly. I cant even tell there is a trailer behind when I do. I even pull a flatbed trailer when I pick up stuff from HD and Lowes.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

SUB. open the hood and look at the exhaust manifold bolts. Make sure the head of the bolt is ,13 mm if they are 10mm you will be having problems. take a socket with you.
GM GUY Truck Development.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

SUB. open the hood and look at the exhaust manifold bolts. Make sure the head of the bolt is ,13 mm if they are 10mm you will be having problems. take a socket with you.
GM GUY Truck Development.

It's confirmed, 6 lugs, It's a 1500! Again fine by me but I know it makes a difference on price.

Thanks for all your help on that one, I wouldn't have straightened it out without you guys. It seemed like an odd combo and I figured the 5.3 would erase the value of the 2500, ($800) that's why I originally posted to get your thoughts. Turns out it this went a new direction, so thanks again! Kelley does list the 2500 with the 5.3ffv though nada doesn't show it. Interestingly there is no deduction for the 5.3 vs the 6.0.

Truth is if I buy it will be sight unseen which makes people cringe but I've bought my last 5 trucks from the same source and haven't been burned. I trust them so I'm sure this was an oversight. That or it's a Franken Vehicle.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

This is "sight unseen", represented as a 2500 and from a source you trust? Are you sure?

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Opinions on Suburban 2500 with 5.3ltr

This is "sight unseen", represented as a 2500 and from a source you trust? Are you sure?

Sounds a little funny when put that way but yeah, I trust them and I don't buy unless it's low enough to accomodate a couple oops's