Decisions decisions decisions

[hoosier]

Ok... 6k for a burban that has 160 - 170k on the clock, not bad but that gives another 100k then i am back to where i am now. I could do 10k and have another 300k... assuming everything is kept good. So 6k gets me 100k and another 4k gets me another 200k. I am not dead set on the idea of all this but a good friend of mine was kinda in this same boat a few years ago. (89 chevy pickup with 320k on the clock) he dumped just shy of 8k in his, now has almost 200k on the new set up. This is why it is hard for me. 8k and he was driving an almost new truck. Over the past few years he has put new seats, carpet and stereo setup in it now its nice on the inside. I dont know if this makes sense but i cant see dumping 6k to get me just a little further. I dont care about resale. I have built and sold to many cars and trucks to think that i will ever get my money back. Now if i could find a burban like that and it had 60k on the clock that would change my mind a little bit.

 

[STAG]

Haha you haven't built the reputation on RME as someone who would keep a vehicle for 300k mi.

 

[skippy]

for 10k you can buy a newer 2500 suburban with a big block and be much better at towing duties

 

[hoosier]

Lol choc... yes my wheelers come and go but generally my other rigs stay for a while.

 

[Houndoc]

I was not very happy over the time we owned our 05 Dodge 2500. Frequent, major front end problems. I do believe that the 3500 uses a different set up, but I would be hesitant to go with the Dodge if you are looking for longevity.

Just over a year ago we sold the Dodge and picked up an 04 Chevy 2500 crewcab Duramax with over 300k on it for $5,000. Tires and a few minor fixes and has been a fantastic tow rig (and my wife's d.d.) for us. Much better ride and more comfortable than the Dodge as well.

But, buying the newer 2500 'Burb sounds like a great idea to me.

 

[wheelewagon]

Another option if you want the setup of a burb but want the towing and strength and everything of a diesel. You can by A nice Excursion with the 7.3l diesel in it with like 150k on it for around 10k. Have both of what your looking for and drive it forever. 150k on the 7.3l diesel is baby miles. have A great ride and drive it forever. Unless your strictly A chevy, dodge guy. But something I learned long ago is every maker has their perks and their flaws. But I probably just opened the flood gates. So here we go!

 

[TurboMinivan]

Ok... 6k for a burban that has 160 - 170k on the clock, not bad but that gives another 100k then i am back to where i am now.

Not exactly. Right now you're sitting on a half ton Suburban that needs everything upgraded to 3/4 ton status. If you bought the 8.1L and put 100k miles on it, you'll have a complete 3/4 ton Suburban that might simply need an engine freshened up. Even at that point, you'll still have better brakes than you do now, a stronger transmission than you do now, and so on.

I could do 10k and have another 300k.

Yes, you could. OR you could buy the 8100 for $6000, put the other $4000 in the bank, and wait for 100,000+ miles until the 8100 needs to be freshened, and then give it a simple stock rebuild. In the worst case scenario, you'll come out even financially... but all the while you'll have had a 3/4 ton vehicle to use as your pack mule.

FWIW, the 8100 has an excellent reputation for very long-term durability. I know this is only anecdotal evidence, but based on the condition of mine with almost 224k on the odo, I doubt I'll need any sort of rebuild by 300k. It runs strong, doesn't smoke, passes smog with flying colors, and does pretty much everything else that a healthy engine ought to do (other than weep a little from the rear main seal). I am so happy with my Suburban that if it somehow got totaled, I would run right out and buy another one just like it.

Now if i could find a burban like that and it had 60k on the clock that would change my mind a little bit.

I only posted the first two ads I saw that mentioned the 8100. Feel free to browse for others.

 

[rockdog]

The 7.3 excursion is a good option. Or the newer burb with the big block. Both are sound vehicles. You can get an L31 crate from Summit for just over $2000. It is close to 300 ponys out of the crate with GM warranty. This is more horses than your current burb had new.

 

[hoosier]

So narrowing it down... kinda narrowing it down with more options. So looking into the future this new rig WILL go to Indiana so i can run at red bird offroad park and Badlands offroad park (where they hold the real truck club challenge), it will go to Tahoe to run the Rubicon, to texas to the Canadian river offroad park and possibly more. So.i think redoing the suburban is out. So 03-06 dodge 3500 (left mostly stock), 03-04 duramax (i have heard these are the best years but not much research yet), 02-03 expedition with the 7.3 (seems to be the lowest mpg but the most consistant 13 regular driving 9.8 - 10.2 towing), and possibly an 8.1 burban (not dead set that this one is still on the list)

 

[STAG]

'04.5+ is the duramax you want.

 

[hoosier]

I was told the blocks were weak from late 04 to 06

 

[rockdog]

'04.5+ is the duramax you want.

I agree. My son is a duramax expert(well ok, he knows a ton about em) He had an 03 and wrecked it. Took him a year to find an 06 that wasn't trashed. He had to pay more for it than it sold for new! They hold their value like crazy. 05 or 06 is what you want to look for. After that they started putting big brother mandated garbage on.

 

[hoosier]

Ok so 05-06 dura instead on the list

 

[hoosier]

How about an 03 ex with power joke

 

[Toad]

Mid year 2003 they changed to a 6.0. Run! They can be built to run great just costs money

 

[hoosier]

The ad says it is an 7.3

 

[wheelewagon]

So narrowing it down... kinda narrowing it down with more options. So looking into the future this new rig WILL go to Indiana so i can run at red bird offroad park and Badlands offroad park (where they hold the real truck club challenge), it will go to Tahoe to run the Rubicon, to texas to the Canadian river offroad park and possibly more. So.i think redoing the suburban is out. So 03-06 dodge 3500 (left mostly stock), 03-04 duramax (i have heard these are the best years but not much research yet), 02-03 expedition with the 7.3 (seems to be the lowest mpg but the most consistant 13 regular driving 9.8 - 10.2 towing), and possibly an 8.1 burban (not dead set that this one is still on the list)

All the 7.3l's I've known were right at 18mpg pulling or not. Idk if they ever put a diesel in the expedition.

'04.5+ is the duramax you want.

Another vote for this if your going truck route. The 04.5-05 lly duramax's are the bees knees. Stay away from the 05.5-06 llys. or go with the 06+ lbz they are also tits but alot more money and have more emissions crap. But now were going away from everything your talking about. If your looking to spend around 10-15k these are way out of your budget. You can pick up A 99-03 7.3l ford pickup for in that price. Or your older dodge. But again your comparing apples to oranges and you need to decide on what you want. It sounds like to me your more wanting the suv bus style rather than a bed. I really think your best option is the excursion. It will give you the best of both worlds, keep you more into the price you're looking to spend and have everything you want. Even if you only got like 13mpg, you'd have all the power and torque you'd need, A smoother easier towing experience and it's still got to be better mpg then your gas burb is getting now, with way more strength, longer life and better condition.

 

[rockdog]

son bought the late 06 duramax as stated above I think. They are cash! Ford did put the 7.3 and 6.0 in the Excursions. I have an 01 truck with the 7.3. It has been a good truck. I never get 18 out of it though. The only way to get that is buy a Dodge. Then you get 50 mpg with 900 hp while pulling 40,000 lbs up a 12 percent grade! ( Well at least that's what the rednecks with the sewer pipe sticking out of the middle of their bed down at the 7/11 tell me)

 

[Toad]

I can sneak 18 out of my 7.3 empty. Its rare but it can be done. Towing jeep/trailer/tent trailer probably 8k i get 12. towing 39 foot Teton rv 14k 8-9 mpg. I think diesel is a huge commitment. Everything is more money. Fuel, maintenance, and repairs are more money with a diesel. I think your 8.1 chev might be your best bet. Heavy drive train, large disk brakes,
4l80 trans. I would install a Prodigy brake controllers(I wont tow with anything else) and airbags.

 

[TurboMinivan]

I think your 8.1 chev might be your best bet. Heavy drive train, large disk brakes,
4l80 trans. I would install a Prodigy brake controllers(I wont tow with anything else) and airbags.

I'm not the be-all end-all authority on heavy towing, but I don't know that airbags would be required for the Suburban. As evidence, here is my Suburban 2500 all by itself:

And here it is with 600-odd pounds hanging off the hitch:

That's only about one inch of squat.