Chevy/GMC Suburban as daily drive

[arm3000gt]

Hi just registered with the forum.

I currently drive a ford explorer, and now I've spend ££ and fixed everything on it I fancy a change (as is the way). I'm looking at my options for my first proper american vehicle. I like dodge rams but a pickup in reality is not as practical in my view as a suburban. I'm looking at 90s versions with petrol engines.
I have no real need for such a vehicle, I just fancy something different. I only tow a smallish caravan to drag racing a few times a year, which is ok in the explorer. I only need the extra space when collecting wood etc a couple of times a year, which I can do with the explorer and small trailer.
Anyone use one as their daily drive? How do they cope with our 'silky smooth' roads? Is parking really that much of an issue if your willing to walk a few extra yards? I would just like to know general day to day issues.

Thanks Andy

[Motorama]

I just sold my 99 GMC Suburban K1500 which I'd used on and off as a daily and tow vehicle for five years, had a gas coversion so running costs ok, parts cheap and easy, 8 seats were often pressed into service for kids parties, weddings and funerals. Great for family holidays as there's room for everything and everybody. Was one of the best vehicles I'd owned

[arm3000gt]

Thanks for your reply, there isn't many posts on uk forums about suburban ownership. But almost everyone seems to agree with what you have said. I only do 8000 or less a year depending on work commitments so fuel economy is not that much of an issue for me. Can I ask why you sold yours and for what sort of price?

[Motorama]

Sold it because I was doing more towing and wanted a heavier truck, have a diesel F250. Sold for around £6k I think, was low milage, only 2 owner and fairly tidy for its age

[arm3000gt]

Thanks for your reply. Hopefully others will post their experiences also.

[hedgefinder]

I had three in a row... a 95 followed by a 97 on LPG and then a 99.
All used daily for work and family duties up until I bought an F150 stepside ~( only due to one coming up cheap that had been sitting at the back of someones house for 3 years!....build quality and components are all much cheaper and nastier on the ford with major rust being an issue that I had never experienced with a suburban)
Although fuel was cheaper on LPG we always found the tank to be too small and only lasted a couple of days and was a pita to travel the extra distance to find an lpg garage..
I had a picture somewhere of my 99 with the seats down with a full pallet of 8x4 plasterboards, about 50 lengths of 3x2 timber and a full bathroom suite ( bathroom - toilet sink and units),tools, table saw etc,tile adhesive etc etc you name it it was in there - the suspension didnt even seem to flicker and it drove the same asit did empty. Also the best tow cars I have ever owned for towing my race car trailer fully loaded.
Make sure you get full leather and 8 seats.
And make sure the 4wd switch is working and fully test all the electrics and keep the gearbox topped and it will probably run forever..
In 6 years I only had one issue on the 99 when the crankshaft sensor failed one morning.

The post 2000 models are slightly nicer inside but not anywhere near as heavy duty as the previous models.
Most parts are cheaper to import directly from the US too than buying in the uk and thats even with customs etc on top - its also usually quicker delivery which I always found odd..


if the length is an issue for could try a Tahoe which is the slightly shorter wheelbase model.

Edited by hedgefinder on Sunday 13th July 07:32

Edited by hedgefinder on Sunday 13th July 07:33

[arm3000gt]

Thanks for you reply hedgefinder.
I was hoping to find a k2500 with 5.7 but they appear to be very rare in the uk so will probably end up with a k1500 I did look at the tahoe but they seem as expensive if not more than the suburban. The 10th gen suburbans seem to carry a much higher price which is out of my budget and what i can justify spending.
I've read about the 4x4 switch issues so would definitely check all was working properly.

[Motorama]

K2500 are heavier duty on the suspension, brakes,trans etc. but the ride suffers a bit, more truck like and they often have lower geared rear ends for towing so the mpg will suffer.

The post 2000 models are nicer inside as said but I've always found them less comfortable on long trips. Tahoes are ok but hard to resell.

[Motorama]

arm3000gt said:

Thanks for you reply hedgefinder.
I was hoping to find a k2500 with 5.7 but they appear to be very rare in the uk so will probably end up with a k1500 I did look at the tahoe but they seem as expensive if not more than the suburban. The 10th gen suburbans seem to carry a much higher price which is out of my budget and what i can justify spending.
I've read about the 4x4 switch issues so would definitely check all was working properly.

I've had a coupe of K1500 with the turbo diesel 6.5 , they pull well with decent mpg on long runs, maybe mid twenties but can suffer head gasket problems over 150k miles.

Tahoes are hard to sell for some reason

I've always found the newer shape Subs, 2000 on, less comfortable despite being nicer looking inside

K2500 will have heavier axles, brakes, suspension etc, likely lower ratio rear gears for towing which might affect mpg

This was mine earning its keep. Had a 100 litre lpg tank gave me circa 250 miles to a fill up. Only drama I had in five years was the fuel pump sticking when I parked it on a slope when low on fuel, moved level and tapped the tank and it started again.

[arm3000gt]

I'd prefer the newer suburban, more power, better economy but too much money.
I guess Tahoes don't sell very easily because they tend to be priced the same as suburbans. Not many people need a huge suv and those that want one given the choice, are not going to go for the smaller version for the same price. There is one on autotrader that has been for sale for near a year.

Great pictures, must be great driving around with that set-up so much nicer than the standard daf type car hauler. Then on the weekend un-hitch and take the family somewhere.

Edited by arm3000gt on Sunday 13th July 12:43

[Matt Harper]

See mine in my profile - bought it new in 2005 5.3 Vortec LT. It has NEVER missed a beat and has had a relatively hard life.
All I have spent on it is on tyres, fuel, oil and filters.
It is indestructible. I can't recommend them highly enough - one of GM's best iterations of "fit for purpose".

[arm3000gt]

Thanks for you input Matt, I like your other cars too mustang is on my wanted list also.

[Total loss]

Motorama said:

I've had a coupe of K1500 with the turbo diesel 6.5 , they pull well with decent mpg on long runs, maybe mid twenties but can suffer head gasket problems over 150k miles.

Tahoes are hard to sell for some reason

I've always found the newer shape Subs, 2000 on, less comfortable despite being nicer looking inside

K2500 will have heavier axles, brakes, suspension etc, likely lower ratio rear gears for towing which might affect mpg

This was mine earning its keep. Had a 100 litre lpg tank gave me circa 250 miles to a fill up. Only drama I had in five years was the fuel pump sticking when I parked it on a slope when low on fuel, moved level and tapped the tank and it started again.

Similar
same chassis, C2500 with 5.7 petrol, high teen's towing, low 20's otherwise, seats 6 with 8ft pick-up bed/de-mountable top.
I have used it as a daily, 70 round trip, parking at the supermarket takes a little forethought, but 2 lenghtways bays does it .
Its a great workhorse.

[arm3000gt]

That looks massive in that street, bet the neighbours love it. No different to parking to a normal modern van though. My works Movano needs two spaces and has the turning circle of a small oil tanker.

[Joshsl]

My step dad is potentialy taking a holden suburban (same as a gmc suburban iirc) in p/x agaisnt his chevy pickup.
The problem is that it is only running on LPG and has had all the petrol side of the fuel system taken so it only runs on LPG out so my question is has anyone ever had one of these running on LPG alone and if so are they reliable running on gas alone.

And also has anyone got any idea on a value of it, is a 1999 5.7 8 seater in black with 110k miles and a small scratch the corner of the bumper?

Thanks
Josh

[Roo]

How the hell does that work?

Every LPG car I've had has always had to start on petrol.

[Motorama]

It's common with Australian stuff to have them only running on LPG, it's much more mainstream out there. I've had a few Ford Falcon pickups that ran solely on LPG with no facility to,run on petrol, they ran great with no problems as such. The only concern I always had was running out as the a lpg isn't as widely available here and you often pull into a garage that's run out

I've always found RHD American vehicles hard to sell, if you're not fussed about resale value or the time it may take to resell it and the RHD a suits you better it may be ok. I always want my American vehicles to be like American vehicles. There may also be some RHD specific part that are hard to get

[Joshsl]

Motorama said:

It's common with Australian stuff to have them only running on LPG, it's much more mainstream out there. I've had a few Ford Falcon pickups that ran solely on LPG with no facility to,run on petrol, they ran great with no problems as such. The only concern I always had was running out as the a lpg isn't as widely available here and you often pull into a garage that's run out

I've always found RHD American vehicles hard to sell, if you're not fussed about resale value or the time it may take to resell it and the RHD a suits you better it may be ok. I always want my American vehicles to be like American vehicles. There may also be some RHD specific part that are hard to get

Thanks for your input

my dad has been tring to sell his gmc c1500 pick up for three years so he is used to waiting around to sell things and atleast this will be abit more wallet friendly when he drives, i can see what you mean about the rhd but it might appeal to some people as they can be put off from driving on the wrong side of the car

im tempted by it myself and hence why i am asking about it i have always had a secret hankering for a big american car after my dad having various ones through out the year. I have also wonderd about running out of fuel how do you go and get some fuel as im guessing you cant just go and fill a green 5 litre jerry can up

[Roo]

Motorama said:

It's common with Australian stuff to have them only running on LPG, it's much more mainstream out there. I've had a few Ford Falcon pickups that ran solely on LPG with no facility to,run on petrol, they ran great with no problems as such. The only concern I always had was running out as the a lpg isn't as widely available here and you often pull into a garage that's run out

Every day is a school day.

Thanks for that.