2000 Suburban...Need advise.

[Royger]

I'm looking to purchase a Suburban. I currently have a 2000 Excursion, I love this truck but my wife says it's too big. Well, it has a 6" lift and 37" tires. She wants something she doesn't have to get a ladder to climb in. We also need more gas mileage to get around. I've heard the Suburban 5.3 can get up to 20 MPG. My question is, is that consistent with all 5.3s or does this happen to a magical few. I guess it would be determined how you drive it and keeping it well tuned up. Also is a Suburban reliable? I've read a lot of forums that point out transmission problems. I've also got to figure in towing. I've got a 29' travel trailer. The 5.3 is rated for 8000 lbs towing. I'm sure it would struggle a bit but I wouldn't be towing that often. If anyone has a Tahoe or Suburban who can tell me how they like there Chevy's or any concerns I should know about it would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

[Royger]

Re: 2000 Suburban...Need advise.

Thanks, for the input.

[CNG MOTORS]

Re: 2000 Suburban...Need advise.

The 5.3L Subs get 13-15 mpg on gas and 15-17 mpg on CNG with the Eco kits. This is HWY not towing though. We have owned 7 Subs and they all range right in there on MPG never had one that got 20 mpg. Unless I was going down hill (big hill)

The 6.0L are great for towing and believe it or not they get about the same mpg, We've owned all 5.3L subs all CNG up until now my wife current Sub is a 6.0L CNG

[RabbitsKin]

Re: 2000 Suburban...Need advise.

I have a '99 Suburban K1500 4x4, which has the older 5.7 liter. Surprisingly, it also gets 15-18 hiway. Could be because it has a 3.55 axle ratio, or just that we keep it tuned up. Ours has been as reliable as can be for a vehicle of this type, 168K miles and going strong, knock on wood. The transmission issues you have heard about are the 4L60, which is an overdrive version of the old TH350, which is a lighter-duty transmission than this truck probably needs. The big block trucks came with the 4L80, which is an outgrowth of the old TH400, which is much heavier duty. We have had our 4L60's fluid flushed every year, but it is only a matter of time. When it gets replaced, it will be with an upgraded unit.

We have a slow leak in the AC system somewhere, and the driver's seat heater quit working. Let's see, I put a fuel pump in it two years ago. That's about all I can think of.

Oh, pay special attention to the brakes if you test drive one of these. The 2000 has four wheel disks, but all 1500-series Suburbans have notoriously poor brakes. Make sure you and your wife can live with it

[Curtis]

Re: 2000 Suburban...Need advise.

Guys, I've moved this over to the GM forum so the real GM experts can find it.