Suburban
#61
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Actually the exact same vehicle we have right now except it has steel wheels and barn doors. Same color, gears, interior, running boards, 9 passenger ... everything!
Let us know how it turns out Sam, good luck.
Brian
#62
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The prices are skyrocketing because nowadays, 80% of the new rigs are Tahoes, and Soccer Mom rigs with 2wd, or without transfer cases or towing packages, let alone 2500's... Now that pretty much all of the SUV's are fully loaded, $50K plus, the guys who actually worked them have moved on to crew cab diesels for the same coin.
When my wife and I were SUV shopping, she decided on a Tahoe (I was fighting for a Burb), we only wanted an LS, but finding one with 4WD, and the towing package (which includes deeper gears and a real transfer case) was impossible so we had to bring one in from out of state after searching the entire southwest. The Suburbans were even harder to find, and the 2500's were non-existant. I think most of the enthusiasts who buy them keep them forever now.
When my wife and I were SUV shopping, she decided on a Tahoe (I was fighting for a Burb), we only wanted an LS, but finding one with 4WD, and the towing package (which includes deeper gears and a real transfer case) was impossible so we had to bring one in from out of state after searching the entire southwest. The Suburbans were even harder to find, and the 2500's were non-existant. I think most of the enthusiasts who buy them keep them forever now.
#63
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What difference are you referring to when switching between 2wd and 4wd?
I'm sure you're calculating fuel and maintianence into the equation. Even though Suburbans can last for a long time, you still will have maintainence. We have a 2009 Suburban and just added a 2013 Ford F150. The monthly fuel costs for those two vehicles can get expensive. In our case, we travel a lot and have three kids, so are options are somewhat limited.
I'm sure you're calculating fuel and maintianence into the equation. Even though Suburbans can last for a long time, you still will have maintainence. We have a 2009 Suburban and just added a 2013 Ford F150. The monthly fuel costs for those two vehicles can get expensive. In our case, we travel a lot and have three kids, so are options are somewhat limited.
And yes of course. Fuel will be crazy, but my parents are willing to pitch in. As far as maintenance, I am interested in learning myself
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#64
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unless you need the third row seating, why not just get a 4door truck with a cap. heck of a lot cheaper, and probably more fuel effecient
Last edited by soldier4402; 11-27-2012 at 06:50 AM.
#65
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When my wife and I travel we take the truck and leave the Tahoe at home!!!
#67
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I have a 96 Suburban that I use to pull our 3500 pound boat and it does very well. It has 250,000 miles on it and still runs very strong. On a trip to Florida last week (from Iowa), I got about 18 mpg driving 65 to 85 mph, loaded with lots of stuff. It has the 5.7 with auto/overdrive transmission, has the third seat, and it is 4 wheel drive. The body is still very good on it also. I paid $2300 for it. I get about 12 mpg when pulling the boat.
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Agreed. We have both a 2009 Suburban and a 2013 F150 Super Crew. We take the F150 on road trips when it's my wife, three kids and myself. The second row in the F150 is huge. We only use the Suburban when we have more than 5 people. Obviously you will not be able to get a Super Crew for your price range, but maybe look at some older four door trucks.
#69
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Just made the deal on a '97 Suburban 1500! I will get my own pictures when I pick it up either tomorrow or on the weekend! Needs some things, but it will be taken care of. I need to get myself a '97 Suburban guide-book so I can learn how to make minor repairs.
Here is a picture from the Ad:
Here is a picture from the Ad:
![Suburban-truck.jpg](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/attachments/trucks-trailers-transportation/487799d1496222864t-suburban-truck.jpg)
Last edited by CigaretteSam; 11-29-2012 at 06:21 PM.
#70
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Not sure about that year, but there were several years that GM had a problem with the transmissions. I am not a transmission mechanic by any stretch of the imagination but I have a friend that is. I will try to explain the problem the best I can. In the valve body there is a steel plate, with holes in it, which is sandwiched between the two halves. Some of the holes just have fluid flowing through them others have steel balls that get push against them to divert or stop the flow of transmission fluid when the transmission shifts. Every time the transmission shifts and a steel ball hits that plate it makes the hole a little bigger. Eventually one of the holes will get too big and one of the balls will get stuck in the plate. This will make the transmission try to go into two different gears at the same time, or will mess with the torque converter going in and out of locking up. One was a 96 Impala SS with a 350, the other was a 03 S-10. They have the same transmission as your Suburban. The Impala had 120,000 when it started with a check engine light and would not go into lock-up. I bought the S-10 with just over 100,000 on it and had it checked, it was heading in the same direction. My buddy put aftermarket plates and changed the shift solinoids while he was in there. Cost me about $200 each time. Sold both with over 200,000 on the original tranny and I towed and drove both of them very hard.