2001 Chevy Suburban 2500 Review - The 8.1L V8 Mountain-Mover!

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  • Опубліковано 29 сер 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 114

  • @reallyrandomrides1296
    @reallyrandomrides1296 2 роки тому +64

    I think this was the best generation of Suburbans. Capable, fairly reliable and in particular with the 2500 models like this one, excellent towing capacity. I know these were hard to get, new or used, and many owners of larger travel trailers liked them because they could tow their trailer and take their entire family (especially if it's 6+ people), the dog and camping supplies. A 3/4 or 1 ton pickup could tow, but didn't have the seating capacity and interior space.

    • @alkarim5890
      @alkarim5890 2 роки тому +3

      The rust is what makes many people walk out from them ! Break lines rust , frame rust, fuel lines rust ……

    • @logan9758
      @logan9758 2 роки тому +7

      @@alkarim5890 the 2000-2006 Chevy suburbans and Silverados and the GMC twins had far better build quality than the 2007-2013 models

    • @alkarim5890
      @alkarim5890 2 роки тому

      @@logan9758 yes but what about uncoated break lines and the frame /undercarriage very thin coating layer !

    • @OhPhuckYou
      @OhPhuckYou Рік тому +8

      I'd argue that these are far more than fairly reliable. These are on the top 10 list of most vehicles still registered with over 250K miles. The only real weak spot is the trans, but even then they're not the worse. I'm a Ford guy, but I can't fault these Chevys and GMCs.

    • @bornvillain6819
      @bornvillain6819 Рік тому +3

      @@alkarim5890
      Me in California: "what's rust?" 🤨

  • @sbnsbaker1
    @sbnsbaker1 Рік тому +7

    Bought my 2001 suburban 8.1 in 2002 with 8900 miles on a lease return. She now has 306,000+ miles on her and purrs like a kitten!!! I love this vehicle !!!!!!!

  • @fordmuscleluis9710
    @fordmuscleluis9710 2 роки тому +29

    Awesome 9th generation Suburban with the big block 8.1 Liter V8 also the barn doors are very desirable

    • @GMCJay_lly
      @GMCJay_lly 2 роки тому

      Barn doors baby!!!

    • @guitarismike9
      @guitarismike9 2 роки тому +2

      I’ve got the 6.0 2500 with the barn doors and everyone talks about how they want the barn doors. I guess I’m the oddball with wanting the lift gate. Seems more practical unless you’re trying to use a fork lift to throw some stuff in the back of the suburban.

    • @topfell8277
      @topfell8277 2 місяці тому

      I have the z-71 barn door burb

  • @YouDontWannaFightMe
    @YouDontWannaFightMe 2 роки тому +38

    GM really hit their peak in the early to mid 2000s in terms of innovations. They gave everything the SS treatment, innovated in their truck department (especially Quadrasteer and the Avalanche as well), and came out with weird stuff like the SSR. Now most of what they sell is boring and cookie cutter.

  • @bwofficial1776
    @bwofficial1776 2 роки тому +29

    My grandfather had a fully-optioned beater 2003 Tahoe with the 5.3L V8 that he used as a plow truck. It was similarly optioned to this one and it was the most comfortable vehicle I've ever been in. The Autoride air suspension was smooth and the seats were thickly padded ultra-soft leather armchairs. It was also the most terrifying vehicle I've ever driven, being massive, poorly maintained, and full of GM's bad quality choices. It got 13MPG on a good day, the best I ever hypermiled it to was 17MPG. Some other family members still have a 2wd 1500 5.3L Suburban just like this one for road trips. As long as you keep it rust free it'll run forever. The engine is simple and the plastics are cheap but durable.

    • @bngr_bngr
      @bngr_bngr 2 роки тому +3

      That’s great MPG given the specs.

    • @dewal5772
      @dewal5772 2 роки тому +2

      I've got two suburbans, one 2 wheel drive with 400k miles that ones a 2003 and I got another about 6 months back it's a 2000 4x4 ls with 316k miles and the previous owner had the motor overhauled 20k miles ago my guess is it gave out because of the extra weight and he used to tow more I've been looking to get a 496 motor through a reputable dealer with low miles although I've only been able to find a good one in Canada and iam from South texas so it's not worth it

  • @sebz7248
    @sebz7248 2 роки тому +14

    Man I still really love the front end of this generation Tahoe/Suburban and Silverado’s plus they run forever

    • @42luke93
      @42luke93 2 роки тому

      Same. The generation after got too blobby for my taste. Kind of like the Buick Park Avenue 1995 vs 2000 in styling if you know what I mean.

    • @sebz7248
      @sebz7248 2 роки тому +2

      @@42luke93 I think the styling is the perfect balance of Square but a little bit bubbly. Not too bubbly just the right amount

    • @dewal5772
      @dewal5772 2 роки тому +1

      Aren't they considered classic? This body style?

    • @GMCJay_lly
      @GMCJay_lly 2 роки тому

      @@dewal5772 nbs

    • @alphaares6027
      @alphaares6027 2 роки тому +1

      @@sebz7248 IDK about y'all but the Gen after this classic Gen was the better one for me not only because of the boxy bubbly shape but because it looked so much poppin and more big aggressive looking ready to take on the Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia and more.

  • @Pharto_Stinkus
    @Pharto_Stinkus 3 місяці тому +2

    I own 3 GM vehicles from this generation: A 2005 Suburban 2500 (8.1), a 2002 Silverado 1500, and - the crown jewel - a 2004 Hummer H2 Luxury package. I bought the Suburban with 110k miles (it currently has 210k), the Silverado with 137k (it currently has 179k), and the Hummer with 53k (it currently has 79k). I daily drive all three, and have done many long-distance road trips and family outings in both the Suburban and the Hummer. I occasionally tow with all three (nothing very heavy), and have done a fair amount of light off-roading with the Suburban and the Hummer. These three vehicles have proven to be the toughest, and most reliable vehicles I have ever owned by FAR, in my total 35-ish years of vehicle ownership. In the case of the Suburban, also the most versatile and useful. GM really knocked it out of the park in the early 2000's.

  • @blackcatback3779
    @blackcatback3779 2 роки тому +18

    I would love the opportunity to experience a 8.1L v8 one day

  • @GMCJay_lly
    @GMCJay_lly 2 роки тому +6

    2500 8.1 4x4 LT barn door burb. Very Desirable Classic. Beautiful!

  • @sonofthunder11
    @sonofthunder11 Рік тому +5

    I still drive one of these thirsty girls!😁 She has almost 500K miles on the original engine, 2nd tyranny, 4th alternator, 2nd A/C compressor and I have lost track of all the other little things. LOL I have been offered BIG $$$ for it and my answer is NO! I will likely be buried in her.🤣🤣
    She has towed and hauled some mighty loads and once even towed a fully loaded semi up a slight upsloped off-ramp. My kids were young at the time but still tell that story! Many great adventures and outings; miles and miles around the scenic Pacific Northwest.

  • @marcelluscoleman2988
    @marcelluscoleman2988 2 роки тому +5

    Everyone had this car.. EVERYONE. If not this, the Expedition/Navigator was everywhere

  • @SURENITY
    @SURENITY 2 роки тому +6

    I love the 2500 Suburban! Especially this generation!
    As a pretentious kid (I used to hate these. (The 90’s ones.) I always loved the later models.
    My neighbor had one (1994) parked in our upscale North Dallas neighborhood.
    My dad called it a riff-raft box on wheels.
    With dad who drives a Range Rover Autobiography, a mom with a B9 Audi S4, and an Acura MDX Tech as my for first car.
    (Now have 2 of them. My own custom babies.)
    I used to hate these.
    Because I was taught to hate them.
    But after a good friend bought a 2500, and took me on a road trip to Austin; I now love them!
    They are reliable, well built American 🇺🇸 tanks!
    I now appreciate them very much! I want one, especially if I need something to tow with.
    (Here is the moral of the story.)
    Something that my parents never learned.
    But I did after 21 years of life.
    If you become wise, pretentiousness is a phase.
    Enjoy what you enjoy.
    You do you!
    Even if it is “riff raff” to the snobs!
    That makes it even cooler! 😆

    • @LesabreSuper
      @LesabreSuper 8 місяців тому +1

      I wish more car people were like you and could get past that phase

  • @clockbuilderhg
    @clockbuilderhg Рік тому +4

    Gotta love these tanks! You can't beat those big soft leather seats. They cuddle you quite nicely and make you want to kill some miles! There is a reason so many of them have been loved to death. Those front seats are out of a 03- 06 Escalade, but the rears are original to the Suburban.

  • @joshnelson6255
    @joshnelson6255 2 роки тому +3

    Owned an 02 Avalanche 2500 4x4 with the 8100. Same chassis as the Suburban in this video. It was the best GM Truck I've owned to date.

  • @barnyard9058
    @barnyard9058 2 роки тому +3

    One of my good buddies has one of these we've regularly hauled amounts of scrap metal that weighed in over the stated Max towing capacity in a dump trailer with zero issues.

  • @ShamuAquatics
    @ShamuAquatics 2 роки тому +15

    When Chevy still made good vehicles.

    • @manpan4693
      @manpan4693 2 місяці тому

      they still do 🤦‍♂️

    • @ShamuAquatics
      @ShamuAquatics 2 місяці тому

      @@manpan4693 yea if you buy one of their $100,000 diesel Silverado 2500s or GMC Sierra 2500s

  • @remus4574
    @remus4574 2 роки тому +5

    You are seriously killin it with the uploads. Keep up the great work👍🏼

  • @dave11686
    @dave11686 2 роки тому +7

    My dad had an 8.1 work truck. Thing drank though

  • @SteveUTubesucks
    @SteveUTubesucks 2 роки тому +3

    Slight correction: this truck has a 4L80e (MT1 RPO code). GM didn't introduce the 4L85E (MN8 RPO code) until 2002 for 2003+ model years.

  • @ShamuAquatics
    @ShamuAquatics 2 роки тому +9

    This makes me miss the 2004 Suburban that I practiced driving and passed my driving test in. My dad let me drive it to school and all over hell and back with my friends every day until I got my own car. Only thing I don’t miss is the horrible gas mileage

    • @codkiller2025
      @codkiller2025 2 роки тому +3

      You did your driving test in a whole ass postal code? What a mad man lol

  • @richfarfugnuven6308
    @richfarfugnuven6308 Рік тому +3

    I had an '02 with the 5.3L(1/2 ton), still kick kyself for selling it to my neighbor. Him and his brother were still driving it well over 300K last time I checked...

  • @bradleymeyer9775
    @bradleymeyer9775 2 роки тому +3

    I love how it has barn doors.

  • @ludovicleroux9190
    @ludovicleroux9190 2 роки тому +2

    This is the largest displacement video I ever seen. Love it & thumb up.

  • @CHEECHMUN
    @CHEECHMUN Рік тому +2

    My LT does not have the Autoride. One outlet is for the cigarette lighter. Mine has a TV screen. Had a VCR & DVD. I'll never ever sell it!!!!

  • @WhyDoIDriveAMustang
    @WhyDoIDriveAMustang 2 роки тому +4

    This thing is a monster

  • @jdmandsuch6739
    @jdmandsuch6739 2 роки тому +3

    Zach the market on these has been rising, especially the barn door... Fun fact I work at a part store and I have to constantly highlight this category... Yet I rarely get suburbans.

  • @billborden995
    @billborden995 2 роки тому +1

    I have a 2005 8.1 Chev Suburban that I purchased new with a 4.10 rear end. It's a beast that tows my 10,000 lb boat. I have a new HD Chev truck ordered but who knows when that will arrive with the current shortages.

  • @rv9990
    @rv9990 2 роки тому +8

    An 8.1 liter V8 is unknown here in Europe. Damn.

    • @GF-mf7ml
      @GF-mf7ml 2 роки тому

      The road tax in some other country can buy brand new car.

  • @t.l.robinson2162
    @t.l.robinson2162 Рік тому +1

    I have a 2006 GMC Yukon XL with the 8.1. It tows whatever I hook it to.

  • @edan7813
    @edan7813 8 місяців тому +1

    I wish that the Suburban 2500 had the same trans as the Silverados equipped with the 8.1 did, those had the Allison 1000 5 Spd (prior to 2006) and later on the Allison 1000 6 Spd (2006 and 2007 classic)

  • @KNIGHTMARE922
    @KNIGHTMARE922 2 роки тому +1

    Makes me love my rare 2002 avalanche 2500 2wd which apparently is crazy rare especially with only 136k

  • @SketchyJrod
    @SketchyJrod Рік тому +1

    I love suburbans, owned a 97 k1500 and a 96 c2500. Looking to get a suburban of this gen someday. Also holy shit i loved the brookfield zoo as a kid, i actually have an uncle who lives 5 min from there, i had no idea you lived in IL lol

  • @GMCJay_lly
    @GMCJay_lly 2 роки тому +3

    I love the gmt800 platform. I have a 2005 Duramax and Curreny looking for a QuadraSteer.

  • @jeladsnikpoh1289
    @jeladsnikpoh1289 6 місяців тому

    The 8100 'Burb actually has a 12,500lb towing capacity (with 4.10 gears), making it the highest towing capacity of any SUV ever. Thats 2,500lb more than a diesel Excursion! I have a 30ft Class A motorhome with the 8100, and it'll do 70+ up ANY hill.

  • @alexfonseca1000
    @alexfonseca1000 2 роки тому +3

    this review was funny and very informative, espeicially the rotisserie chicken unit of measurement

  • @wintermetalhd
    @wintermetalhd Рік тому +1

    Why would you think it would have a 4l60e? I believe the only SUV/truck platform GM ever used that on was the 1/2 ton. I believe all 3/4 ton SUV's had the 4l80e. Unfortunately GM was unable or unwilling to cram the Allison 1000 inbetween the frame and the body of the suburbans.

  • @dterik
    @dterik Рік тому

    Bought one for 3500$ in 2021 with 210k miles. Pulling my 31ft travel trailer. Love that the payload goes up to 2800 lbs! Had a 6.0L Denali 2003 with the 4l60e and it struggled pulling my trailer.

  • @thirdpedalnirvana
    @thirdpedalnirvana 2 роки тому +4

    I bet the problem in your friends Silverado is the gauge cluster thinks 4x4 low range is engaged when it isn’t. That’s why it thinks you’re going so fast.

    • @ShootingCars
      @ShootingCars  2 роки тому +1

      A possibility on others, but that’s not the case with his. It said we were doing 45 while stopped, the battery voltage fought the fuel level, and sometimes the speedometer didn’t work at all.

  • @bradleymeyer9775
    @bradleymeyer9775 2 роки тому +2

    It’s also a barn door Suburban, that’s rare, I don’t see many of those. One time I saw a Suburban 2500 with quadrasteer.

  • @adammore2653
    @adammore2653 7 місяців тому

    Nice video. I have the same truck, color and all. I put some larger A/T tires on it and deleted the autoride for some Bilstein shocks with resistors inline to override the autoride warning lights. Great trucks. I get 10 mpg towing a large camper and max out at 13mpg doing 80 on the highway. Strange how there's such a little drop in mpg between towing and not towing. I won't sell mine. They don't make them like this anymore.

  • @OhPhuckYou
    @OhPhuckYou Рік тому +1

    I'd rather have this or a 7.3 Excursion over a ultra fast and expensive exotic. I just love these asininely huge and thirsty SUVs. They're comical to drive like a tweaker in a 90's Civic. I'll always pay homage to my 04 Expedition Eddie Bauer that I dumped 338K trouble free miles on.

  • @ShamuAquatics
    @ShamuAquatics 2 роки тому +3

    Finally !

  • @garrettraakman6465
    @garrettraakman6465 2 роки тому +2

    What a tank! I have been excited to see this one! Are you doing that Navigator tomorrow?

  • @darthdarthbinkss
    @darthdarthbinkss 2 роки тому +3

    When I was around 3-5 years old, my dad had a green Silverado from this time period with the 8.1 in it. I don't remember much of it other than he got rid of it for a Ram 3500 in 2005-2006 a couple years before the gas prices went through the roof. I'd imagine it's still driving around somewhere though, these things are freaking tanks.

  • @derveallcastillo1075
    @derveallcastillo1075 Рік тому

    I have one of these now with 155k. This thing is a beast but I barely drive it because of the gas mileage lol it’s for sale in Dallas\ FortWorth area if anyone is looking. The vehicle is from the Midwest though and it does have some rust but I drove it gear 18 hrs from Wisconsin while towing my car with the truck as well. This thing is a monster 🙌🏽

  • @jimmcginley2786
    @jimmcginley2786 Рік тому

    I believe the barn door setup is the base setup, less prone to failure compared to the lift gate.

    • @peacemaker9807
      @peacemaker9807 Рік тому

      Left side contacts can fail for rear electronics. Like your lights. And last I checked that side is dealer only or a junkyard. Happened to my mom after about 10 years

  • @CHEECHMUN
    @CHEECHMUN Рік тому +1

    12,500lbs. with the 410 rear.

  • @kwasia4882
    @kwasia4882 2 роки тому +3

    Had the Tahoe of that same, and thought that was big, but this is humungous. They had a good, not great, level of build quality then.

  • @americanmambi
    @americanmambi Рік тому +5

    In 20yrs we haven't just lost towing capacity but we have also lost our Menhood, our balls, our testosterone, our guns, our freedoms, our cities, our borders and our families...

    • @OhPhuckYou
      @OhPhuckYou Рік тому +2

      I'd argue that we lost our cities about 50 years ago. Our cities were the most dangerous during the 80's, but they're almost as horrible now. I sure as shit ain't lost my freedom's or guns. I ran a liquor store during the peak of the Plandimic, and told the city to go fuck their mask mandate since they couldn't enforce it. My customers loved it, and I love being a free and heavily armed American. Laws only work when people pay attention to them.

    • @HemiChrysler
      @HemiChrysler 6 місяців тому

      Guns Privately owned in USA :
      2004 : approx. 218,000,000
      2024 : approx. 393,000,000
      A lot of guns were sold during the pandemic.
      Cities :
      Statistically, urban violent crime peaked in 1991. Different studies may report a different peak year for violent crime, but they all show a crime bulge from the early 70s to the early 90s. Cities have not become less safe since 2004, and all studies show steady improvement from around 1997 onward.
      Manhood :
      You must speak/write only for yourself. It's not our place to judge others, except by jury.
      Testosterone :
      If you're taking T, your body's ability to naturally produce it will decline. Unless you have a really low T score, I advise against it.
      Families :
      I don't understand. Do you mean divorce statistics ?

    • @BillLaBrie
      @BillLaBrie 2 місяці тому

      We have more guns than people.

  • @wisenber
    @wisenber 7 місяців тому

    My 2001 Suburban manual says it has a 12,500 towing capacity.
    The mpg was only a couple of miles lower than my 1999 K1500.

  • @JoshiJosho-mf8oi
    @JoshiJosho-mf8oi 11 місяців тому +1

    Install some good push bars that's the perfect zombie apocalypse suv. 👍

  • @brantisonfire
    @brantisonfire Рік тому

    The cubby under the tape player is where a cd deck would go. My friend had a 96 Z71 and the cd player mechanism was way down there nowhere close to the head unit.

  • @brewcrew5854
    @brewcrew5854 4 місяці тому

    depending on where u live - steel brakes lines !

  • @thomasthompson2084
    @thomasthompson2084 8 місяців тому

    I have 2 99 suburbans 1 1500 and 1 2500 with a 5.7 and a 7.4 they get almost the same fuel mileage during road trips but my 2500 is a beast and will pull anything and I have the 4l80e transmission in it not the 4l85

  • @tonynimmons111
    @tonynimmons111 Місяць тому

    I’m seriously thinking about buying one to move cars with. I’m worried about buying one up north because of rust to the frame.

  • @codkiller2025
    @codkiller2025 2 роки тому +1

    Love seeing the Duramax killer in a suburban. I don't know why it sounds so weird to me

  • @SGTNinja-ee6rw
    @SGTNinja-ee6rw 2 роки тому +3

    Next you should try to find a "quadrasteer" model. Pretty rare truck. But the 8.1 in these 2500s are awsome

  • @grimreaper5521
    @grimreaper5521 2 роки тому +1

    My uncle had one but black paint but same interior color as this one

  • @youngestson65
    @youngestson65 2 роки тому +1

    Great truck.

  • @42luke93
    @42luke93 2 роки тому +3

    Depressed the new ones aren’t the same and with reliability too.

  • @JDMintegraVTEC
    @JDMintegraVTEC Рік тому +1

    Actually, not air suspension. Just electronically damped shocks.

    • @BillLaBrie
      @BillLaBrie 2 місяці тому

      You’re thinking of magnaride. Autoride was automatic load-leveling with an onboard air compressor.

  • @oblivion._.8294
    @oblivion._.8294 2 роки тому

    The only difference for the seats is the cadillac ones we're perforated.

  • @denvera1g1
    @denvera1g1 2 роки тому +1

    Its sad that a 2001 OHV V8 is worse than a 1970 OHV V8, in a front wheel drive car
    The 1970 Cadillac Eldorado had an 8.2L V8 that made 400HP and 550lb*ft of torque

    • @12masterr
      @12masterr Рік тому +2

      Not really, hp numbers in that times were calculated differently, they were "sae" numbers, not net,as now, so in reality the cadillac probably have something around 330 hp,or less.

    • @merrittmcdowell8675
      @merrittmcdowell8675 Рік тому +2

      They also didn't have to pass emissions and fall in spec with efficiency.

  • @alexcortez3357
    @alexcortez3357 4 місяці тому

    no they 4l60 and 4l80 are two completely different animals. the 4l85 is just str8 cut gear version of the '80e

  • @merrittmcdowell8675
    @merrittmcdowell8675 Рік тому

    Did they offer the allison in the suburban like they did in the trucks?

  • @csh000
    @csh000 8 місяців тому

    Calling the 2500 a beefy workhorse trim of the Suburban is funny. The 1500 and 2500 are different vehicles. Just look at the Silverado "trims".

  • @samuelhelderman
    @samuelhelderman 2 роки тому +1

    I just looked up 8.1 liter suburbans near me. $18k, yikes.

  • @samsquires2877
    @samsquires2877 Рік тому

    03-06 clusters were the problem childs not 99-02. Aftermarket radios in these are garbage compared to the factory unit.

  • @Dankcatvacs
    @Dankcatvacs 2 роки тому +1

    BBC?!!

  • @agoodballet
    @agoodballet Рік тому

    I would actually say the head rest is all that’s used out of the Escalade seats.

  • @mromatic17
    @mromatic17 2 роки тому

    Anything with that much weight and engine needs at least 2 overdrive gears!

  • @skazariants
    @skazariants Рік тому

    2.0 l diesel engine can tow 10 000 pounds!

    • @YENKOGT
      @YENKOGT 5 місяців тому

      Wich one?
      I own a lot of diesel pickup trucks. , dmax , rangers, f250, f350, 3500 etc etc , my 3.2 td ranger can do like 6k or 7k tops, what car with a 2.0 can tow 10k?

  • @miket2172
    @miket2172 2 роки тому

    4l85 is 10x better than the 60

  • @mromatic17
    @mromatic17 2 роки тому

    It’s an FBI mobile

  • @marcelonator
    @marcelonator 2 роки тому +4

    The needles are democrats they tell you misinformation 😂

  • @mustasheolll2020
    @mustasheolll2020 2 роки тому

    90s car lmao