I just picked up a 2003 GMT800 Yukon XL with the 8.1 and 4.10 gears. 162k miles. Absolute beast and a great family hauler and tow rig. $1k for new LED lights, head unit, backup camera, and tow mirrors and it will out tow and outwork a new SUV that costs 10x more.
Having owned many GMT800s, I can confirm his lack to fear towards taking this truck on long road trips. This rig is more reliable than most new cars, even with 300,000+ miles
yup, i can attest to that. I have owned 4 GMT800s and never had any major problems with them. My dad had a 2003 single cab 4.8L 2wd that he would use for work and got that thing to right around 340k miles! My previous truck was a 2001 2500 6.0 crew cab 4x4, got rid of it at 265k miles, still ran strong
I have pretty much the exact same truck. It's a 2006 Yukon xl 2500 with the 8.1 it's fully loaded and I absolutely love it. Tows our 26ft boat with 6 to 8 people inside and doesn't struggle at all.
We owned 3/4 ton Suburbans from 2000 till 2020. They actually made the 3/4 ton package until 2014 when it ended with GM900 platform. The 2015 and up was only available as a fleet or government package and are extremely rare. The last one we owned was a 2005 that we had converted to diesel using a 2006 LBZ Duramax with the 6 speed Alllison transmission and 10.5" HD Rear Axle. The Diesel made it absolutely the best SUV on the planet. It towed our 38 foot Travel Trailer, took the kids to School and was just a great all around family vehicle. Plus, it was just the coolest rig that everyone asked about when sitting at the Diesel Pump.
My dream Off-Road/Camping/Hunting Rig is a GMT800 with a 6.6 Duramax and a 6 speed (or maybe 10 speed?) Allison, and also Quadrasteer even though I am WELL aware of how much of a pain it can be the system is just like the rest of the truck. ie- Looks/seems complex but the tech is old enough to be robust, but new enough to be luxurious too, and if you can turn a wrench you can be back on your way.
I like these vehicles I can pay cash for them, ins = 30$ a month, plates = 200$. The only risk is the chance of unexpected breakdowns, but with just the cost of tax and registration on a new car, you can pretty much cover any repairs.
@@dayjeremy did I stutter. Preventative maintenance. It will last if you know exactly how it wears out and what commonly breaks down. That’s why it’s good to buy the last model year of a car model once they’re off lease.
Two words: Ike Gauntlet Absolutely awesome SUV. I have a huge GM fan and have a soft spot for these generations of trucks from that era. I currently own a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 with less than 129,000 miles and still runs. Awesome video Tommy and Brenden.
"less than 129k and it still runs"...like that's some surprise to you? God I'd hope it still runs at that mileage. You must not know GMT800s are the best and most reliable trucks ever made. And most of them are over 200k and still going. The 4L60e is the downfall in these. They fail regularly. So be prepared to swap transmissions.
I owned a "GMT800" in Polo Green with a tan leather interior. What a magnificent truck!! It wasn't perfect, but I truly loved it. Probably the most comfortable ride of any of the trucks I've owned (which is many). The owner is right, you just don't get comfy seats like those anymore. All the seats in the newer trucks nowadays are too small and too firm. You notice how slim the center console is in the GMT800? That's to make room for the extra width of those fantastic seats. Still sad I got rid of mine, but it was having transfer case issues and I couldn't afford the repair bill at the time. Just looked online and one exactly like mine (1 owner, less than 60K miles) just sold for $24K. I think people are starting to remember how good these trucks really were and they're starting to command more money for good examples. Also, the Vortec 8100 was a monster. Absolutely loved the effortless power.
I just got home from pulling a camper with my 8.1 suburban. It was my first time really towing anything on the highway at all and I was beyond impressed with it. But it was THIRSTY.
These are great second vehicles for towing. I have 03 Yukon XL 8.1 with 253,000 and the power/torque when compared to a 5.3 is amazing. I tow a 7,500 lb boat and the 5.3 would pull it, but it would barely make it up big hills. The 8.1 should be in every suburban/Yukon xl.
I own a Ram 2500 8.0 V10 so I am familiar with all petrol stations within a 100 mile radius haha. However she has never let me down and she has 120k miles.
I own the 2004 GMC Yukon SLT 1500. It now has over 312,000 miles and still going strong. You're right the seats are plush, l have all the Bells and whistles even adjustable pedals. I've owned it now 18 years. And won't give it up! New ones are Way too expensive. Ridiculous
The 2000-2013 3/4 ton Suburban and Yukon XL had two tanks totaling 39 gallons. The 2016-2019 Suburban HD was for fleet and government use only. Check out a company called DuraBurb; they converted gas Suburbans and Yukon XL to diesel SUVs.
My family had a 2000 model of the 2500 GMC Yukon XL with the 8.1 L V8 and not only did it carry my five siblings and my parents and myself with these but we would tow a trailer behind us when we would go camping And never had a problem climbing mountains it was great. I do remember driving it when I was first learning how to drive and it was pretty easy. Eventually my older siblings moved out and we no longer needed this large SUV but it was great when we had it. I think we average to around 11 mpg something like that. When my parents bought it though gas was like $.95 or a dollar at the time.
@@dayjeremy Where?! LA? NY? Where I grew up in Florida it was less than a dollar until 9/11. After that it never was under $1.00 again and hovered around $1.10-1.20. When the US went into Iraq I remember it went to $1.60 in 2003. So, not sure where you are getting $2.00 unless you lived in a big blue city.
My parents just bought the Suburban version of this for towing a camper they just got. Was one of the better deals on 2500 trucks one could get as of late. Went on a test drive with my dad in one with the 6.0L, and neither of us were as impressed with that as the 8.1 he managed to track down.
I get 16litres per 100 kilometres on my 04 Tahoe stock motor and wheels. Hard to get oem parts for it, have to go after market (some time good and not so good) don’t have much of a choice. A lot of those parts where made in Southern Ontario Canada and I’m pretty sure those seats we have were made in my home town of Kitchener Ontario back in the day. Still holding up🙂
I have a 03 silverado with 8.1 6 speed Allison. Less than 90k miles. 38 gallon fuel tank, average 7.1 mpg whether I'm towing or not. Tows fifth wheel effortlessly, i will own this truck as long as I own the fifth wheel. Seats are like sitting in a lazy boy.
I'm considering a 02 Avalanche 2500 with the 8.1. 135k miles, 4x4, looks very clean. Guy wants 4k for it. Not gonna be using it as a daily, gonna be prepping it as an overland vehicle for a trip up north to snowy mountains. Devouring everything I can find about the 8.1 and the platforms it was used on
Go to your bank and give the man his money!! ...$4000...what a deal. Or wait and get a suburban/yukon XL, you will have all the room you can want and then some left over
The rear seat pass through to the bed makes it more suv like than other trucks. Seems like a neat feature that makes sense for overlanding. I like the way both generation avalanches look. Would be interesting to see an 8.1 swap in a 2nd gen or an Escalade EXT. Supercharged and turbo charged would be the sickness! What an intimidating noise that dino-juice contraption would make!
that clicking is likely a blend door actuator. I have an 05 duramax since new. Over time, the grease for the gear/stepper motor compromises the potentiometer causing the HVAC control module to lose visibility as to the position of the doors; there are modules four... the fresh/recirc is the most difficult to r/r so I replaced this unit and cleaned up the others (2015), the only unit to fail again was the dorman (meidiot) for the recirc door, went back to ACDELCO on that one. If you have a decent scan tool you can go into the hvac module and observe commanded v actual for the counts of each blend door. This dash is a snap to r&r. Other common failure is the stepper motors for the gauges another simple DIY fix as well, steppers are available on Amazon. MN plates made me sad, cannot imagine what the frame looks like.
Can just send out stepper motors. But yeah that blend door actuator might not make that noise if you switch between recirc mode and external. They also have noisy ambient air temp sensors for the auto climate. They look like tweeters in the headliner.
I’ve been trying to tell people about the 8.1, I used to tow skidsters and small backhos with my 3500 flatbed for years, never had any issues and to this day it PULLS HARD. If gm would’ve doubled down on it instead of becoming all pussified it wouldve beat out everything but the diesels. To me this platform is much better suited for dedicated work trucks and vans considering the gas mileage is not justifiable if it’s not actively making you money.
I think this purchase is primarily a prop for videos income. Only 1000 mi of use is the key. Deferred repairs and 8-12 mpg make this impractical for regular use. Hard to believe they still support $5k -$10k purchase prices.
You are exactly right. I got rough one a few years back, and its the epitome of deferred maintence. It would cost more to get it right than its worth, and is impractical to run with the gas mileage. I hardly use it.
I bought one of those (Suburban) back in 2002. I got 3mpg driving up a hill in Encinitas, CA and giggled the whole time it happened. I loved that thing, but eventually got rid of it in 2006. I have regretted it ever since! The only problem I had with it is that the instrument cluster failed at just over 36,000 miles - which the dealer replaced because we always went to them and had all the service done. But it made a sound very similar to that flapping noise before it completely went out.
Never understood why gm wouldn’t put the Allison in the suburban with the 8.1(they did in the pick ups) An extra gear really helps with towing and it puts power down better in town.
I had heard it was because the transmission tunnel, unlike in the pickups which had a larger tunnel specifically for it. Apparently this was the reason the Duramax never went into a Suburban. I don't know how true any of this is, but I'm fairly sure that company that converts them to Duramax has to put a body lift on them to get it all to fit.
@@compactc9 I've also heard the same thing about the transmission tunnel. I believe the 8.1 in the yukons / suburbans also has less power because it's not hooked to an Alison.
The 8.1 litre vortec 496 reigns Supreme by a long stretch compared to anything available today 340 hp and 455 torque at 3200rpm and built to stand the test of time had one in a motorhome a few years back and yes you will have to open wide for fuel especially these days... but the old saying goes you pay to play
I have one for sale In the Dallas/Fort worth area with 155k. Many new parts and rides like a dream. It’s from the Midwest so it does have some rust though but i drove it 18 hours while towing my car here from Wisconsin
I have a '02 burb 3/4 ton 8.1 and I get 11-14 mpg and 8-10 when towing. Yeah it sucks but my '07 burb is gutless and still only gets 13-14 mpg when towing and not as comfortable. 310,000 miles on the '02 and still pulls like a train!
Should only be another week before I can get my 05 Yukon Denali on the road. I want to drive it around a little bit before I submit some pictures and a story into TFL. Great story behind this truck got it for a bargain in possibly one of the lowest mileage GMT 800s in the United States. Cheers
Put electric fans on it if you plane to tow in hot weather. And in traffic keeps ac blowing colder. Way want to put cold air intake. And headers I did on mine got little more power but picked up 3 mpg on the high way towing 28 foot in closed trailer.
@TFLclassics I have a 2003 2500 that ive owned for 2 years and have done a LOT of deferred maintenance and repairs on it and a ton of upgrades along the way. If you want some more info/insight on these, let me know I'd be happy to share! PLEASE do more videos on this, or even a series on it! These have almost NO representation on youtube!
I have a 2010 Chevrolet suburban 2500 LT and it has leather and all the options that the LT had to offer,but I do agree that most of the 2500s were base models
I have a 2004 2500 LT Burb with the 8.1 and 150k. The engine issues up to this point are as follows: -Crankshaft position sensor -Throttle body -Alternator -Evap cannister -Oil pressure sensor -Xfer case seal -Radiator/Thermostat. The 4L80 four speed tranny is what comes with it standard. It is very durable. While the engine issues sound excessive, they truly aren’t. These vehicles are really great. The 8.1 is damn near bulletproof. It will pass almost anything on the highway but a gas station. The power band between 65-85 mph is where the highest torque is registered; right around 3000 revs. If you can find one that isn’t saddled to a rusty jalopy of a frame, grab it. They’re rare and they’re awesome.
I had to replace the hydroboost in my workhorse RV when I got it. I got a yukon hydroboost and split it and married it to the Workhorse bracket. My 2001 8.1L only has 35,000 miles on it.
The GMT-900 (08-14) for the SUVs still had a civilian version available but the K2XX (15-19) were only available for government. I think they should bump up the GVWR to increase tow ratings on some models in the current platforms.
are you guys near boulder? that looks like Valmont power station in the background. Did some work there a few times as a Boilermaker. Also, if so, Switzerland trail is a good easy spot near there.
mine has a 2nd gas tank above the spare i guess its got a fuel pump in it as well ? unless gravity feeds into main coffin size tank ? that noise maybe air door blend actuator motor gears stripped out?
The biggest weak spot to watch for if buying this generation of a GM truck is the A/C condenser or the heater core. When they go bad, replacing them is about a $2,000+ job because the ENTIRE dashboard assembly must be dismantled to get to them. That can easily run into 12+ hours of labor, plus the parts. Aside from the that, they are pretty bulletproof trucks. I've seen a lot of that generation of GM pickup still going strong after 300K miles of hard use. Don't expect good fuel economy, though. Even the 6.0 V8 in the HD pickup was only good for about 15 mpg tops, often down in the 10-13 mpg range.
I found a 2004 Motorhome with the 8.1 with only 18k miles I'm looking to travel the country and live in it. Is this engine worth buying? I'm more of a Ford guy but this 8.1 is really nice.
i have an 02 sierra 2500hd 4x4, long bed, extended cab with the 8.1 and 3.73. It actually sucks to tow with. Hardly able to maintain 60-75 with a 25' tandem axle boat. For a big gass guzzler, its a roach
8.1 cast iron block i believe would be your best choice between the two. besides i think you will have more support regarding aftermarket vs a triton 10. its been a great motor, just needs 4.10 to tow. around town, it hauls ass @@LsdGuy
According to Babvvo and Tebbvo laws, sadly soon all combustion cars and trucks including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Car washs will be forbidden too because they are climate killers, now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime!!!!
How is the ride on these? I’m contemplating getting a suburban or XL of this generation. We have a much newer XL as the main family car my wife drives so this one would just be a second vehicle I can use to haul 4+ kids in since my ext cab 04 Silverado lacks the space.
I just picked up a 2003 GMT800 Yukon XL with the 8.1 and 4.10 gears. 162k miles. Absolute beast and a great family hauler and tow rig. $1k for new LED lights, head unit, backup camera, and tow mirrors and it will out tow and outwork a new SUV that costs 10x more.
how much did you pay for the truck???
@@thechosen5805 $11k. It’s mint, been in Cali it’s whole life.
wow that's awesome. I hope you never get rid of that thing
@@rickbalderas7153 I did 😂
@@epickleuva I hope you made some good profit haha
Having owned many GMT800s, I can confirm his lack to fear towards taking this truck on long road trips. This rig is more reliable than most new cars, even with 300,000+ miles
yup, i can attest to that. I have owned 4 GMT800s and never had any major problems with them. My dad had a 2003 single cab 4.8L 2wd that he would use for work and got that thing to right around 340k miles! My previous truck was a 2001 2500 6.0 crew cab 4x4, got rid of it at 265k miles, still ran strong
I have an 05 Ford Excursion with the 6.8 V-10… also very reliable. Currently have 341k on it and I still get 13mpg highway…😂
371k on my 8.1 2006 2500 Suburban
I have pretty much the exact same truck. It's a 2006 Yukon xl 2500 with the 8.1 it's fully loaded and I absolutely love it. Tows our 26ft boat with 6 to 8 people inside and doesn't struggle at all.
@Ky Christell V 1O! TRITON= 🐯🐯🐯👑👑👑
@Ky Christell V10 or diesel even with the 6.0 diesel most of the known issues can be corrected unlike with the 5.4
8.1 Liter engine damn it’s big a 2500 Sierra gas has the 6.0 liter engine
I have a 1998 Ram 2500 8.0 V10. Love it and has never let me down and always maintained.
@Ky Christell 3v?
That 8.1 Yukon XL has two tanks, total 37gal, 345 hp 455 lb ft torque. If its equipped with the 4.10 rear, it's max towing is 12k.
325hp and 477 torq A* 345hp is in the 6.0 in Escalade. Denali 335hp
Love it. I just picked up a 2001 Suburban 2500 with the 8.1L w/ only 137K miles. Looking forward to a long life with it.
We owned 3/4 ton Suburbans from 2000 till 2020. They actually made the 3/4 ton package until 2014 when it ended with GM900 platform. The 2015 and up was only available as a fleet or government package and are extremely rare. The last one we owned was a 2005 that we had converted to diesel using a 2006 LBZ Duramax with the 6 speed Alllison transmission and 10.5" HD Rear Axle. The Diesel made it absolutely the best SUV on the planet. It towed our 38 foot Travel Trailer, took the kids to School and was just a great all around family vehicle. Plus, it was just the coolest rig that everyone asked about when sitting at the Diesel Pump.
Wow
My dream Off-Road/Camping/Hunting Rig is a GMT800 with a 6.6 Duramax and a 6 speed (or maybe 10 speed?) Allison, and also Quadrasteer even though I am WELL aware of how much of a pain it can be the system is just like the rest of the truck. ie- Looks/seems complex but the tech is old enough to be robust, but new enough to be luxurious too, and if you can turn a wrench you can be back on your way.
I like these vehicles I can pay cash for them, ins = 30$ a month, plates = 200$. The only risk is the chance of unexpected breakdowns, but with just the cost of tax and registration on a new car, you can pretty much cover any repairs.
I agree and have been doing so almost my entire life. Do have a newer vehicle for my long hauls but for work and around town….cheap.
Easy to work on
Alternatively buying a brand new car and keeping it for 40 years the average yearly cost is peanuts and it will last with preventative maintenance.
@@markm0000You're not going to make a brand new car last 40 years. They're not designed to last that long.
@@dayjeremy did I stutter. Preventative maintenance. It will last if you know exactly how it wears out and what commonly breaks down. That’s why it’s good to buy the last model year of a car model once they’re off lease.
Two words: Ike Gauntlet
Absolutely awesome SUV. I have a huge GM fan and have a soft spot for these generations of trucks from that era. I currently own a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 with less than 129,000 miles and still runs. Awesome video Tommy and Brenden.
Mine has over 360,000 on it. I still love it.
"less than 129k and it still runs"...like that's some surprise to you? God I'd hope it still runs at that mileage. You must not know GMT800s are the best and most reliable trucks ever made. And most of them are over 200k and still going. The 4L60e is the downfall in these. They fail regularly. So be prepared to swap transmissions.
@@thagerdorn2009 The 4L60 was only in the 1500s luckily. The 4L80 and up were solid trans actually
@@SkinnySkinch read the original comment that I replied to...on a 1500 avalanche. It has a 4L60e...and some 2500s had 4l60es as well.
I’m glad that you’re driving it. Keep it & driving it. I would take this one over a new one anytime. Love the update, keep’m coming
We have 4 kids, 2 dogs and a 30ft camper to haul. Absolutely love our 02 yukon with the 8.1 family/camper hauler.
I owned a "GMT800" in Polo Green with a tan leather interior. What a magnificent truck!! It wasn't perfect, but I truly loved it. Probably the most comfortable ride of any of the trucks I've owned (which is many). The owner is right, you just don't get comfy seats like those anymore. All the seats in the newer trucks nowadays are too small and too firm. You notice how slim the center console is in the GMT800? That's to make room for the extra width of those fantastic seats. Still sad I got rid of mine, but it was having transfer case issues and I couldn't afford the repair bill at the time. Just looked online and one exactly like mine (1 owner, less than 60K miles) just sold for $24K. I think people are starting to remember how good these trucks really were and they're starting to command more money for good examples. Also, the Vortec 8100 was a monster. Absolutely loved the effortless power.
That makes me miss my 03 Chevy truck. I have had an 03, 15 and now an 18 all purchased new. I definitely agree the 03 had the best seats by far.
I just got home from pulling a camper with my 8.1 suburban. It was my first time really towing anything on the highway at all and I was beyond impressed with it. But it was THIRSTY.
I have one from the factory over 21 years and I will never give up. One from the best from GM. Car for life.😍
I have the 02 2500HD with the 8.1 and Allison, the 8.1 is a very reliable and impressive engine!! Sounds great with true dual straight pipes too!
Your 2002 has a Allison transmission 4x4?
These are great second vehicles for towing.
I have 03 Yukon XL 8.1 with 253,000 and the power/torque when compared to a 5.3 is amazing. I tow a 7,500 lb boat and the 5.3 would pull it, but it would barely make it up big hills. The 8.1 should be in every suburban/Yukon xl.
Brendan is a great addition to Tommy
100% agree, and great addition to the channel. Seeing the Auction stuff is great as well. Want more of that. And flipping the classics
@@jameshalbirt5807 And people in hell want ice water….
Could agree more !
Think he's much better in fact
Who can afford new vehicles now days compared to 10 years ago. I can't. I have 06 Tahoe and 02 accord. Love them both.
Great job showing the well built GMC, I wouldn't be scared to say you could get another 200,000 out of it.
I own a Ram 2500 8.0 V10 so I am familiar with all petrol stations within a 100 mile radius haha. However she has never let me down and she has 120k miles.
I own the 2004 GMC Yukon SLT 1500. It now has over 312,000 miles and still going strong. You're right the seats are plush, l have all the Bells and whistles even adjustable pedals. I've owned it now 18 years. And won't give it up! New ones are Way too expensive. Ridiculous
Brendan is a great addition to the channel!
What a unit, with all the features you need. these 8.1's are built well! Mine has 240k in my Silverado 2500HD pulls hard.
The 2000-2013 3/4 ton Suburban and Yukon XL had two tanks totaling 39 gallons. The 2016-2019 Suburban HD was for fleet and government use only.
Check out a company called DuraBurb; they converted gas Suburbans and Yukon XL to diesel SUVs.
My family had a 2000 model of the 2500 GMC Yukon XL with the 8.1 L V8 and not only did it carry my five siblings and my parents and myself with these but we would tow a trailer behind us when we would go camping And never had a problem climbing mountains it was great. I do remember driving it when I was first learning how to drive and it was pretty easy. Eventually my older siblings moved out and we no longer needed this large SUV but it was great when we had it. I think we average to around 11 mpg something like that. When my parents bought it though gas was like $.95 or a dollar at the time.
Gas was around $2/gallon in 2000.
@@dayjeremy Where?! LA? NY? Where I grew up in Florida it was less than a dollar until 9/11. After that it never was under $1.00 again and hovered around $1.10-1.20. When the US went into Iraq I remember it went to $1.60 in 2003.
So, not sure where you are getting $2.00 unless you lived in a big blue city.
If it had a Duramax diesel from the factory, prices will certainly double
My parents just bought the Suburban version of this for towing a camper they just got. Was one of the better deals on 2500 trucks one could get as of late. Went on a test drive with my dad in one with the 6.0L, and neither of us were as impressed with that as the 8.1 he managed to track down.
Great, reliable, suv, that is in terrific shape. At 300k things are working very well.
I get 16litres per 100 kilometres on my 04 Tahoe stock motor and wheels. Hard to get oem parts for it, have to go after market (some time good and not so good) don’t have much of a choice. A lot of those parts where made in Southern Ontario Canada and I’m pretty sure those seats we have were made in my home town of Kitchener Ontario back in the day. Still holding up🙂
I have a 2003 Avalanche 1500,and i need a steering gear.Bought from redhead,and too much play from day one
I had one of these in high school. It had 3 benches and we definitely crammed more than 9 people in it
That had to be full of memories! My dream car is the 8.1L v8 with 9 seat three bench!
I have a 03 silverado with 8.1 6 speed Allison. Less than 90k miles. 38 gallon fuel tank, average 7.1 mpg whether I'm towing or not. Tows fifth wheel effortlessly, i will own this truck as long as I own the fifth wheel. Seats are like sitting in a lazy boy.
I'm considering a 02 Avalanche 2500 with the 8.1. 135k miles, 4x4, looks very clean. Guy wants 4k for it. Not gonna be using it as a daily, gonna be prepping it as an overland vehicle for a trip up north to snowy mountains. Devouring everything I can find about the 8.1 and the platforms it was used on
Dude, I hope you bought that thing, any update?
Go to your bank and give the man his money!! ...$4000...what a deal. Or wait and get a suburban/yukon XL, you will have all the room you can want and then some left over
Did you end up buying it?
The rear seat pass through to the bed makes it more suv like than other trucks. Seems like a neat feature that makes sense for overlanding. I like the way both generation avalanches look. Would be interesting to see an 8.1 swap in a 2nd gen or an Escalade EXT. Supercharged and turbo charged would be the sickness! What an intimidating noise that dino-juice contraption would make!
Tough to find these in my area. Awesome tow vehicles. I’d like to see you do a tow comparison video with this.
that clicking is likely a blend door actuator. I have an 05 duramax since new. Over time, the grease for the gear/stepper motor compromises the potentiometer causing the HVAC control module to lose visibility as to the position of the doors; there are modules four... the fresh/recirc is the most difficult to r/r so I replaced this unit and cleaned up the others (2015), the only unit to fail again was the dorman (meidiot) for the recirc door, went back to ACDELCO on that one. If you have a decent scan tool you can go into the hvac module and observe commanded v actual for the counts of each blend door. This dash is a snap to r&r. Other common failure is the stepper motors for the gauges another simple DIY fix as well, steppers are available on Amazon. MN plates made me sad, cannot imagine what the frame looks like.
Can just send out stepper motors. But yeah that blend door actuator might not make that noise if you switch between recirc mode and external.
They also have noisy ambient air temp sensors for the auto climate. They look like tweeters in the headliner.
Bought an 04 Avalanche 2500 new. One of the best trucks I ever owned….hands down. Only changed a headlight bulb on it. Towed exceptionally.
I've heard most transmissions on avalanches are bad, what's your opinion since you own the best model of them?
That’s the truck that the feds came in to Bob Lee Swagger’s cabin in the movie “Shooter”.
I’ve been trying to tell people about the 8.1, I used to tow skidsters and small backhos with my 3500 flatbed for years, never had any issues and to this day it PULLS HARD. If gm would’ve doubled down on it instead of becoming all pussified it wouldve beat out everything but the diesels. To me this platform is much better suited for dedicated work trucks and vans considering the gas mileage is not justifiable if it’s not actively making you money.
I got a Yukon XL 1500 in the same color. Great trucks.
I've owned my 01 since 03.
I'd rather spend 20 grand restoring it than getting a new one. With restoration, it'll go another 20 years.
same here -how are steel lines underneath ?
@@brewcrew5854 If you mean brakes, just swapped them in January.
If you're talking frame, it's fine.
They also once offered a 2500 Avalanche. Crazy stuff.
Saw one with a 5th wheel camper in the bed out in Crestone, CO. Not a joke man, cmon you know the thing.
@@mikesweet5848 I have a 2004 avalanche 2500,and just installed a 5 wheel!
I think this purchase is primarily a prop for videos income. Only 1000 mi of use is the key. Deferred repairs and 8-12 mpg make this impractical for regular use.
Hard to believe they still support $5k -$10k purchase prices.
You are exactly right. I got rough one a few years back, and its the epitome of deferred maintence. It would cost more to get it right than its worth, and is impractical to run with the gas mileage. I hardly use it.
I bought one of those (Suburban) back in 2002. I got 3mpg driving up a hill in Encinitas, CA and giggled the whole time it happened. I loved that thing, but eventually got rid of it in 2006. I have regretted it ever since! The only problem I had with it is that the instrument cluster failed at just over 36,000 miles - which the dealer replaced because we always went to them and had all the service done. But it made a sound very similar to that flapping noise before it completely went out.
3mpg? Something was out of tune lmao
@@bldontmatter5319 nah, it was on the instant economy readout as I climbed a steep hill. LoL
Check if you have a leaf stuck in the hvac. I once fixed that sound by taking a leaf out that was stuck right above the cabin filter
Never understood why gm wouldn’t put the Allison in the suburban with the 8.1(they did in the pick ups)
An extra gear really helps with towing and it puts power down better in town.
I had heard it was because the transmission tunnel, unlike in the pickups which had a larger tunnel specifically for it. Apparently this was the reason the Duramax never went into a Suburban. I don't know how true any of this is, but I'm fairly sure that company that converts them to Duramax has to put a body lift on them to get it all to fit.
@@compactc9 I've also heard the same thing about the transmission tunnel. I believe the 8.1 in the yukons / suburbans also has less power because it's not hooked to an Alison.
@@compactc9 that makes sense. I have always wondered why they never put the Dmax in these SUVs to compete with the Ford Excursion.
@@jaredpaskavitch4647 they actually have more because the 4l80 takes less power to turn
@@compactc9 duraburb in Florida. And yes they have to put a small body lift to clear trans
I had a 2001 sierra 2500hd with the 8.1 and ZF 6 speed. I had that thing for 15 years and the only problem I ever had was a bad crank sensor.
I have the same truck. My only problem is belt whine when it cold starts.
This is cool. I own a 2010 Suburban 2500 & I wish it had the 8.1 instead of the 6.0.
The 8.1 litre vortec 496 reigns Supreme by a long stretch compared to anything available today 340 hp and 455 torque at 3200rpm and built to stand the test of time had one in a motorhome a few years back and yes you will have to open wide for fuel especially these days... but the old saying goes you pay to play
There’s a handful of non fleet decked out 2500 burbans and yukon xls from 07-14 and up to 2018 or 19 for the suburban only
I love these SUVs so much
cool truck! i have an 2004 factory ordered 8.1 silverado 3500 srw
I have one for sale In the Dallas/Fort worth area with 155k. Many new parts and rides like a dream. It’s from the Midwest so it does have some rust though but i drove it 18 hours while towing my car here from Wisconsin
With my GMT900 3/4 ton 4X4, it’s not the miles per gallon, but the smiles per gallon that count 😂
😂
I wish you would mention the years of these vehicles!
GMT900 2500 Suburbans/Yukon XLs did exist, but I'm pretty sure only with the 6.0L.
I have a '02 burb 3/4 ton 8.1 and I get 11-14 mpg and 8-10 when towing. Yeah it sucks but my '07 burb is gutless and still only gets 13-14 mpg when towing and not as comfortable. 310,000 miles on the '02 and still pulls like a train!
Should only be another week before I can get my 05 Yukon Denali on the road. I want to drive it around a little bit before I submit some pictures and a story into TFL. Great story behind this truck got it for a bargain in possibly one of the lowest mileage GMT 800s in the United States. Cheers
I have an 06 Yukon Denali. I love it!
We want a series of that beast🔥😍
My RL gets about 11 mpg in town so don't feel bad.
Put electric fans on it if you plane to tow in hot weather. And in traffic keeps ac blowing colder. Way want to put cold air intake. And headers I did on mine got little more power but picked up 3 mpg on the high way towing 28 foot in closed trailer.
@TFLclassics I have a 2003 2500 that ive owned for 2 years and have done a LOT of deferred maintenance and repairs on it and a ton of upgrades along the way. If you want some more info/insight on these, let me know I'd be happy to share!
PLEASE do more videos on this, or even a series on it! These have almost NO representation on youtube!
I have a 2010 Chevrolet suburban 2500 LT and it has leather and all the options that the LT had to offer,but I do agree that most of the 2500s were base models
Love it and actually didnt know or wasn't aware of this beast!!
You can still get a 2500 but you need a fleet account. And the gas tank size is 38.5 gallons. The noise in your dash are the HVAC actuators.
I have a 2004 2500 LT Burb with the 8.1 and 150k. The engine issues up to this point are as follows:
-Crankshaft position sensor
-Throttle body
-Alternator
-Evap cannister
-Oil pressure sensor
-Xfer case seal
-Radiator/Thermostat.
The 4L80 four speed tranny is what comes with it standard. It is very durable. While the engine issues sound excessive, they truly aren’t. These vehicles are really great. The 8.1 is damn near bulletproof. It will pass almost anything on the highway but a gas station. The power band between 65-85 mph is where the highest torque is registered; right around 3000 revs. If you can find one that isn’t saddled to a rusty jalopy of a frame, grab it. They’re rare and they’re awesome.
I had to replace the hydroboost in my workhorse RV when I got it. I got a yukon hydroboost and split it and married it to the Workhorse bracket. My 2001 8.1L only has 35,000 miles on it.
Been looking for one and most are over 200k. I've found them to cost around $6-8k.
In your owners manual it tells you where to order a disc for your navigation unit.
My 02 has 350k. I wouldn't be afraid to drive it to any coast. And I live in IA👍
Oh it's a GMC Yukon XL
The GMT-900 (08-14) for the SUVs still had a civilian version available but the K2XX (15-19) were only available for government. I think they should bump up the GVWR to increase tow ratings on some models in the current platforms.
What year is it? I just bought a 2001 8.1 gmc sierra with 217k and very well maintained. Runs like a dream.
Great Truck!!!!
I got a 2006 Tahoe and it’s more comfortable then my 2013 Silverado my opinion
Nice score Big Steve...💪👍👍
Don't forget there's superchargers for these and recommend watching the turbo 8.1 builds on UA-cam.
are you guys near boulder? that looks like Valmont power station in the background. Did some work there a few times as a Boilermaker. Also, if so, Switzerland trail is a good easy spot near there.
Very nice clean truck
mine has a 2nd gas tank above the spare i guess its got a fuel pump in it as well ? unless gravity feeds into main coffin size tank ? that noise maybe air door blend actuator motor gears stripped out?
I do like it, sucks the gas but will tow anything
Great overview, any idea where I might source them original GMC rim caps?
Oil pressure looking a little low there. Love GMT800s
i saw some of those with quadrasteer. similar to my 2003 chevy tahoe.
The biggest weak spot to watch for if buying this generation of a GM truck is the A/C condenser or the heater core. When they go bad, replacing them is about a $2,000+ job because the ENTIRE dashboard assembly must be dismantled to get to them. That can easily run into 12+ hours of labor, plus the parts. Aside from the that, they are pretty bulletproof trucks. I've seen a lot of that generation of GM pickup still going strong after 300K miles of hard use. Don't expect good fuel economy, though. Even the 6.0 V8 in the HD pickup was only good for about 15 mpg tops, often down in the 10-13 mpg range.
It's easier to cut an access panel to get to the heater core
I've done it twice now on 2 different trucks. It sucks.
@permanentvacation2406 you aren't cutting an access panel on these. You can pull the dash in about a day or 2.
I have a 2003 Suburban 2500 LT 4x4 with a 6.0L. 158,000 miles. Bought a 2022 Tahoe for the wife. I prefer the 'Ol Sub.
Is awesome. I have 02 Yukon XL 4X4 1500 has 236000 miles and still ran like champ.
I found a 2004 Motorhome with the 8.1 with only 18k miles I'm looking to travel the country and live in it. Is this engine worth buying? I'm more of a Ford guy but this 8.1 is really nice.
Got an 04' Silverado 1500 cateye 4.8liter V8 4l60e 243,3xx miles bought it july2020 with 186k it's my daily drive the piss out of it
Needa a fan clutch. And it'll free up a few ponies. Maybe an mpg, too.
The 3:73 gears don't give you all that high Rev fan noise and is faster on the hills.
Just carry an extra fuel pump, crank position sensor and a spare alternator.
i have an 02 sierra 2500hd 4x4, long bed, extended cab with the 8.1 and 3.73. It actually sucks to tow with. Hardly able to maintain 60-75 with a 25' tandem axle boat. For a big gass guzzler, its a roach
That’s good to know I’m split between a V10 Excursion and a 8.1 Chevy
8.1 cast iron block i believe would be your best choice between the two. besides i think you will have more support regarding aftermarket vs a triton 10. its been a great motor, just needs 4.10 to tow. around town, it hauls ass
@@LsdGuy
According to Babvvo and Tebbvo laws, sadly soon all combustion cars and trucks including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-(
In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025
on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Car washs will be forbidden too because they are climate killers, now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime!!!!
I want one of these so bad.
That's an Awesome truck!! 8.1... So that's a 454 cu in motor? Nice truck!!
494 actually.
496cu in
496
454 is 7.4 litres.
@@WheresHerb Thanks!!
worrying about the noise behind the dash in the heater? id be more worried about that HUGE crack in the windscreen!
Best suv ever built ....
Did I miss what year this Yukon XL was?
How is the ride on these? I’m contemplating getting a suburban or XL of this generation. We have a much newer XL as the main family car my wife drives so this one would just be a second vehicle I can use to haul 4+ kids in since my ext cab 04 Silverado lacks the space.
A little stiff. I think they ride better than the 1500s of the era, which are floaty. The steering feel is well judged.
I’m guessing I’m a little late for the Overland Expo?
Put it in tow mode with overdrive off then smash the throttle.