Need to replace my Suburban: soliciting opinions

[otto_kretschmer]

I have a 93 4WD 3/4 ton GMC Suburban. I need a vehicle to tow a car trailer and make Home Despot runs, and go on scuba diving in Mexico every once in a while.

The truck has 260k miles on it. I replaced the transmission 12 years ago. Reverse died on that tranny. The current transmission, a GMC rebuild with only 38k miles on it now won't shift into 4th gear (OD). The truck has a transmission cooler.

This problem started a year ago. I use the truck mostly for short runs so I was able to live with it.

I was hoping the problem was something simple like a vacuum leak or a bad solenoid valve but after driving on the freeway today on a warm spring day going up a grade, I'm convinced I need a new tranny. I'm going to be moving to Arizona soon so I need a reliable truck to haul all my stuff.

So my options are:

Fix the truck- new transmission and 5 new tires. The tires are 9 years old and one started delaminating today. I got home on the spare and it just got me home when it died too. The spare was probably original.

Donate the truck and replace it with another used truck.

My Suburban is a bit of an eyesore. The roof is rusty, the paint is bad, ABS, AC and radio don't work.

Right now it makes sense to just get another truck out of Craigslist but with what? There are lots of options.

Another Suburban (1/2 ton or 3/4?)

A Ford F150, or half ton Silverado or Dodge pickup?


I'm in analysis paralysis mode

[LWJ]

I have a 2000 landcruiser. I replaced a suburban with it.

Other than having limited sleeping capacity, a better rig all around.

Mileage is awful, however.

[otto_kretschmer]

a Landcruiser would be nice but really way out of my price range

I'm seeing 15 year old Suburbans in the $4k range. With my current truck, I've just accepted that I have to throw some money at it every couple years.

Driving in Mexico in an old beat up looking truck has an advantage. You blend in. I wouldn't take a brand new black Silverado south of the border. Good chance I would be walking back home.

[Arizona_928]

700r4 or 4l60?

cheapest option is prolly a local rebuild or crate. You are going to want ac in arizona though...
Sounds like 1/2 ton gas engine (that is if it's not going to be a dedicated tow rig). A long bed, and 2wd is what you're looking for...? Are you looking at new or used?



I really like the chevrolet products. 4.8/5.3/6.0 gasoline engine "ls" family. Prolly the most solid engines on the used/new market. Good interiors too that last and don't get sticky in the arizona sun... Dodges are complete horse**** of a product in the late 90's through the 00's. Prolly the only thing that saved them was the choice to use cummin diesels. Everything else fails, or breaks around that engine. Even the new hemi dodges have a tendacy to eat cams under warrenty... The ford 5.4 gets a bad rep, but they're solid until it comes time to change the spark plugs...

However, today all the brands are pretty much equal across the board. Maybe not the cummins, but that's only because I have a 2018 that is a love/hate pos. If you want a diesel. Just get a pre-def class 8 truck...

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

a Landcruiser would be nice but really way out of my price range

I'm seeing 15 year old Suburbans in the $4k range. With my current truck, I've just accepted that I have to throw some money at it every couple years.

Driving in Mexico in an old beat up looking truck has an advantage. You blend in. I wouldn't take a brand new black Silverado south of the border. Good chance I would be walking back home.

I picked up a few silverados (1500, quad cab, 2wd all under 200k mi plane jane trucks) at an auction out in Lubbock I want to say in 2014. All priced from 2-3 grand. I ended up doubling all my money on two, and kept the best for when I was in out in oklahoma and texas doing pog stuff. Actually gave it away to a friend when I bought my new dodge... Good trucks.

[otto_kretschmer]

I think the tranny is a 4L80. The engine is a 454. I like the big block. It has a really slow rpm when cruising at 70. It makes for a quiet ride and the mileage is acceptable for the amount I drive.

The price of diesel has gone up to the point it doesn't make sense anymore.

I'm not a big Dodge fan either. I kinda like the 70s and 80s Dodges with the 2valve cummins but a GM makes more sense.

The simplest solution is to just fix what I have. Then I will know the history of my vehicle. A new used truck I'll be starting over.

[otto_kretschmer]

I went to the LA auto show last December. New Suburbans are in the $80k range.

I can probably patch mine up for a little over $4k.

I need 4wd. The last 15 miles of the trip to the area I go diving in Mexico requires it. I also want to start pig hunting in Texas when I move back to Arizona. I have a friend who has a 100 acres in the San Angelo area.


here is a pic of the beach in Mexico where I go diving

[rfuerst911sc]

See if there is a local Jasper retailer near you. Jasper rebuilds engines and transmissions and have been doing so for a long time . It may be an economical way to go . AC shops are all over the place so just find a place you trust .

[onewhippedpuppy]

Your post makes me wonder if you are at the point of diminishing returns considering the mileage, that’s an easy $4k that you need to invest. If it were me I would buy something newer and lower mileage with $4-5k. That money should buy a pretty decent Suburban, Tahoe, or Expedition. Another option would be a first gen Sequoia or an Armada. I sold my Armada at 130k, it was a fantastic truck that I preferred to the domestics of the era.

[otto_kretschmer]

I looked at a 2003 3/4t 4wd suburban today. It has half the miles as my 93 and everything works. The guy wants $3500 which I think is a good price.

I'm going to miss the 454 in the 93

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

I went to the LA auto show last December. New Suburbans are in the $80k range.

I can probably patch mine up for a little over $4k.

I need 4wd. The last 15 miles of the trip to the area I go diving in Mexico requires it. I also want to start pig hunting in Texas when I move back to Arizona. I have a friend who has a 100 acres in the San Angelo area.


here is a pic of the beach in Mexico where I go diving

I recently went through this same dilemma with my 99 2500 4x4. Mine looks like crap, but is solid, when the engine goes, I will probably get a crate motor, needs paint. I brought home a new suburban back at the beginning of the year, didn't like the idea of a payment or the fact that o only sometimes drive it, and mainly use it to drag the track cars to events and haul stuff that I don't want in the Cheyenne. So, I didn't keep the new one, figured I will just put a paint job on the burg.

[otto_kretschmer]

Bryon,

those are 400k mile motors if you keep up with the maintenance so you'll probably go thru a tranny first

I wish I know why mine lasted only 38k