GMT800 vs GMT900

[redhat]

Thinking again about an SUV.

Curious on opinions of the GMT800 vs GMT900 platforms, Specifically the Tahoe... so GMT820 vs GMT920, however I realize the Silverado and Suburban are similar.

I have read some posts on different forums mentioning lots of cost cutting on the 2007-2013s. I know it's your typical Iron LS 5.3 or 6.0 with a 4L60 or 6L80. Now didn't the LY5 5.3 (which was in these) have the composite lifters that went belly up rather quickly?

Like the style though, especially with a 3" lift. Would like one for a part-time DD/winter and to tow a trailer. Like the full frame on them.

 

[WiskyBadger]

Originally Posted By: redhat
Thinking again about an SUV.

Curious on opinions of the GMT800 vs GMT900 platforms, Specifically the Tahoe... so GMT820 vs GMT920, however I realize the Silverado and Suburban are similar.

I have read some posts on different forums mentioning lots of cost cutting on the 2007-2013s. I know it's your typical Iron LS 5.3 or 6.0 with a 4L60 or 6L80. Now didn't the LY5 5.3 (which was in these) have the composite lifters that went belly up rather quickly?

Like the style though, especially with a 3" lift. Would like one for a part-time DD/winter and to tow a trailer. Like the full frame on them.

Lifters belly up rather quickly? Theres tons of these 5.3s and 6.0s running around my area with 150k+. I guess maybe I dont understand what you consider rather quickly? Theres guys pulling these engines out of junked trucks and throwing a turbo on them stock. They put a ton of boost on them and push them to the limits. Look it up on google it seems half of the Fox body Mustangs and 90s to 2002 Camaros still in existence have a junkyard LS. This is the internet age where if one or two of something have a problem it turns into everything is junk!

 

[cpayne5]

We have an '05 Suburban and love it. We bought it last March from a local dealer. It was traded in by an older couple with only 68k miles. I don't think the rear seats had ever been sat in.

A couple buddies also have 800s. One is an '03 Suburban with 215k miles on it. Completely original. Never any problems and he loves it. We work for a government agency, so we drive newer Suburbans every day. From day one, he has hated the 900s. He says they feel cheap and not nearly as solid. I'm not as down on them as he is.

The other buddy has an '03 Denali with 205k miles. I replaced the transmission for him a few weeks ago. Two days after getting it back on the road, one of the rear brake lines sprung a leak.

Driving an 800, there are three things I am mindful of...the brake lines, the fuel pump, and the transmission. Those are the three items I've read most about being problems and the three things that I consciously keep an eye on.

Being in NY, I would definitely recommend you give the brake lines a real good once over before purchasing.

 

[redhat]

Originally Posted By: ChevyBadger
Originally Posted By: redhat
Thinking again about an SUV.

Curious on opinions of the GMT800 vs GMT900 platforms, Specifically the Tahoe... so GMT820 vs GMT920, however I realize the Silverado and Suburban are similar.

I have read some posts on different forums mentioning lots of cost cutting on the 2007-2013s. I know it's your typical Iron LS 5.3 or 6.0 with a 4L60 or 6L80. Now didn't the LY5 5.3 (which was in these) have the composite lifters that went belly up rather quickly?

Like the style though, especially with a 3" lift. Would like one for a part-time DD/winter and to tow a trailer. Like the full frame on them.

Lifters belly up rather quickly? Theres tons of these 5.3s and 6.0s running around my area with 150k+. I guess maybe I dont understand what you consider rather quickly? Theres guys pulling these engines out of junked trucks and throwing a turbo on them stock. They put a ton of boost on them and push them to the limits. Look it up on google it seems half of the Fox body Mustangs and 90s to 2002 Camaros still in existence have a junkyard LS. This is the internet age where if one or two of something have a problem it turns into everything is junk!


Did not mention the 6.0 as having lifter issues. Looking into the issue more, it seems to be an issue with the AFM engines. Lifters can collapse and the plastic lifter retainers on the non-AFM engines can turn sideways and wipe out the cam.

Just trying to figure stuff out for is all, not knocking the vehicle or yours in particular.

 

[WiskyBadger]

Originally Posted By: redhat
Originally Posted By: ChevyBadger
Originally Posted By: redhat
Thinking again about an SUV.

Curious on opinions of the GMT800 vs GMT900 platforms, Specifically the Tahoe... so GMT820 vs GMT920, however I realize the Silverado and Suburban are similar.

I have read some posts on different forums mentioning lots of cost cutting on the 2007-2013s. I know it's your typical Iron LS 5.3 or 6.0 with a 4L60 or 6L80. Now didn't the LY5 5.3 (which was in these) have the composite lifters that went belly up rather quickly?

Like the style though, especially with a 3" lift. Would like one for a part-time DD/winter and to tow a trailer. Like the full frame on them.

Lifters belly up rather quickly? Theres tons of these 5.3s and 6.0s running around my area with 150k+. I guess maybe I dont understand what you consider rather quickly? Theres guys pulling these engines out of junked trucks and throwing a turbo on them stock. They put a ton of boost on them and push them to the limits. Look it up on google it seems half of the Fox body Mustangs and 90s to 2002 Camaros still in existence have a junkyard LS. This is the internet age where if one or two of something have a problem it turns into everything is junk!


Did not mention the 6.0 as having lifter issues. Looking into the issue more, it seems to be an issue with the AFM engines. Lifters can collapse and the plastic lifter retainers on the non-AFM engines can turn sideways and wipe out the cam.

Just trying to figure stuff out for is all, not knocking the vehicle or yours in particular.
Its all good, like I said theres a ton of them around here with high mileage. I did turn off the AFM in mine. I was just getting annoyed with it switching back and forth between 4 cyl and 8 cyl. The slightest incline would bump it back into 8 cyl. With the AFM turned off Ive been averaging .1 less mpg. If you do go this route I would look into a programmer. I got a nice 87 octane tune with more power and it cleaned up the tranny shifting pressures and shift points. It also checks codes, turned off AFM, and raises both rev limiter and speed limiter.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: redhat
tow a trailer


How heavy?

 

[redhat]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: redhat
tow a trailer


How heavy?


Got a popup now that's about 1,500lbs but down the road would like a small travel trailer probably 3-4,000 lbs.

 

[Ramblejam]

With that in tow, a 1500 Tahoe would be fine.

Look, the newest GMT-800 chassis vehicles are approaching a decade old now. It's tough enough finding a lower mileage example that hasn't been beat to death, but even then, you're still going to be wrenching on it. As I'm sure you know, these are well regarded, as they nicely bridge the gap between trucks that were solely designed for work (GMT-400), and the later models that were built with a focus on non-work criteria.

Unless you're just craving the "truck experience", I'd say the 800 is going to feel rather dated compared to your current cars, most notably being the steering -- you'll actually need to work and guide it down the road. In other words, it drives like a truck; doesn't bother some, frustrates others.

With the 900, everything is improved -- coil springs replaced the torsion bars up front, new rack-and-pinion is significantly better, brake feel is enhanced, fuel economy in up, NVH is down, and the 6-speed on later models is a fantastic upgrade over the old four speed (which I only find acceptable when coupled to high torque engine/low axle ratio models).

If you're trying to minimize purchase cost, understand the negatives, don't mind waiting around for a good example, and aren't opposed to wrenching on your ride, then a 800 would be fine.

Otherwise, get a 900 -- and I say that as a 800 owner.

 

[isercastik]

Fuel economy hmm. My 12 has never done better than 15 mpg. My 06 got the same. I like the 05 06 07 classic best, and the only reason i like 05 up vs. 03-4 is electric fans.