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For those who wondered what happen to the 2500 suburban

TREA18

TREA18

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I'm looking at getting a new 2011 suburban and found a 2500 I really like and I'm not really sure I really need a 2500 over a half ton. Is there a good reason to go with the 2500 over the 1500 other than pulling more weight?
 
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I don`t know the specs on the 2011`s but with the 2500 you usually got the heavy duty drivetrain as well. My 2003 has the 4l80, 6.0, larger rear diff. Generally more heavy duty stuff if you plan to do any work with it.
 
I'd go with the 2500 personally. Bigger engine, axles, and brakes. Yes, it hauls more but also it hauls itself more easily! Think about it from the standpoint of if you never use it for more than what the 1500 will handle, the 2500 will handle it more easily. Rather than being right at the capacity of a 1500, you will be well under the capacity of the 2500, less strain on components, longer component life. That kind of thinking is why I bought a 2500HD pickup instead of a 1500HD pickup.

Plus, a Sub has always struck me as being WAY too big to be riding on a 10 bolt rearend! :eek1: :D

But, I could be kinda biased in all this...
my fiancee wants a Tahoe and I am trying to talk her into a 2500 Sub!!! :waytogo:
 
Don't the new 6.0's get a 6L90E or something like that now?
 
Wow, those are expensive:eek1::eek1::eek1:


+1 on a 2500
 
I found a 2500 near me loaded better than a 1500 and it cost less:dunno: I'm trying figure out if the mileage is really that much worse with the 6.0 2500 then the 5.7 or 5.3 1500? If they where closer or if there is a way to get decent mileage out of the 6.0 then I'm sure that's what I'm going to go with. I have to modify it for a wheelchair lift and it will be my main ride for the next 8-10 (2-300,000 miles) years so it has to be good truck.
 
yep 4l80-e = 2.48 1st gear

and 6l80-e = 4.08 1st gear

if i recall the #'s correctly. its about time thay did a deeep first. :bow:
 
So the 6l80 is a good thing other than getting better mileage?
 
The 6 is a good thing. It should be a more stout trans than the 4...

rated for 550 tq and ratios' of 1-4.027 2-2.364 3-1.532 4-1.152 5-0.852 6-0.667
It should be great in a truck.
 
Speaking generally because I don't know the specs on the new suburban.

I have an 04' 2500 with the 8.1 and it's great but it does use gas pretty good. Traditional 4 speed. I did drive the 6.0L and felt it was working pretty hard to move that much metal around. The 8.1 is much snappier.....however it does like oil every 3000 miles and gets around 11 or 12 mpg.

Now, my friend has an 07' Escalade with the 6.2L and a 6 speed tranny. Although I believe it is based on the 1/2 ton suburban, he is very impressed! They have tuned that 6.2L so well and it sounds just like my 8.1. It also takes off (seat of pants feel) very similar to my 2500. He also tried (and does a lot) tow his 30' travel trailer with it and it does great! He tested it heading up I-70 into the pass pulling this thing and he was VERY impressed. He was coming from the Excursion V10 as a comparison.

Finally, his gas mileage. He got at least 18 mpg on criuse set at 80 mph. I think this has a lot to do with the 6 speed tranny.

I know they have tweeked these engines pretty good for power as well as gas mileage. Just keep in mind, I don't think gas is going to get cheaper over the next few years so be prepared for $3 - $3.50 gas as a norm for sure.
 
Are you going to tow more than 6,000 pounds?

Are you going to load the inside with more than 1250lbs?

Do you plan to sled pull with this thing?

If you answered yes to any of them, buy a 2500. If your answers were all no, then buy a 1500.

Bigger rear axle, bigger brakes, bigger trans, blah blah blah.......

GM designed the 1500's drivetrain and brakes to work great with the weight of a burb, plus a little more. A 10b rear will be just fine, a 4L60E WILL be just fine. The 5.3 WILL have plenty of pep for you.

You can thank me later, when you put brakes, tires, registration, gas, and insurance on your 1500 and it costs you considerably less.:thumb:
 
I agree on the gas price too and maybe higher so that's why I'm factoring it in. Although I have an 02' yukon with the 5.3 and only get 11.5 to 14.5 mpgs with 305 and chipped for tire size as well.
 
Don't the new 1500's come with the 6 speed tranny? My buddy has an 2010 1500 crew cab short box pick-up with the 5.3l and 6 speed.
 
ARAMP1 just got a 2011 2500 Burb. Might talk to him about it.

Is there such a thing as a 1500HD Burb? I'm just not a fan of half tons anymore. Although the half ton would have coil springs front and rear and the 2500 would have torsion bars up front and...I think...leaves in the rear.
 
Mikey von said:
Don't the new 1500's come with the 6 speed tranny? My buddy has an 2010 1500 crew cab short box pick-up with the 5.3l and 6 speed.
Click to expand...

yes, 6 speeds in 1/2 tons...
 
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