I'm thinking about getting a Chevy Tahoe in the near future. A USED one would fit my needs as a DD and mall-rat. No off roading at all. What years should I be looking for and which years should I avoid.
CK5
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Tahoe
- Thread starter hammermachine
- Start date
xenomarine
1/2 ton status
Any of them seem to be decent, I have a 99 gmt400 body style Tahoe and it's pretty nice even after 180k. Vortec injection started in 95-I like it because I haven't had any problems with it yet. I've heard it can be a pain in the ass once it craps itself though.
reece13
1/2 ton status
95 is a good year. I believe 1995 was the last year they had "barn-style" back doors. I had a 95 2 door version and that thing would go anywhere and it had bald 33 bgf mudterrains. I pulled so many people out of ditches, pulled my old skiff and played in the mud. Never really had any issues with it. It had around 214k when i sold it and all i ever did was basic maintenance and a few other things like fuel pump and ball joints. good luck
The question we'd need to ask you is what your budget is? All the Tahoe bodystyles are pretty dang solid. I love my 95, it's a comfy and nice looking truck. My 03 is a solid performer too and has a lot more creature comforts like heated seats, adjustable pedals etc. The 07 up trucks are also pretty dang nice as well, and are even more powerful.
I'm hoping to switch jobs and I will have a budget close to 9K to play with. At first I was thinking about a pick up (Dodge) but recently I was thinking about the Tahoe as a option.
COCHEV
1/2 ton status
I just picked up an 04 with The 5.3. Very comfy and the 5.3 is a great engine
For that $$ range you should be able to find a very nice 96-99 (vortec 5.7) or a higher mileage LS powered option. Don't think you can go wrong there.
xenomarine
1/2 ton status
If I had that much to play with I'd find a straight bodied vortec truck with a blown motor, get a crate replacement, rebuilt tranny, and redo the front suspension. Then you'd have a brand new truck!...almost.
And to clarify, I mean that you should get the work done - I hate working on my dd.
And to clarify, I mean that you should get the work done - I hate working on my dd.
9K will get you a very nice 96-99 OBS Vortec 5.7L Tahoe in either 2 or 4 door with cash to spare.
Or, it will get you a fairly nice but slightly higher mileage 99-06 Vortec 5.3L.
Really can't go wrong either way, but the newer body style trucks have very nice interiors and creature comforts. And there are a bazillion of them running around
Both trucks will get similar fuel economy and have similar power.
Or, it will get you a fairly nice but slightly higher mileage 99-06 Vortec 5.3L.
Really can't go wrong either way, but the newer body style trucks have very nice interiors and creature comforts. And there are a bazillion of them running around
Both trucks will get similar fuel economy and have similar power.
What's the largest size tires can you run on a stock Tahoe?
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
I have a 94 2 door. 180000 and still running strong. I bought it for 1500 and put another grand in it to get it running right and only minor regular maintanance since. For nine grand you could find a way nicer truck. Craigslist is a good source and look it over real well before you buy anything. Don't jump on the first one you come across. Look around and compare a few before you settle on one. The late 90's early 00 ones are better engines and should have less rust starting to eat at the body.
285/75/16 rubbed on my 95
305/75/17 rubbed on my 03 but it is a Z71 and sits taller than a regular Tahoe. I'd suspect 285 would be the biggest for most as well
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
I have 32x10.5r 15 now with minimal rubbing offroad. Stock suspension. With a 2 inch torsion key lift and a zero rate in back could do 33s. Had 265 75r 16 on with no rubbing. Me and my buddy put 35s on his suburban and cut the fenders and front fang insert and bumper and it only hit on hard bumps or when the steering was more than 3/4 turned. It all depends on how you do it. Stock suspension 285 65r on your stock rims would be close. Basically 32 x 9.5 would be about as big as you can go without much rubbing off road and be perfectly fine on road mom problem.
vehicle
Pretty cool info guys. I've been tossing back and forth between a Tahoe or a Ram pick up. The pu is not needed but I've been told I am tough on cars. A Ram 2500 I could go bigger than stock tires, but the Tahoe would be more practical and cheaper.
Too many options.
Pretty cool info guys. I've been tossing back and forth between a Tahoe or a Ram pick up. The pu is not needed but I've been told I am tough on cars. A Ram 2500 I could go bigger than stock tires, but the Tahoe would be more practical and cheaper.
Too many options.chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
I don't know if its a reoccurring thing or not but my buddy had a 97 dodge Dakota and had the tail shaft break 2 times on the transfer case and had the dealer do the last one and he traded it in after that. Other than that had the 318 in it and ran and drove good.pretty sure He had 33's on it with no lift also.
