What to look for in '98, '99 Burb

[Sav'h Steve]

Want to get a 2500 Burb...What's important?

I know many of you have Suburbans and many of those are 2500's. I can't even find a 2500 to test here in Sav'h. Seems few are sold (maybe 1 in 15 is a 2500 - rest are 1500's).

I live in Savannah and would be willing to travel 300 miles to buy one.

I kinda feel it's like looking for an A/S. You see so few and they may be so far away and not advertised in the same 3 month period, that one is hard pressed to make an intelligent comparison!!

On the Burb, I'm thinking '96 to '99. Preferrably '99 2500.
I want the 4L80 HD transmission and probably the 7.4L engine based on everything I've read here (biggest engine, and tranny is weak point). Should I hold out for the 7.4L? Prices are around $20,000, would like to pay a little ($3-4M) less.

So my question to you owners is "How particular should I be?" when looking for one. My time frame is 6 mo to a year (got some bills to pay first), so I am not hurried.

I just think that I may not know what are the MOST important items to think about when looking for one. If someone used it for 60,000 miles pulling a trailer for many of those, should I back off?

Steve in Sav'h

[uwe]

Steve,
I am no expert on Suburbans, ( yet!) but out here in CA it seems that there are a good number of them advertised. I find the prices almost the same as the 1/2 ton models. All of the ones I had seen, with few exceptions, had a heavily used tow hitch and had the 7.4l with the towing essentials. I'd say continue your research until you are ready to buy, and then snatch up the best one you can find. It helps to go look at used ones on the lots etc. Dealers can print a build sheet on the vehicle, by chassis number. In the build sheet there are codes and options etc. for each vehicle. Even if you don't buy right now, it helps you find out what's what and what to look for.

[Sav'h Steve]

Thanks uwe,

Currently I pull with an EXPY which does moderately OK on the flat lands. Really haven't tried the GA hills yet.

Are there any things that one would think about differently when looking for a Suburban vs a regular car?

ie, are there any special tests for the running gear that maybe a tech should do?

Just want to keep the odds for a good running vehicle on my side...

Steve

[Jim W]

Hi Steve,
I tow with a 99 GMC C2500/454/4.10. It does a good job towing through the mtns out west. I get about 10 mpg towing & not towing around town & 14 mpg on a trip not towing. Below is the address for the Suburban site that is as good as this site is for Airstreams. This site has most SUV's listed on it. Good luck!

http://forums.vmag.com/

[Silvertwinkie]

Check with 59toaster. He's the Blazer (Tahoe), Suburban guru....

Eric

[59toaster]

I have a rely over in the other post Steve.
http://www.airforums.com/forum...7136#post47136