2007 3/4 ton Suburban changes.....

[Frank S]

Hi--Back to topic 2007 Suburban. I looked very closely at the 2007 Tahoe, and from afar the Suburban at the Minneapolis Auto Show last month. Had several Tahoes which I climbed all over, and all under, and one Suburban on a raised rotating platform which I could view from six feet. They looked great, and I liked them, EXCEPT FOR THE 2nd SEAT. It is an electric motor controlled fold, and tumble forward seat, which when folded takes up more space than current, and leaves a very uneven floor not suitable for loading boxes of stuff on. I'm sure moms will like it, because they can control entry to the 3rd seat, without leaving the drivers seat. I don't like it, because I frequently fold down one or both sides of the 2nd seat to load in boxes or bags of stuff. Caution moms! One auto reviewer said, "the seat folds so fast its a human mouse trap". Think I'll stick with my 2001 Suburban longer than I thought.--Frank S

[StingrayL82]

Christ, this really is the 1970's all over again. History moves in spirals, not circles, but this one is coming really damn close. Between the rising fuel prices and the ever increasing emissions restrictions, causing the death of the big block again, I'd swear I was 4 again. Buy a Hybrid! Buy a Hybrid! Save the world! Who's getting rich this time, I wonder?

Frederic

[Torii]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Get Honda to build it for ya! IIRC everytime a new set of proposed CARB standards have come out Honda has always had a vehicle that could meet the proposed standards...NOW! Honda has always been on the ready edge of the clean air standards, with their CVCC engines in the mid to late 70's(without a catalytic converter) and one of the first to bring a hybrid to the mass market. They also had an automatic control system using video sensors that keyed off of the highway stripes...Unfortunately Honda doesn't seem to have a stake or interest in the diesel market.

Aaron

Have you SEEN what Honda has offered as a truck? How it got Truck of the year I will never understand. That thing is ugly beyond beleif... Even if they made a decent truck that was capable of towing I'm afraid it would be an eye sore.

-T

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by T Man

Have you SEEN what Honda has offered as a truck? How it got Truck of the year I will never understand. That thing is ugly beyond beleif... Even if they made a decent truck that was capable of towing I'm afraid it would be an eye sore.

-T

yep and it isn't a truck IMHO Here is my idea of a truck

Aaron

[3Ms75Argosy]

but why did you park on her foot?
Marc

[SilverToy]

Aaron -

Love the truck!!!! But, if gas goes to $4 or $5 a gallon, it will be the proverbial albatross.... I'm afraid. Sad but true.... Still love! and will drive my HD2500 4x4....

Look for that euro price to become less ( MUCH less) of a differential in the coming time.

All it's going to take is one major pipeline to get a rupture or another refinery to go down.... and things will go to he**. Be sure NOT to quote me.

Even it if gas/deisel stays where it is currently, who believes that for a minute?, the prices for everything from Toilet paper to lumber to thumbtacks will be climbing - soon & rapidly!

ALL COSTS ROLL DOWNHILL to the CONSUMER!!!

Inflation at 3%???????? Yeah right! Alan Greenspan saw the future and .....

Sigh, future here I come - ready or not.

Peace

Axel

[C Johnson]

Originally Posted by SilverToy

ALL COSTS ROLL DOWNHILL to the CONSUMER!!!

Inflation at 3%???????? Yeah right! Alan Greenspan saw the future and .....

Sigh, future here I come - ready or not.

Peace

Axel

I am a truckdriver and I can tell you that the trucking companies will definitely pass on the added fuel costs. My truck carries 240 gals of fuel x that by approx 3.05 gal. it is 732 bucks for a fill up.

Chris

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by 3Ms75Argosy

but why did you park on her foot?
Marc

She wasn't moving fast enough Actually she was noticing that the hub cap on that side was different

Aaron

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by SilverToy

Aaron -

Love the truck!!!! But, if gas goes to $4 or $5 a gallon, it will be the proverbial albatross.... I'm afraid. Sad but true.... Still love! and will drive my HD2500 4x4....

Axel

Axel
I will still drive it. We have the potential ability to produce biodiesel here on the home front. However about 90% of my driving is reimbursed by my company and we have a sliding scale that compensates for fuel cost increases.

Aaron

[JStanley]

Back to the ’07 3/4Ton Suburban topic:
I visited three dealers, (2 Chevy & one GMC). None had a ¾ on the lot and only one had a ‘burb brochure. I’m told they’re only making the 1500’s now, because they sell many more, vs. the 2500’s which will start assembly soon. (When?) The front lights and grill are same as on the Tahoe. The ‘07s have included more standard towing features then options.

It appears the basic 2500 is configured to target customers with serious towing requirements. I inspected one 2007, 1500 Suburban, 4X4, 5300 engine, 3.73 rear-end, and found the following: GVWR = 7400#, Front = 3600#, Rear = 4200#. A 4.10 rear-end ‘burb is a special order at $100 more. The rear hitch is not a weight distribution hitch, you buy & install that elsewhere. A sticker in the back said the hitch can tow 4000# and 10,000# with the proper WD hitch.

The Chevy website “Build Your Own”: list a MSRP of $39,430 for the ’07, ¾ ton, 2WD, LT, 1LT. A dealer price-out a ’07, ¾ ton, 2WD, LT, for (Base Price) MSRP of $38,040, w/ Invoice of $34,895. We don’t know yet what ’07 discount COSTCO or UBS offers through their buying service. Those benefit prices should be out soon. (When?)

A much less expensive alternative with more towing capacity is the 1 ton Chevy or GMC, passenger vans. A dealer priced out a ’06 Chevy passenger van 135” wheelbase, RWD, 6.0L engine, 3.73 ratio, (w/o back seat): MSRP= $28, 219. Invoice = $25,821 (base price less options, delivery, advert/adj.) He said on this model COSTCO takes in down to $500 off Invoice.

So in my limited Chevy/GMC survey, I found many options, variables and personal considerations to evaluate to meet most towing needs or to satisfy my TV wants. My technical towing requirements are only exceeded by my hesitation to spend so much money, and my family’s want of a Suburban vs. an unexciting Van. Would my rig look like one whale (a Van) towing another whale (my Airstream)? Does someone on this Forums often say: “Do it right, spend the bucks?”

[Frank S]

Hi JStanley--Don't sell the window van short before you try it. We had several of them (all 3/4 ton with 5.7ltr & 3.73 rear) to tow our 27' Overlander, before we had our first Suburban. Particularly with a family the van will do the tow job, use the same amount of fuel, and is more comfortable on trips--more room to spread out and move around. It is also more versatile for carrying and moving what ever. Get one in silver and it will match your 25' Safari.--Frank S

[Frank S]

Hi JStanley--If you really want (have to have) a Suburban consider a 2006. Any dealer can search out all available combinations in the country and could find exactly what you need, and I'll bet you could negotiate a very good price.--Frank S

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by JStanley

A much less expensive alternative with more towing capacity is the 1 ton Chevy or GMC, passenger vans. A dealer priced out a ’06 Chevy passenger van 135” wheelbase, RWD, 6.0L engine, 3.73 ratio, (w/o back seat): MSRP= $28, 219. Invoice = $25,821 (base price less options, delivery, advert/adj.) He said on this model COSTCO takes in down to $500 off Invoice.

Here's my tow vehicle. '03 GMC passenger van. 3/4 ton 6.0 liter engine 4.10 axle. Tow capacity 9,900. I think this configuration is 10,000 lbs. today. Front and rear air and heater, limited slip differential, factory towing package. If I remember right with rebates this vehicle cost me somewhere in the low $20's. It stickered in the $30K range.

Note the one ton van is not a benefit since its towing capacity is below the 3/4 ton van. This van is night and day better than its predecessor, a 1/2 ton Chevy with 5.7 liter engine and 3.73 rear axle.

Note tow vehicle behind mine. That's Twink's Caprice that he used to tow his 25' Safari.

[Paul Mayeux]

Just thought I'd throw in my .0001 cents here, but even if the 8.1 is dropped, the 6.0 with proper gearing would be plenty capable of handling a 34 footer. I've driven a 3/4 GMC pickup with the 6.0/4.10 combination and it pulled much better than my last GM truck which was a 1985 454/4.10 rig. Back in those days the 454 was rated at 230 hp and 385 ft/lbs of torque and Ford's 460 was rated at 245 hp and 390 ft/lbs of torque. Dodge's best offering was even lower. All of the above were used to tow the largest Airstreams of the day. They may not have been fast but they still got the job done. The Ford guys cringed when word came that the 460 was being replaced by the smaller 415cid V10 - some still gripe, but the fact is the smaller 415 can out tow the 460 in any and all situations and get MUCH better fuel economy and way lower emissions. A smaller power plant isn't necessarily a bad thing, so I'm willing to bet GM is not going to castrate their flagship SUV just by dropping the 8.1.

[Frank S]

Hi All--Just a few comments on the 2007 Suburban. The 1/2 ton no longer is available with the factory installed hitch platform, and 7-wire harness. 1/2 ton has 5.3 ltr flex fuel engine with 310 hp @ 5200 rpm, and 335 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm, aluminum block. 3/4 ton has 6.0 ltr regular gas engine with 352 hp @ 5400 rpm, and 383 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm, iron block Also the Avalanche is only available as a 1/2 ton, with the above noted 5.3 ltr.--Frank S

[SilverToy]

FrankS -

Am I reading you latest post correctly that the only factory 'hitch' will be a bumper mount only??

So all/ any additional pulling/ hitch combinations will be after-market?

The Window Vans are starting to sound better and better.... And in actually thinking about it, is there any reason that I went with the HD "Burb other than everyone else was doing it....??? I mean I sorta REALLY like being something different from EVERY OTHER vehicle out there... and the 'Burb really is a looker - WAY better than the 1500's and all the other poseurs out there...

But, as I get older all these sort of things come up and I wonder sometimes...

Thanks if you can clarify FrankS!

Peace

Axel

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Frank S

Hi All--Just a few comments on the 2007 Suburban. The 1/2 ton no longer is available with the factory installed hitch platform, and 7-wire harness. 1/2 ton has 5.3 ltr flex fuel engine with 310 hp @ 5200 rpm, and 335 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm, aluminum block. 3/4 ton has 6.0 ltr regular gas engine with 352 hp @ 5400 rpm, and 383 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm, iron block Also the Avalanche is only available as a 1/2 ton, with the above noted 5.3 ltr.--Frank S

This is not true. All 2007 1/2 ton Tahoe's & 1/2 & 3/4 ton Suburbans (& Yukon's & Escalades etc.) have a platform hitch with the same rating as before, it's just that it has been moved to be contained within the rear fascia (the plastic cover over the bumper) rather than below it. The same 7-pin trailer connector still exists and has also been moved to this location. The Avalanche retains the older location for the hitch and 7-pin connector below the bumper.

As far as I know, your information on engine availablility is pretty much correct, however.

[Frank S]

Hi All--My info on no hitch receiver on the 1/2 ton Suburban was from the Chevy spec sheets, as they only list hitch receivers for the models I listed. Appears the reason it isn't listed, is because it is built into all models. If that is the case, I'm happy, cause 1/2 ton with a 4.10 rear works best for me for all round use: towing, and daily driver. With the flex fuel engine, who cares about brewing beer or wine. I'll brew ethanol. Sorry for the confusion.--Frank S

[Frank S]

Hi All--Just took a look at a 2007 Suburban 1/2 ton. They do indeed have a hitch receiver and 7-wire harness built into the rear bumper, rather than below it as the 2000 to 2006 was. The center line of the 2" square receiver hole is 23" from the ground, compared to 14" on my 2001. Appears the Avalanche retains the old style bumper, with the step. Haven't seen a 3/4 ton yet.--Frank S