Suburban 6.0L 4.10 Option?

[Sav'h Steve]

I've got a '99 2500 Burb with 150,000 on it with poor A/C. In the next year I plan to get a 2000-2003 2500 Burb with lower miles.

I know the 2000-2002 have the piston slap issue. Don't know how to diagnose that, or tell if it is important enough to give a pass on certain vehicles.

I hear that the 6.0 is fine if you have the 4.10 rear. (I have 7,000 lb Excella). When looking at the FEW 2500's that are on AutoTrader, etc., there is no way to tell about the rear gears. Does the Trailering option come with 4.10 standard or 3.73 standard?

Anyone have any idea the ratio of LS's to LT's made?

I could go with the 8.1L and the 3.73 rear, just didn't want that much of a gas guzzler for regular errands and solo road trips.

If I don't hear on this board, I'll check on the Chev Truck forums.

Steve in Savannah

[Silvertwinkie]

I think the base gear is a 3.73 in the case you're talking about. I believe the 4.10 are just an option outside of any packages.

I have an '04 2500 Burb LT with 6.0L and 4.10 and it tows like a dream.
The 4.10s were just another option like the locking diff.


BTW, the MPG of the 6.0L and 8.1L isn't all that different--- they are both equally dismal.

[Sav'h Steve]

Thanks for your response. I believe you told me about the piston slap issue. Are some cases of piston slap more obvious and harmful?

Looks like it might be just luck to find someone who ordered the 4.10 rear. Or simply key my search for the 8.1 L.

I was thinking the gas mileage would be about 2-3 mpg difference solo (and maybe 1 mpg difference towing which is insignificant). Is the locking diff a significant option? Like when on some mud?

Thanks,
Steve

[Silvertwinkie]

Though there are some still in 2004, the piston slap issue has been reduced. The early 2000s (00-03) 6.0s had it more than the 8.1s, but the 8.1s had it too. The 8.1s are known for burning about a quart of oil in 3000. Though I know some don't, I came across far more oil eating 8.1L owners than that of the 6.0L. Getting back to the 6.0L, the piston slap issue just appears random. There isn't a baseline to find one. The best I can tell you is that the engine needs to be cold, just like you started it for the first time during the day and it would knock the first minute or so. I've heard using GM filters helps reduce the slap issue, but in the end.

As for the locking diff, it is an option and one that I would strongly suggest you find. I know that when I looked last year at the year end close out, the dealerships were full of 4.10s w/ the locking diffs.

If you'd like I can post you the build codes to look for, for the locking diff and the 4.10s. Then all you would have to do, is look in the glove box for the code to make sure it has the right stuff.

[Sav'h Steve]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

... The early 2000s (00-03) 6.0s had it more than the 8.1s, but the 8.1s had it too. The 8.1s are known for burning about a quart of oil in 3000. Though I know some don't, I came across far more oil eating 8.1L owners than that of the 6.0L. Getting back to the 6.0L, the piston slap issue just appears random. There isn't a baseline to find one. The best I can tell you is that the engine needs to be cold, ...
As for the locking diff, it is an option and one that I would strongly suggest ...

If you'd like I can post you the build codes to look for, for the locking diff and the 4.10s. Then all you would have to do, is look in the glove box for the code to make sure it has the right stuff.

Thanks, I could look them up, but if you have them right handy....
It's good to know GM was putting out the 4.10 w/ locking diffs. Wonder if they did that on the '01-02's? Think cash may be too tight for an '03-'04.

[Silvertwinkie]

Though I'd admit the price is still steep, GM still has the Burbs on special...I think between negot and cash back, it's something like $9k off list.....

I'll go get my book and be right back with the codes.

[Silvertwinkie]

OK here are some of the codes, want a specific one, let me know, I have the GM truck bible right next to me:

G80 Positraction limited slip
KG3 140 amp alternator
KNP Heavy Duty Cooling Trans
MN8 4L80e trans
LQ4 6.0L
LQ9 6.0L HO (found in certain Caddys and GMCs)
L18 8.1L
GT4 3.73 gearing
GT5 4.10 gearing
GU6 3.42 gearing
KC4 Heavy duty engine oil cooling
K05 Engine block heater
NZZ Skid plate off-road
K47 Air Filter High Capacity
JF4 Power adjustable pedals

[Silvertwinkie]

BTW, if you get a 6.0L, it's similar to the one that they place into the Vette. I got my hands on some UPF-44 oil filters....these are the GM UltraGuard filters. Filters better than the standard PF-44s. They nixed most of the UPF line, but the Vette heads when balistic...so the UPF-44s (LS1) and UPF-52 (LT1) is still availible and cost about $6-$8 a filter. Well worth it in my book.

[john hd]

hey twink,

do they offer the snow plow prep package on the suburban?

2nd battery, heavy duty cooling, 160 amp alt etc?

john

[Silvertwinkie]

I thought I recall the a plow option (don't quote me on this though)....but I didn't see the heavy duty cooling, the second battery or the 160amp alt when I was looking around....I also (though I don't have the book in front of me) didn't seem to recall seeing these options in the SPID codes list either.

[hohne]

Twink,

Care to compare towing with your Suburban versus your original tow vehicle?

just curious...

-RobH

[Silvertwinkie]

The engine power and torque are about the same, and the MPG is similar but that is where the similarities stop.

The differences are:

- The Suburban is not outweighed by the Safari.
- The Suburban does not get drug all over the highway in wind.
- The Suburban seems less stressed towing off the line or at grade.
- The Suburban brakes better then the Impala when the Safari is attached.
- The Suburban has a longer wheelbase and is more stable towing.
- The Suburban is higher up and is more proportionate to the Safari, possibly also making it more stable when towing.
- The 4L80e with tow haul mode is a clear winner. Additionally, the 4L80E seems a bit more stable than the 4L60E was under load.
- Though I have not used it towing, I can clearly see four wheel drive being helpful when out boondocking. Just here in the snow belt, driving the Suburban in snow 2 feet deep was like driving in dry pavement.

Now to the Impala's credit, it's WAY more fun to drive (not towing) and no one says, "Hey, nice Suburban, I've always wanted one of those....." Nor does the Suburban turn as many heads as the Impala SS does, at 147MPH, at a stand still, or anyplace in between.

[hohne]

...my thought was that the Impala, although not traditional, was a far better vehicle than many tow vehicles of the past, say our father's tow vehicles...

In my younger days, I used to seek out old MOPARS with 318 engines -- I have to admit our suburban performs far better than those cars did in all modes...and the MOPARS with big blocks did not handle very good...

We tow our Safari 28W with the 5.3 Liter, and it does not give the impression of being near the end of its capabilitites, even though on paper it is...

The trailering button makes a big difference to me...

I am glad you got your suburban -- ours has exceeded our expectations...

-R

[zoom240]

Folks, I know this thread is now a couple months old, but just had to add that I really appreciated the discussion here. I'd been doing a lot of research on this forum & some others, and I bought a 2005 Yukon XL 3/4 ton yesterday - with the 6L 4:10 combination. Some poor SOB is driving 507 milies today to cross 3 states to pick up my vehicle!

The new GM employee purchase deal is fantastic & takes out most of the haggling. This truck was loaded & I'm getting about $10k off MSRP. I was initially after the 8.1L - but I was looking at a factory order and after I really thought about it, the 8.1L seemed overkill for the 90% of the time I'm driving without the trailer.

But I insisted on the 4:10 gearing because of this thread and others + the 6L 3.73 combination seemed a bit anemic to me.

Picking up the Yukon Monday.

Thanks!

Dave

[wahoonc]

Zoom,
That is what most of our new work trucks are...2500HD with 6.0l 4.10 LS rear ends. They seem to be able to hold their own with tool bodies and a fair load on board. I personally think the 8.1 is major overkill for most people. Airstreams tow much better than the SOB's, I tow my 6200#(verified weight) with a 4.6l Ford 1/2 ton with the 3.55 gears. It would be better with the 5.4 and 3.73's but for now it does the job. I feel that a lot of people get hung up on the bigger is better, but with an Airstream I am not so sure, they are kind of like a throughbred horse, you need to be firm but gentle with them but if you handle them roughly they are no better than an old nag

Aaron

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by zoom240

But I insisted on the 4:10 gearing because of this thread and others + the 6L 3.73 combination seemed a bit anemic to me.
Dave

Dave, while I come from the GM van side of the equation, the 6 liter 4.10 gearing is a very good towing combo. I have that combo on my GMC Savana 2500 passenger van. My 30' Classic slide out is a hefty piece of hardware and the van takes it in stride. In 2003 the 6 liter 4.10 combo had the highest weight carrying capacity (9,900 lbs) in the GM van line.

I just switched over this spring to Mobil 1 and filter at the 10,000 mile mark. No signs of any strange sounds coming from the big 6.0 so far.

Regards,

Jack

[john hd]

dave

you will like the combination, i'm going on year 5 with mine and have no complaints.

john

[SilverToy]

Have a '01 Suburban 2500 4x4 with the 6L Vortec and the 3.73 gears. LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!!!!!!!! Flat out LOVE IT!!!!!!!

Drove 1000 miles from ALBQ to SaltLake City to pickup Silvertoy. Got the Equalizer hitch installed and motored away bach South to home. Pulled it back to ALBQ and it drove like a DREAM ! And let me tell you, there are severeal MOUNTAIN ranges there that one must chug up with 12 and a few 15% grades ( or not chug up - plenty on the curblane with hoods up).

The 'Burb wasn't setting records or anything but the job got done. Guages all showed normal opperation temps ( high normal, but still normal) and she was a Princess ride back for the family. The 4X4 helped a bunch in Moab when I got SilverToy turned around in a gravel lot(DEEP gravel lot) and got wheeel spin and rocks off the road guards. Stop - 4x4 Drive, then apply gas - smile as you pull away.

Plus, when you uphook and are going here and there, there is no better ride than in the big 'Burb. The '01 is a looker in that dark green color (we call it Kelly Green) and the dark blue also is realy eyecatching.....

Unless you are going to be Crazy a lot of BIG hauling, then IMHO the 6L and the 3.73 gears will serve 95% of all you needs - and then when the crazy happens, you take it as 2 loads or whatever, or else go slow. You will get there, eventually.

OK, soapbox set saide. Done for the night!

My 2 cents for those that care.

Ciao

Axel

[zoom240]

Yes, I'm really looking forward to it. My youngest is 16 and he really doesn't like riding in the back of the Extended Cab truck. I test drove a 2500 Sub with the 8.1L. It was nice and for a while, I looked for one, but GM swears there wasn't anything within 800 milies! In the end, it's overkill.

The GM employee purchase deal is a pretty nice deal. But the dealer wasn't seeing much response - think the high gas prices are going to cause trouble for GM, Chevy & Ford.

Pick it up tomorrow & on Tuesday my wife takes it to Arkansas (600 mile trip) with her sister. At least they'll travel in comfort!

Dave