I’m replacing my Yukon XL (it’s a Suburban) due to it being totaled. I’m actually a Ford guy at heart but I do like me some GMT-800’s.
So in the reliability and longevity departments, is one markedly better than another? I’m not considering the Expedition in my searches, just the Excursion and the 6.8 V10, not the Diesel. We’re talking early 2000’s models of each. And yes I know GM is the 1/2 ton vs the 3/4 ton Excursion.
So talking longevity and reliability and even parts availability and DIY-able repairs, is there a CLEAR winner? Is either the Ford or the GM MUCH better or worse than the other?
I’m not interested in towing, acceleration, or other attribute comparisons, simply reliability and longevity.
Vigo
UltimaDork
12/22/17 8:52 p.m.
I don't think one is massively better than the other, but i am slightly distrustful of high-miles early LS motors unless i have insider info on oil consumption and hot oil pressure. You typically don't get solid info on those topics during a normal used car inspection. I also trust the 4r100 ford more than a 4l60 gm, although i like both transmissions. You can easily find a 3/4 ton suburban with an 8.1 and 4l80 and i am less dubious about those than high miles LS/4l60. The Ford interior holds up better by a large margin in my opinion.
I lean ford in this comparo but if i found a suburban i felt just as good about mechanically as the ford i wouldn't have much opinion either way. I just think the chances of ending up with a time bomb GM is more likely than with the Ford.
From one ford guy to another get the GMC with the 6.0 and the 480.
I'll echo Vigo's statement about Ford interiors holding up better than GM. Last year, I went looking for a full size SUV - Expedition, Tahoe/Yukon, 'Burb, of the late 90s-early 00s variety. Every single GM had more worn out seats, broken switches, etc. in comparison to the Fords I looked at.
That said, had I found a GM with as decent interior as the Expedition I ended up buying, I wouldn't have hesitated going GM.
If you're looking at v10 Excursions, make sure it's had it's manifold studs updated. Originals break, manifolds leak, much annoyance ensues.
I think the Excursion was also offered with. 5.4L.
Are you opposed to the 5.4L? I think it may have a better reliability record over the V10.
In reply to ebonyandivory :
So they did total the Yukon? Did you buy back salvage?
As far as your original question, only semi personal experience is with my brothers excursion. Purchased new in 2002 now has 250k miles essentially trouble free. It is a diesel tho. Only problem seems to be with brakes...it eats rotors and pads.
John Welsh said:
I think the Excursion was also offered with. 5.4L.
Are you opposed to the 5.4L? I think it may have a better reliability record over the V10.
I’m not sure I’d be happy with the power although I haven’t compared the specs side by side. I drive vehicle with the 5.4 and similar weight and it seems to struggle.
Ovid_and_Flem said:
In reply to ebonyandivory :
So they did total the Yukon? Did you buy back salvage?
As far as your original question, only semi personal experience is with my brothers excursion. Purchased new in 2002 now has 250k miles essentially trouble free. It is a diesel tho. Only problem seems to be with brakes...it eats rotors and pads.
It did get totaled but we haven’t discussed payout yet. I’m gonna be in a hurry to make a purchase (which I am very unhappy about, I was fine driving my Yukon until it got slammed, now I have to scramble).
i don’t have the time or storage for the salvaged truck. Plus I don’t have a use for a 203,000 mile 6.0.
The 5.4 in an excursion is just a dog.
The 6.8 is a powerful and reliable engine but it's thirsty. It can be found in plenty of vehicles.
As far as reliability I think it's a tie. I do prefer Ford truck interior compared to GM. I swear GM used cardboard from the 70s until 2010 LoL.
I also think it's a tie in DIY-able repairs. I have a 7.3 excursion and everything seems pretty straight forward.
The Suburbans ride is a bit better than the excursion but NOT enough to make it a winner.
I think if you find equal condition 8.1 suburban vs 6.8 excursion then pick which ever you like better. I'd take any engine GM over the 5.4 v8 excursion though.
In reply to ebonyandivory :
Quick search on CL Jackson Ms turned up low mileage v10 2000 model for 4500 obo. Long haul for you but. At least would be rust free
Opti
HalfDork
12/23/17 7:52 a.m.
Id say gm but im also a gm guy. Im not even that scared if a 4l60, and ibe had 3 fail. I would shop for one with a 4l80 though.
Generally you put some plugs, clean the tb, fluids and whatever front end parts it needs (probably hubs) and you got many trouble free miles ahead of you.
If your looking at the excursion theu are gonna need e load range tires compared to p rated on most 1/2 ton burbs, so that raises your tire cost.
Also look into the plugs, im not sure which year 5.4s/6.8s eject plugs and when they switched to the plugs that dont want to come out. Both arent terrible to repair with a helicoil kit or a lisle extractor, but if this is just a dd that you dont want to take away time from your fun wrenching its something to consider.
In reply to yupididit :
It’d be a tougher decision if we were talking 8.1/4L80 vs 6.8/4R100 but I don’t see the 2500 Suburbans in my modest budget.
I prefer the excursion based on transmission alone, just make sure the manifold studs have been repaired as said above. They get real annoying when they start to break and leak. I love the leather package interior in them too!
ebonyandivory said:
In reply to yupididit :
It’d be a tougher decision if we were talking 8.1/4L80 vs 6.8/4R100 but I don’t see the 2500 Suburbans in my modest budget.
Well come down here to the south and pick one up. Don't get a NE truck no matter what you choose.
Jaynen
SuperDork
12/23/17 9:34 a.m.
ebonyandivory said:
In reply to yupididit :
It’d be a tougher decision if we were talking 8.1/4L80 vs 6.8/4R100 but I don’t see the 2500 Suburbans in my modest budget.
I have seen a bunch less than 5k including 8.1s, the 6.0's I have seen all over on Car Gurus
Based on your criteria I'd say get the nicest, lowest mileage one of either that you can afford.
Jaynen said:
ebonyandivory said:
In reply to yupididit :
It’d be a tougher decision if we were talking 8.1/4L80 vs 6.8/4R100 but I don’t see the 2500 Suburbans in my modest budget.
I have seen a bunch less than 5k including 8.1s, the 6.0's I have seen all over on Car Gurus
Let me know if that was in Massachusetts or if it’s another area if you read this and get a chance ok? I search them a lot but haven’t used the 2500 as part of my search.
edit: Cargurus shows zero 3/4 ‘Burbs in my price range and in my area
Can't go wrong with either choice. My son recently traded in a Suburban, nice truck, as you know. I have a Navigator, not what you are looking for, but basic idea. It's nice also. More Suburbans to choose from, than Excursions. Pick the best you can from what you have to spend.
In reply to Dirtydog :
Should I be looking at Expeditions/Navigators? I can’t explain why I excluded them honestly.
Green metallic Excursion 2000 - $2500 (East Harlem) hide this posting
2000 ford excursion
fuel: diesel
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
Selling My Bulletproofed 2000 Ford Excursion XLT In Beautiful Condition With 126,000 Miles. This Truck Has Newer Leather Front Excursion Ltd Seats in Great Condition Out Of A 2005 Excursion, It's Had All Ball Joints/ Upper & Lower + Tie-Rods Replaced Has K&N Cold Air Intake, New Coil Packs/ Spark Plugs Everything That Needed Replacing To Make Engine Bulletproofed Has Been, Brand New Altenator Last Week, Belts, Tensioners, A/C Condenser In The Last 2 Months, Manifold & Gasket Replaced As this Is A Typical Problem With these Triton V10 Engines - All A/C Freon Vacuumed And Replaced Upgrades Both Back & Front Units Truck's Air Is Super Frosty, All Brakes Rotors All The Way Around/ New Harley Headlight Upgrade/ 20" Inch Custom Excursion Limo Wheels With Goodyear Eagle F-2 305/35 R20 All The Way Around/ Dual Split 1 Ton Towing Mirrors/ "Gnarly" Cat Back Magna Flow Exhaust System Dual Pipes Sounds Amazing / Lund Visor Rear Roof Deck Lid Spoiler/ Brand New 2014 Aluminum/Steel Running Boards/ Custom Front Bumper Spoiler W/ Fogs/ Custom Rear Bumper With Auxiliary Lights.
- do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers
post id: 6424622605
posted: 10 days ago
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In reply to Dirtydog :
I see some big issues with that ad. He says diesel, yet talks about it being a V10. Picture doesn't match the wheels described either.
I happen to like the Expy/Navigator format. Post 2006, due to plug issues and cam chain tensioner issues.
Probably is BS, but some are out there. That was just typing it in NYC CL. More research on BS ads is reconmmended.
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2004 chevy suburban
condition: like new
fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
Like new
Runs and drives new
Needs nothing
170k Miles
Price is firm please don't ask
732-8-0-4-4-0-0-4
- do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers
