Been Thinking about an OBS Hoe

[Sepiroth]

Like the title says, I have been thinking about purchasing an OBS Hoe. Ideally, I would want a 96-00.
But what really scares me about these years, besides injectors, fuel pumps, and gaskets, are the push button 4wd.
How reliable are they? the push button 4wd system. See, I'm used to the tried and true lever on the floor. This way you dont need all that electronic stuffage.
What are some common problems?
And should a problem arise, how hard or easy are the diagnosis?

 

[grimm]

If you're not too sure about the push-button 4wd, there are 96-97 floorshift models out there. Not sure about 98-2000 models (if you include the Tahoe Z71), but I believe they were all push-button with Auto-trac if you had a 4wd truck. There hasn't been any problems with the 4wd actuation in my truck so far and I have the push-button style. I like it a lot personally.

But anyhow, if you really don't want the push-button 4wd, dig really deep, find a floor shift 4wd, and have fun with an awesome OBS!

 

[TeaDubya2011]

Never had a problem from mine..they're great imo

 

[07Burb]

We had a 99 Denali with the push button 4wd for about 4 years and never had an issue with it. I say go for it and don't be afraid of a little technology

 

[SunlitComet]

typically the most common problem with 4wd is the front axle actuator. Easily changed from under neath the front for about $80 or can be modified with new type. The dash switch would be next-replaced in less then 5 minutes and rarely the shift motor about $170 unbolts from left side of t-case.

On 96-97 you will not have the nuetral positionavailable on a electric shift model but floor shifter has it. 98-up nuetral is available in electric shift now.

 

[bowtiefreak]

I have owned my tahoe for 11 years now anf just bought the suburban. I have been pretty happy with both....obviously.

As for the push button 4x4, never had an issue yet

The problem I find on the burban is rust underneath. It is an old truck and parts and good and stuck on there. The tahoe not so much since we just cut off the old stuff during the rebuild. Just about any problem I have had was pretty easy to figure out. I have a $30 code reader and internet access so any codes are easy to find.

 

[Bad bow tie]

My dad had a 99 2500 Suburban and he never had any issues with the push button 4wd. I have the lever on the floor in my 1995, and while I have never had any issues over the past 5 years, it takes like 30 seconds to engage (acuator) and that drives me crazy. But I would rather wait 30 seconds then not have 4wd at all.

 

[99Yuk]

My 99 came with a floor shifter. I've always had a floor shifter in all my 4x4's. Living up North, when you hit black ice, or some slushy section of the Hwy, you really appreciate the 'instant on' of pulling back that lever. I can think of a couple of times where I've gone from traction to 'WTF! The ass end is going squirley on me!' One quick tug on that lever and it saved my CDN bacon. A 30 second delay would not be good.

Hmm, floor shifters in my S10, Jeep, Tracker, K5 Blazer, and now my Yukon. I guess I don't trust that push button at all. Oh wait. My wife's Jimmy is push button. Oh well.



EDIT: Maybe the electronic 'Auto mode' doesn't take 30 seconds to detect and activate? Does anyone know? I still like instant action though...

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

no problems with mine, and like stated above, ususally just an actuator or switch that goes bad. easy fix.

mines not always 30 seconds, but i do have to agree, i HATE waiting for that dumbass thing to kick in. but Knock on wood it has always worked.

 

[Bad bow tie]

My 99 came with a floor shifter. I've always had a floor shifter in all my 4x4's. Living up North, when you hit black ice, or some slushy section of the Hwy, you really appreciate the 'instant on' of pulling back that lever. I can think of a couple of times where I've gone from traction to 'WTF! The ass end is going squirley on me!' One quick tug on that lever and it saved my CDN bacon. A 30 second delay would not be good.

Hmm, floor shifters in my S10, Jeep, Tracker, K5 Blazer, and now my Yukon. I guess I don't trust that push button at all. Oh wait. My wife's Jimmy is push button. Oh well.



EDIT: Maybe the electronic 'Auto mode' doesn't take 30 seconds to detect and activate? Does anyone know? I still like instant action though...

Your floor shifter is instant? As in no delay? Mine works great and always has but I have a short delay that gets aggravating pretty quick. I know there is a product on the market that eliminates the delay I know I see, but I can't find the link or remember what it's called.

---------- Post added at 09:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 PM ----------

This is it: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/POS-600/
But by the sounds of it the front axle is always locked, but you move your t-case lever in and out 4wd and 2wd for street driving. Seems to me like you would be eating the shit out of your front tires. Also the front drive shaft would always be spinning. But your 4wd is instant with no slow engagement.