Buying a used Tahoe - possibilities

[JKaechler]

After many years of good service, my 2001 Suburban is ready to be retired. I have recently crossed 500,000 miles with it. It had an engine swap in 2018, and the transmission was rebuilt at the same time. It still runs pretty good, but the rest of the truck is breaking down around it. If I retire it now, i can still sell it for a bit and put that $ into my next vehicle.

So, I want to switch down to a Tahoe/Yukon. I am looking at the 2011-2012 models for a couple of reasons. One is price. Also, up till 2012 they still used the 8.6 differential, and i can put an Eaton TrueTrac in it same as my outgoing burban has. best diff ever!

I also want to be sure and get the 6l80E 6-speed auto. My general plan is to buy used, and immediately take it to the tranny shop and have a trans rebuild service done.

It is my understanding that the 2011-2012 models are going to be the most reliable ones that meet my desired spec:
- 5.3 engine
- 6 speed tranny
- can put a trutrac diff in it
- in the 10,000 dollars ballpark (if i buy from an individual. several are on facebook market in my area)
- black if possible.
- most i see have around 200,000 miles on them. thats just barely broke in for one of these.

so, my question is: am i missing something? a couple articles i read indicate that the 2010 years had some reliability issues with electrics and such.

Being the guy who did his own engine swap, did his own diff rebuild... im not afraid to do some wrenching. But i will avoid it if i can.

What about the 4WD models? is that 4WD system reliable? I dont particularly need 4WD, but if all other things are good should i avoid a 4WD system in the name of reliability?
i have never been in a situation where the limited slip diff wasnt enough to get me moving.

what about the used police vehicles? How badly are they generally treated? They seem to all be missing the center console, but that should be replaceable on ebay.

Thanks for whatever input you can give.

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum but IMO, the NBS 2000-2006 years are the best. You have a NBS rig that proves that.

 

[JKaechler]

what is NBS?

 

[OR VietVet]

New Body Style 2000-2006 years. Your 2001 Suburban is considered a NBS rig. Starting in 2007, IMO, quality starts downhill and more gadgets mean more problems. The engines then had AFM, Active Fuel Management, in that same 5.3 you talk about and that causes numerous problems that are documented here. Don't get me wrong, there are members here that swear by the NNBS, New New Body Style, rigs from 2007 to 2014. I looked at them but the damn seats were uncomfortable.

 

[JKaechler]

well, AFM disable is the first item on the list anyways. what a stupid idea to switch off half the engine.

two problems that keep me from trying to extend the 2001 - I hit a deer at 65mph- the grill guard saved my bacon, and it only broke the headlight and crunched the fender... but i later discovered that the frame is slightly bent. so, its resale value is only as a parts car now...

also, the clearcoat and paint are all peeling away.

I did find the seats in the 2010 i drove to be very nice

 

[OR VietVet]

You said Tahoe and I love my 2005 Z71. IMO, rock solid are the 2005 and 2006 years.

 

[Fubar0715]

Had a 2003 that I bought new - my niece has it now and she took it at with nearly 260k on the clock. Reliability was top notch but as you have noticed, paint/clear coat was less than stellar. IMO, that thing was rock solid but I moved and needed 4wd so moved up to the NNBS. The NBS, to me, looked more muscular in appearance but was time for a change. Look for something in the SW or WAY south to avoid rust and rot.

 

[JKaechler]

Had a 2003 that I bought new - my niece has it now and she took it at with nearly 260k on the clock. Reliability was top notch but as you have noticed, paint/clear coat was less than stellar. IMO, that thing was rock solid but I moved and needed 4wd so moved up to the NNBS. The NBS, to me, looked more muscular in appearance but was time for a change. Look for something in the SW or WAY south to avoid rust and rot.

I am in Waco Tx
Of all the abused, ragged out trucks i have looked at, there hasnt been much rust. Even my crunched fenders have barely any rust on them 2 years after hitting the deer.

thats the difference made by not having salt spread on the roads i guess. round here, when we get a bit of ice they put a bit of sand on the roads, and thats it.

of the 2010-2012 Tahoe's I am currently seeing on the market, none of them seem to have rust.

 

[Fubar0715]

I am in Waco Tx
Of all the abused, ragged out trucks i have looked at, there hasnt been much rust. Even my crunched fenders have barely any rust on them 2 years after hitting the deer.

thats the difference made by not having salt spread on the roads i guess. round here, when we get a bit of ice they put a bit of sand on the roads, and thats it.

of the 2010-2012 Tahoe's I am currently seeing on the market, none of them seem to have rust.

I got mine out of AZ - small little dealer that has many ex-LEO vehicles. If you are not needing all the fancy gadgets-they might have what you a looking for. Disclaimer - no vested interested in their business but they were helpful in getting my Tahoe. https://www.deusmotors.com/suvs-for-sale-b100037

 

[ukrkoz]

I'd stay away from 5.3 with AFM. Period. Get 6L engine.
Otherwise, I know, it's not quite your year but - most of the problems he's describing carried over into the later models. GM is not known for taking quick action to fix their issues: