Considering Yukon or Tahoe
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OK may be in the club after tomorrow. Found a 2012 left over Z71 with HD tow package. Probably more than what I need right now but a fantastic price for new. Need to know how the 3:42 rear end will effect everyday driving. I know it will be better to two.
Package has the tranny and oil cooler too. Seems like a great set up. Would like to know some thoughts, particularly on the everyday driving.
Package has the tranny and oil cooler too. Seems like a great set up. Would like to know some thoughts, particularly on the everyday driving.
domin8
Just Plinking
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The NNBS trucks have the oil consumption issue too. I believe it is caused by the cylinder deactivation generating heat. The Tahoe in my sig was K.I.A. in September due to this problem, standing me and my family in Laramie, WY. The truck only had 95k miles, but was out of warranty due to age. GM is well aware of this problem and still didn't want to step up even tough I had over a half dozen entries in my oil consumption test log given to me by my dealer in Virginia. My advice is to find a tuner (such as BlackBear on this forum) and have cylinder deactivation removed. It will affect your mpg, but I believe it will save your engine.
Also, there is an issue with the dash cracking on the left of drivers info hump or near the passenger airbag. My truck also had this problem. Again, GM is very aware of this but still does what it can to avoid paying for using cheap plastic. Only thing I can say is to pretend it doesn't exist should it happen to you.
Check the towing ratings on the truck. It seems like the 5.3 lost 1 ton of towing capacity when the 6-speed was introduced (based on owning a 2007 and comparing it to a 2013 last week). I'd consider going with a Denali because it has a 6.2. The numbers for that seem to put it in the 7000-8000 # towing range.
Regardless of what engine you go with, get cylinder deactivation removed.
I like the new Durangos over the 2nd gen, but not as much as the 1st gen. The 3rd gen looks to be a worthy contender to the Tahoe and Yukon. The things that make me any away from it are its newness. The Tahoe and Yukon are older with 20+ years of improving the same tech. The setup of the new Durango is very new with the exception of the engine. Speaking of the engine. I've heard of numerous problems with the heads warping. I've also seen freeze plugs falling out. I also dislike 2 spark plugs per cylinder. They are copper, but good luck replacing them for under $100 total in your driveway. You'll pay a lot more at a shop.
Overall, I'd still go with the Tahoe/Yukon, unless you are also looking at the Audi Q7. That thing is impressive. You can get a supercharged V6 that pumps out 330bhp our even a diesel. It's a crossover, but it'll tow 8,000 lbs. and achieve decent mpg with its 8 speed trans. It also happens to be in the price range of well equipped Tahoes and Yukons, especially the Denali.
Also, there is an issue with the dash cracking on the left of drivers info hump or near the passenger airbag. My truck also had this problem. Again, GM is very aware of this but still does what it can to avoid paying for using cheap plastic. Only thing I can say is to pretend it doesn't exist should it happen to you.
Check the towing ratings on the truck. It seems like the 5.3 lost 1 ton of towing capacity when the 6-speed was introduced (based on owning a 2007 and comparing it to a 2013 last week). I'd consider going with a Denali because it has a 6.2. The numbers for that seem to put it in the 7000-8000 # towing range.
Regardless of what engine you go with, get cylinder deactivation removed.
I like the new Durangos over the 2nd gen, but not as much as the 1st gen. The 3rd gen looks to be a worthy contender to the Tahoe and Yukon. The things that make me any away from it are its newness. The Tahoe and Yukon are older with 20+ years of improving the same tech. The setup of the new Durango is very new with the exception of the engine. Speaking of the engine. I've heard of numerous problems with the heads warping. I've also seen freeze plugs falling out. I also dislike 2 spark plugs per cylinder. They are copper, but good luck replacing them for under $100 total in your driveway. You'll pay a lot more at a shop.
Overall, I'd still go with the Tahoe/Yukon, unless you are also looking at the Audi Q7. That thing is impressive. You can get a supercharged V6 that pumps out 330bhp our even a diesel. It's a crossover, but it'll tow 8,000 lbs. and achieve decent mpg with its 8 speed trans. It also happens to be in the price range of well equipped Tahoes and Yukons, especially the Denali.
I bought our Tahoe and was looking for the 3.73 gear ratio ended up getting those and I love it. The 6speed tranny does kinda suck in town or on slight grades when traveling about 20-35mph so in town or rural driving. It seems to shift a lot. But I just put it in tow/haul mode at those times and all is well. We see high 15's-16.4ish in town and have achieved 20.4 multiple times on a 300 mile trip from Seattle area to Walla Walla, wa. Going over a pretty good sized mountain range. I have towed my 6x12 trailer with 2 atv's on it a couple times (only about 2200-2500 lbs) even without tow/haul mode on I couldn't even tell it was back there. Still got mid 19's mpg on the same route mentioned earlier. I love our Tahoe.
I know they have updated the HEMI engines but I would never buy another one. I had a 03 dodge ram 2500 with 35" tires, gears, programmed CPU and tranny for tires so everything was in sync, as well as a exhaust. I know that truck is a lot bigger than a current Durango but my truck SUCKED at towing!!!! The same trailer I mentioned before my ram struggled with it anytime a hill came up. I also no that the hemis are designed to make there best power at high rpms but it was ridiculous, there was never any middle ground either WOT or move over because the log truck is going to go screaming by you. I can say that I never had any problems with it and it was a mechanically sound vehicle. Sorry for the long post but that's my .02
I know they have updated the HEMI engines but I would never buy another one. I had a 03 dodge ram 2500 with 35" tires, gears, programmed CPU and tranny for tires so everything was in sync, as well as a exhaust. I know that truck is a lot bigger than a current Durango but my truck SUCKED at towing!!!! The same trailer I mentioned before my ram struggled with it anytime a hill came up. I also no that the hemis are designed to make there best power at high rpms but it was ridiculous, there was never any middle ground either WOT or move over because the log truck is going to go screaming by you. I can say that I never had any problems with it and it was a mechanically sound vehicle. Sorry for the long post but that's my .02
Thanks guys. We ended up getting a 2012 left over (10 miles on it). It has the Z71 package and HD towing. It has the 3:42 rear end, tranny cooler and engine oil cooler. Seems like a great SUV. Looking forward to towing with it. Mileage seems bad, but it was in my Envoy too. However that's not what we go it for.
I have questions on the new dexos oil spec. I have a seperate post with that.
Appreciate the insight from all.
I have questions on the new dexos oil spec. I have a seperate post with that.
Appreciate the insight from all.
