Denali vs. Yukon Drivetrain Differences

[MrJuanderful]

I have been looking around for a 2001-2006 Yukon/Denali/Tahoe.

I am leaning toward the GMC at this point because I like the Denali grill and front end styling.I live in the Northeast,so I want 4wd.I also want something that I can service easy enough or bring to my Buddy's shop with no big deal.

So,the way I understand it,the Denali came with the 6.0.For me,I prefer the 5.3 for improved gas mileage,because I intend to tow only a small amount of the time,don't intend to off-road much,and don't really have the desire to race it much.I will also drive it 95% of the time,not a wife/family vehicle.4WD will only get used briefly in winter.

But,I like the Denali exterior styling,so if I ran across an unbelievable deal,I'd have to think about it.But more likely,I'd get a Yukon and change the grill and front end at some point.

So,do all Yukon Denalis come with AWD? That just sounds like future problems.For as rare as I need 4WD,I would rather stick with on demand.

So,I guess what I am asking is,what are the differences between the Denali and Yukon SLT drivetrains? And how big of a pig is the Denali on gas?

And lets say I found a cheap Denali with a blown motor,how tough would it be to swap in a 5.3 engine?

 

[livingez_123]

yes, the denali is AWD all the time and the only down side of that is the front diff, they tend to eat bearings and last anywhere between 60k-100k depending on how you drive. you can do to a 4x4 transfer case and give you the option of either 2wd or 4wd but then you will loose the AWD system which is better for around the town in snow or maybe even a drive on the beach. You can't remove the front driveline on a AWD Denali and just drive in 2wd because of the viscous clutch in the transfer case. you will smoke it before you get anywhere. So if I were you, stay with a Yukon with the 5.3 and change the styling elements that you want to.
My 01 Denali gets about 10-12 mpg around town, 13 if I'm being good. On the open road driving 65 the best I have even seen 18-19 mpg. Now towing is another plus with the 6.0 and I see 10-12 towing a light 23' travel trailer. and my boat going to shasta last summer was 12-14 mpg. these are honest miles and hand calculated. The trip computer is nowhere close to being accurate.
If you found a Denali with a blown motor, it would be a simple swap, mostly plug and play.

 

[MrJuanderful]

I have been reading up on the Denali and a front driveline noise that seems to be common.

Does anyone have some knowledge and info that could help me out?

Is this noise restricted to the front differential? Are the transfer cases in the AWD fairly bullet-proof where you can take them out of the equation?

Is the front differential problem strictly an axle bearing problem,or is it a carrier/ring and pinion problem?Have they made improved parts available for it? And is this a year(s) specific thing?

If I find a Denali making front end noise I want to have a good idea of what is going to be involved in the repair,and be able to bargain from there.I am capable of a front diff overhaul.

 

[Parthery]

I traded an '06 Denali with 160K miles back in December.

With regular maintenance, they are virtually bulletproof. On mine, I changed the oil every 7500 and ran Mobil 1. Serviced the transmission, differentials and radiator at 100K. Put new front brakes on it at 135K...the rears were still original.

The only mechanical issue I had in 7 years of ownership was a heater diverter door, and a fuel pump.

The 6.0 got 13 around town and 16 on the road. Towed my 6500 lb boat with no problems at all.

In short, if you like the Denali, go with it....


IMG-20121007-00009.jpg by parthery, on Flickr