Difference between 2003 and 2006 Yukon?

[bottomline2000]

The 06 may be drive by wire instead of drive by cable which may be smoother. Weird that gm put DBW on earlier tahoes like my 00 and then went cable and back to wire in later models. The 06 is going to accelerate and stop better since it has efans and hydroboost brakes. It's going to be very noticible. You can do a Vin check to see all options on both.

And yes you can add this all to your 03..

 

[nastety92]

The 06 may be drive by wire instead of drive by cable which may be smoother. Weird that gm put DBW on earlier tahoes like my 00 and then went cable and back to wire in later models. The 06 is going to accelerate and stop better since it has efans and hydroboost brakes. It's going to be very noticible. You can do a Vin check to see all options on both.

And yes you can add this all to your 03..

I'm pretty sure they are both drive by wire. I think the 03 just has an earlier program in it that is not as refined as the 06. I was unaware that these trucks had Hydroboost systems on them seeing that it's only a 1500, normally you only see Hydroboost units on 2500 or heavier vehicles.

 

[David Paul]

Agree on the hydro boost. I was looking into the upgrade mod, not really looking forward to it. Opened the hood to check on something else and damn, what did I notice, my 04 had the hydro boost. Checked that off the to do list.

 

[southboundchicken]

Check the build sheet in the glove box for gearing.... gt-4 = 3:73 and Gu-6= 3:42. If your trucks are geared differently that's gonna make a difference

 

[nastety92]

I will do that, thanks for the tip.

 

[Wake]

I just bought an 03 EXT, owned an 05 Escalade SUV before, and work on an friends 06 Denali.

From what I gather from research and some practical experience:

1. 03 was a transition year where the Class2 data bus was first used on the GMT800 platform. This means that the electronics from 03 - 06 are the same except for a few small items like the ECM/PCM. 06 is also a transition year to the CAN bus where I need a CANDi module to talk to the 06 computer versus 96 - 05 ODBII models. The modules and electronics aside from that seem to be common from 03-06.

2. Trans and Engine are listed separately for 03 and 04-06 models. I think it is just a plug/wiring issue and the block and transmission are essentially the same LS and 4L60 variants as they have been for years. I believe you can swap a bare block from an 04-06 with the accessories (intake, exhaust, etc) from an 03.

3. The transfer case and differentials are the same from 03-06.

4. 03-04 had mechanical fans with a clutch versus electric fans for the 05/06 models.

Other than those few differences, I believe everything else parts wise is a direct swap between 03-06 models.

 

[a4edwin]

The fuel system is different 03 was return style while 04 and up are returnless. To my understanding return style is better performance wise. Google can help with anymore info on this.

 

[about20ninj45]

05/06 lq4's qnd lq9's had better cranks, rods, and pistons, which support more mods.

 

[Wake]

The fuel system is different 03 was return style while 04 and up are returnless. To my understanding return style is better performance wise. Google can help with anymore info on this.

Ah, that explains seeing an actual external fuel filter on my 03 that I can replace. I was shocked when I saw it two weeks ago when crawling under the truck.

 

[a4edwin]

05/06 lq4's qnd lq9's had better cranks, rods, and pistons, which support more mods.

This is true but neither of those engines came in the Tahoe or yukon