Are you looking for a tool to pull the trailer, occasionally? The place I bought my SSV from has a higher mileage 2013 Suburban 2500 in Fleet trim for 12k. If you are interested - I can post the link.
In the market 3/4 Ton 2500, preferred transmission?
- Thread starter Trailblazzin
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I had the opportunity to buy a 2012 GMC 2500 XL about 4 years ago. Southern truck, Silver with gray leather, 4wd, super clean. It had 160k on it and the guy wanted somewhere around 15k for it.
Probably should've pursued that one......
Probably should've pursued that one......
petethepug
Michael
Yukon & Burb 2500 are pretty much collectibles like an Airstream trailer. You’ll want the 6SP (6L90) in the 08+. It’s quieter and more enjoyable to tow. The 07-09 6.0L (LY6) run on Reg gas.
The 10-13 6.0L (L96) have a different fuel pump and bigger injectors equipped for Reg fuel and e85. A big plus when available because of 39 gal dual tanks, 100 octane, inexpensive and burns cleaner and cooler plus it removes gas carbon deposits.
They are available with 100-200k + miles but they’re 300k platforms like any 07-14 NNBS full size SUV. The secret really isn’t out on the NNBS longevity yet.
None of the Burb or Yukon XL 2500 have AFM because of their GVWR. It exempts them from CAFE standards that the 1500 or 1/2 ton Yukon, Burb, Tahoe & Escalade are required to meet.
Unlike the 1/2 ton, the 3/4 ton siblings lack of AFM, means longer life for the 6.0L motor in every year made up to 2013. In 12 & 13 if equipped with Navi they got upgraded hard drive based Navi systems that are actually still usable. $69 integrated steaming BT music modules also clip in. 2013 w/ fact Navi has grid lines on back up cam.
Happy hunting and try to get as close to 2013 as possible even if you have to fly or drive to get it. Don’t forget you can swap seats or configurations from any other Yukon XL, Denali XL or Escalade ESV to get 10 way heated seats or swap from captains to 2nd row bench. It’s like LEGO’s.
The 10-13 6.0L (L96) have a different fuel pump and bigger injectors equipped for Reg fuel and e85. A big plus when available because of 39 gal dual tanks, 100 octane, inexpensive and burns cleaner and cooler plus it removes gas carbon deposits.
They are available with 100-200k + miles but they’re 300k platforms like any 07-14 NNBS full size SUV. The secret really isn’t out on the NNBS longevity yet.
None of the Burb or Yukon XL 2500 have AFM because of their GVWR. It exempts them from CAFE standards that the 1500 or 1/2 ton Yukon, Burb, Tahoe & Escalade are required to meet.
Unlike the 1/2 ton, the 3/4 ton siblings lack of AFM, means longer life for the 6.0L motor in every year made up to 2013. In 12 & 13 if equipped with Navi they got upgraded hard drive based Navi systems that are actually still usable. $69 integrated steaming BT music modules also clip in. 2013 w/ fact Navi has grid lines on back up cam.
Happy hunting and try to get as close to 2013 as possible even if you have to fly or drive to get it. Don’t forget you can swap seats or configurations from any other Yukon XL, Denali XL or Escalade ESV to get 10 way heated seats or swap from captains to 2nd row bench. It’s like LEGO’s.
intheburbs
Full Access Member
No 2500 Suburbans/Yukon XLs came with the Allison. Ever. If someone claims otherwise, ask them for a picture of the spin-on oil filter on the trans.
The 2007s have the 4L80, but the dealbreaker for me is they also have the (weak) 9.5" semifloater rear. The 2008-2013 not only got the 6L90, they also all got the 10.5" freefloater rear axle. I call it the Godzilla axle. It's rated to 5500 lbs in the 2500 Suburbans, because the limiting factor is the tires, but American Axle rates the axle to 8600 lbs.
The 2007 came with either a 3.73 or 4.10 ratio. All 2008-2013 got the 3.73. But with the six-speed, the 08-13 models had both a better start ratio and a better final drive ratio compared to the 4L80.
I bought my 2008 2500 back in 2013 because I'd recently grenaded TWO rear axles in my 2001 towing heavy travel trailers.
And yes, they're rare and expensive. Most ones coming on the market are over 150k miles. Lower mileage units can still sell for $25k-$30k.
IF you do Facebook, here's a perfect example - loaded 2013 Yukon XL 2500 black/black with 122k miles, asking $27,500. That's probably a little high, but that thing would sell for $24k-$25k every day. He actually started with an asking price of $32,500.
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The 2007s have the 4L80, but the dealbreaker for me is they also have the (weak) 9.5" semifloater rear. The 2008-2013 not only got the 6L90, they also all got the 10.5" freefloater rear axle. I call it the Godzilla axle. It's rated to 5500 lbs in the 2500 Suburbans, because the limiting factor is the tires, but American Axle rates the axle to 8600 lbs.
The 2007 came with either a 3.73 or 4.10 ratio. All 2008-2013 got the 3.73. But with the six-speed, the 08-13 models had both a better start ratio and a better final drive ratio compared to the 4L80.
I bought my 2008 2500 back in 2013 because I'd recently grenaded TWO rear axles in my 2001 towing heavy travel trailers.
And yes, they're rare and expensive. Most ones coming on the market are over 150k miles. Lower mileage units can still sell for $25k-$30k.
IF you do Facebook, here's a perfect example - loaded 2013 Yukon XL 2500 black/black with 122k miles, asking $27,500. That's probably a little high, but that thing would sell for $24k-$25k every day. He actually started with an asking price of $32,500.
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petethepug
Michael
TX is the picking ground for GM trucks. Flew out to DFW to get our Esky Plat 3 years ago next Mo.
That example would be the one trim’d out with every option except the heated steering wheel. HDD Navi, dual DVD screens, integrated trailer brake in the tow package. Last year of production model year.
The weather’s right to fly out and drive it home. Lucky kids to get something like that with heated seats in back. Our 08 YXL Denali had the 2nd row 60/40 heated bench with the fold down arm rest / drink holder in the center. Kids loved stacking pillows in the center for napping. That’s a bolt in option on these.
That example would be the one trim’d out with every option except the heated steering wheel. HDD Navi, dual DVD screens, integrated trailer brake in the tow package. Last year of production model year.
The weather’s right to fly out and drive it home. Lucky kids to get something like that with heated seats in back. Our 08 YXL Denali had the 2nd row 60/40 heated bench with the fold down arm rest / drink holder in the center. Kids loved stacking pillows in the center for napping. That’s a bolt in option on these.
Onlyone
Full Access Member
Here’s a rust free one with high miles but looks great. Cheap.
2007 GMC Yukon XL 2500 - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...
2007 GMC Yukon XL 2500. Power Windows and Locks with key fob. AM/FM CD Player with rear audio controls for headphones. Dual climate control up front with rear controls as well. Folding 3rd Row makes...
westslope.craigslist.org
Get an 08+. I bought my '07 2500 in 2020 without realizing that it was the last year of the 4L80e and I've regretted it since, but only because I should have held out for a 6L90e. I've got the 4.10 diffs, which is good for the 4 speed, but 1st gear is still painfully tall on this rig. I don't pull super heavy, my trailer's just around 6klbs, and I've got zero worries about the axle durability though.
The 6 speed with the 3.73 axles manages both a shorter effective 1st gear, taller effective overdrive, and has smaller jumps between ratios, all of which would be welcome lugging a few tons up mountains.
Mine's got 242k miles on it now but it's a keeper - quite clean and I've sadly needed to rebuild the transmission at 225k and replaced the engine with a low-mile refreshed unit last year (keep an eye on oil pressure!). It should go another 100k for me easy, even after I convince my wife to let me supercharge it so I can get up Parleys Canyon in Utah without sitting at 20mph behind big rigs.
The biggest downside to the 2500s is the fuel economy. Mine's tuned and will average around 11 on regular gas or 12 if I run it on a premium tune (which I do, since it's noticeably more powerful and the added 10% or so economy covers the added cost per gallon). Still, the large fuel capacity makes it so you can tow with decent range even while you're getting 7mpg.
All of that said... I keep wondering if a 21+ diesel Suburban wouldn't tow even better and be at least as stable with all of the modern tech. Even my 6k lb trailer would be pushing payload limits with my family of six in one though, and with an occasional 7th person and 2 dogs I'd be blowing past payload limits by a couple hundred pounds. A model with air suspension would likely be fine with that for a long time...
The 6 speed with the 3.73 axles manages both a shorter effective 1st gear, taller effective overdrive, and has smaller jumps between ratios, all of which would be welcome lugging a few tons up mountains.
Mine's got 242k miles on it now but it's a keeper - quite clean and I've sadly needed to rebuild the transmission at 225k and replaced the engine with a low-mile refreshed unit last year (keep an eye on oil pressure!). It should go another 100k for me easy, even after I convince my wife to let me supercharge it so I can get up Parleys Canyon in Utah without sitting at 20mph behind big rigs.
The biggest downside to the 2500s is the fuel economy. Mine's tuned and will average around 11 on regular gas or 12 if I run it on a premium tune (which I do, since it's noticeably more powerful and the added 10% or so economy covers the added cost per gallon). Still, the large fuel capacity makes it so you can tow with decent range even while you're getting 7mpg.
All of that said... I keep wondering if a 21+ diesel Suburban wouldn't tow even better and be at least as stable with all of the modern tech. Even my 6k lb trailer would be pushing payload limits with my family of six in one though, and with an occasional 7th person and 2 dogs I'd be blowing past payload limits by a couple hundred pounds. A model with air suspension would likely be fine with that for a long time...
petethepug
Michael
The current diesel trucks, Escalade, Denali & Burbs are true unicorns. I have my heart set on a preloved Escalade when the price falls some more.
petethepug
Michael
Sadly, the Allison 1000 trans was only offered in the 8.1L Chevy Avalanche or 3/4 ton Silverado or Sierra diesel trucks.
All the Burb & Yukon 2500 got the same 4 or 6 speed trans as their gasser counterparts. Even the Burb 3500 had a GM 6L90 and a 6.0 gasser.
All the Burb & Yukon 2500 got the same 4 or 6 speed trans as their gasser counterparts. Even the Burb 3500 had a GM 6L90 and a 6.0 gasser.
Am I wrong in assuming the Allison Transmissions only were offered on the 3/4 ton Silverado and Sierra models with the big blocks and not the 6.0 engines?
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