New GM owner question

[behindbars1544]

Hi guys, Name's Jay. I just purchased a 2005 Yukon XL and this is my FIRST GM product. I'm primarily a Ford and Dodge guy but my 2006 Charger RT was getting up there on mileage and for every one thing I fixed, 3 more would break so I decided to let her go. I love big vehicles and when I saw the Yukon I said what the hell, let's give GM a fair try.

My question is this. It's got 100,000 on the clock and I know nothing about these vehicles. I questioned some friends that have or had them and they said that with proper care, they can go 200,000 no problem but what are common issues with these that I should look / be ready for? Is there any benefit in the 2005 than in other years?

I've always "done up" all my other vehicles but I'm thinking of going easy with this one. Getting too old to trick out vehicles with aftermarket parts just to have it cause issues. I'm thinking maybe just intake and exhaust to make her breath better and toss on my diablo trinity from my charger. I think they offer a nice 87-octane tune for this truck.

Thanks for any help and advice!!

 

[dcarver]

My father in law has an 01 yukon xl and it has over 200k and he's had only one major repair which was tranny related and cost about $1000. So after 13yrs of ownership and 1 major repair I'd say it's pretty reliable. If you look on craigslist you'll see dozens of clean suburbans, yukons, and taoes that have close to 200k and are clean and running strong.
Basic problems I've seen doing research before I bought my suburban a few days ago are alternators short life, I believe a selonoid in the front diff if you have 4wd/AWD, tranny problems but with proper maintenance I think you'll be fine and plus the problems I saw with this were from those with some serious performance mods. Also the gauge clusters are notorious for stepper motor failure but again cheap fix maybe $100.
In 2005 there were some extra safety features like stabilitrac and in 2004 you got hydroboost brakes. Also E-fans so mpg may be better than previous years.

 

[Grimes]

You'll find a lot of high mileage GM trucks. Personally I'm at 208k with a 2003 and still running solid, but I know there are others here that can beat that. Just maintain it, honestly. Fluids, fluids.

Not sure about other trucks, but I know with the NBS a tranny or engine catastrophic failure isn't the scariest thing in the world because rebuilds aren't crazily expensive. Same goes for all other repairs, as GM SUVs rule the market and share parts across the board for their frames (Tahoe, Yukon, Silverado, Sierra).

About your 100k, that number is nothing as long as the vehicle was well maintained. If so, that's just being broken in!

 

[oh1yukonslt]

I have over 174k on mine. Granted I just picked it up a few weeks ago and put about 700 miles or so on her and she runs like a champ. If taken care of well don't be scared of the miles. I know this don't relate to our rigs but I have a 92 Chevy 2500 that's has 256k miles on it with a TBI 350. And its my plow truck for winter. Drinks a little oil here and there but still running strong given beating it up plowing snow every year.

 

[F'in-hoe]

183,*** on my 01 tahoe. Just replaced the transfer case with a used one with 80,000 on it for 700 installed with 6 mth warrenty. First major repair since I've owned it. I've had it for 9 years.

 

[BirchyBoy]

167k on my '99 Yukon. Just bought a 25' travel trailer and we're hitting the road to Maine from Colorado this summer. I've put some money into maintenance issues and had it checked out. Doesn't mean it won't fail, but I'm going to take it easy and have fun any way!