Any Suburban owners?

[jsnyder]

The wife and I are looking at a used 97 K1500. Any reports on reliability for these? All of the used car reviews speak quite favorably about them, just want to make sure they are dependable and don't have a reputation as a money pit.



TIA.



Jason

 

[Todd T]

we have a 92 with 104,000 on it now. my dad has owned three burbs starting with his first in 87. they are awesome family trucksters. we have two kids. my dad has four. i like the tailgate style, my dad likes his swing out doors. you gotta get the rear (third seat) and rear HVAC. 4X4's hold their value a bit better than a 2 wheeler. they tend to chew up idle arms often but they are cheap.



about the worst thing i can say about them is the transmission is weak if you tow heavy with them just make sure you have the tow package it has a transmission cooler or put one on yourself it will save your transmission.



Oh, the intake gaskets on the new(98+??) Vortec engines are plastic and will leak antifreeze a bit. a very common problem on the vortec 350's in all the GM trucks.



gas mileage is not that great (15-17MPG highway) but look at what your lugging around.



the Chevy 350/700r4 setup is unbeatable in reliability.

 

[Will24]

The 700r4 is reliable until you tow with it, a couple thousand towing miles WILL take out OD on that unit.

 

[Dane]

I had a 1985 GMC 3/4 ton 2wd with the 454 and turbo 400 auto. GREAT family tow vehicle! Only problems were exhaust manifold studs breaking. Pulled a 30" travel trailer like a dream...



I would not try to tow heavy with the 1/2 ton...

 

[jsnyder]

This won't be a towing vehicle, that's what the Cummins is for. My wife wants more passenger room but refuses to drive a mini-van. "They look soooo dorky"



What is the average miles to rebuild for the 5. 7 L Vortecs?



Jason

 

[Todd T]

are you kiddin me? they have 100K spark plugs and anti freeze. i would be suprised if you still owned it by the time it was worn out.



a transmission cooler will save your butt even if you dont tow. its a must have item.



my dads 98 has the 3:42? gears in the rear, it will pin you to the seat off the line. they are so heavy they wont do a brake stand or burn out. I have tried it in all of them including mine. it will just push the front tires the lower gears hurts his mileage out on the highway though. mine has 2 something gears.



I give them a thumbs up for reliabilty and family use. dont sell yourself short and get a tahoe either those extra few inchs are worth it.

 

[duaneparks]

I'll chime in... my folks have a '96 K1500 Sub since new and have only had a couple of problems with it. One was transmission related, and it still has the problem even after a rebuild. It upshifts hard from 1-2 at all throttle settings. Dunno why.



Winshield wiper motor went out at 20K miles and again at 60K miles (not under warranty the second time). Too bad it was raining HARD that day and it was the only vehicle around.



It has gone through 3 batteries (1 from factory and 2 60 month 775CCA Die Hards).



Electric door locks quit working once, but fixed under warranty.



I think that's it. Vehicle has 70K relatively easy miles on it now. Still gets 15-18 mpg on the hwy with 7 people in it. In that respect it's an awesome vehicle. It's even respectable in minor offroad situations (like sand at the beach).



HTH.



Duane

 

[Will24]

Duane, you sure the wiper control module didn't go out?

 

[duaneparks]

Originally posted by will24

Duane, you sure the wiper control module didn't go out?

Heh, it might have been. It was my mom who told me the the problem was the wiper motor (she's the one who took it to get it fixed)... she could have been confused.



Duane

 

[Will24]

Was just curious, the old style modules are complete junk, supposedly the revised ones are much better



-Will

 

[nickleinonen]

they tend to chew up idle arms often but they are cheap.

there is a grease fitting on the idler arm that is a pita to get access to. you need to drop the front plastic skid pan to get to it, but if it is greased it lasts. the 97 and newer had the 4l60e transmission on the small gas and the 4l80e on the 454 and diesel [i have that in my 6. 5TD tahoe 1997. . ] the wiper motor control circute board is a little weak in the solder joints, but they can be fixed when they break

 

[Will24]

yeah, the aftermarket replacement boards are reman GMs, they just resolder the old joint, they WILL break again, GM got smart and began production with a flexible joint in the connector, part # is 12463090

 

[jsnyder]

Would you have any concerns about a used model with 80-100k miles on them? We'll definitely have a mechanic check out any prospective purchases.

 

[Royk]

I'll trade you one for a Toyota Sequoia

Jason,



I have a used '97 K1500. Almost loaded; Leather interior, nice sound system (CD player is gone though), 80,000+ miles. Its for sale if you want it.



Eats $400+ alternators, leaks, doors don't fit, transmission blows, eats fuel pumps, squeeks and rattles, rotors warped at 35,000 miles. CD player died around 40K miles. New CD player (part only) costs $534. Not to mention the other nickle- and-dime things.



Make me an offer.



-Roy

 

[Todd T]

Boy RoyK, that's one heck of a sales pitch ya got there



if you guys dumpster dive behind any GM dealer you will come up with a few wiper control modules on your teeth that's what i did.



the guy asking about a 80-100K purchase! just find out if the transmission is stock or if its been replaced how long ago? the transmission IS the only downfall to K series Chevy or GMC products. they are pretty well just enough to haul the truck they are in and that's it.



towing will take one out quick. the funny thing about them is if they make it past about 60-70K they will hold up a long time.



once again family truckster rating is A+, tow vehicle??... ... ... weeellll just leave that work up to the Cummins in a Dodge suit



this very topic is the reason i am making my truck a crew cab. when it is done the wife's suburban is getting sold, she takes the crew cab and i will find me another 12valver to build.