96 Suburban, is this the "right" truck?

Ok, I am not a Chevy guy, I like the blue ovals better, however, I am in a situation where I need a 4th, yes, 4th vehicle. Having worked at a Ford dealer for several years my first thought was an Expedition, but I have been looking for many weeks and cannot find one that fits my needs, ie age, miles and PRICE. My previous employer just took a 96 GMC Suburban in on trade. Its a 4x4, 3rd seat, rear air, barn doors and is in very nice shape a side from a few miles 163,xxx and a few small scratches. I am told it is a two owner truck with the 2nd owner putting a majority of the miles on it. It starts, runs and drives well. The 4x4 works and there are no big leaks pan is seeping. The only probs I can see/ hear is a small exhaust leak on accel, sound like a manifold gasket to me, and every single knob is missing! ie all the radio and and rear climate knobs. Oh, and it has the dark MAROON int. which is a little much for me, but hey....So my question is: I can buy this for $3,000, but I know nothing of the Chevy line and I am concerned that I will miss or get stuck with a bunch of little Chevy quirks, ie, trans issues, 4x4 issues and intake probs. Does this sound like a decent ride or should I hold out for a FRD or wait for a newer or older burb? What should I be looking for? Thanks in advance, 'Burb owners seem to really know their trucks!

The Chev is a fine vehicle but I think you really want a Ford.

I agree, I would like a Ford, but I feel like the amount of time I have spent looking precludes my decsion to what is at hand. I have no problems with Chevy products, I just dont know anything about them and frankly, I think this Burb will meet my needs better and it is a better deal for the money than the Expedition. Besides the Intake issue is there anything else I should look at?

I have owned both and worked on both and there is realy little differance when you get right down to it. No major problems and everything can be fixed.

1st thing I'd do is ask your previous employer if you could drive it for a week and then have every module (VCM, ABS Tranny, etc) scanned for DTC's. You've pretty much hit on the most common problems. You didn't mention engine size or model (K1500/K2500). The 4L60E tranny has some issues. The 4L80E (7.4/2500) seems to be pretty solid.

What's up with all the knobs missing? How can you check all that stuff out with the knobs gone? Something to think about.

Best thing is you've found just about the best place there is to ask ?'s.



Let us know.

Good advice....I am going to pick it up today and drive it through Sat. My friend has an OTC scanner and he will check for any DTC's on Fri. As for the knobs, the radio can still be operated and I found 2 of the 3 rear air knobs in the glove box, looks like they have broken but they and be used to operate the system temporarily. Oh, it is a K1500, 5.7 w/4L60e. What are the 4L60 issues? My contact at the local chevroship says the 4L60 is essentailly the old 700r4 but with electronic controls. Not a bad tranny but maybe only good for 150-200k tops. Also was told 4l80 came with the 7.4/6.5 L motors and is more robust. Is any of this correct? Thanks

What you were told is basically correct. Check out this thread for more info on the 4L60E.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=719033

From my transmission guy the 4L60E tranny has a habit of dropping reverse, second, and fourth without warning. If you are over 120,000 you are looking at a rebuild. For my 1997 it will cost $1695 to fix it. (It goes in next Friday.) The bad thing is it does with NO WARNING. In my case several hours from home. Even now there is NO warning lights on on the dash.

But all that said. I do LOVE my beast and since I bought it for a song (one third the blue book value) it isn't so bad. Just annoying. The good outweighs the bad.

Ok, I have driven this truck for a couple of days and have discovered the following: No DTC's, everything works except the RR door lock actuator, air blows cool in town cold on the highway, trans pan leaks a little, oil pan or rear main leaks some, p/s pump or line is leaking. Wow am I picky or what! I have had two other family members drive it and they approve, my Chevroship contact approves witht the comment (if it were on our lot it would be a $5k truck). I think I am being swayed and am about to pull the trigger any final thoughts?????

BANG!......(thud)....I PULLED THE TRIGGER! I am the new owner of a slightly used 96 GMC k1500 'Burb. I have gained a wealth of knowledge from this forum and look forward to contributing in the future. Thanks for everyone's input and advice.

Congrats! MY hubby is a Ford man, but he admitted to me that he likes my Suburban a lot and despite our recent issue with ours he'd buy one for himself.

Just bought a fully loaded 97 Burb LT 4x4 90k mi from her 1st owner (to replace my old basic 97 Police Special 4x4 150k mi :-) Never let the gas tank go below 1/3 (fuel pump and sensor is in tank, dealer replacement cost is $1300+), get premium brake pads, and sloted disks, check vacuum and vacuum booster to keep brake in top shape. Other than that no issues.

Have owned a 97 burb 4x4 for 2 years. Bought it with 97000 mi and now has 134000. Put a new transmission in inside of 2 months of ownership. Also had a water pump along with some radiator work done. Great vehicle for carrying people and cargo. No more maintenance than any other ride with the same miles. Hope you enjoy.