New member considing full size GM SUV. Some questions.

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GeoGoGo

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Hi Everyone,

My name is George and and I have lurking around here for a couple of weeks. I am thinking upgrading to a newer SUV.

I have a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer LT 4x4 that I have just paid off. My fiancée bought a 2015 Acadia and I have to say I have fallen in love with the idea of a newer vehicle.

I have always loved the look of the full size GM. SUV and am looking into that idea now. I was hoping to get some ideas and opinions.

I know this is a very subjective question but what is the most preferred year? Is there much more of a difference other than appearance between the Tahoe, Yukon, and Escalades?

Which vehicles have the best headlights? Which are the best candidates for HID retrofits?

What are some of the most popular, must have mods?

Thank you all for the time. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and opinions. Have a great weekend!

George D.
 

levilarsen

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Theres a lot the same and a lot not the same I collect suburbans and when I first started I found out the hard way

TRANSMISSION
Biggest thing to worry about is the tranny.
A Tahoe with a 5.3 engine usually gets slapped with a 4l60e transmission and it's junk from the shop even in normal usage conditions they'll go out quickly. however the 6.0 Tahoe and it's gmc/ caddy cousins get a 4l80e and it by it's self is pretty good modding that with a cooler and other things tranny shops can get in to can make that a beatufil long lasting tranny.

QUALITY
Another thing is quality control. The GMC factory has tighter restrictions and guidelines to follow on the trucks then the Chevy factory. even though most the parts are the same it's less likely in my experience and even talking with Chevy techs to find a falty part on a GMC version of a truck and Cadillac is even tighter.

HEADLIGHT
As far as headlights being switched over to hid the housings I've seen haven't been different enough to matter. You mentioned mods now my favorite thing about my burbans is segragated high/low headlights. I use street legal lights in my lows I go with LEDs at about 1200 lumans my highs I use 3000 lumen leds.

Mods I do usually
Any light that doesn't come as an LED I change to an LED my cab lights turn on and you think it's day time again.

Lot of guys I know with HID lights wire the high lights to turn on there lows and DRLs when activated and any year I've seen it on it looks intimidating coming down the road.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk
 

swathdiver

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Well George, what's your budget? Are you considering the latest or previous body style? Regular or short wheelbase?

With regards to the 2007-2014 SUVs, the Cadillac is higher end all around and the Platinum model already has the fancy headlights.

So tell us which generation you are considering along with the above and folks with intimate knowledge of each can chime in with their two cents.

Welcome aboard btw!
 

swathdiver

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QUALITY
Another thing is quality control. The GMC factory has tighter restrictions and guidelines to follow on the trucks then the Chevy factory. even though most the parts are the same it's less likely in my experience and even talking with Chevy techs to find a falty part on a GMC version of a truck and Cadillac is even tighter.

It is my understanding that since 2009, all of these are being built in Arlington, Texas; right alongside each other.
 

swathdiver

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I do believe your right actually my apologies

None of us is perfect in our recollections. I do remember though some fellas commenting on the GMT800s, that the Tahoes around 2004-2006 were exceptionally well made coming from the Janesville, Wisconsin plant compared with those from Arlington of the same period. Stuff like that is hard to nail down unless one could access dealership service records or get a mass study done.
 
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GeoGoGo

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Well George, what's your budget? Are you considering the latest or previous body style? Regular or short wheelbase?

With regards to the 2007-2014 SUVs, the Cadillac is higher end all around and the Platinum model already has the fancy headlights.

So tell us which generation you are considering along with the above and folks with intimate knowledge of each can chime in with their two cents.

Welcome aboard btw!

Swat,

Thank you for they reply! Budget-wise, I am looking to stay around $30k. I believe I am looking for the regular wheel base, the longest non-Suburban. I think my budget precludes me from the current body style.

Anyway, thank you for the time!
 
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GeoGoGo

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Theres a lot the same and a lot not the same I collect suburbans and when I first started I found out the hard way

TRANSMISSION
Biggest thing to worry about is the tranny.
A Tahoe with a 5.3 engine usually gets slapped with a 4l60e transmission and it's junk from the shop even in normal usage conditions they'll go out quickly. however the 6.0 Tahoe and it's gmc/ caddy cousins get a 4l80e and it by it's self is pretty good modding that with a cooler and other things tranny shops can get in to can make that a beatufil long lasting tranny.

QUALITY
Another thing is quality control. The GMC factory has tighter restrictions and guidelines to follow on the trucks then the Chevy factory. even though most the parts are the same it's less likely in my experience and even talking with Chevy techs to find a falty part on a GMC version of a truck and Cadillac is even tighter.

HEADLIGHT
As far as headlights being switched over to hid the housings I've seen haven't been different enough to matter. You mentioned mods now my favorite thing about my burbans is segragated high/low headlights. I use street legal lights in my lows I go with LEDs at about 1200 lumans my highs I use 3000 lumen leds.

Mods I do usually
Any light that doesn't come as an LED I change to an LED my cab lights turn on and you think it's day time again.

Lot of guys I know with HID lights wire the high lights to turn on there lows and DRLs when activated and any year I've seen it on it looks intimidating coming down the road.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

Levilarsen,

Thank you for the information. It is very much appreciated!
 

adventurenali92

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For $30k you could pick up a really nice low mileage 2007-2014 generation suv. The tahoe and non Denali Yukon’s all came with the 5.3L V8 and a 4l60E transmission, which mentioned above isn’t the best transmission. Although after 2009 I believe the 5.3 got the newer 6 speed transmission. The the Denali package and all Escalades have the 6.2L V8 and the 6 speed transmission. That’s the biggest difference be tween the three SUVs. Quality wise the 6.2 is a very durable and dependable motor.
 

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