2011 Tahoe PPV - Please advise...

[ramdmc]

Hey guys,

Looks like a bunch of Tahoes have come to the end of their service life at the local provincial (state) highway police service and have made it to a local auction. They all have between 150-175K miles (250-280K kms) and from what a couple of officer friends tell me, they service them religiously. They typically go for between 6-8K and all come with a carfax which is good because the guys use them as rams to end chases so some can have multiple claims.

I've read the 6 speed auto was introduced in 2010, and other than that, these are pretty stripped down vehicles with beefed up suspension and brakes. I prefer the 2wd personally. What really appeals to me is the room inside and the 3 50A relayed power circuits throughout the interior (center console and 2 rear cargo on either side).

Can anyone here who's familiar with these vehicles comment on their reliability? Pretty simple I gather, not a lot of electronics and features. How's the new trans and what are the 5.3 LMG motors like? Little better mileage with the 6 speed? I've read of the LS2 swaps, seem like an OEM+ upgrade.

Any advice and direction will be greatly appreciated as this would be a "work" vehicle with me spending quite a bit of time in it.

Many thanks

RC

 

[tahoeppv12]

2009 is the intro 6speed on 5.3L, I just bought a 2012 ppv a while ago. The suspension seem really stiff, maybe i need new shock at 128k. Where do you buy them at 6k-8k?

 

[iLikeEggs]

I recently bought a 2011 SSV. It had 124k miles on it. From what I could tell they basically changed the oil and tires on it. It was running rough when I got it but after some basic maintenance the thing really runs like a top now. Yes, they are fairly stripped down but it's less things that will break down, wear out and cost to replace. Suspension...yeah a little stiff but it handles really well. I plan on leaving mine just as it is. Only thing I added so far was a center console jump seat in front.

 

[FrankU]

If you get a SSV/PPV from up in the snow belt look closely at the rust factor. And beware that it is very hard to slow up the rusting , sometimes impossible.

 

[ramdmc]

2009 is the intro 6speed on 5.3L

Ah thanks, I was honestly confused because this information varies, although the only definitive way I've been able to easily distinguish this is by the PRNDM vs PRND321 gear indicator in the gauge cluster

Where do you buy them at 6k-8k?

One of the big auction houses who have the provincial contracts to resell these units. They can be bought for as little as 3-4k for an 07 with high mileage and 3+ Carfax records plus typically engine lights, noisy drivetrain, blemished or dented body panels to 9+K for supervisor, low mileage units in sound running condition.

From what I could tell they basically changed the oil and tires on it. It was running rough when I got it but after some basic maintenance the thing really runs like a top now.

The service dept for the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) the Ontario version of the Highway Patrol, are pretty good and service them well with OEM parts. Aside from body damage, it's a regular routine of tires, brakes and oil, and they typically spend their time on the highway covering up to 350 miles per shift.

Only thing I added so far was a center console jump seat in front.

This.. I've only seen one vehicle with a center console and it was a supervisors vehicle, also didn't have any Carfax accident reports, basically used as transportation between stations and court.

If you get a SSV/PPV from up in the snow belt look closely at the rust factor. And beware that it is very hard to slow up the rusting , sometimes impossible.

This is the only thing that concerns me. They do not undercoat them, but there is a product from Lloyds Labs either the AD2000 or AD3000 which is pretty good at arresting corrosion and creeping places where you can't spray. It actually works.

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming. I'm pretty sold on them, can't beat the value and to be honest, so well suited for what I need. Just a matter of time before I find the right one, currently hitting the auctions weekly.

 

[iLikeEggs]

I'm pretty certain that maintenance standards will vary from agency to agency. Sounds like the OPP is on the ball up there! I guess the point I was trying to make was that as apparently weak as the maintenance program was in the county I got my SSV from, the truck (made in Texas) could handle it and come back swinging for a second shot at life.
Go Tahoe's!

 

[ramdmc]

I guess the point I was trying to make was that as apparently weak as the maintenance program was in the county I got my SSV from, the truck (made in Texas) could handle it and come back swinging for a second shot at life.
Go Tahoe's!

Ha, that sounds encouraging. The more I read, the less I second guess myself. It appears tires may be a problem though. I did find Discovery AT/3 in the 265/65/17 though.

If you're celebrating, then Merry Christmas!

RC

 

[iLikeEggs]

Ha, that sounds encouraging. The more I read, the less I second guess myself. It appears tires may be a problem though. I did find Discovery AT/3 in the 265/65/17 though.

If you're celebrating, then Merry Christmas!

RC

Merry Christ!mas!

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

i looked at one along time ago but i didnt like the fact there was all this stuff and antennas still onthe roof for the police equipment and a big gap were all on radio stuff went
also keep in mind police persuit vehicles are built more for top end speed i think the newer ones even come with 3.08 rear axle ratios
do these auction ppvs still have to aux battery and isolater in them

 

[iLikeEggs]

Mine still had the dual battery set up with heavy duty cables. Mine came with two of the NMO antenna mounts. At first I capped them off (NMO caps on ebay are pretty cheap...). Then i decided to go ahead and put a GMRS and ham antenna on the roof. I like my radios.