Split Decision... Help me make up my mind!!!

[Phoenician_07]

I’m prepared to get completely crucified about this subject but I need HONEST opinions.

I have a family of 5 (maybe 6 we don’t know yet too early to tell) and I need an SUV. I need 3rd row seating, and I need space in the back so most likely full size.

And to the meat and potatoes... 3rd gen Chevy Burb or 2nd gen Ford Expy?

I’ve been looking at what to look for when buying a Expy or a Burn and the Expy just seem to have a lot more that could go wrong. I know it heavily depends on the previous owner but I’m in between and can’t decide.

 

[Derick]

I would say, either are fine if you plan on toting the kids around, and thats it. The ford 5.4 has issues with breaking spark plugs. That's just bad news if you're terrified of breaking a spark plug doing simple tune up/maintenance work.

Do you want to do more with the truck? Pull a boat, camper, whatever? If so, I'd highly suggest a suburban 2500. The stock burb with the 5.3 seems a little anemic to me. Others will argue, because thats the internet....but the 6.0 is quite capable and would certainly give you the ability to pull 7-8k lbs. 01-06 will give you 6.0 or 8.1L options...if you go newer, I'm seeing 09+ would be the best...but good luck on that because they are pretty rare.

 

[swathdiver]

I need an SUV. I need 3rd row seating, 3rd gen Chevy Burb or 2nd gen Ford Expy?

A 3rd generation Suburban huh? Well, I would recommend a '53 or '54 so you can get the 4-speed automatic transmission. As for the Expedition, wouldn't even consider it, those motors leave a lot to be desired compared with the LS or even the Stovebolt in the '53!

 

[M3kanic]

We are a family of 5 with LARGE dogs. I absolutely loved my suburban. It went everywhere with from Texas to Hawaii to Germany to upstate New York. So basically the heat of the south to the freezing temperatures of the north. The slow road of the islands to autobahn speeds. The 5.3 may seem anemic until you tune it. I never had a problem keeping up on the autobahn or towing our 8k camper.

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[intheburbs]

Not sure what you mean/what model years by 3rd generation Suburban (current models are 10th generation) or 2nd generation Expy.

For a family of 5 or 6, you definitely would want the Expedition EL. And that wasn't available until the third generation Expy, starting in 2007. The regular-length Expy (like the Tahoe/Yukon) has very little cargo room behind the third row.

So unless you are indeed looking at Expeditions newer than 2006, your only choice is the Suburban/Yukon XL.

What I can say is that the 2000-2006 Suburbans/Yukon XLs were some of the best trucks GM ever made. With GMT900, starting in 2007, you have the addition of the multidisplacement system, AFM, and that is a whole new can of worms, on par with the Ford 5.4 breaking/popping spark plugs.

 

[kbuskill]

The 3rd gen Burbs are way cooler looking but have very few creature comforts.

Seriously though, Burb all day long.

 

[mikeyss]

I have had a few expeditions, as well as Tahoe's. Hands down, GM 3rd row seats suck bad, and there's no denying that. The leg room sucks, and removing them is even worse. That's where the expedition outshines the Tahoe/Suburban. Most expeditions are push button up or down 3rd row (lesser trim there is a latch that makes them go down), so you don't got to remove anything. And sitting back there you have more than enough leg room, vs the Tahoe/Suburban where there is NO legroom in the 3rd row.
The Tahoe/Suburban are WAY easier to work on if there are any problems, and service is easier. The 5.4 Triton is a pain to work on, and they don't get electric cooling fans till 2010! 5.4 does have a lot more torque than the 5.3, especially off idle. Most Expeditions do NOT have locking rears like GM does, but the IRS is nice in the Expy for handling.
There are alot Aftermarket products for GM, and there is verturally nothing for Expy's. And any power adders for the Expy are expensive and hard as hell to install, vs GM where there lots and it's easy to install.
I do prefer my 09 Tahoe to the Expys (3 of them I have had), EXCEPT the 3rd row and lack of IRS.

 

[Derick]

Hands down, GM 3rd row seats suck bad, and there's no denying that. .

Really? After I understood what I was doing wrong, I think the GM seats were pretty decent. The ability to keep the third row locked in the 'up' position was sweet. That was something my sequoia couldnt do.

 

[drakon543]

ok well i skipped ahead to the end to here to toss in my 2 cents on the ford. now im not particularly partial to the brands in general ford chevy and dodge. i think each mfg has made thier fair share of wtf. the 5.4 is fords wtf among others but we are focusing on the expeditions atm. i literally just worked on an 05 f150 with the 5.4. talk about an engine with so many flaws and chances for self detonation. the spark plug issue was corrected for the most part when they ditched the 2 piece spark plug and went to a solid spark plug. the chain tensioner is run off the oil pressure which is kept in check by a single oring. if said oring fails that side of the engine is no longer being oiled. the original oil pump is junk and not easy to get too. there are a few other issues but there is just too many catastrophic failures with the 5.4 for anyone to even consider it as an option.

 

[mikeyss]

Really? After I understood what I was doing wrong, I think the GM seats were pretty decent. The ability to keep the third row locked in the 'up' position was sweet. That was something my sequoia couldnt do.

Have you had to sit in the 3rd row? I'm 5'3 135lbs and I don't even fit back there, haha. For me, locking the 3rd seats up is useless, except for grocery shopping. I store the 3rd row seats in the garage, because I don't really need them. They are heavy, and they don't remove easily at all. That's all I miss from my old expy, push the button and the seats fold flat into the floor and are gone, no space taken up in the garage either, haha.
I had a:
95 Suburban 2500 - 3rd row sucked
05 and 09 Tahoe (still own both) - 3rd row sucks
99 Expedition - heavy ass 3rd row, lots
of leg room but spits spark plugs
05 and 07 Expedition - awesome 3rd row, but can't remove spark plugs

 

[swathdiver]

Have you had to sit in the 3rd row? I'm 5'3 135lbs and I don't even fit back there, haha. For me, locking the 3rd seats up is useless, except for grocery shopping. I store the 3rd row seats in the garage, because I don't really need them. They are heavy, and they don't remove easily at all. That'sall I miss from my old expy, push the button and the seats fold flat into the floor and are gone, no space taken up in the garage either, haha.
I had a:
95 Suburban 2500 - 3rd row sucked
05 and 09 Tahoe (still own both) - 3rd row sucks
99 Expedition - heavy ass 3rd row, lots
of leg room but spits spark plugs
05 and 07 Expedition - awesome 3rd row, but can't remove spark plugs

Yep, even the Pontiac Montana has more leg room and an adjustable seatback in its 3rd row compared to the Suburban. I liken the 3rd row to the back seat in my buddy's '79 Camaro. But Mike, I'm 5'8" and 375 pounds and have sat back there too just to do it in my Yukon XL. I liken the 3rd row in your Tahoe to my uncle's old '79 Datsun 280ZX!

Now Ken, those 3rd gens have lots of room under the hood to work on, the sliding windows for each row to adjust for air flow and big glass for counting license plates on long trips and you could even get a gate or barn doors and they offered manual transmissions!

 

[Derick]

Have you had to sit in the 3rd row? I'm 5'3 135lbs and I don't even fit back there, haha. For me, locking the 3rd seats up is useless, except for grocery shopping. I store the 3rd row seats in the garage, because I don't really need them. They are heavy, and they don't remove easily at all. That'sall I miss from my old expy, push the button and the seats fold flat into the floor and are gone, no space taken up in the garage either, haha.
I had a:
95 Suburban 2500 - 3rd row sucked
05 and 09 Tahoe (still own both) - 3rd row sucks
99 Expedition - heavy ass 3rd row, lots
of leg room but spits spark plugs
05 and 07 Expedition - awesome 3rd row, but can't remove spark plugs

I've not sat back there. I figured/assumed with the captains chairs in the 2nd row, it would be easy enough to access. I will likely pull them and store them too....just havent as of yet. I only have one kid, so I dont need em either.

I dont think anyone can complain about button push seats

 

[thompsoj22]

We are a family of 5 with LARGE dogs. I absolutely loved my suburban. It went everywhere with from Texas to Hawaii to Germany to upstate New York. So basically the heat of the south to the freezing temperatures of the north. The slow road of the islands to autobahn speeds. The 5.3 may seem anemic until you tune it. I never had a problem keeping up on the autobahn or towing our 8k camper.

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Ok, it was my intent to be professional and not make reference to "crucified" but, towing an 8k lb trailer with a suburban 5.3 and having no problem doing so leads me to think maybe you have had a few beers??? LOL! anyway, my opinion to the OP is to relive an old memory and get another suburban/yukon xl. they are people movers in comfort. if they have the 6.0/6.2 you can also tow. the expedition, alias "expensive edition" imo is a risky move to purchase pre owned with a big family and a budget that dosent include constant repairs.

 

[M3kanic]

Ok, it was my intent to be professional and not make reference to "crucified" but, towing an 8k lb trailer with a suburban 5.3 and having no problem doing so leads me to think maybe you have had a few beers??? LOL! anyway, my opinion is to relive an old memory and get another suburban/yukon xl. they are people movers in comfort. if they have the 6.0/6.2 you can also tow. the expedition, alias "expensive edition" imo is a risky move to purchase pre owned with a big family and a budget that dosent include constant repairs.

Understand that my suburban wasn't stock and set up properly to tow makes things a whole lot easier.

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[drakon543]

i pulled a 05 f150 super crew fx4 5.4 about 5500 lbs 120miles with a 97 with the 5.7. im not going to say you couldn't notice it but i was able to maintain 50-60 mph without trying to kill the truck. i only has to kick it down going up some nasty hills and i still kept it under 3k rpm. i do have an intake shortie headers and a catback but im not gaining enough there to make a huge difference. so 8k with the 5.3 maybe probably not suggesting it was a walk in the park but it can do it.

 

[thompsoj22]

Understand that my suburban wasn't stock and set up properly to tow makes things a whole lot easier.

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WOW! that is an amazing combination!!! im kinda speechless? we love to camp with our 22ft aljo lite 4400 lbs wet. We see rigs like yours out there and envy the space and luxury that you have inside. so what in the heck do you have under that hood?

 

[M3kanic]

WOW! that is an amazing combination!!! im kinda speechless? we love to camp with our 22ft aljo lite 4400 lbs wet. We see rigs like yours out there and envy the space and luxury that you have inside. so what in the heck do you have under that hood?

BB tune, efan, intake, exhuast, and a few other things I can't remember.

But with 3 kids and a great dane I definitely need the space.

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[Derick]

Here's my rig. 23 ft in total, but really only like 18+the deck.

 

[intheburbs]

Understand that my suburban wasn't stock and set up properly to tow makes things a whole lot easier.

Well, unless you've swapped out the axles and put in freefloaters, installed higher-GVWR brakes, put in stiffer springs, replaced the frame, and installed a new receiver, I guarantee you're overloading something - GVWR, RAWR, GCWR, or all of the above. 8k is way too much for a half-ton truck. You're going to break something, or cause an accident. Hell, my 3/4-ton Suburban is at its limit pulling an 8600-lb trailer.

BB tune, efan, intake, exhuast, and a few other things I can't remember.

But with 3 kids and a great dane I definitely need the space.

None of these mods addresses the weight you're towing - suspension and brakes are the biggest concern. You have a 1500-lb payload, the trailer and hitch probably contribute 1100 lbs. So you, your wife, 3 kids, Great Dane and gear are less than 400 lbs?

 

[M3kanic]

Well, unless you've swapped out the axles and put in freefloaters, installed higher-GVWR brakes, put in stiffer springs, replaced the frame, and installed a new receiver, I guarantee you're overloading something - GVWR, RAWR, GCWR, or all of the above. 8k is way too much for a half-ton truck. You're going to break something, or cause an accident. Hell, my 3/4-ton Suburban is at its limit pulling an 8600-lb trailer.

Well that was the old set up and the picture of what happened to it. Also here is a pic of the new set up.

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