thinking of buying an 09 yukon xl

[Chughart]

hey guys im sort of new here but ive been lurking for a while. anyways i have an 02 tahoe lt (138k on odometer) and i have a chance to buy a 09 yukon xl slt with 202k miles on it but it has a fairly new (replaced within a year) engine and transmission (jasper brand) its in pretty good condition and i can get it for 6500$. it has a 5.3l flex fuel 6l80e and it has the 3.42 gears (GU6 G80 rpo codes).

i dont know much about this body style but a little context, i have a 22ft travel trailer that i tow with my tahoe and i feel the yukon will be a better option for pulling it but what should i be concerned about when buying this thing? the only reason im actively considering buying it is the new(ish) engine and transmission.

any help would be great. thanks guys!

 

[SNES Avalanche]

According to the 2009 Brochure: The trailer weight is 5400 2WD and 5700 4WD. If that Tahoe has the Heavy Duty Tow Package those numbers move to 8,400 and 8200.

So it's going to depend on your needs / if this Tahoe is optioned with the Tow Package.

 

[dpollak81]

yeah double check the RPO codes and if it has the max trailer package. I thought the trailer g package came with the 3.73 gears but that might have just been the trucks. I will say the long wheelbase of the XL tows much better stability wise than the regular Tahoe. Lot less tail wagging the dog…

 

[swathdiver]

hey guys im sort of new here but ive been lurking for a while. anyways i have an 02 tahoe lt (138k on odometer) and i have a chance to buy a 09 yukon xl slt with 202k miles on it but it has a fairly new (replaced within a year) engine and transmission (jasper brand) its in pretty good condition and i can get it for 6500$. it has a 5.3l flex fuel 6l80e and it has the 3.42 gears (GU6 G80 rpo codes).

i dont know much about this body style but a little context, i have a 22ft travel trailer that i tow with my tahoe and i feel the yukon will be a better option for pulling it but what should i be concerned about when buying this thing? the only reason im actively considering buying it is the new(ish) engine and transmission.

any help would be great. thanks guys!

If the 2009s have 3.42s (GU6) they are set up for maximum towing, 7,900 pounds. There was no intermediate tow rating that year, meaning they didn't come with 3.42s and without the HD cooling systems (K5L, KNP, KC4), they either had it all or they didn't.

The front suspensions on these wear out at around 160K so if it has not been done, consider that.

It will tow the little TT like it's not even back there until you head into the mountains but then you can shift down to 4th which is 3.94:1 or 3rd which is 5.23:1.

Get it tuned by BlackBear, not so much for performance but for improved transmission performance and to turn off AFM if you so desire.

Engine should be an LC9, the FlexFuel 5.3 but it could have the L76 6.0 motor. I don't think that version came with the LY5.

Does it have the trailer brake controller (JL1) on the left knee bolster? I won't buy one without it!

I've got the same thing so ask away if you have any more questions about it.

 

[Chughart]

What rpo codes am I looking for exactly? I did some searching and according to google ‍ It says it can tow 8100 but we all know how good google is lol also I don’t see a trans cooler and there isn’t a brake controller from the factory (I have a Reese controller from my Tahoe)

 

[swathdiver]

What rpo codes am I looking for exactly? I did some searching and according to google ‍ It says it can tow 8100 but we all know how good google is lol also I don’t see a trans cooler and there isn’t a brake controller from the factory (I have a Reese controller from my Tahoe)

The RPO codes are all in my previous response. 8,100 pounds is for a RWD truck equipped for maximum towing.

 

[Chughart]

Oh my bad I didn’t even see them. Thanks I will check them out in a little while. But if it doesn’t have those codes what’s the towing capacity? Is it still 7900? I’m going to install a trucool 40k if that means anything

 

[swathdiver]

Oh my bad I didn’t even see them. Thanks I will check them out in a little while. But if it doesn’t have those codes what’s the towing capacity? Is it still 7900? I’m going to install a trucool 40k if that means anything

No, if it doesn't have K5L it will have 3.08 gears and a tow rating of 5,100 pounds. This only applies to 2009, which was an intermediate year.

There's no need to add the Tru-Cool unless you are towing through Death Valley in the summer or regularly through the mountains. If you place it too high, it will heat up the radiator and degrade the AC system.

 

[Chughart]

 

[Chughart]

There’s the rpo sticker in the glove box. It has gu6 and g80 but I do not see the k codes

 

[swathdiver]

View attachment 380274

Ok, I got my wires crossed and was wrong about some things. All the 4x4s in 2009 have 3.42 gears and if they do not have the HD cooling package their tow rating is 5,400 pounds.

You can verify this by downloading the owner's manual from GMCs website. I posted the 2009 brochure in a previous entry, #8.

 

[Chughart]

According to the bottom of that manual you sent it says all 4wd Yukon xls came with 3.42 gears and have a towing capacity of 7900lbs am I missing something? Cause that tells me it’s 7900 not 5400? This is too complicated lol

 

[Chughart]

Also I’d like I note that I live in the blue ridge mountain range of Virginia so it’s basically all mountains around me so that may play a role in some decision making lol

 

[Chughart]

Welp I did some more digging and I’m not confused anymore lol I see how it’s only 5400lbs which is kind of a bummer but oh well thanks for all the help man!

 

[swathdiver]

Welp I did some more digging and I’m not confused anymore lol I see how it’s only 5400lbs which is kind of a bummer but oh well thanks for all the help man!

You're welcome. My truck came from that area, Martinsburg, WV. Drivetrain in great condition, a little rusty underneath (chassis not body), no rot or corroded bolts.

There will be others, don't discount traveling to get what you want.

 

[Chughart]

Am I mistake by saying the hd towing package is basically a bigger radiator and trans cooler? Cause according to that brochure all Yukon xls got the hd suspension and mine has the 3.42 gears?

 

[Chughart]

And the funny thing is I wasn’t looking I work at a Honda dealer and they got it in as a trade and figured I would check it out and they let me drive it for the weekend but given it won’t do what I want it to I’m gonna have to just keep my Tahoe (which tows my camper perfectly fine she does struggle a little on hills but not terribly)

The only thing I worry about is the 4l60 and I will say this 6speed in the Yukon is a big difference then that 4speed lol

 

[petethepug]

You’re on the right track. Keep your eyes peeled for a 09 YXL Denali. You’ll get the one year only L9H non cylinder deactivation / Non AFM motor & the upgraded trans. It’s e85 compatible w/ the brute 6.2L motor that’s common to go for 400k miles. The base Denali is loaded in 09 and tows an impressive 7900lb.

With standard 20” rims self air leveling rear struts and magnetic ride all around, the 09 Denali XL is the unicorn and 1st to none if you’re in an area where you can fill up with e85 at 1/2 the price of premium like here in Cali.

 

[Airman68]

I was hesitant about buying my 08 Yukon XL for several reasons. Afm and oil pressure issues, which I had on past vehicles. I bought this truck purely out of necessity because there wasn't much else out there at the time. Overall, it's a nice rig and comfy. That said, if I could have found a descent pre 2007 I would have hands down bought that first. Those engines are bulletproof and easy to work on, no AFM crap to deal with. Had at least 3 of them well into 300k miles with no issues. I'm sure many have had good luck with the 07 and newer, just not my experience.

 

[B-train]

I agree with PETETHEPUG. I owned a 2003 yukon and it was nice. Sold it and it's still kicking for the next guy who doesn't do a lick of maintenance.....poor thing.

After that I found a 2007 Denali and was hooked on the 6.2L and 6 speed trans. Drove the wheels off that one, then bought a 2009 Denali XL. That thing was a road trip dream wagon. Smooth, throaty sound, decent mpg. I purposely chose 2007-09 because I didn't want any AFM junk to deal with.

Now my wife has a 2017 Denali 6.2L. I put in a RANGE Device as soon as I got it home and it's been in V8 mode ever since w/o any issues. Currently at 114k.

I missed my older 6.2L so I went to CA and bought a decently maintained 2008 Denali as my beater truck / off road exploration rig.
If you are serious about upgrading in the future, I would highly recommend looking out west for what you like and do a one way flight there and drive home. I'm from WI and the Salt just kills vehicles here if they aren't rust proofed from day one. I buy gently used southern or western vehicles, do a little maintenance, and then rust proof the heck out of them and they look good long after the originals to the area are starting to rust out. Plus any future maintenance is a lot easier to do since the fire wrench isn't needed to get bolts loose, etc.