excessive gap between hood and grill, 2013 Yukon

Mad-Max · Dec 10, 2021

Thanks - I half expected someone to say it's priced too high, but maybe it isn't too far out of current pricing then eh? From what we're seeing $29,900 is on the upper end of the range but it does seem to be within range...

Joseph Garcia · Dec 10, 2021

If the gap issue is the only item of concern after you look at it, buy it.

Geotrash · Dec 10, 2021

Mad-Max said:
we we're actually looking at Denali's pretty hard, but the one we wanted had a mysterious 'miss' at idle (no codes), and after researching we came across the dreaded AFM/DOD lifter shenanigans and decided we didn't want any part of that - wondering if the lifters are already bad, disabling the system, then eventually deleting it - no thanks - we're now looking specifically at the 2500's with the iron 6.0. Besides, the 2500s have 3.73s whereas the Denali we tested weeks ago had 3.42s (think it was 3.42s), and the difference in gearing should nicely make up for the difference in engine power. The Denali was 'fun' for sure - it drove great, but the lifter issues combined with the increased towing capacity of the 2500 makes the 2500 the winner, for us.

It's at a used car dealer and they're asking $29,900 - a bit steep but within range for 'dealer prices', plus everything now is steep. It's a 1-owner truck wiht the exact interior/exterior colors we want, 123k miles, and looks very clean. It has had a decent once-over at a local shop and along with the normal fluid changes it also received a new set of tires and exhaust manifold gaskets.

We kinda need one - our minivan is getting 'tight', so if it drives nice we'll likely bring it home. It's a 9-hour drive home (flying in) and I'm hoping it arrives home in the exact condition as when I leave the lot. This will be our second 2500 - first was a 2011 'Burban and we really liked it but didn't quite 'need' it at the time and got a Hemi Durango, but now we're back into the 'need' category...

I get it. We pull a 7000 lb. camper with our XL Denali's (we have 2 of them). Our 2007 doesn't have the AFM system, but our 2012 used to. After being on this forum for a few years and studying the failure modes, I'm no longer afraid of it but got rid of it as part of a cam swap for more power anyway last winter. I wouldn't likely go that way again though. It can be tuned out of activating at all, and at that point, the 8 AFM lifters are in the locked position and behave like normal lifters. But since I was already in that far, I also made improvements to the cooling system and put a stronger TC on the transmission to address other known deficiencies for towing.

All told, I have about $5000 in various parts (including new OEM rear air shocks, alternator, etc) into it plus my time, on top of only paying $21K for it 4 years ago with 90K on it. Next up is to swap in a 14-bolt rear axle from a 2WD Escalade to get a much stronger rear end. It's literally a bolt-in direct swap. That'll be another $500 plus my time.

Before I started my work on it though, I looked at 2500s and drove one, but didn't like its stiff ride compared to the Denali's, and all of the others I could find were dog-eared around the edges after years of towing duty. Our Denali's are in pristine condition. For me at least, upgrading our 1500 to be a solid towing rig was the better option.

All of that said though, even at $30K, a 2500 is a good deal if, it's in great condition, you need its capabilities and can live with its manners.

Mad-Max · Dec 10, 2021

coolieo - we'll go check it out. Thanks for all the insight; more intel is always better than less, so please feel welcome to send it :thumbsup:

Cheers,
- Sam

gooffeyguy · Dec 10, 2021

Mad-Max said:
Thanks - I half expected someone to say it's priced too high, but maybe it isn't too far out of current pricing then eh? From what we're seeing $29,900 is on the upper end of the range but it does seem to be within range...

I might've missed this, but what year?

Mad-Max · Dec 10, 2021

sorry - 2013 Yukon XL 2500/6.0 4x4, 123k miles, clean

avalonandl · Dec 10, 2021

Clean 2500;s are rare as hens teeth. I looked at 4 in Mi and they were all ratty....

swathdiver · Dec 10, 2021

Mad-Max said:
Hello all. Looking at a nice 2013 Yukon. It appears to have an 'above-average' (?) gap between the hood and grill, and I'm just looking for feedback about this front clip compared to all others. Scanning google pics there seem to be gaps on many - not sure if this one is bigger, and what that might indicate? Carfax indicates it was in a 'minor' front end mishap - not sure if that's a think or not, but I'd doubt it will have any effect n how it drives, etc. If we get it I'll want to 'tighten it up' a bit if possible. Here's a pic -

View attachment 357535

Thanks very much,
- Sam

Here are my before and after photos. That miss could be a broken plug wire even. You don't sound like a non-mechanic, AFM shouldn't run you off. That said, the 2500s are towing beasts. They get 12-15 mpg all day long and weigh about 600 pounds more than a 1500.

annstruck · Dec 11, 2021

I thought our 14 looked a bit odd in this area as well for what its worth. Ours had no accident history so i figured it was standard. I find the front end difficult to look at anyway - but we could not find a suburban with the options we wanted.

petethepug · Dec 11, 2021

2013 1 owner 2500 YXL. That’s hen’s teeth with a grill. If if helps you on pricing, Carmax has 2013 YXL SL priced at $30k w/ 100k+ mi here in CA. Peeps are paying that too.

With the 39 gal tank(s) that run e85 & Reg fuel you can binge when you find a low fuel price. That option to switch to e85 vs 91 on our 09 Esky here in Cali is kryptonite for the required 91 (only) option for the 6.2.

If you bring that ‘13 2500 home it’s already appreciated based on values in Cali.

excessive gap between hood and grill, 2013 Yukon

Mad-Max

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Joseph Garcia

Geotrash

Dave

Mad-Max

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gooffeyguy

Tom

Mad-Max

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avalonandl

Full Access Member

swathdiver

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annstruck

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petethepug

Michael

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