2008 2500 Suburban

Hello friends, I recently posted about my wife and I considering getting a Suburban as we look to start our family. We also want something that can tow more, so a 2500 Suburban would probably be our ideal. I found a 2008 2500 with 187,000 ish miles on it. 2008 was the first year for the 6 speed transmission on the 2500's, what are common problems associated with this year? They are selling it for $5500, worth a look? Some of it probably depends on service history, but any insight for common problems and services it could use would be helpful. Or should I look farther with something for lower mileage. Thanks!

6 speeds are good. Weak point is the torque converter.
If trans shifts good and fluid looks really good you could just have
the converter replaced with a good aftermarket unit and then have
some HPTuner work to really get it shifting right and make changes for
longevity ... If it's not in great shape, just plan on a rebuild with a new
converter. You can upgrade it while it's out, esp since you are going to tow
heavy with it

Bill @intheburbs can probably chime in with firsthand experience.

If you are going to tow anything of significance with it, you should budget a transmission rebuild/replacement into your cost planning. Once the transmission hits 150,000+ miles, you are in the area of not if, but when, the torque converter and transmission will fail. The rest of the truck, assuming that it has the 6.0 motor in it, is fairly bulletproof.

If you like everything else about it, budget another $5000 in the total cost of ownership, and go for it.

I'd definitely go for it. GMT900 2500 Suburbans are getting to be ultra rare nowadays because production numbers were low to begin with. TBH, I recently saw one for sale here, with a bit more mileage and it was closer to $10k.

I have a 06 2500 LQ4/4L80e/4.10 Suburban and I LOVE it. We also have a 2020 Express Van 3500 passenger with the L96/6L90, although it's only got like 27k on the odometer. These powertrains are not that uncommon to hit 250k-300k without major issues, with perhaps the 6L transmission being a potential maintenance item at higher mileage. Even if you have to spend $5k on a transmission rebuild, still worth it. The good news is that all the issues with the 6L have been iron out by now so the rebuild (when the time comes) will likely make that transmission last longer than the original.

There is a drawback with the 2500 Suvs, and that's gas mileage, since they are heavier. That's to be expected, of course. But for towing, you can't beat them with the heavier leaf spring suspension, massive hydroboost brakes, huge axles and all the fluid coolers. They are basically 2500HD pickups drivetrains, with a SUV body.

kbuskill said:

Bill @intheburbs can probably chime in with firsthand experience.

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Joseph Garcia said:

If you are going to tow anything of significance with it, you should budget a transmission rebuild/replacement into your cost planning. Once the transmission hits 150,000+ miles, you are in the area of not if, but when, the torque converter and transmission will fail. The rest of the truck, assuming that it has the 6.0 motor in it, is fairly bulletproof.

If you like everything else about it, budget another $5000 in the total cost of ownership, and go for it.

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Rust and service records would be the two most important things to me. Especially in terms of the transmission - I'd be looking for several fluid changes at that mileage.

These things are pretty bulletproof. I bought my 2008 2500 in 2013 with 106k. It now has 275k. It's still our vacation family hauler, and it's not a daily driver. It sits in the garage 28 days a month, but when we use it we're either towing or taking a long road trip, or both.

Got bit by the oil pickup o-ring and had to replace the motor at 207k back in 2021. Transmission/TC are original and still going strong. Have done 5 fluid changes in the transmission, not just a pan drop, all 16 quarts. I got a Blackbear Tune early on, and they dialed out 50% torque management - I think that's contributed mightily to the 6L90's longevity.

Cooler lines tend to start to weep at that age - I've replaced both the high-pressure hydroboost lines and the transmission cooler lines. Easy when the engine's out.

Yes, mileage sucks, when not towing I'm happy if I get 14-15 on the highway, but it has a 39-gallon tank so I can still drive 500 miles or more without stopping.

But find me another vehicle that:
1) Can seat 7 adults
2) Can carry a stack of 4x8 sheets, in the interior, tailgate closed and dry, without removing seats
3) Can handle a payload over 2000 lbs
4) Can tow 9000 lbs
5) Has 4wd and good ground clearance
6) Has a two-speed transfer case (I've pulled class 8 trucks out of ditches)
7) Can handle luggage/gear for a family of 5 for a 3-week vacation without using the roof or a carrier.

Pic for attention. I'll be buried in this thing. On several occasions, I've almost bought another one, to keep as a spare.

intheburbs said:

But find me another vehicle that:
1) Can seat 7 adults
2) Can carry a stack of 4x8 sheets, in the interior, tailgate closed and dry, without removing seats
3) Can handle a payload over 2000 lbs
4) Can tow 9000 lbs
5) Has 4wd and good ground clearance
6) Has a two-speed transfer case (I've pulled class 8 trucks out of ditches)
7) Can handle luggage/gear for a family of 5 for a 3-week vacation without using the roof or a carrier.

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intheburbs said:

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donjetman said:

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Hmmm. Haven't seen that one yet on the Bus Grease Monkey channel.

Bus Grease Monkey YouTube

intheburbs said:

Rust and service records would be the two most important things to me. Especially in terms of the transmission - I'd be looking for several fluid changes at that mileage.

These things are pretty bulletproof. I bought my 2008 2500 in 2013 with 106k. It now has 275k. It's still our vacation family hauler, and it's not a daily driver. It sits in the garage 28 days a month, but when we use it we're either towing or taking a long road trip, or both.

Got bit by the oil pickup o-ring and had to replace the motor at 207k back in 2021. Transmission/TC are original and still going strong. Have done 5 fluid changes in the transmission, not just a pan drop, all 16 quarts. I got a Blackbear Tune early on, and they dialed out 50% torque management - I think that's contributed mightily to the 6L90's longevity.

Cooler lines tend to start to weep at that age - I've replaced both the high-pressure hydroboost lines and the transmission cooler lines. Easy when the engine's out.

Yes, mileage sucks, when not towing I'm happy if I get 14-15 on the highway, but it has a 39-gallon tank so I can still drive 500 miles or more without stopping.

But find me another vehicle that:
1) Can seat 7 adults
2) Can carry a stack of 4x8 sheets, in the interior, tailgate closed and dry, without removing seats
3) Can handle a payload over 2000 lbs
4) Can tow 9000 lbs
5) Has 4wd and good ground clearance
6) Has a two-speed transfer case (I've pulled class 8 trucks out of ditches)
7) Can handle luggage/gear for a family of 5 for a 3-week vacation without using the roof or a carrier.

Pic for attention. I'll be buried in this thing. On several occasions, I've almost bought another one, to keep as a spare.
View attachment 489029

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Do you use tow/haul mode all the time towing or part time?

SpareParts said:

Do you use tow/haul mode all the time towing or part time?

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All the time. Without fail.

I tow two trailers:
1)The 8000-lb travel trailer pictured above. Goes without saying to use Tow/Haul - delayed upshifts, better downshifts/engine braking, charging trailer batteries
2) A 3500-lb 6x12 enclosed cargo trailer, with no trailer brakes. Again, Tow/Haul used for the engine braking aspect, since I'm asking the truck's brakes to corral 10,000+ lbs.

Skubster said:

Hello friends, I recently posted about my wife and I considering getting a Suburban as we look to start our family. We also want something that can tow more, so a 2500 Suburban would probably be our ideal. I found a 2008 2500 with 187,000 ish miles on it. 2008 was the first year for the 6 speed transmission on the 2500's, what are common problems associated with this year? They are selling it for $5500, worth a look? Some of it probably depends on service history, but any insight for common problems and services it could use would be helpful. Or should I look farther with something for lower mileage. Thanks!

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Looks like I'm late to the party. If you're still around, I'll add one more option to consider. GM made a Suburban 3500 (1-ton) from 2015-2019, but they were only available new to fleet buyers. All of them have the 6.0L L96 gas engine and 6L90 transmission (bulletproof combo) You can find them from time-to-time on the used market, however most are LS trim (cloth seats but otherwise usually fairly well-equipped), but if you keep your eyes open you can occasionally find one in LT trim. The CarGurus app has the necessary filter to set up a search for the 3500 (most apps and sites don't distinguish between a regular Suburban and a 1500). In fact there's a 2019 LT out there for sale right now, along with a few LS's. Cheapest is $28K and the LT is $56K.