Difference between 2003 and 2006 Yukon?

[nastety92]

I'm just about to purchase another NBS Yukon. My wife currently drives a 2006 Yukon SLT, white. I'm going to be buying my brothers 2003 Yukon SLT, black. Is there much of a difference in these two vehicles? Just wondering if some of the parts will switch over from truck to truck. The 2006 Yukon needs a new master window switch and a passenger front seat adjuster switch. Both trucks have the same options as far as power seats and windows, memory are concerned.

Looking forward to start driving the new to me Yukon after owning a 2002 Buick Regal for the last almost three years. Love my Full Size GM's.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Rivieraracing]

The 06 has electric fans while the 03 doesn't!

 

[Fosscore]

Here's a good look at the models thru the years that might give you some comparisons.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/GMC/Yukon/Model-History

 

[nastety92]

Thanks guys. Looking forward to start on the 03 and getting it all blacked out.

 

[Arthur Vandalay]

Blacked out is a good look

 

[nastety92]

So after driving the 2003 Yukon all week to work and around town I took my wifes 2006 out last night. What a big difference between the two trucks. Brakes feel different, the way the vehicle accelerates is different, the position of the brake pedal is higher on the 2003 with it pushed as far back as possible. The 03 when you give is 20-30% throttle it feels more like 50-60% throttle. The 06 accelerates much smooth and you need to push on it much more to make it accelerate fast.

It's very interesting seeing how refined the truck got in just three years difference.

Nick

 

[Fosscore]

Any other major/minor differences to note? Be good for other members to note differences especially since you have both years. Note the trim levels and any interior/exterior differences. Maybe support with pictures.

Have a look around and report back here when you get a chance.

Be interesting to see what you find out that might differ from what is actually in print.

 

[nastety92]

Both vehicle have almost the exact same options. They are both regular length Yukon, both are SLT's, both have 5.3's in them. I'm not sure if the gear ratio is the same? Both vehicle have leather interior, the 2003 has a bench middle seat and the 2006 has four captains chairs. Both have 3rd seating. The 2006 has navigation and a DVD player with Bose. the 2003 has Bose as well and seems to be louder with more bass.

So far that is all that I have found. I will report back with more info after driving them a little more.

I wonder if a computer update was done would the 2003 accelerate differently and be more like the 2006?

Nick

 

[Fosscore]

That's even better to have the same models, same motors, but different years. Keep it coming. Good info man.

 

[nastety92]

Here are a few more differences. The 2003 has a slightly different rear tail light than the 2006. I will post pictures later on. Also my 03 doesn't have traction/ stability control where the 06 does.

My wife's feels like my 03 is smaller because of how it accelerates compared to her 06 Yukon. It's a huge different when accelerating at lower speeds. It's kind of hard to go slow in the 03 compared to the 06.

 

[bottomline2000]

The 06 may be drive by wire instead of drive by cable which may be smoother. Weird that gm put DBW on earlier tahoes like my 00 and then went cable and back to wire in later models. The 06 is going to accelerate and stop better since it has efans and hydroboost brakes. It's going to be very noticible. You can do a Vin check to see all options on both.

And yes you can add this all to your 03..

 

[nastety92]

The 06 may be drive by wire instead of drive by cable which may be smoother. Weird that gm put DBW on earlier tahoes like my 00 and then went cable and back to wire in later models. The 06 is going to accelerate and stop better since it has efans and hydroboost brakes. It's going to be very noticible. You can do a Vin check to see all options on both.

And yes you can add this all to your 03..

I'm pretty sure they are both drive by wire. I think the 03 just has an earlier program in it that is not as refined as the 06. I was unaware that these trucks had Hydroboost systems on them seeing that it's only a 1500, normally you only see Hydroboost units on 2500 or heavier vehicles.

 

[David Paul]

Agree on the hydro boost. I was looking into the upgrade mod, not really looking forward to it. Opened the hood to check on something else and damn, what did I notice, my 04 had the hydro boost. Checked that off the to do list.

 

[southboundchicken]

Check the build sheet in the glove box for gearing.... gt-4 = 3:73 and Gu-6= 3:42. If your trucks are geared differently that's gonna make a difference

 

[nastety92]

I will do that, thanks for the tip.

 

[Wake]

I just bought an 03 EXT, owned an 05 Escalade SUV before, and work on an friends 06 Denali.

From what I gather from research and some practical experience:

1. 03 was a transition year where the Class2 data bus was first used on the GMT800 platform. This means that the electronics from 03 - 06 are the same except for a few small items like the ECM/PCM. 06 is also a transition year to the CAN bus where I need a CANDi module to talk to the 06 computer versus 96 - 05 ODBII models. The modules and electronics aside from that seem to be common from 03-06.

2. Trans and Engine are listed separately for 03 and 04-06 models. I think it is just a plug/wiring issue and the block and transmission are essentially the same LS and 4L60 variants as they have been for years. I believe you can swap a bare block from an 04-06 with the accessories (intake, exhaust, etc) from an 03.

3. The transfer case and differentials are the same from 03-06.

4. 03-04 had mechanical fans with a clutch versus electric fans for the 05/06 models.

Other than those few differences, I believe everything else parts wise is a direct swap between 03-06 models.

 

[a4edwin]

The fuel system is different 03 was return style while 04 and up are returnless. To my understanding return style is better performance wise. Google can help with anymore info on this.

 

[about20ninj45]

05/06 lq4's qnd lq9's had better cranks, rods, and pistons, which support more mods.

 

[Wake]

The fuel system is different 03 was return style while 04 and up are returnless. To my understanding return style is better performance wise. Google can help with anymore info on this.

Ah, that explains seeing an actual external fuel filter on my 03 that I can replace. I was shocked when I saw it two weeks ago when crawling under the truck.

 

[a4edwin]

05/06 lq4's qnd lq9's had better cranks, rods, and pistons, which support more mods.

This is true but neither of those engines came in the Tahoe or yukon