Inspection/buying guide?

[NOSOK]

Good afternoon all. I'm in the market for a Suburban or Yukon XL to convert into a road trip vehicle/camper.

Is there an existing thread or article that details what to look out for when buying a used NNBS? I read through the stickied buying thread but that doesn't offer too much in terms of practical buying advice.

Is there a particular model/year that's considered the most reliable?

I'm most interested in a 2010+ Suburban 1500 Z71.

 

[wjburken]

Good afternoon all. I'm in the market for a Suburban or Yukon XL to convert into a road trip vehicle/camper.

Is there an existing thread or article that details what to look out for when buying a used NNBS? I read through the stickied buying thread but that doesn't offer too much in terms of practical buying advice.

Is there a particular model/year that's considered the most reliable?

I'm most interested in a 2010+ Suburban 1500 Z71.

If you can find a solid 2007 or 2008 Denali, you can avoid AFM. Otherwise, I would go with the 2013 or 2014 years as they had some things figured out by then. I would recommend the 6.2, but that’s just me. You can get a AFM disabler to shut that feature off.

A lot of folks try and stay away from or swap out the Auto Ride and Auto Level of the higher trim packages and the Auto Level but I like them and have kept both functional in my NNBS vehicles.

 

[NOSOK]

I didn't realize the 6.2 had oil consumption issues as well. I was trying to stay away from Denalis (as well LTZs) due to the aforementioned Auto Ride. I'd also prefer the 5.3 for slightly more fuel efficiency and the part time 4WD (although the Denali AWD is not a dealbreaker). 18" or smaller wheels on the lower trims are also a big plus for me.


With the 5.3, are oil consumption issues guaranteed, or can certain factors (preventive maintenance, driving style, etc) influence it?

To be specific, I'm looking at a 2011 Z71 Suburban with 145k miles this Thursday. Is there anything I can physically check on the car (without dismantling anything) to possibly confirm oil burning?

 

[wjburken]

I didn't realize the 6.2 had oil consumption issues as well. I was trying to stay away from Denalis (as well LTZs) due to the aforementioned Auto Ride. I'd also prefer the 5.3 for slightly more fuel efficiency and the part time 4WD (although the Denali AWD is not a dealbreaker). 18" or smaller wheels on the lower trims are also a big plus for me.


With the 5.3, are oil consumption issues guaranteed, or can certain factors (preventive maintenance, driving style, etc) influence it?

To be specific, I'm looking at a 2011 Z71 Suburban with 145k miles this Thursday. Is there anything I can physically check on the car (without dismantling anything) to possibly confirm oil burning?

I‘m not aware of anything that would indicate oil consumption that you would find in a normal vehicle check out, but others might know of something that I am not aware of. There was a change in the DS valve cover around 2009/2010 IIRC that helped reduce consumption. Disabling AFM will help a little with oil consumption, but it is mainly to help keep the lifters from failing. A number of folks here have put catch cans on their vehicles to keep the oil from getting into the intake.

 

[Doubeleive]

buying a used one does not automatically mean it will have oil consumption issue's, more commonly you will find they don't use a drop of oil at all.
just look for a nice clean one that is not covered in oil underneath, take a flashlight and look it all over, listen to the engine, test drive it.
probably the most common issue will be the suspension if you are looking for one with air ride, that is all easily fixed, if it looks questionable then either set aside say 800-1k for new suspension or try to negotiate it off the price. if it's clean, sounds good, drives good then you are probably ok.

 

[Doubeleive]

also unless it has service records you are going to want to just maintenance everything, flush all the fluids, change the heater hoses and "t's", brakes, plugs/wires. typical stuff then you know you have done pretty much all you can to keep it running good.

 

[NOSOK]

Walked away earlier today with a 1 owner 2011 Z71 4x4 for $11.5k. Tires are a nearly new set of Wranglers. Was a North Carolina car for the first few years, and then spent the rest of the time in CO. CO doesn't use salt so there's very little rust. Engine and transmission were very smooth, and the 4WD worked properly.

Service records were nonexistent so I'm assuming that a lot of maintenance is well overdue.

There seems to be a [minor] rear main seal leak. P.O. said it never leaked on the driveway and I believe that. However the frame seems coated with some greasy substance. Most of it did not seem particularly fresh (except pic 2 ). The closest I've seen on personal cars is when a CV boot tore, flung grease everywhere, which then attracted dust.

Based on these pics below, is this normal buildup for a near 10yr old truck with 145k miles? And any idea what the tube in pic 2 is?

 

[swathdiver]

Walked away earlier today with a 1 owner 2011 Z71 4x4 for $11.5k. Tires are a nearly new set of Wranglers. Was a North Carolina car for the first few years, and then spent the rest of the time in CO. CO doesn't use salt so there's very little rust. Engine and transmission were very smooth, and the 4WD worked properly.

Service records were nonexistent so I'm assuming that a lot of maintenance is well overdue.

There seems to be a [minor] rear main seal leak. P.O. said it never leaked on the driveway and I believe that. However the frame seems coated with some greasy substance. Most of it did not seem particularly fresh (except pic 2 ). The closest I've seen on personal cars is when a CV boot tore, flung grease everywhere, which then attracted dust.

Based on these pics below, is this normal buildup for a near 10yr old truck with 145k miles? And any idea what the tube in pic 2 is?

SCORE Derek! Those bring an easy $5K more where I live. Looks great and perfectly normal. That's probably one of the differential or transfer case vent tubes.

Keep clean fluid in that truck and it will last a long time, change it all, from diff to diff. These trucks are much more capable off-road than folks give them credit for.

Get a Tech-2 so you can work on it properly. BlackBear tune will greatly improve driveability and the operation of the transmission, my favorite part.

Run the transfer case through its paces often to keep it ready when you need it. We see posts all the time of some guy who is stuck in 4LO because he never put it in 4LO before.

See our posts on fluid part numbers and capacities using the search function. How's the interior? 2-Tone?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Good afternoon all. I'm in the market for a Suburban or Yukon XL to convert into a road trip vehicle/camper.

Is there an existing thread or article that details what to look out for when buying a used NNBS? I read through the stickied buying thread but that doesn't offer too much in terms of practical buying advice.

Is there a particular model/year that's considered the most reliable?

I'm most interested in a 2010+ Suburban 1500 Z71.

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...-a-07-14-nnbs-tahoe-suburban-look-here.61720/

 

[avalonandl]

Welcome and Congrats.

The factory coating on the frame is the black stuff you mentioned.

You definitely have a rear main seal leak. Keep an eye on oil level and it will tell you how bad it is.

 

[NOSOK]

SCORE Derek! Those bring an easy $5K more where I live. Looks great and perfectly normal. That's probably one of the differential or transfer case vent tubes.

Keep clean fluid in that truck and it will last a long time, change it all, from diff to diff. These trucks are much more capable off-road than folks give them credit for.

Get a Tech-2 so you can work on it properly. BlackBear tune will greatly improve driveability and the operation of the transmission, my favorite part.

Run the transfer case through its paces often to keep it ready when you need it. We see posts all the time of some guy who is stuck in 4LO because he never put it in 4LO before.

See our posts on fluid part numbers and capacities using the search function. How's the interior? 2-Tone?

As far as I could tell the seller only listed it on OfferUp, which is not the best platform for selling a vehicle. He said he got a few calls per week but apparently I was the only to show up with cash. And yeah I agree, he underpriced it (or under marketed it). Similar year and mileage were going for $13-16k+ (even without the Z71 pack) and many of those had multiple owners.

Aside from the headliner, the interior is all black (I believe vinyl seats) with 2nd row captains and a full set of Weathertech mats.

Welcome and Congrats.

The factory coating on the frame is the black stuff you mentioned.

You definitely have a rear main seal leak. Keep an eye on oil level and it will tell you how bad it is.

Good to know about the factory coating. There seemed too much of it to be from a leak but I also haven't encountered undercoating that scrapes off so easily.

 

[wjburken]

the interior is all black (I believe vinyl seats)

FYI - Your seats are leather, not vinyl.

 

[Geotrash]

I was trying to stay away from Denalis (as well LTZs) due to the aforementioned Auto Ride. I'd also prefer the 5.3 for slightly more fuel efficiency and the part time 4WD (although the Denali AWD is not a dealbreaker). 18" or smaller wheels on the lower trims are also a big plus for me.

Lots of people stress over the autoride system, but I think that's because they're worried about the cost of replacing parts when they fail. I have 2 Denali's with autoride. One has 210K and the other has 117K. Replacement OEM shocks are $250 each from RockAuto, and are usuallygood for 100K+, no problem. And if the compressor ever fails (mine haven't), they inexpensive and easy to replace as well. I think it's a great, reliable system that gives a great ride, no leaning in turns, and is great for towing or hauling a lot of gear. For my preferences, I wouldn't want an NNBS without it.

 

[NOSOK]

Are DIYs for Silverados an identical process for the Suburban?

 

[swathdiver]

As far as I could tell the seller only listed it on OfferUp, which is not the best platform for selling a vehicle. He said he got a few calls per week but apparently I was the only to show up with cash. And yeah I agree, he underpriced it (or under marketed it). Similar year and mileage were going for $13-16k+ (even without the Z71 pack) and many of those had multiple owners.

Aside from the headliner, the interior is all black (I believe vinyl seats) with 2nd row captains and a full set of Weathertech mats.

Good to know about the factory coating. There seemed too much of it to be from a leak but I also haven't encountered undercoating that scrapes off so easily.

The frames are dipped in wax, that is the black stuff. Seats look good and are leather except for the 3rd row if memory serves, tear in the driver's seat is typical. Nice having JL1, the Integrated Trailer Brake Controller!

Are DIYs for Silverados an identical process for the Suburban?

For the most part yes, they share the same drive lines and interiors depending on trim level and computer system and such.

If you don't mind, as you drive it, tell us what kind of mileage you are getting. If you have any ethanol stations nearby, these motors love the stuff.

 

[NOSOK]

I'm assuming

The frames are dipped in wax, that is the black stuff. Seats look good and are leather except for the 3rd row if memory serves, tear in the driver's seat is typical. Nice having JL1, the Integrated Trailer Brake Controller!



For the most part yes, they share the same drive lines and interiors depending on trim level and computer system and such.

If you don't mind, as you drive it, tell us what kind of mileage you are getting. If you have any ethanol stations nearby, these motors love the stuff.

Great to hear the Silverado DIYs will work since I've been finding more information for the trucks than the SUVs. This Haynes article in particular is very helpful:

https://haynes.com/en-us/tips-tutor...eradogmc-sierra-truck-routine-maintenance-faq


Funny you mention E85 as it sounds like the previous owner used that almost exclusively. Maybe he lived near an E85 station but in my experience it's not widely available (i.e. convenient) in Front Range CO. I've driven only about 60 miles since I don't have plates yet, but the avg mpg display shows 13.5.

 

[swathdiver]

I'm assuming


Great to hear the Silverado DIYs will work since I've been finding more information for the trucks than the SUVs. This Haynes article in particular is very helpful:

https://haynes.com/en-us/tips-tutor...eradogmc-sierra-truck-routine-maintenance-faq


Funny you mention E85 as it sounds like the previous owner used that almost exclusively. Maybe he lived near an E85 station but in my experience it's not widely available (i.e. convenient) in Front Range CO. I've driven only about 60 miles since I don't have plates yet, but the avg mpg display shows 13.5.

That's a good average for E85, some apps show you the alcohol content. Using the Gas Buddy app I see that there's a Conoco Alta in Idaho Spring for $1.99 per gallon. Yep, not always convenient to use it, especially when you are off the grid and need the range and endurance!

 

[swathdiver]

https://haynes.com/en-us/tips-tutor...eradogmc-sierra-truck-routine-maintenance-faq

Always liked Haynes, that is a great resource! Had to search half the internet to get that data three years ago! Nice to have in one spot.

 

[S33k3r]

As far as I could tell the seller only listed it on OfferUp, which is not the best platform for selling a vehicle. He said he got a few calls per week but apparently I was the only to show up with cash. And yeah I agree, he underpriced it (or under marketed it). Similar year and mileage were going for $13-16k+ (even without the Z71 pack) and many of those had multiple owners.

Aside from the headliner, the interior is all black (I believe vinyl seats) with 2nd row captains and a full set of Weathertech mats.


Good to know about the factory coating. There seemed too much of it to be from a leak but I also haven't encountered undercoating that scrapes off so easily.

Congratulations on a beautiful vehicle! Nice score!

 

[NOSOK]

Congratulations on a beautiful vehicle! Nice score!

Thanks! Haven't driven it much since it just got registered today, but it does look nice in the driveway (which is fortunately clear of oil drips).


1st order of business is getting the fluids swapped out. Diffs and transfer case look like an easy DIY. Power steering looks like an easy DIY as well. I got a dealer quote of $200 to flush the transmission (which I believe includes a filter), so that's a no brainer. Debating on having the dealer flush the coolant as well. However if I change the heater hoses as was suggested, then that's a waste of money.