Need everyone's opinion on this 2005 Suburban 2500-Thanks

[OR VietVet]

2005 Suburban 2500 LT 4x4 8.1L - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

2005 Suburban 2500 8.1 200,805 miles 8.1L 4x4 Black Bear Performance Tune (done live at their shop in Couer d’Alene, ID) Volant Intake Gauge cluster rebuilt Leather heated seats Middle bench Third...

portland.craigslist.org

Thinking about getting this to tow a travel trailer. He has all copies of shop receipts and work done and will be sending me a walk around video tonight. Is a full float rear axle. Receipts said has a leaking rear main seal but he said was not replaced because "is not leaking that bad".

Please post opinions asap, if you could.

 

[OR VietVet]

He also said that Black Bear found that the engine had an 8% vacuum leak, somewhere and unsure where, but would not turn on CEL until was 25%?

 

[Fless]

I've never heard of a percentage on a vacuum leak. Maybe the fuel trims are at 8%; I'm fairly certain the CEL will trip at 25%. If my speculation is close and it's been adding fuel for a long time you could be looking at a cat replacement, or at least reduced efficiency.

From the pics it doesn't look too bad. It will be interesting for you to see the video.

 

[OR VietVet]

 

[OR VietVet]

 

[OR VietVet]

I just posted copies of his work receipts and I have talked to him and he is willing to negotiate the price because I told him the rear main seal and vacuum leak are a concern.

I think I can work a deal for somewhere between $8k and $10k.

 

[OR VietVet]

The video was just a quick walk around and look under hood with engine running. I agree with the percentages. His post at CL says he just had all the exhaust work done at an exhaust shop and had high flow cats installed.

 

[Scottydoggs]

look up what its worth. i think hes asking 6-7 k to much. trucks not that nice if you ask me. the rear main is leaking good, the pan is all black. and 200k. its well used. how much hes put into it really dont count towards a resale price.

 

[OR VietVet]

I get that for sure. I have put a lot in my 05 Z71 but if I sold it, I could not get it all back. That is why I will keep mine. This would just be a tow rig for me, not an every day driver.

 

[bigdog9191999]

i would say a bit much personally, even with the inflated prices of everything, although what it is would do well to pull with. i am selling my 02 2wd for half that. but i am also on the other side of the country.

 

[wjburken]

I think it’s way overpriced for a 17 yr old vehicle with 200K.

I’d think $7K to $8K would be more reasonable.

 

[OR VietVet]

I offered him $5k for the rig and he said would think about it. I laid out the facts about the rear main seal leak and the expected costs and the cost of tracing down the vacuum leak problem and possible repair costs. He did install all 4 oxygen sensors and did know about the two different part numbers for the downstream sensors. I also explained how the stock parts repairs were needed because of the age and mileage on the rig and the custom work was for his tastes but not necessarily mine or other people. I explained that while I thought it was a nice rig, I would still have to put money out to make it dependable for towing out on the road away from home. He understood and was very willing to negotiate the price, I think he really needs to sell it asap. I also believe that he would sell it for close to $7k or $8k, quickly but I don't see the value. IMO, he bought at 184k miles and started setting up his dream rig and then ran in to SOMETHING that he just did not want to tackle. He does state that the rig has no rust as well. That full float rear axle is appealing though. I thanked him and told him good luck and to let me know if he had a counter offer for me.

 

[MassHoe04]

Not telling you no on the 05 Suburban 2500.
Does seem a bit pricey. Even with all the updates/repairs.

Wow! That shop repair got a ton of money out that owner!

I am wondering with all the front end work (tie-rod, ball joints, control arm links, etc.), why nobody bothered with control arm bushings? The one I see is old and cracked. With a heavy tow vehicle, I would have figured the cost of those cheap parts, they would have replaced those while the rest of the front suspension was torn apart.

I thought is was kind of funny (but not...) that there was no leaking until the shop power washed the transfer case and oil pan. Then things started leaking!

As Plan B, something like this might be potentially worth checking out for a tow vehicle in your area... $10k for a 2500 6.5 ** Detroit Diesel.

1996 Silverado K2500 diesel 4x4 - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

Hello, I've decided to sell my K2500 because I'm ready to upgrade to a newer 1 ton pickup. I've only had this for about 9000 miles, so I don't know all of the history on the truck. For the year that...

portland.craigslist.org

 

[OR VietVet]

Not telling you no on the 05 Suburban 2500.
Does seem a bit pricey. Even with all the updates/repairs.

Wow! That shop repair got a ton of money out that owner!

I am wondering with all the front end work (tie-rod, ball joints, control arm links, etc.), why nobody bothered with control arm bushings? The one I see is old and cracked. With a heavy tow vehicle, I would have figured the cost of those cheap parts, they would have replaced those while the rest of the front suspension was torn apart.

I thought is was kind of funny (but not...) that there was no leaking until the shop power washed the transfer case and oil pan. Then things started leaking!

As Plan B, something like this might be potentially worth checking out for a tow vehicle in your area... $10k for a 2500 6.5 ** Detroit Diesel.

1996 Silverado K2500 diesel 4x4 - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

Hello, I've decided to sell my K2500 because I'm ready to upgrade to a newer 1 ton pickup. I've only had this for about 9000 miles, so I don't know all of the history on the truck. For the year that...

portland.craigslist.org

Thanks for the heads up but not what I am looking for. Too old and wrong diesel and I am not a fan of lifted rigs.

 

[MassHoe04]

Thanks for the heads up but not what I am looking for. Too old and wrong diesel and I am not a fan of lifted rigs.

Glad to see you made an offer that you could live with, if he accepted. Sounds like everyone agrees that a price of $8k would probably be the upper limit.

See if he counters with something that works for your budget, knowing more work is likely needed to make it reliable for towing. If not, something else will come along.

 

[ww_crimson]

5-6k max

 

[smcnair]

Just saw this and thought it might help as a comp...maybe not

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[OR VietVet]

@smcnair , thanks for heads up but my plans have changed. After weighing all the pros and cons with the cons being-cost and upkeep and insurance for a tow rig and the trailer and the space they would tie up and the costs of just operating them and parks parking costs and etc., we both have decided that for two people in their 70's, I will be 70 the day before Christmas and she is 72, we should just stick with traveling in my great Tahoe and get a damn room where we go or stay with friends. Driving my Tahoe across country recently was a pleasure and fun. With my military and senior citizen and her flight attendant discounts, we found nice rooms for a fair price for the overnight stays. I saw a bunch of trailers with blown out tires and RV's with hoods open along the shoulder of Interstate 80. My Tahoe performed like new and the mpg average was livable.

 

[Fless]

You could consider renting a trailer when you want to do the camping thing. Yes, it's expensive for a trip but less expensive than buying one, storing it, and the upkeep. You do have to plan ahead a bit more, but to me it's worth it.

 

[OR VietVet]

You could consider renting a trailer when you want to do the camping thing. Yes, it's expensive for a trip but less expensive than buying one, storing it, and the upkeep. You do have to plan ahead a bit more, but to me it's worth it.

Thanks for the info. We have talked about renting an RV and drive it to see how we like it. I really dont want to tow much with the Tahoe, so if do a trailer, will rent a tow vehicle too.