Questions about gearing and 6spd

[driven_mad]

Hi, this is my first post here. I am a past owner of an 02 tahoe and an 05 yukon slt. I recently developed a rusty frame on my yukon and am in need of a new truck. I have acquired an 03 yukon xl with a solid frame and very little rust on the body with the intention of fixing it up for a winter vehicle. It turns out that it needs more work then I anticipated like all brake lines, fuel lines (in the fiture), brakes all around and a cluster repair. Plus smaller things like power windows and such. I decided to pass but here is where things get interesting. I recently came into some $ and can afford almost whatever. So I'm moving my focus towards a 2009-2014 model which I am unfamiliar with.

So far I am learning about the newer 6 speed transmission along with the different gear ratios of 3.08 and 3.42.

My driving use will be daily driving, light - moderate towing (not more then 3500 lbs), ocasional light - moderate 4x4 use, and camping.

My questions are:

How are the 3.08 and 3.42 with the 6 speed for my driving use? Is there a 3.73 option?

How are the suspension and towing packages? Would it be similar to upgrade stock with a leveling kit or would upgrading a z71 package be more ideal for off road use/bigger tires in the future?

How is the cargo area with the newer 2nd row seats that do not fold flat? Does anyone run into issues with this design while camping or loaded with gear?
Are they easy to remove and put back?

Would the 03 yukon xl with 3.73 gears be worth fixing up as a solid winter beater/hauler? Advantages to the older 4spd trans? (Now that money is not an obstacle) or should I save the headaches and pass?

Attached are some pics of the xl


Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[intheburbs]

3.08 rear is a dog. I call it the "soccer mom" ratio.

3.42 is better. But the truck I have with the 3.42 is mated to the 6.2, so it goes nicely. Loafs along at 2000 RPM at 80 MPH.

3.73 is best, though I'm not sure it was offered in the half-ton trucks. Maybe ones with towing packages.

In my opinion, newer is always better, and the 6-speed is a huge improvement over the 4.

2nd row seats are not removable. The seat backs can fold down, then the seats tumble forward. But in my Suburban, the 2nd and 3rd row seatbacks fold down to the same height, allowing 4x8 sheets to slide in and you can close the tailgate.

 

[Charlie207]

My '14 Yukon has the the Z82 and K5L RPO codes, for extra towing/cooling. And the 3.42 gears, which I think are the lowest you can get in the rear-end of the half-ton SUVs.