Thinking I might buy...

[Booyahzman]

I found a Yukon that looks pretty nice, and I'm thinking I might buy it, but wanted to get some expert opinions. (I've been lurking around here some time and had some questions answered in a previous thread.)

I found this 2003 Yukon SLT on Craigslist not too far from where I'm at. It looks pretty clean, a slight rip in the driver seat (near the shoulder area), and minor dings and paint scuffs--nothing major. It doesn't have a third row seat, but I know this can be added later on. Here's a few other details:

133k-134k miles
Service light for driver airbag is on
Rear defroster is disconnected (cable loose)
Tires have low tread
Didn't show any major leaks or problems
No rust that I could find
AutoCheck.com shows a good, though little information
Appears to have been kept in Colorado all its life

They're asking $10,000 for it (plus tax and BS dealer handling), which in my opinion seems a bit high for a 10 year old vehicle with no warranty. Note, these guys are used to selling to people that need financing and I will paying with cash ultimately. What do you think I should really consider offering to them, or should I skip it?

 

[Gzes]

IMO I would pay 8k max for it if its in great shape. Take cash and show them you mean business they might take it. I probably would

 

[chauncey0337]

Too much imo.

 

[Booyahzman]

Should I be worried about that service light with the airbag? Is that a simple fix?

 

[chauncey0337]

Its not supposed to be on if everything is ok with the truck so yes, I'd be worried about it. I don't see why the dealer doesn't fix it.

 

[Booyahzman]

Its not supposed to be on if everything is ok with the truck so yes, I'd be worried about it. I don't see why the dealer doesn't fix it.

I should note, this isn't a GM dealership. It's a dealership that buys cars/trucks of any make/model at auction mostly (that supposedly certifies their vehicles), has someone else go over them for issues, and then sells them to the public. I've never been too keen on buying from them (dealerships) myself, but as I can usually fix most non-major problems myself I thought I'd take a chance. I've looked at a few private owned Yukons already and this one is the cleanest so far...

 

[JochenWoern]

Its not supposed to be on if everything is ok with the truck so yes, I'd be worried about it. I don't see why the dealer doesn't fix it.

^^^^ +1!

Is this a four or two wheel drive? All wheel drive?

WAY too expensive in my opinon with all the problems it has. A decent set of tires will run you nearly 850 - 900 bucks alone.

I recently sold an IMMACULATE '06 Yukon 4x4, private party, with 102K miles on it for $14.5. This truck had NO problems and ALL services up to date.

 

[kschumake83]

I just bought my 02 ls tahoe 5.3 4x4 from a real dealership, with no issues, brand new tires and 114k for $7000. I think a yukon with issues like bald tires and 130k miles would be less than that depending on options.

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[Booyahzman]

^^^^ +1!

Is this a four or two wheel drive? All wheel drive?

WAY too expensive in my opinon with all the problems it has. A decent set of tires will run you nearly 850 - 900 bucks alone.

I recently sold an IMMACULATE '06 Yukon 4x4, private party, with 102K miles on it for $14.5. This truck had NO problems and ALL services up to date.

This is a 4WD with the SLT package. No DVD system or third row, but does have the Bose speakers and the Z71 stuff supposedly (definitely has the 4.10 gears which is what I'm looking for).

So if I can get it for $8k with the airbag service light on still, where would I need to start to get it fixed?

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[MrJuanderful]

You have fallen in love.

Please,please end it now.
Stay single for a while and play the field.Lots of fish in the sea,Momma said.

 

[Booyahzman]

You have fallen in love.

Please,please end it now.
Stay single for a while and play the field.Lots of fish in the sea,Momma said.

Ha Ha.

Not fallen in love, just learning! I have fallen in love with the Yukons, though, in general. True, this is probably the cleaner of Yukons I've looked at so far, but it is far from perfect. I'm asking the questions now so when I do buy a truck I know what I've gotten myself into!

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[kschumake83]

This is a 4WD with the SLT package. No DVD system or third row, but does have the Bose speakers and the Z71 stuff supposedly (definitely has the 4.10 gears which is what I'm looking for).

So if I can get it for $8k with the airbag service light on still, where would I need to start to get it fixed?

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Depends on why the light was on. Was it hit? If it blew the bags and they replaced them it may only be having a dealer reset the computer for the new bags. I would find someone who has a scanner that can read the airbag codes and go from there.

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[Booyahzman]

Depends on why the light was on. Was it hit? If it blew the bags and they replaced them it may only be having a dealer reset the computer for the new bags. I would find someone who has a scanner that can read the airbag codes and go from there.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks for the information!

 

[Booyahzman]

So, I passed on the above truck to wait for another, better truck. Well, still looking, but I found another that meets all my requirements EXCEPT it doesn't have the right gearing (comes with the 3.73 gears). I can get it for a pretty good price--low enough I think to possibly have it re-geared and still be in the amount I want to spend on a truck.

So the questions are, if I were to buy some 4.10 or 4.30 gears from somewhere and get them installed by a mechanic...

• What should I expect to pay for the kit?
• What kit should I buy (from who and what)?
• What all do I need to buy?
• What kind of cost in labor should I expect?

I'll admit I'm pretty clueless when it comes to who to buy from and what type of gears, but I do understand the basics of what the different gearing ratios are and what it can do for the truck. Note, I'm looking at the higher gears for the towing purposes mostly, but the vehicle will also be a daily driver (mostly in the winter time).

 

[kschumake83]

Do you tow in the mountains? I have pulled a 5000lb bobcat on a 3000lb trailer and the acceleration is the last thing you have to worry about. I like the 3.73 gearing on stock tires, it seems to work well. If you are going to tow a lot upgrade your brakes first, do the hydroboost swap and get some bigger rotors under the thing. As for where to go for the gearing where do you live? Are you near any good drive train shops? Don't let just anyone swap a ring and pinion in, it takes someone with skill seeing as if you don't have the gears set properly you will tear it apart in no time.

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[Booyahzman]

Do you tow in the mountains? I have pulled a 5000lb bobcat on a 3000lb trailer and the acceleration is the last thing you have to worry about. I like the 3.73 gearing on stock tires, it seems to work well. If you are going to tow a lot upgrade your brakes first, do the hydroboost swap and get some bigger rotors under the thing. As for where to go for the gearing where do you live? Are you near any good drive train shops? Don't let just anyone swap a ring and pinion in, it takes someone with skill seeing as if you don't have the gears set properly you will tear it apart in no time.

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Yes, I will be towing in the mountains. That's the primary reason I want a V8 SUV to begin with (I'm currently towing with a V6 4Runner with 4.10 gears, and it's gutless pulling in the mountains).

Brakes are next on my list of things to do as I completely understand the importance of good brakes. I upgraded my 4runner's brakes from the stock crap they came with to the biggest brakes/rotors Toyota made for the 2001-2006 Tundra trucks. Made a world of difference coming down the steep slopes here in Colorado (from nervous shaking to smooth sailing).

I'm also looking to probably do a mild lift (2-3") for some of the off-road trails I go camping, and possibly going up to 33 inch tires in the future (currently running 32" tires).

Lastly, I don't know of any specifically drivetrain shops around here, but am always up for recommendations.

 

[doylee4693]

Yes, I will be towing in the mountains. That's the primary reason I want a V8 SUV to begin with (I'm currently towing with a V6 4Runner with 4.10 gears, and it's gutless pulling in the mountains).

Brakes are next on my list of things to do as I completely understand the importance of good brakes. I upgraded my 4runner's brakes from the stock crap they came with to the biggest brakes/rotors Toyota made for the 2001-2006 Tundra trucks. Made a world of difference coming down the steep slopes here in Colorado (from nervous shaking to smooth sailing).

I'm also looking to probably do a mild lift (2-3") for some of the off-road trails I go camping, and possibly going up to 33 inch tires in the future (currently running 32" tires).

Lastly, I don't know of any specifically drivetrain shops around here, but am always up for recommendations.

Adding you to the long list of people who switched from 4runners to tahoe/yukon/escalade. I had a runner too and was a great truck, but I couldnt find another one when I wanted to upgrade so I thought I was "settling" for a tahoe. Man was I wrong, Now I do relize that toyotas make some of the most reliable motors on the planet but my tahoe has been so good to me. Just a shifter cable and oil changes is all thats been needed in the year ive owned it. Good luck.

 

[MrJuanderful]

3.73 is a good general purpose gear for the 5.3 engine.It might do what you need,I mean there have to be lots of Tahoes out there with 3.08s.If you go to the large tires though,thats going to be about the difference of going from a 3.73 to 3.42 or less.

Try Libertygearandaxle,they have complete center sections and rebuild kits for the 8.5/8.6 differentials,call them up I don't think they list $$ on their site.The owner usually answers the phone and knows his shit.I would guess that the center section kit is about $700 per differential and if you go through all that,might as well go for posi.Shop might charge$800 per differential to install.

Good choice to pass on anything with an airbag code.Their are literally millions of Tahoes/Yukons out their to look at if you have the time and patience.

 

[livingez_123]

Im glad you passed on the other truck. Any good 4x4 shop can handle the gear swap. Probably looking $400-$500 per axle. you might get lucky and they have a good set of used gears. Look and see if you have a "Six States Dist" in your area, they do great gear and driveline work. It does look like you have a bunch of 4x4 shops in Denver. Just start asking around and get some references. talk to guys who are driving the nice 4X4's who does there work, do they stand behind it, how is the customer service? Good questions to ask. Dont forget to say something nice about their truck and thank them for the info.

 

[Booyahzman]

Thanks for all the replies!

After test driving a few yukons--most with the 3.73 gears and the one with the 4.10 I'm pretty sold on having the 4.10 gears. I'm going to get some quotes on the gear change and see if it's feasible. A tune would be awesome to do at the same time...

There's a lot of Tahoe Z71's around with the 4.10 gears. I would get one of those, but I prefer the look of the Yukon over the Tahoes (and Denali even more so, but I don't want the AWD system). I had thought about getting a Tahoe Z71 and putting the Yukon front end on, but I don't know what's all involved in that.

Thanks again!