Yukon Denalis...What to look for when purchasing?

[XCRacer440]

Looking to buy a Yukon Denali about the 2003 year body style. Never owned a GMC, just like the looks of the Denalis. Couple questions though.
1. Can you get a Denali with a 5.3? The 6.0 is really bad on gas I heard.
2. Are all denalis Awd? That sounds like it will get expensive to fix quickly.
3. What are common problems to look for on these when I go to look at it?
4. Are there alot of expensive items that go out frequently on these?
5. What kind of gas mileage are people getting with these? Also tell your engine size.
6. Are the transmissons good on these? From what I hear the 5.3 is a good motor. If you can't get a 5.3 in them, is the 6.0 a good motor?
7 What kind of maintenance bills am I looking at to keep it on the road? I am mechanically inclined so I can do alot of things, but can't rebuild a motor or a tranny type things.
8. I am looking for one under 100,000 miles and hope they hold up pretty well. My dad is on his 3rd Yukon that is a 2008 Denali and it just screams "Hey there are a shit ton of electrical problems that can happen with technology" He has already had a few.
9. Anything else you can tell me about these trucks?
Thank you so much for your help!

 

[felixgun]

Welcome to TYF. I don't own an NBS Denali so I don't know the answers to your question. I do know that they are only offered in 6.0L and I haven't seen anything but AWD Denali's so looks like you are out of luck getting a 5.3L... Although speaking from personal experience the 6.0 would be welllll worth it.

 

[Jonah52]

They are only offered with the 6.0, I get 12-13 city and 15-17 highway. The AWD is nice and I have 160k on mine with no AWD problems. Just so you know most of the denalis consoles have peeling paint, that's normal. If you find one with factory 20's buy it now, they are very rare.

 

[Matt06Yukon]

Sounds like you need a Yukon or Tahoe if your worried about the gas mileage of the 6.0 and AWD all the time. Denali and Escalade only come that way, unfortunately. Both 5.3 and 6.0 are great engines, all the LS engines are. As far as the electrical, its not a Jeep so you don't have that much to worry about. Blend doors go bad sometimes, some of my steering wheel buttons don't light up but I'm about to pop those out and replace. Otherwise Drive it, change all fluids (except trans) when you buy it and enjoy.

 

[brassknucklemafia]

you can get a 5.3 denali, i have one, mine's 2005, but it is not AWD. its 2WD. it was a special construct.

 

[04SS99Denali]

AUTORIDE!! make sure when you turn the truck on you hear the compressor cycle and make sure it doesn't sound like shit lol. the trans are ok if the truck was taken care of and not abused it will last for a while. other than that the 6.0 is basically a bigger version of the 5.3 its just as good if not better. also make sure the auto climate switches from heat to a/c on both passenger and drivers side. check for steering shaft clunk also.

 

[Max]

03+ trucks have a nicer interior but the denali trucks switched transfer cases in 03 as well, the 01-02 have a better awd system with the NVG-149 case shared with the Silverado SS trucks. The transmissions that come in the denali trucks are the 4L65E which is an upgrade over the standard 4L60E to handle the extra power from the 6.0 LQ4 engine. I'd say the most common issues with these trucks would be as follows:

Fuel Pump
Wheel/Hub bearing assembly
Front Steering Components
Front differential carrier bearings
Autoride shock absorbers/compressor

Nothing major and they drive really nice until you modify them too much like an idiot Seriously though they are awesome trucks and get decent mileage with some minor modifications. Try to find an 05+ if you can as they came with electric fans and get a bit better mileage, or you can just buy some and have a good tuner turn them on for you so it'll function just like they came factory. Check out www.denalitrucks.com for a world of information on all the Denalis

 

[kidlat]

Just joined too. Hello to you all!

Also new to Yukons. Also looking to buy a Denali XL. Would like to get an 05 or near that year, give or take a year.

Any bad years to watch out for?

Anything special to look out for on an 05?

Thanks,
Ricky

 

[krt]

AUTORIDE!! make sure when you turn the truck on you hear the compressor cycle and make sure it doesn't sound like shit lol. the trans are ok if the truck was taken care of and not abused it will last for a while. other than that the 6.0 is basically a bigger version of the 5.3 its just as good if not better. also make sure the auto climate switches from heat to a/c on both passenger and drivers side. check for steering shaft clunk also.

I 2nd the autoride, my 06 xl has it and failed about week or so after I got the it, (used purchase). Second time I towed my boat the shocks gave up and the comperssor died trying to keep them inflated.
GLWYS

 

[CEN2MENTAL95]

check the axles....I found out my 05 with 62k had a bent axle...

 

[Wake]

...the 01-02 have a better awd system with the NVG-149 case shared with the Silverado SS trucks.

Interesting. Do you know if the NVG-149 is interchangeable with the BW4481 in the newer trucks?

 

[sparks]

ive had both an escalade awd, and a denali awd (current dd)

in the escalade, i drove it to 285,000 mi, auto ride was the biggest issue till i disconnected it. replaced transfer case at 240,000 it cracked the case. front end needed work here and there (had 24's on it so i attribute the wear to the extra weight).

in the denali, ive had it since 74,000 miles, it has 84,000 on it now, the autoride shocks are hosed (were bad when i bought it), everything else is solid.

both trucks have the 6.0, i loved it. they both averaged 13-17mpg, if you get the enginne tuned it makes it even more fun to drive. they are great trucks, just take care of it and it will last you forever.

 

[91RS]

You can get a Denali and an Escalade with a 5.3L and 2WD, but they are VERY VERY hard to find. The 6.0L is the same engine, just bigger displacement. Pretty much just check it over like you would any used car. Common problems for the NBS trucks are: Loose wheel bearings, leaks (usually the only problem the AWD system gives), make sure the power seats work (sometimes seat control modules need reprogrammed becuse the switch goes backwards), pitman arm and idler arms get loose, and the intermediate shaft will clunk when turning. The autoride can be a problem, but usually it's only the shocks (people don't replace them when they start leaking and the compressor runs way more than it should and dies). Still, I've seen the shocks go just as many miles as standard shocks (well over 100k miles).

 

[XCRacer440]

Sounds like the autoride can be expensive to fix. Are the shocks used on these an average cost to replace like on a regular truck? Autoride uses a compressor I take it to make the ride just like it was not hauling things when it is? That sounds expensive if it goes out. Are these rides just expensive all around to have?
Thanks for the information so far!

 

[OHSIXX]

Sounds like the autoride can be expensive to fix. Are the shocks used on these an average cost to replace like on a regular truck? Autoride uses a compressor I take it to make the ride just like it was not hauling things when it is? That sounds expensive if it goes out. Are these rides just expensive all around to have?
Thanks for the information so far!

If you keep the autoride-it is not expensive(relative term) to repair especially if you DIY. I replaced mine with this kit-fit like a charm and no complaints....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-REAR-AI...Parts_Accessories&hash=item588ddf0e00&vxp=mtr

Like stated above-keep up on the routine maint and it will run for a very long time......

 

[XCRacer440]

The denalitrucks website says there are no forums when I click on it, whats going on there?

 

[91RS]

Sounds like the autoride can be expensive to fix. Are the shocks used on these an average cost to replace like on a regular truck? Autoride uses a compressor I take it to make the ride just like it was not hauling things when it is? That sounds expensive if it goes out. Are these rides just expensive all around to have?
Thanks for the information so far!

As long as it works when you buy the truck, I wouldn't loose sleep over it. There are other options for parts. http://www.arnottindustries.com/