Z71 Off Road

[CharPatton]

Hi: Newbie here.

We're interested in "light" off-roading with a new Tahoe. Z71 looks like the way to go. But tough to get a new one. Thoughts???

If we can't get Z71, OEM skid plate with Premium model?

What other options should we look at?

And how does Tahoe compare to a loaded 4-Runner?

Many thanks!

 

[B-train]

Z-71 is your best option for sure since it's designed for more of that kind of use. I wouldn't waste money on a premium package to go off roading with. You want 18 inch wheels, not bigger to absorb bumps and imperfections, plus being able to air down and not bottom out the rubber to rim.

Based on the problems that seem to be plaguing these new models, I'd probably go for the Toyota. More nimble, better mpg, and really well built. I overland in a 2008 yukon denali. I bought it as such, older and reliable. Don't care if it gets chipped or scratches. But, after seeing how the toyota trucks perform, it makes me think.......

Just my two cents.

 

[JacquesMehoff]

I was pretty impressed with it and had a great deal of fun! Not bad in stock form!

 

[Onlyone]

There are much better platforms to go off-roading in than a tahoe/Yukon. Gravel road? Great. Anything else, no thanks. Buy a Jeep, Bronco, 4 runner, etc. I have a wrangler on 37s. I love my Denali but I wouldn’t take it anywhere off-road. It’s a cruiser with 4wd. It will get you in trouble off-road. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. They’re too wide, too long and are meant to do what they do well. Cruise. My Jeep is a diesel that is a beast off-road, but I don’t want to take it on the highway.

 

[swathdiver]

As Dirty Harry once said, "A man's got to know his limitations!"

These trucks are very capable off road and I find it nice to have all the luxury features and the ability to get back onto the pavement and deliver a comfortable ride back home with good economy. Ever watch youtube videos of the Chevy Avalanche?

The cab in the 4-Runner is not tall, they're not as roomy.

Hold out for what you want.

 

[Onlyone]

As Dirty Harry once said, "A man's got to know his limitations!"

These trucks are very capable off road and I find it nice to have all the luxury features and the ability to get back onto the pavement and deliver a comfortable ride back home with good economy. Ever watch youtube videos of the Chevy Avalanche?

The cab in the 4-Runner is not tall, they're not as roomy.

Hold out for what you want.

I guess it really depends on one’s definition of “off-road”. Of course the 4 runner is smaller. That’s the point. I don’t like the 4 runner either but please don’t put it in peoples minds that they are going to run off road trails meant for Jeeps and the like with one of these big beasts. I have recovered so many of these trucks just destroyed because it had a Z71 badge on it. Brand new 100k vehicles just because someone said they were so capable. Use the right tools.

 

[Baja_Bob]

Jeep claims the $110,000 Grand Waggoneer is off road capable, would you take an Escalade off road? The rear independent suspension on the newer Tahoe/Yukon doesn't have much ground clearance. If I was going off road I would rather have an AT4 Sierra.

 

[swathdiver]

I guess it really depends on one’s definition of “off-road”. Of course the 4 runner is smaller. That’s the point. I don’t like the 4 runner either but please don’t put it in peoples minds that they are going to run off road trails meant for Jeeps and the like with one of these big beasts. I have recovered so many of these trucks just destroyed because it had a Z71 badge on it. Brand new 100k vehicles just because someone said they were so capable. Use the right tools.

It certainly does. I have seen videos of Yukon XLs in Moab and talked to guys who took their Tahoes on BlackBear Pass and Imogene Pass in Colorado. Moab is a big place, there are places I wouldn't hesitate to take my Yukon XL and other places I would avoid that the modified Jeeps can easily traverse.

As for running with Jeeps, that certainly depends on the trail. Have seen trails where it was the larger Avalanches and Silverados that had the advantage or were at least equally capable as the Jeeps. Course I'm in Florida where mud, water and sand is what we mostly encounter.

 

[GoNoGo]

I can't get rid of my 2-door Wrangler Rubicon in favor of an off-roads Tahoe anytime soon..

.. took the wifey almost 30 years to make 6 miles of trails wide & tall enough for our side-by-sides, and by default my small Wrangler squeezes thru too.

Unfortunately the Wrangler JK model is a rough-riding and bouncy vehicle for my ol' body to endure much of, I'd gladly replace it for the comfort of a Tahoe


.

 

[swathdiver]

I once crossed a stream in a swamp, put water up onto the windshield and then floored it to reach the other side and climb out onto a 6 foot wide trail with my 7 foot wide Yukon! Had to go quite a ways to find a break in the trees and turn around.

 

[Onlyone]

It certainly does. I have seen videos of Yukon XLs in Moab and talked to guys who took their Tahoes on BlackBear Pass and Imogene Pass in Colorado. Moab is a big place, there are places I wouldn't hesitate to take my Yukon XL and other places I would avoid that the modified Jeeps can easily traverse.

As for running with Jeeps, that certainly depends on the trail. Have seen trails where it was the larger Avalanches and Silverados that had the advantage or were at least equally capable as the Jeeps. Course I'm in Florida where mud, water and sand is what we mostly encounter.

View attachment 389300View attachment 389301

No doubt there are some very small exceptions to the rule and you may be a bit more savvy off-road than some but most are not. I respect your assumptions but I agree to disagree. These were in no way shape or form built for “off-roading” and those that buy them for that or think that they are, are very much confused. Also I have run every trail in Moab to the alpine loop for the last 30 years and running one of those on most trails up there are asking for trouble, if not death. Just because a few imbeciles have done it doesn’t mean it should be encouraged.

 

[swathdiver]

No doubt there are some very small exceptions to the rule and you may be a bit more savvy off-road than some but most are not. I respect your assumptions but I agree to disagree. These were in no way shape or form built for “off-roading” and those that buy them for that or think that they are, are very much confused. Also I have run every trail in Moab to the alpine loop for the last 30 years and running one of those on most trails up there are asking for trouble, if not death. Just because a few imbeciles have done it doesn’t mean it should be encouraged.

Not an off-road expert by any means but I do believe that these trucks are very capable off road machines. Very capable of course is subjective. Ever watch any YouTube videos of Chevy Avalanches?

Like I quoted earlier, A man has got to know his limitations.

My daughters have been making good money with their 6.2 Sierras getting stuck vehicles unstuck, mostly RWD pickups and wagons who ventured out onto the trails! I bet they're more off-road savvy now than I ever was. I think they've pulled some jeeps too.

@Tozan

 

[B-train]

Not an off-road expert by any means but I do believe that these trucks are very capable off road machines. Very capable of course is subjective. Ever watch any YouTube videos of Chevy Avalanches?

Like I quoted earlier, A man has got to know his limitations.

My daughters have been making good money with their 6.2 Sierras getting stuck vehicles unstuck, mostly RWD pickups and wagons who ventured out onto the trails! I bet they're more off-road savvy now than I ever was. I think they've pulled some jeeps too.

View attachment 389317View attachment 389318

@Tozan

I like the 6.2L sierra trucks! I've wanted to find one but gave up in the midwest. They are all rusted out now, or almost there.

How are they on fuel based on the fact they can run in 2wd? Also, are they AFM motors? I thought the sierra denali never got the AFM through 2013, but I could be wrong.

 

[swathdiver]

I like the 6.2L sierra trucks! I've wanted to find one but gave up in the midwest. They are all rusted out now, or almost there.

How are they on fuel based on the fact they can run in 2wd? Also, are they AFM motors? I thought the sierra denali never got the AFM through 2013, but I could be wrong.

Our newest came out of Oklahoma, I find most of them west of the Mississippi. There are two very clean (from the photos) close to each other in Oregon with mileage in the 80s. There are 9 4x4 6.2 Sierras for sale across America right now on Auto Trader with 85K to 197K miles.

The Oklahoma truck averages 13-15 mpgs per tank running around town, better than my Yukon XL with the 5.3. The lifted truck averages 11-12 running around town.

No AFM, these are L9H motors and the Sierra Denali uses it too.

This one is an NHT with 3.73 gears and a payload capacity of around 1800 pounds:

Autotrader - page unavailable

This is an All-Terrain with 3.42 gears:

Autotrader - page unavailable

 

[B-train]

Our newest came out of Oklahoma, I find most of them west of the Mississippi. There are two very clean (from the photos) close to each other in Oregon with mileage in the 80s. There are 9 4x4 6.2 Sierras for sale across America right now on Auto Trader with 85K to 197K miles.

The Oklahoma truck averages 13-15 mpgs per tank running around town, better than my Yukon XL with the 5.3. The lifted truck averages 11-12 running around town.

No AFM, these are L9H motors and the Sierra Denali uses it too.

This one is an NHT with 3.73 gears and a payload capacity of around 1800 pounds:

Autotrader - page unavailable

This is an All-Terrain with 3.42 gears:

Autotrader - page unavailable

The all terrain one looks really nice, but not 32K nice. I sold my 2018 4x4 sierra with 14k on it for that price 2 years ago. This is completely insane. Also, it had a 5th wheel plate for some reason which could be a NO for me Dogg....not sure if they use salt where it came from in Canada either.

Thanks for the links though! I'll keep the indo squirreled away for future use.

 

[maddocmatt]

True story: we were on a multi week camping trip from Colorado, to Wyoming to montana up to glacier and back down. I have a 2021 Escalade esv with max towing (important here). In Wyoming we were going to disperse camp in an area called shadow mountain across from the Tetons. Absolutely stunning. Ended up making a wrong turn and ended up on 4x4 trail. Ended up putting the Escalade into off road, low gearing and raising it up to max height. One of the craziest experiences of my life. We made it two miles up and two miles down when we could turn around and it did freaking great. Would I do it again. No. Not ever. I’ll stick to taking our side by side on stuff like that. But it did really really well!

 

[swathdiver]

The all terrain one looks really nice, but not 32K nice. I sold my 2018 4x4 sierra with 14k on it for that price 2 years ago. This is completely insane. Also, it had a 5th wheel plate for some reason which could be a NO for me Dogg....not sure if they use salt where it came from in Canada either.

Thanks for the links though! I'll keep the indo squirreled away for future use.

Cause they were probably pulling a 5th wheel for a while and decided to follow the directions and get a 6.5" bed!

Prices are softening some but everything has gone up due to demand and inflation. They are quite proud of that one and it's probably the reason it's been for sale since August.

One thing I do not understand is the dealerships putting on these grotesque black fender flares, especially the ones that don't fit! To me, they are covering up fender rust.

 

[B-train]

Agreed, hiding something. That's one of the Midwest's best truck additions. Nothing says I'm going to have rust regret after I wash it 3 times....... and the eust creeps over the edge to say gello. LOL

Those were a good, almost unicorn setup though considering what the other options were. And, also the 4.8L - no AFM and still pretty peppy.

 

[CharPatton]

Thanks to all for your input! Much appreciated.

 

[H1Chester]

There are plenty of late model Tahoes, Suburbans and Yukons off roading and overloading. Go check out SUBOVERLAND on YouTube. The early 2000's up to 2020's are great off road platforms especially since they have the G80 rear mechanical locker. If I had the extra cash I'd definitely pick up a SUBOVERLAND build!

Can a 2021+ rock crawl? No. Can a 2021+ get off the beaten path, hit some dirt and get you to some austere places? Yes. Hell I've even seen a Toyota Prius overloading!

Somebody mentioned Toyota gas mileage? Toyota gas mileage SUCKS! 4 Runner mileage is probably worse than what I'm getting right now.