Does 2500 Suburban Feel Heavy

[HotWheelsBurban]

If I was buying a Burb again, I would probably be looking for a 2500 with 5.7 and 4L80E, just because of the stoutness of the heavy duty platform. Both my truck and Burb with 5.7 L31 Vortec get the same mileage in town so the main penalty is the size of a CCLB.

 

[Intragration]

I say go with the 2500. I don't have GMT400 1500 experience, but I can't see any downside to the 2500, other than reduced fuel economy if that matters to you. It doesn't to me. I bought mine specifically for the heavy-duty underpinnings. Daily drove it for 5 years, including in the city. Never an issue with how it rode or drove. Only reason I don't DD it anymore is because I aim to keep it forever and they use salt in the winter here. Will eventually have another newer 2500 daily if I can find one that's in good shape and not a crazy price.

Fair warning, heavy-duty components including 4L80s are mechanical devices, and they can fail. Mine was never right from the day I bought it. Couldn't put a finger on it for a long time. Eventually had it rebuilt by a reputable shop, including a shift kit, and it's a beautiful thing now.

 

[TXFJ60]

I say go with the 2500. I don't have GMT400 1500 experience, but I can't see any downside to the 2500, other than reduced fuel economy if that matters to you. It doesn't to me. I bought mine specifically for the heavy-duty underpinnings. Daily drove it for 5 years, including in the city. Never an issue with how it rode or drove. Only reason I don't DD it anymore is because I aim to keep it forever and they use salt in the winter here. Will eventually have another newer 2500 daily if I can find one that's in good shape and not a crazy price.

Fair warning, heavy-duty components including 4L80s are mechanical devices, and they can fail. Mine was never right from the day I bought it. Couldn't put a finger on it for a long time. Eventually had it rebuilt by a reputable shop, including a shift kit, and it's a beautiful thing now.

How big of a difference in fuel mileage? I’m used to 11-13. And was expecting that from both the 1500 or 2500.

 

[TXFJ60]

If I was buying a Burb again, I would probably be looking for a 2500 with 5.7 and 4L80E, just because of the stoutness of the heavy duty platform. Both my truck and Burb with 5.7 L31 Vortec get the same mileage in town so the main penalty is the size of a CCLB.

You’d prefer the 5.7 over the 7.4?

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

You’d prefer the 5.7 over the 7.4?

Honestly I don't need a big block. My 5.7 trucks have enough power to tow the smaller trailers that I use, and 10mpg in town is bad enough....
If I was towing the 40' fifth wheel trailer that Mom, brother and myself are living in, then I would need a big block dually. Last year there was a guy that came into the park that had done just that, all the way from Florida.

 

[Intragration]

How big of a difference in fuel mileage? I’m used to 11-13. And was expecting that from both the 1500 or 2500.

There would be SOME difference, I doubt a whole ton. I've gotten anywhere between 9 and 13 with my TBI 454, but it's usually 10-11. I had an 8100 K2500 for a while. This got about 8 MPG under similar conditions to the Suburban's 10.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

There would be SOME difference, I doubt a whole ton. I've gotten anywhere between 9 and 13 with my TBI 454, but it's usually 10-11. I had an 8100 K2500 for a while. This got about 8 MPG under similar conditions to the Suburban's 10.

My truck and Burb both get around 10mpg in town. Both L31 5.7 Vortecs. On the road, 12-14, depends on how much traffic we get caught up in.