4campnuts
Southern NH
Senior Member
Joined: 05/23/2005
View Profile
|
We've had our 95 Chevy Suburban now for 7 years, it's got 219K miles on it and has been an excellent truck. Until yesterday morning....she decided her time was up and the engine went. It's our main driving and tow vehicle, so replacing the engine isn't really the best option. We knew the time was coming and have been researching and shopping, but it definitely was a sudden surprise yesterday. I'm so sad--it has been SO good to us. I was having a hard time thinking of getting rid of it for a newer one since it was in such good shape, but I guess it's easier now since I have no choice  Time to move on--we've had our eye on a 2005 Silverado 1500 crew cab that I think we'll go for now. We've gone back and forth between the Tundra, Ford and Chevy and since the Chevy has served us so well and this opportunity has presented itself right now, maybe it's meant to be....love those 3/4 tons, but for the price and fuel mileage I think this is the more practical choice. I am excited to finally get a pickup, that's for sure. But when you love your old truck, it is very hard to say goodbye. Wish us luck 
|
Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
Senior Member
Joined: 05/14/2004
View Profile
|
If you are happy with Chevy, buy another one. Just make sure it has the capability(tow package, correct differential gear ratio) to be a good tow vehicle. Now about your current truck. If it is in good shape, inside and out and the drivetrain is sound save for the engine, why not just install a quality rebuilt(Jasper for example)engine and enjoy another dozen years of driving. Hard to replace the utility of a Suburban even with a pickup. You may have to spend $2500-$3000 for the engine replacement, not bad for a reliable second vehicle. Especially if the original engine is the wonderful 5.7 350ci V-8.
Capt Skup
AD1,USN Ret
Wonderful Wife and three beautiful Daughters
"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"
2008 F-450 Lariat,4x4, 4.88s,24k Sig Series
Sunline F281SR
SeaRay 215EC
http://community.webshots.com/user/CaptSkup?vhost=community
|
chadsalt
sc
Senior Member
Joined: 04/04/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
4campnuts wrote:We've had our 95 Chevy Suburban now for 7 years, it's got 219K miles on it and has been an excellent truck. Until yesterday morning....she decided her time was up and the engine went. It's our main driving and tow vehicle, so replacing the engine isn't really the best option. We knew the time was coming and have been researching and shopping, but it definitely was a sudden surprise yesterday. I'm so sad--it has been SO good to us. I was having a hard time thinking of getting rid of it for a newer one since it was in such good shape, but I guess it's easier now since I have no choice Time to move on--we've had our eye on a 2005 Silverado 1500 crew cab that I think we'll go for now. We've gone back and forth between the Tundra, Ford and Chevy and since the Chevy has served us so well and this opportunity has presented itself right now, maybe it's meant to be....love those 3/4 tons, but for the price and fuel mileage I think this is the more practical choice. I am excited to finally get a pickup, that's for sure. But when you love your old truck, it is very hard to say goodbye. Wish us luck
Put another engine in it.
|
rockhillmanor
On the Road
Senior Member
Joined: 12/06/2003
View Profile
|
Capt Skup wrote:If you are happy with Chevy, buy another one. Just make sure it has the capability(tow package, correct differential gear ratio) to be a good tow vehicle. Now about your current truck. If it is in good shape, inside and out and the drivetrain is sound save for the engine, why not just install a quality rebuilt(Jasper for example)engine and enjoy another dozen years of driving. Hard to replace the utility of a Suburban even with a pickup. You may have to spend $2500-$3000 for the engine replacement, not bad for a reliable second vehicle. Especially if the original engine is the wonderful 5.7 350ci V-8.
When I was on the circuit using a conversion van I was racking up so many miles per year I was real upside down for trade-ins. So I started putting Jasper motors into them.
If the body/trans are still good IMHO $3,500 versus $30,000.00 is a way better bet.
The Jasper engines will last just as long too, love'em.
Rock
31 ft Four Winds
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
|
camping man
Central Fla.
Senior Member
Joined: 09/01/2001
View Profile
|
I'd just put another engine in it, my z71 5.7 has right at 500k on it, original engine . It burns oil(valve guides are worn), but you should hear this truck, it sounds great. I think GM might want to put this in a museum when it hits 500K.It hasn't had an oil change since 200k when the valve guides burned out, it just keeps getting topped off, and a new filter every couple months. If my Cummins lasts that long without spending any money on it ,I'd be amazed . I don't think it's possible with these new injection systems.
05 Dodge 2500 Quadcab CTD NV5600/3.73rears
97 27ft.Sprinter 5er
Website
|
|
|
agesilaus
North Florida
Full Member
Joined: 05/06/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
We just semi-retired our '96 Suburban. It was very close to the 300,000 mile mark. The engine is still working but didn't have the old pep when it came to those long grades. What finally decided the issue was the fact that it just refused to start on cold (for Florida) mornings. When it got down in the 30's. And also the interior was getting to be in sad shape. It has been handed over to the daughter as a get to work and school vehicle.
We replaced it with a F150 5.4 L, I liked the Silverado 1500 but the difference in max tow weights was the deciding issue. But actually we ended up buying a Trailmanor and the Silverado would have been just fine. Love the F150 so far.
BK
04 Trail Manor 2619
08 Ford F150 5.4L TV
|
rob85546
Hot arizona
Senior Member
Joined: 03/14/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Heck you cant ask for more if you got over 200k miles out of it.... If the rest of the vehicle is in good shape spend 2k or so for a new motor...
2007 GMC DURAMAX,LBZ,4 by Crew, Allison
Magnaflow Turbo Back Exhaust
Predator Tuner
18by9 Helo's on BFG's
5year old boy
3 year old baby girl
Sea ray boat
Wilderness 5th wheel
SandRail
HD WideGlide
FORD Expediton
honda Eu3000
|
tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
Senior Member
Joined: 09/25/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Get a new motor.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
|
donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I have to agree with the above posters. Spending 5K for a motor and rebuilt transmission is way better in todays economy than 30 to 50K for a new truck. Besides it will be paid for in a year or so that way.
Donn
|
Guest
USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/02/2004
View Profile
|
Forget the museum idea. A guy in Wisconsin has a MILLION miles on his Chevy pickup. He's got dibs.
Hate to know what he's spent on gas!
|
|
|
