I had a 2002 Yukon XL that I held onto forever, took me to my first day of pre school, learned how to work on cars with it, learned how to drive with it, drove it to my last day of Graduate School, got it to 370,000 miles with original transmission and engine. It saved my life in a head on collision with an intoxicated driver at highway speed, I will miss it forever.

@FckYourFeelingsYT

2 ай бұрын

Hopefully mine lasts long enough for my son to do the same.

@aaronstark1969

2 ай бұрын

@@FckYourFeelingsYT if you take care of it, it will. It truly is the most reliable car ever made. It was never stranded and we used it to rescue countless other vehicles whenever family, friends, or neighbors got stuck in snow or terrain. I’m looking for another Gen 2 Yukon right now, and I hope you and your son have as special an experience with this vehicle as I did. I wouldn’t be here without it.

This is indeed a GMT800'S with threatening Auras moment

@trevorshubin

Жыл бұрын

Very threatened.

@GM-sk2wk

Жыл бұрын

That’s right HOSS

@ano0213a

Жыл бұрын

**v2

@vinnieravioli4653

Жыл бұрын

GOBBLESS

@dfyjjjfr6y

Жыл бұрын

Indeed.

These engines were neutered in the Yukon/suburban applications due to the torque management to help the life of the transmission. In the Silverado, the 8.1 was paired with the Allison 1000 which allows significantly better performance

@jayomega29

Жыл бұрын

I had a 2500hd with the Allison 8.1. I had the torque management removed. It blew the tires off of it and i damaged the g80. I should have left it alone. 😂😂😂😂

The GMT800 in general, is the most reliable vehicle ever made. This particular one is pretty much the holy grail when it comes to GMT800s too

I just bought my brothers ‘03 Yukon a few hours ago. It’s been 4 different peoples in the family over the last decade. Now it’s mine, it’s got 320k miles, no rust, perfect frame.

@donnellbruceii6057

3 ай бұрын

That’s crazy I just got mine last week at 203k with a little rust at the back

Got my GMC Yukon Denali XL 9 yrs. ago. It's an '03. Got it for a good deal. It's got about 235,000 miles on it now. Because it's a Denali package, it's got all the bells & whistles in it & out. And it's also got the 6.0 liter engine. I'll never sell it. Best vehicle I ever owned

We own this exact Yukon XL 2500 with the 8.1/4.10 gears. What people don’t realize is that motor is 100% made for torque like a diesel. Drive it unladen or hook it to a Trailer, it doesn’t matter, it feels the same. The tuning and transmission held this beast back. But it was intentional because GM did not want to grenade the transmission.

@pra3t0rian

Жыл бұрын

Be nice to see one with a 6l90 swap.

@fl_atv_riders4455

Жыл бұрын

I don't think your going to grenade a allison with a 8.1. I had a 03 silverado 2500 with the 8.1 and allison, I had long tube headers, throttle body ported, intake ported and custom tune. The truck was on 37s and was driven as hard as it could be without just destroying it. No issues

@epickleuva

Жыл бұрын

@@fl_atv_riders4455 I was referring to the 4L85E

@fl_atv_riders4455

Жыл бұрын

@@epickleuva they don't have a 4l80 it's a 4l85 and even that is depending on yr model in the suburbans and 3500 vans. But even then a 4l85 will hold up to far more power that a stock 8.1 the turning is the downfall but a easy fix

@epickleuva

Жыл бұрын

@@fl_atv_riders4455 Suburbans never had an Allison. Correct the 4L85E.

For those of us that tow with a family, I really wish they would bring back the 3/4 ton suburban / Yukon

@Ckcdillpickle

Жыл бұрын

They still make them for commercial

I have a 2006 Yukon xl 2500 , 8.1 & 373’s. Really shines on the open highway. Play the throttle to avoid downshifting and it pulls like my 7.3 excursion. Surprisingly sporty .

I owned a 2006 2500 Chevy Suburban with the 6.0L and 4L80 trans (bought with 120K miles on it). It is still one of my favorite vehicles ever! I did a lot of work to it, but the best thing I did was a tune on the PCM. That not only woke up the engine but my fuel economy jumped from 10-11 city to 13-14 city and from 15 hwy to 18 hwy, consistently. I live in Utah (nearly same elevation as you guys) and was always happy with it performance after the tune. The best part was I could almost make it from my place in Utah to my sister's place in San Diego on one tank of fuel after the tune. I still lament selling that vehicle!

@Likethetacosauce

Жыл бұрын

Very good to read your comment! I'm looking at a Chevy 2500hd with the 6.0. it has only 130xxx miles and is from out west so no rust. I was curious if a tune would be beneficial for power or mpgs. Great to hear it will.

@moabman6803

Жыл бұрын

Who did the tune?

My son-in-law and daughter had pretty much that exact one & around 250,000 - 300,000 miles the transmission went out, but with that many miles you would kinda expect something like that to happen. Great video 👍🏻👍🏻.

You should check the throttle pedal support bracket on the firewall. If the pedal touches the floor it is bent and you wont get wide open throttle. I have fixed a lot of these that had low power because they never get to wide open throttle.

Tommy and Brendan work so well together with both humor and professionalism. I LOVE these videos. Thank you guys.

I am a Ford Fan Brendan but I have fallen hook line and sinker for your Yukon XL 8.1. She is awesome. I don't completely hate GM because I ran a 1995 Vauxhall Astra for a few years and it was absolutely bombproof.

0 to 60 and quarter mile times are what they are. The Giant Beast is still fine after 300,000 miles is the story here.

@pedromedina6364

Жыл бұрын

Exactly. These tests are fun to watch but at the end of the day people aren't out there racing these things. I'd still trust this Yukon to take me around the u.s and back any day

@angelgjr1999

Жыл бұрын

These trucks are made for family hauling and towing. If you wanna go fast get a coupe.

@nathanmcdonald610

Жыл бұрын

Yep, the modern equivalent of this is the Ford 7.3L Godzilla. It's not built to be a 0-60 / 1/4 mile monster, but it is overbuilt for it's output and it's simple design almost guarantee's it'll last hundreds of thousands trouble free miles. These are the best types of engines for heavy duty applications in my opinion, I know everyone has a hardon for diesels these days, but no one NEEDS 1000ftlbs+ of torque and engines like the Godzilla put out similar torque to diesels made 20 or so years ago "more than enough for what you should be doing with a pickup". That combined with the cost of modern diesels both to purchase and maintain as well as the emissions and reliability issues. Large gas V8's are the way to go.

I own 3 GM vehicles from this generation: A 2005 Suburban 2500 (8.1), a 2002 Silverado 1500, and - the crown jewel - a 2004 Hummer H2 Luxury package. I bought the Suburban with 110k miles (it currently has 210k), the Silverado with 137k (it currently has 179k), and the Hummer with 53k (it currently has 79k). I daily drive all three, and have done many long-distance road trips and family outings in both the Suburban and the Hummer. I occasionally tow with all three (nothing very heavy), and have done a fair amount of light off-roading with the Suburban and the Hummer. These three vehicles have proven to be the toughest, and most reliable vehicles I have ever owned by FAR, in my total 35-ish years of vehicle ownership. In the case of the Suburban, also the most versatile and useful. GM really knocked it out of the park in the early 2000's.

“I’ll have to bleep that…” and the little chuckle😂 that was so funny

These are the best generation of GM trucks!!

@hakeemsd70m

Жыл бұрын

Without question my favorite generation of GM trucks ever! All my granddaddy ever bought was Chevys!

My '01/5.3/4L60E Suburban 2wd has 325k and only time I had an issue was in 2022 I redid both front and rear A/Cs.. Still in fantastic shape

I drove a c7500 w/a 16' dump bed in a lumber yard with an 8.1. Not made for speed, made for work. Lots of torque.

Awesome Video guys. Love me these GM beast reviews. 😎

Love what you guys are doing,love the humor too

Great video guys. Interesting to see how those older vehicles match up to modern ones. Thanks guys

I love these old truck videos....something most of us can actually afford

I have an '03 with the 5.3, 4x4....224,000 miles and runs as good as new. It's definitely a beast and I doubt that I'll ever get rid of it!

@FreeIndeed72

Жыл бұрын

I have an '01 Yukon SLT with the 5.3, not a 4x4, but it runs great and gets plenty of power. It's got about 156,000 or so miles on it. I believe that the 2nd models were the last ones to be made in the United States. The production of the 3rd gen models are said to have been outsourced to other countries and that the QC wasn't the same as it once was. I'll be keeping mine. It's paid for. Gas prices may be high but it's cheaper than a car note and insurance 😁👍

Bought a 2003 Yukon XL D a few days ago!! 160 k miles, simply needs an engine coil replacement but still runs as is!

These where the best gm truck made and always will be. 2000 to 2007 best years

My 8.1 Sub will blow the doors off of my 6.0 Powerstroke Excursion! This truck has 3.73’s and is tired for sure! A tune to remove torque management helps immensely!

A 2022 Silverado RST 1500 Crew Cab tested by Motortrend stops from 60 mph in 133 ft, no where NEAR 110 -120 ft. We're talking TRUCKS here not cars. I'd say the 8100 did well.

I would like to have this one here in Texas, alongside my wife’s ‘02 GMC Yukon XL 1500. No harm in wishing. Keep’m coming

I think I agree with Brendan,.. these great big 'Suburbanesque' General Motors beasts appeal to a lot of us, If the truth were to be let out. If I had a chance to own one of these, I'd prefer to have it powered with the venerable ( old ) 454 cubic inch smokin' V8s. This one mush have been cared for, and those fluid leaks that were mentioned should be fixed and then this Yukon would look really good in my driveway too! ( I can dream a bit, can't I ) Thanks for this guys, but if I may, I'd like to see a more 'in-depth' and bumper to bumper driving review with this one.

I had to look up performance numbers at less extreme elevation. 8 seconds 0-60 and 14.3 qtr mile are impressive for its size, IMHO.

These are great trucks I've been driving mine daily for the last 3 years and it gets better milage than my 2011 Tahoe PPV

Really can't go wrong in this gen with the V8's from 4.8 to 8.1 all of them have the same architecture. The 5.3s are my favorite because they are cheap, parts readily available, and mostly easy to work on.

Gmt400 GMC Suburban Big Block owner here. I love my 454, but that 8.1 sure is impressive. Big block shortblock with heads and intake derived from the LS architecture. The only downside is the decidedly smaller pool of parts and go fast goodies compared to say the LS or gen 6 Big Block. Either way, you absolutely cannot beat the versatility and supreme utlity of the 2500 series Suburbans. And Im a forner V10 Excursion owner too!

Almost exactly what motor trend recorded back in 2003 with a 2500 suburban on braking

I’m a Toyota guy but I’ve always loved this Generation of GM trucks.

I had a 94 K2500 Suburban with a 454 and 4:10 gears. Everything but sport cars like Mustangs, Camaro’s… was on the rear view mirror.

I have an 04 Yukon XL 1500 that same color. I love it.

Funniest line ever from Tommy: "Brendan had to drive all the way over to uhh.. WYOMING because uh, he as to get to 60" !! LOL

The 4.10’s with the 8.1 is rated for 11k towing. Probably a bit peppier too. I had a 2500 Burb with the 6.0 and 4.10’s on 33’s and it had plenty of passing power at sea level, it wasn’t that sprightly at CO elevations but not terrible either honestly.

@fl_atv_riders4455

Жыл бұрын

Power levels really aren't that much different 8.1 makes about 70lbft more torque but no more hp. It's mostly due to the rpm level the torque comes in.

@epickleuva

Жыл бұрын

8.1/4.10 is 12k towing

@angelgjr1999

Жыл бұрын

Got 4.10 gears in my Mustang GT. She loves to burn rubber in 1st and 2nd gear. :)

@fl_atv_riders4455

Жыл бұрын

@@angelgjr1999 what yr mustang

@jeladsnikpoh1289

Жыл бұрын

I believe it's rated 12,500 with the 4.10s, making it the highest towing capacity of any SUV ever. My Envoy XL with the 5.3 and 4.10s is rated at 7,100lbs (chassis, not engine limited), making it the highest tow rating of any midsized SUV. I also owned a couple Buick Roadmasters with LT1s rated to tow 5000lbs, making them the highest towing cars ever. Is there a pattern here?

Would love to see this beast drag race my 98 Ram 2500 8.0 V10.

Come on Tommy, even a 2018 Tahoe RST with the brembo upgrade is still 70 to 0 in 188ft, cut the old girl some slack she stopped well, idk where you were getting 110ft, that's sports sedan territory.

There is a simple PCV fix for those on LT Tolman's channel. He built his up and put it in a race truck with a turbo...

Long geared 4l85e, 285s, and torque management kills it forsure

I love my Yukon. Although it rattles like crazy, it's been my most reliable vehicle besides my wife's Lexus. I use my truck to tow heavy weightlifting equipment and 3 annual hunting trips to AZ.

My girlfriends mom had a 02 Yukon Denali with the 6L V8 with 220,000 miles and it was the most rusted out vehicle I've ever seen. Holy crap that thing was ridiculously reliable.

Beautiful truck, I have owned a lot of 454's and they were all very good, sold all running (rust was my issue here in the frozen waste-land of MI.) My joke was always, "gets 12MPG empty or towing a house." What you need to do is, hook up a 30' boat / trailer onto this and a new "electric truck" of any kind, and drive till one fails.

I’m just intrigued how much force is required to stop any given vehicle and how brake shoes last as long as they do. I’ve heard there’s about 18,000 psi in the brake lines

Bought a 2004 Suburban k2500 new. Loved it when it ran but it sadly spent 6 months straight at the dealer getting major warranty repairs. Sold it after 2 years because of all the problems. Last GM product I ever bought.

Just for comparison, I found a 2003 Escalade ESV in "Motorweek" archives that achieved 60-0 in 136 ft: so pretty close. At least, not horrible.

I have an 8.1/4.10 2004 Suburban. 0-60 empty doesn’t tell the story with these trucks. Especially at elevation it’s not making much HP, doesn’t rev very high or breath well stock at higher RPM. It makes so much torque off idle though that it pulls away from stops with a surge of power that shrugs off additional weight without a care. It’s a draft horse, not a quarter horse ;) I wish I could put a modern 6 or 8 speed in mine, I think it would improve its performance dramatically both empty and towing, more effectively then power adders.

Hilarious, my 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood was 225" long vs 219" long for this Yukon XL. Technically it shaded more pavement lol. That car had "only" 260hp/330lb-ft torque stock yet would do a wicked one wheel peel. Stock it ran the quarter in 15.4@89mph. 3.73 gears, posi, different air intake and no resonators with magnaflow mufflers it ran the quarter in 14.6@93mph. Pretty damn quick for a 4500lb barge. Main thing though with the gear swap/posi it would just annihilate the rear tires on a whim.

Tow mode will help, holds the gear longer.

I have an 8.1 04' 4x4 2500 Burb'. Great vehicle I would drive it anywhere...4 Sale!

Time to go look up Motorweek and see what the stopping distance of one of these was when new. I get the feeling 143 feet is pretty much what it was like new.

I think you should find a similar year suburban with a disposable engine, then put in a similar displacement ZZ502, Snyper it, a 4L80, and top it off with an exhaust that tries making that engine almost as quiet as the 8100, and tell us what the engine performance is compared to this particular stock one with sooo many Km on it

Like you said, it's a towing monster, not a performance monster. It is a low revving engine that puts out a lot of mid-range torque. My 04 suburban has the 5.3, and it is a little bit higher revving, but doesn't make near as much torque. I just moved to boulder and am thinking of turbo charging a 6.0 and putting it under the hood. The exhaust leaks at the head on the 5.3 and won't pass emissions, anyway.

I had a Ford 2002 Excursion that had over 300000 miles original motor and transmission they are also built just as well.

The marine versions of the 8.1were made by at least 3 different companies.Made about 375 hp in the standard version and about 425 hp in the HO version . The HO versions had a hotter camshaft and a forged crankshaft. A Mercruiser factory technician told me the HO version ran best when propped for a maximum 4950 rpm . They run great when stock but built in design limits make them difficult to modify without spending a lot of money. Became unavailable a year or 2 after GM stopped using them In vehicles. Volvo-Penta liked the 8.1 so much that they stockpiled base marine engines so they could continue production for a while.

I have a 2006 Yukon XL 2500. I tow a 27' boat. Considering that GM no longer offers a 3/4 ton SUV, I have to hold on to my XL.

5:28 this by far was my favorite part

This vehicle is so American I imagine a few bald eagles soaring above and the smell cheeseburgers to go with the gunpowder!

Would love to have one of those

@toyotaprius79

Жыл бұрын

And queue in traffic in it

My 95 Camry had 386k when I blew the motor cause I got a new car and wanted to send the Camry off the right way. Original motor and transmission went 386k and it still ran great. If you want eel and fuel efficient go with 90s Toyotas and Hondas

And then Land Cruiser enters the chat with 1,000,000 miles

Powerstop rotors and pads improve your stopping distance, greatly.

I have an 03 GMC Denali V8 6.0 with 265,000 still kicking 😮

I have one of those 8.1L/4.10 unicorns...... its a great truck...

Don’t be too upset about the braking performance in that guy Brendan. This generation of GM 3/4 ton never had great braking power. Same goes for my 2007 classic duramax…even with new brakes, I leave lots of following distance to the car in front of me ;)

My 2009 1500 Yukon XL has a curb weight of 5901 pounds. She gets to 60 from zero in less than 8 seconds. 60 to 0 in 145 feet too.

This new guy reminds me of Big Steve that used to be on here.😁😁

I really wonder if it's the gearing, or the tune that is making that be so slow. I own an 03 Denali XL, and its one of the fastest full size SUVs I've ever driven. Granted, it's a wildly different vehicle when it comes to the axles, suspension, and drivetrain, but it's rated at 325hp and 375tq. Same body, roughly the same weight, and much less rated torque output. That braking test was spot on, they actually stop quicker than a more modern Suburban. I have seen tests of like 188 feet for a 2021 Suburban.

At that altitude that engine has a 18% loss from brand new add in let's say another 7% for having high mileage makes that 25% loss so that engine is making roughly 100hp less then stock

The breaking test was really not that bad. A brand new Tahoe RST takes 139.4 feet to stop

I’m looking into getting a 2005 yukon SLT with a clean car fax but it has 300k miles. How long can I expect the truck to run if I get it?

almost 300k nice my 5.3 tahoe just hit that on the original 4l60e which I dont know why people hate that transmission

The body and interior look in great shape so this one is worthy of a new engine.

@chrismay2298

Жыл бұрын

The one in it seems fine.

@hakeemsd70m

Жыл бұрын

The fact that this big boy is body on frame means that it can be restored just like a 57 Chevy, meaning it's basically immortal.

2001 yukon xl non denali 5.3 at 350,000 miles and going strong

Would be interesting to see that car get a full mechanical restoration with a bit of good old blue printing (no chips or anything ) just everything micromitred and fine clearances , a bit of acceptable porting on all stock items , it may make a big difference , we are talking engine , transmission , transfer case , complete axle strip and rebuild and balanced prop shafts . The kind of thing allowed in prepping a 1980s Group N production class car in South Africa . At the end of the day , once done , when someone buys it , they will have a pretty much perfect car

I have 332,000 on my Yukon xl with no problems

What is the stereo you have in that rig? the one I have is toast/terrible (factory). and I would like to replace it.

I would love to see this do a max tow up the Ike!

@BrantTheResidentCalvinist

Жыл бұрын

That’d be cool but with those miles on it, it’d probably blow up.

@richfarfugnuven6308

Жыл бұрын

@@BrantTheResidentCalvinist that 8.1L isn't going to blow up...

@mikecarmean1676

Жыл бұрын

Do it....

@gabrielchristopher9625

Жыл бұрын

Seriously line it up against a new Suburban and expedition towing up the Ike.

@brandonstewart7145

Жыл бұрын

@@BrantTheResidentCalvinist 300,000 ain't nothing for a GM

I watched a MotorWeek review of a new 2023 Escalade V, it stopped in 105 feet from 60.

I'd like to see this do the Ike Gauntlet

6/0 L and awd , its a great choice to have over all besides gas its sexy af

I'll have to disagree with the title of the video. First is the Buick 3800 series 2 in the Buicks Second I'd say is the VQ30de in the 4th gen Maxima's Third id say the 1MZ-FE in the Camrys and Es300s I'd say the J30a1 in the 6th gen Accord is an honorable mention. I haven't had many 4cyls so I can't really speak for those. This however is probably the most reliable SUV that I can think of tho, great video but I think you should change the title to SUV. BTW I daily a 447,xxx mile Buick Park Avenue original engine too.

ive got a 454 with the upgraded fuel injectors in a single cab longbed model from the mid 90s and let me tell you without the weight of a literal suburban neighborhood to lug around it can launch lmao

Forgive me if I'm missing this, but what year is this vehicle?

i had a 99 suburban for 12 years till it wouldn't pass smog, so i sold it to pick a part, now i have a 01 gmc yukon xl... its bigger an i only need liability its all steel an drives like a tank... got it for family outings,

👌😍 I just loove that truck.

I think a video editing idea for this one would have been to show Brendan in the Yukon and back to Tommy and back to the Yukon and back to Tommy a la Monty Python.

Have you replaced brake lines on this they r known to rust out and loose brakes

Hell yeah my 02 5.3 has 330k and runs like a top

Neck and neck with that v6 mustang convertible they tried recently lol.

@ 4:50 Vegeta what does the scouter say about his towing capacity

@danielpassigmailcom

Жыл бұрын

Lol

Another vote for the IKE!

What's the rear ratio 4.10?

I just bought a regular 01 Yukon form my cousin

love these american suv s and pickup trucks and big cubic inch engines ken, uk