Tahoe With 5.3L

[WisconsinHick1]

I am thinking about buying a Tahoe with the 5.3L in it for the wife and later on plan on transplanting in a Duramax.

But I want to know how they do for fuel economy and other things to look out for on them if I find one I like.

 

[DaJokr]

Year? Mileage?

 

[WisconsinHick1]

I'm looking Early 2000's.

 

[duramax05blk]

fuel pumps are very problem matic. had to replace one in my 99 2500, dads 01 1500, moms 04 tahoe, and wifes 03 denali all were under 150k. water pumps can be a bit of a pain as well. and typical gm rust issues rockers, rear bumper. MPG's my moms 04 5.3 would average 14 or 15. my 03 denali 12 or 13. Both my old 99 and dads 1500 were plow trucks and used hard and never really had any issues drove them in to the 190k range. In process of redoing headgaskets in denali now. engine looked clean when i bought it but under all the shrouds it was a mess. if can i would spray some carb clean or something make sure intake gasket is not leaking. over all i love that platform.

 

[gmac32]

just buy my wife's Yukon and be done with it

 

[WisconsinHick1]

My wife doesn't want the XL she feels its too big but otherwise I would think about it. :hug:

 

[duramax05blk]

forgot about manifold bolts breaking. If you want to duramax it why not go 03 plus much easier conversion

 

[x MadMAX DIESEL]

intake manifold/gasket cracking or leaking to is a problem.

 

[blue09dmaxx]

I've had two north of 225k one suburban one Tahoe both 01 and 5.3 you can't beat them 14-15 around town 20-22 on hwy yes the sending units are a problem but easy to do and you're on your way I love my tahoe

 

[WisconsinHick1]

So the 03 is the best year to start looking for as it makes the swap easier? As for sending units I'm not worried I had an 98 5.7L Silverado that I had to replace a couple I'm sure it's easier then those were.

 

[duramax05blk]

Ya I belive 03 and newer run the same electronics from truck to engine kind of a plug and play situation but obviously there's a lot of other system to make work but allready having truck communicating with engine is huge gain

 

[gmac32]

definitely 03 up. way easier of a swap

 

[WisconsinHick1]

Alright if anyone knows of a nice clean 03 and up Tahoe or Yukon (not Yukon XL) please let me know. High miles is just fine I just want a clean body.

 

[duramaxzak]

Isn't the 1/2 ton pickup/SUV platform alot harder to do a Duramax swap in than the 3/4 platform?