Community Question: What Do You Want To See From GM’s Possible 3/4 Ton SUVs?
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Those in charge of General Motors‘ product department have yet to deny that this new-generation of Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL will offer a 3/4 ton 2500 model for those looking to tow and haul a little more with their full-size SUV. GM discontinued the 2500 version of its full-size people movers in 2013 and has remained quiet on the matter ever since, but that won’t stop us from hoping.
Earlier this month a Suburban with the eight-lug heavy duty wheels from a Silverado HD was spotted testing in the Colorado rockies. Colorado is a good place for powertrain engineers to test different engines, as the changes in altitude affect air density, which can have a serious impact on engine performance. It’s a bit of a long shot, but we think Chevy may be hiding a Duramax diesel under the hood of the test car.
With that being said, what would you be looking for out of GM’s 3/4 ton SUVs if they were in fact toying with the idea once again? The 2500 Suburban has always been a favorite among fleet customers, who usually have a unique set of demands for the work their vehicles need to do. Would you be happy with the 6.0-liter Vortec V8 or would you like to see different powertrain options? Drop us a line in the comments. You never know, maybe GM will listen up.
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I work in the fire service and we are looking at a Chiefs vehicle. The 2500 in a diesel would be great for us for many reasons…..on scene idling, heavy duty batteries and alternator for emergency lights, heavy duty springs and shocks for payload management, heavy duty suspension for off road brush fire assignments. If the 1500 is the only option then it requires after market modifications….second battery, new alternator, z71 skid plates, helper spring, etc…..
The Suburban has long been the chiefs vehicle of choice in my FD. our current fleet is about due for replacement and I pray GM will bring back the 2500 !!!
Got to have a Diesel in both Especially Denali Period!!!!!!! 😉
Diesel for sure. They won’t be able to make enough of them.
Nothing !! Just don’t go there , it is a niche market and the expense and low sales become a big headache , Why not aim for a modern NEW DESIGN replacement for the Avalanche ? Large volumes will more than make up for the big bucks you’ll make on the sale of each planned 2500 . I’ll take volume over big profits on the 2500s’ every day of the week . More customers come through the doors , and if the Avalanche replacement doesn’t fit the bill , then you have the chance to sell them on something else This is the big secret passed on by a Hopi tribesman , selling his blankets to the tourists , …. I sell the most popular types of blankets for a good price , they come to my shop first !! What a wise man , don’t you think ??
I still have my 2004 Chevrolet 2500 with the discontinued 8.1 gas engine. It is a beast although the interior plastic pieces and seat material are failing. The transfer case has been replaced but I am still on my original transmission.
I want a big gas engine. With modern technology we should see 12-14 mpg. You have to put a lot of miles on a Suburban to recover the cost of the Diesel over a gas engine and the substantial extra maintenance costs.
I also do not want it to be loaded up like a Cadillac. Good cloth seats, no leather, no TVs, no coffee makers- just a tough comfortable truck that will tow and go anywhere.
Although the 6.0 is as bullet proof a motor as GM makes, it is time for it to be retired for the HD’s, including the possible Suburban and go to the new 6.2. Add cylinder deactivation to the 6.2 with the new 8 speed and the fuel mileage will make a better case to stay with gas motors in this class of truck or SUV. However, the Duramax absolutely needs to be on the option list this time, even if it means a slight de-tuning for the Suburban application. I think the 8.1 was a great motor back when it was in use, but it was very thirsty.
For what ever reason GM left the Duramax out of the last 2 generations of 3/4 tons, I believe it was a huge missed opportunity because the Excursion showed up. I knew a few people at that time who left GM for the Excursion because of the diesel and the desire to replace their aging Suburban tow vehicles with the better fuel mileage the power-stroke offered over the old 454 and then the 8.1. Not that I have ever been a Ford fan, but I have to give credit where it is due and they deserved it for offering the engine choices they did during the Excursions short run. If it wasn’t for the fact that everything about it was too big, it might still be here competing with the Suburban and Yukon.
I had a Suburban 2500 with a 454. It was wrecked and I got a 2005 Sierra 3500 Duramax which I still have. I leased a 2015 Yukon and am very disappointed with its towing capabilities. I need a 2500 or 3500 yukon a with a duramax to tow my camper and farm equipment. The new yukon is nothing more than a big car designed for city use hauling kids to soccer games. There is plenty of room under the hood of my 2015 yukon and an extra battery tray. Please build a 2500 with a diesel and I will buy one!
Must have the 3/4-ton to carry people, equipment, and tow the boat. 1/2 ton just doesn’t cut it. Power with a Duramax and tack on an 8-speed transmission. GM would get a chunk of the market pulling those big wake boats. Fleet customers like TC above in the fire service is a great example of why the 3/4-ton is needed. Fire service, railroads, construction, emergency response, law enforcement, etc. all use 3/4 ton, and putting a diesel in it makes it even more appealing to these groups. The 3/4-ton is a different market than the 1/2-ton, though I imagine some of the 1/2-ton family users would migrate when they load up their vehicle and start towing a real load. That’s what caused me to jump to the 3/4-ton years ago. Just do it GM. Make my day.
It would be a dream come true if GM offered A 6.6L Duramax Suburban . I currently have a 2003 Suburban 2500 with a 6 liter V8 but it’s not enough power to hit those hills the with 9000 pounds in tow. GM should build or at least offer special order for 2500 diesel Suburbans. Who wouldn’t buy a diesel with their good fuel economy. Just do it GM!
I have a 2001Yukon XL with the 8.1 gas engine. This truck has pulled construction trailers from the Wisconsin to both coasts.
It is a work horse. Yes build more. Do not need a bunch of electronics just a good truck.
Besides the heavier duty frame, suspension, payload and drive train. I’d love to have a shorter wheel base 2 door model like my 98 Tahoe. It should also have the same great comfort and luxury options…plush 6-way leather heated seats and leg room. I could do gas or diesel, but also don’t want to pay a ridiculous $40k price tag either.
Need the 6.2L gas engine in a 2500/3500 package.
I have owned two 2500 3/4 ton Suburbans. I wanted to buy a new one this year and found out that GM only makes a 1500. All I can say I was really disappointed.
I would truly on my wish list a new 2500 heavy duty 4 by 4 with a diesel engine Suburban.with a heavy duty tow package ,cooling system heavy duty transmission and radiator. I have several friends and family members would by right now if the 2500 were available.
I have an ’11 2500 4×4 with the 6.0 and love it. 3.5 years old and 60k miles. I tow a large offshore fishing boat and haul all the associated fishing gear that goes with it. I have custom rod racks that hang from the clothes hangers in the middle and back. I can’t use a pickup because the rods are over 6 feet and I can’t lay them on top of of all the gear and still close a bed cover. With the Suburban I can load it up, pile 4 buddies in, and head for the coast. Also, I can keep everything out of the weather and locked up and mostly out of sight with the cargo cover. If Chevy brings back the 2500, I’m willing to spend the money for another one once this one is out of it’s extended warranty. If not, I will take mine to Florida and have it retrofitted with a Duramax and Allison.
I have a large family, even though most of the kids are grown and gone, I will always need a people hauler, and would like one that can tow a heavy camp trailer, or other heavy load from a tongue pull hitch. I would appreciate a heavy duty people hauler that can tow 10,000 pounds. My current 2005 GMC Yukon XL 1500 with a 5.3L is nice, but too light duty.
Give me a 9 passenger option vehicle with eight lug heavy duty axles and brakes, and leaf springs. With a motor with enough torque.
DURAMAX DIESEL!!
DIESEL! DIESEL! DIESEL! We in the U.S. need to start following the rest of the world and offering diesel as an option in almost everything we build. Anyone can make the Duramax 6.6 get almost 2X the MPG of the 6.0/6.2 gas engines. Please GM, listen to us! After all we did kinda get you outta a jam a few years back…. remember??
Barebones A/C manual windows, locks, carryall suburban with 9 seater, gas 6.2, with floor transfer case and 6 speed manual and no frills, locking diff front and rear, clam shell rear doors.
I would buy a 2500 gas or diesel. I love my 03 with 242k and running strong no major repairs our down time
Want to know why nobody wanted a 2500 suburban in recent years? Because you took all the reason for owning one away. No big block, and no diesel as a replacement. The 6.0 vortec is AWFUL at towing, AWFUL! So there is absolutely no reason to buy one. Get it together-do you even tow test these 6.0 suburbans? Why would GM ever have discontinued the 8.1? It was a superior engine. Killed a legacy towing machine that you could take the whole family and gear in one.