From Bronco to Burb - new to me 2002 Z71 Suburban

[FW_Z71Burb]

As far as early and late GMT800 SUVs, I prefer the later ones because of the L59. It's the flexfuel model, but doesn't have a flex fuel sensor. Bigger injectors, steel fuel rails, doesn't care what gas you put in it. The SUVs are also non-CAN. I like the lower level of tech. Everything else is just styling. There's a decent amount of aftermarket support, so you can do a lot.

Knock sensors are a common issue. Seems to be more prevalent with guys who wash their engine bays. That's just anecdotal, though. Other stuff can also cause false knock readings. Loose heat shields, large exhaust manifold leaks, bad motor mounts. I wouldn't be surprised if a loose top cover could cause the occasional knock reading.

thanks tonimus, I can promise you this engine bay has not been washed and has west TX dust throughout I actually got a quote for dry ice cleaning and it's not horrible ($225), difference is night and day and safer than washing.
appreciate the feedback on the GMT800, at first i was a little bummed i got L59 but now liking that more

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

I have a 2005 Tahoe Z71 and at one time owned a 2002 Tahoe LS. IMO, after being in shops for 40+ years and seeing a lot of different models and gens of the Tahoe/Yukon/Suburbans, the GMT800 wins hands down as far as reliability. I don't need much other than the most comfortable seats of any GM vehicle, GMT800, and the reliability of the rest. I just want heat/a-c/radio/air bags/power/control and great viewing. I get that with the GMT800. I have also owned pickup trucks that were GMT800's.

One weak point, that I am dealing with this morning, is the ignition switch. I have not changed one on my 2005 Z71 YET but have on the 2002 Tahoe and my girls 2002 TrailBlazer.
Easy to swap out but wish it would last longer. The original GM switch was all black and then an upgrade had a grey cover on one side. Now, GM no longer makes it. Lots of aftermarket. OE #15242754 fits my Tahoe and is a US331 in Standard. Luckily, I saw this coming and bought a Genuine GM one about a year ago.

The other electrical component that can cause problems, is the electrical junction box/connector plate at the passenger side rear, that is exposed. I have one of those too.

yea GM nailed it with the GMT800, very solid I'm thoroughly impressed. good insight into the ignition switch, I'll keep that on my radar!

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

I failed to share this additional backstory in my intro post
I got to drive the family 2001 Z71 suburban for my senior year of college. Fell in love. Graduation comes around and I ask my dad if I can buy it from him. Could have gotten it for like $5500. He wouldn’t sell it to me, and ended up trading it in a few months later. He was worried big maintenance issues would pop up on a 230k mile Burb for me as a grad entering the work force

Oh well; got one now!

 

[ORVietVet]

Yea, if do knock sensors, make sure to do the harness at same time. Exhaust manifold bolts break, 99% at the ends. There are special design clamps for that repair till you take heads off. I have some clamps on mine.

 

[stutaeng]

I failed to share this additional backstory in my intro post
I got to drive the family 2001 Z71 suburban for my senior year of college. Fell in love. Graduation comes around and I ask my dad if I can buy it from him. Could have gotten it for like $5500. He wouldn’t sell it to me, and ended up trading it in a few months later. He was worried big maintenance issues would pop up on a 230k mile Burb for me as a grad entering the work force

Oh well; got one now!

Oh, gosh! I'm sure if that truck had a good maintenance it would have plenty of like in it.

A lot of these vehicles are now approaching the 300k mile mark, and a few over it. It's kinda crazy. I know of a Tahoe from a former coworker and friend that made it past 400k. Original engine and transmission! Another buddy of mine has two Silverados, a 01 and 04, both RCSB and each have 400k+.

I've even seen GMT800 Suburbans and Tahoes around here being used as work trucks, pulling landscaping trailers!

 

[ORVietVet]

My 2005 Tahoe Z71 with 173k miles, average of 6900 a year, with the original engine and transmission. I have been expecting the transmission to go any time after 150k, like I have heard. I am religious about services on each of them with quality fluids and filters. I drive it like I stole it, with the front and rear Hellwig Performance sway bar kits, and it just keeps on slamming on. I had it listed recently to sell it, because I wanted to buy a GMT800 K1500HD I found, but my girl said that I spent so much time and money, see the build thread I posted with the For Sale post, and I would do it all over again. She reminded me, that at my age, I likely have not got enough time to do what I want to do to another truck. Besides, she loves that Tahoe. She drives like "a little ol' lady" in her 2002 TrailBlazer with 75k miles. Her only seat of the pants fun she has, is when I drive her in the Tahoe. She says that when I am doing 55 in a 35 and have a sharp curve coming, she does not even worry. She said she just likes to look over and see my stare and my smile as I do the curve.

 

[Cadillacmak]

Welcome to the forum from Alaska! Nice choice you made there.

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

My 2005 Tahoe Z71 with 173k miles, average of 6900 a year, with the original engine and transmission. I have been expecting the transmission to go any time after 150k, like I have heard. I am religious about services on each of them with quality fluids and filters. I drive it like I stole it, with the front and rear Hellwig Performance sway bar kits, and it just keeps on slamming on. I had it listed recently to sell it, because I wanted to buy a GMT800 K1500HD I found, but my girl said that I spent so much time and money, see the build thread I posted with the For Sale post, and I would do it all over again. She reminded me, that at my age, I likely have not got enough time to do what I want to do to another truck. Besides, she loves that Tahoe. She drives like "a little ol' lady" in her 2002 TrailBlazer with 75k miles. Her only seat of the pants fun she has, is when I drive her in the Tahoe. She says that when I am doing 55 in a 35 and have a sharp curve coming, she does not even worry. She said she just likes to look over and see my stare and my smile as I do the curve.

Thanks for sharing! Yea these tahoes and burbs are special, I gotta go check out your build thread.. did the other truck sell? If it’s mean to be it’s meant to be. I def have a trans fluid and filter change planned at 150k as well as front and rear diff and transfer case. Trans fluid looked good when I bought it. I assume this guy took good care of it, it was his wife’s for the family vehicle and she passed away in 2011. He kept it in his shop at the landscaping and nursery business he owned and drove it about 3k miles a year.

 

[FW_Z71Burb]

Oh, gosh! I'm sure if that truck had a good maintenance it would have plenty of like in it.

A lot of these vehicles are now approaching the 300k mile mark, and a few over it. It's kinda crazy. I know of a Tahoe from a former coworker and friend that made it past 400k. Original engine and transmission! Another buddy of mine has two Silverados, a 01 and 04, both RCSB and each have 400k+.

I've even seen GMT800 Suburbans and Tahoes around here being used as work trucks, pulling landscaping trailers!

Yes see them all the time around here as well! So many still trucking along was another reason I wanted to get into one.

That’s some impressive mileage on original drivetrain!

 

[ORVietVet]

Thanks for sharing! Yea these tahoes and burbs are special, I gotta go check out your build thread.. did the other truck sell? If it’s mean to be it’s meant to be. I def have a trans fluid and filter change planned at 150k as well as front and rear diff and transfer case. Trans fluid looked good when I bought it. I assume this guy took good care of it, it was his wife’s for the family vehicle and she passed away in 2011. He kept it in his shop at the landscaping and nursery business he owned and drove it about 3k miles a year.

Yea, he was holding it for me for up to 2 weeks with a refundable deposit. I told him I changed my mind and he had it sold within 2 hours. It was not meant to be.