Here's Why The GMC Yukon 8.1 Is The Best SUV Of All Time: Ultimate Buyers Guide

2004 gmc yukon xl
Got one of these about 6 1/2 months ago for 1500 from backlot of a chevy dealer i put a water pump an a alternator on it an brake lines some tires only thing i didn't do myself was the brake lines one of the best purchases ive made an there easy to work on never letting it go

I have a 2001 Yukon XL with the 8.1/4L80, and its been amazing. Super reliable even at 210K, and the engine still purs like a kitten. I suspect itll go beyond 300K.

I’ve got a 2006 Sierra 2500, and I can imagine how well it would work as an SUV. I’ve owned it for 5 years and it just as reliable as my LX470.00

As a first owner of a 7.3 excursion w/550,000 miles and a 2006 8.1 Yukon both are best-in-class. Unfortunately todays offerings, while enticing, will never last like those two workhorses.

Just a couple notes: Barn doors ended in 04 and the 2500s don’t have air suspension even on the auto-ride equipped units.

GMT800s are the definition of trailer trash....

The gmt800 is the best truck platform imo. Modern comfort, more than enough power, reliable and easy to work on.

The 2500 suburban/yukon xl is my favorite, i own a 2000 6.0 2500 suburban . I actually prefer the 6.0 over the 8.1, the 8.1 is better for towing real heavy loads but unfortunately the 8.1s burn a ton of oil. And usually thats why someones selling one. The 6.0 also makes more power, with a tune it makes a lot more power and has a MUCH bigger aftermarket. Fuel economy is about the same, unloaded a 6.0 does 1-2 better.

The real reason to go 2500 is the 4l80e, hydroboost brakes and increased ground clearance. It really doesnt ride any worse, it honestly rides better at high speeds since it doesnt wallow as much. The 4l80e shifts way better, isn't going to explode in daily driving and for towing its geared perfectly on the highway. Theres really no downside to a 2500, besides finding one.

If you have the bucks duraburb in Florida can put you a duramax in a tahoe or suburban. ✌️✌️

My family owned a 2003 Chevy Suburban 1500 LT, It was our family vehicle for over 10 years and it had over 320,000 miles on it with the original engine and transmission. We loved how is handled our steep gravel drive way even when it was covered in snow and ice. Everyone in my family of 9 could fit in it plus a load of groceries. And everyone of us would tell you we never felt unsafe driving around in our hunk of steel. But sadly we lost it in an accident in which it saved my brothers life, and still drove away, but was totaled by our insurance.

i love these trucks, my grandpa has a 2001 Yukon XL 2500 - 6.0 with the Denali package and weve driven it to Mexico and back 3 times each in amazing comfort. they're Definity trucks for life!!

Nice 👍 And truck💪 cud you make vid about some GMT800 truck with supercharger?? 🙂🙂 Thats my dream truck

One of my cousins has a 2000 Suburban Z71, 5.3 LS, 9 passenger, gold paint.

Can't beat an 800. Grew up in them and there's just a great feeling every time getting behind the wheel. Currently daily a 01 suburban 8.1 {196k mi) but have had many others several with 300-400k miles and still much life left. Absolute beast of a vehicle and will do anything you ask it to. I also have a 2023 ram cummins and I will walk past it and take the old beater almost any time, almost hate to admit it but they are just peak GM truck.

The self leveling was only on the 1500s, 2500 auto ride was just the electronically controlled shocks

I’ve been looking extensively at a Ford Explorer for an off road rig, but now I’m considering one of these.

The GMT800 definitely is one of GM's hits. I think the 1st gen Buick Enclave was too. We own/ed both. The Enclave is so solid and quiet and roomy even with 200+k and It has a LOT more cargo room behind the 3rd row than the GMT-800! I recall opening both and being shocked at how much more the Enclave had! I would also put the 99-02 (pre 3v engines) Expedition in there as well. Same longevity, feels great to dive, plenty of room and they go and go and go. I just picked up a 2001 5.4, one owner, 75K miles, "over" maintenance records (Oil every 6 months regardless of miles.) drives almost like brand new!. Yeah, the 5.4 isn't a beast powerwise, but it's right there or a little stronger than the 5.3 so it's not horrible. I wish they put the V10 in the Expedition, but....that's always been the problem with Ford. Limited engine options.

Duraburb

From my experience, these are great trucks, but the interior DOES NOT hold up like this one unless you absolutely baby it. Especially the lower trim models. Cheap plastics, dingy switch gear, and just poor interior construction overall.

I took my driving test in one of those lol freakin boat but once i passed my dad got me a 96 blazer 4wd known as the blaazar for......reasons lol

Love my supercharged 05 Yukon xl denali.

Thanks for making the used prices on these to go up.

I picked up an 05 Suburban with the 5.3 for $1500. It had zero oil pressure when you first started it with a loud ticking noise then it would go away as soon as the oil pressure would rise. I fixed that with a $5 O ring and now it runs great with very good oil pressure. Im now a huge fan of these type of SUV’s. Its like having a truck with a camper but without it looking funny. My Suburban drives very good also and have taken long trips with it. Now I want the one with the 8.1. I work local so I can care less about fuel mileage.

I have a ratty 8.1 4x4 Suburban I got for $1000. Its comfortable, punchy and tows well. more like 9mpg than 12, and not very fast.

One big reason to go 2500 over 1500 is the upgraded and better cooled transmission. The 4l60(5)e in the 1500s are problematic, the 4L80(5)e in the 2500 are better. Better yet, was the allison in the 8.1 pickups.

My dad had a similar vintage Z71, and compared to either the big block or the 5.7 gmt400 which proceded it, it felt a bit anemic in the lower rpm band. I also thought it rode too soft and squishy, I actually like the way the 2500 (and gmt400 Z71 tahoe) handle better.

No GM product can hold a candle to anything Ford puts out. The Excursion owns this category. Smart people don’t drive crap like Chevy or GM products.

I get 11MPG on my 5.3

Just wish that GMC made more of these like the 03 and more

After owning my 2001 model with 285k since 2003, I'm thinking about maybe spending a chunk to restore it with new paint, reupholster the seats, new head unit, backup cameras and an engine swap. That should buy me another 20 years, and I couldn't replace the functionality for the price of the restoration.

8100 vortec my favourite engine ever. The mighty 8.1 V8. It is a collector item. All i found is either project vehicle sitting at a farm for decades . The others are rust buckets for parts only.

I guess it was the next generation that GM toyed with the hybrid 6.0L. Too bad that was so short lived, a 20+mpg massive family hauler!

I bought a 2001 K2500 8.1/4L80E Suburban back in 2014 and I wouldn't trade this thing for any other SUV out there. I get at best 10 MPG with it as we live in the Rocky mountains so it has to work harder than flat land rigs. It has 237,000 miles on it now and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country at any time. Mine is rated to tow 12k pounds which is the same rating a diesel excursion of the same era.

poor people buy gm

Lucky enough to find a 05 Denali in perfect condition with 250km for only 6.5k it’s been great

my cousin in the army and he has 04 yukon with over 380 thousand miles he only changed the water pump and the hoses and the battery it drives like new

The baddest

anyone own one anywhere at all that has road salt to contend with ? if so steel lines been an issue ? im thinking yup !

Maybe I missed it in your comments about that GMC suburban I was in and out of the shack on the security guard but what year is your suburban because I'm very interested in getting one so if you will please what what year is your suburban thank you very much from Joseph Strauss here in Lincoln Park Michigan and I'm very interested in getting a suburban I think I would like to get one and I will thank you very much and again Joseph Strauss from Lincoln Park Michigan

Growing up we had a Suburban 2500 with Barn Door, one we had was a lemon... but when it ran it was a beast

Still have my 03 2500 6.0 bought new never getting rid of it. Built it up over the years to go pretty anywhere a rig this size should go..lol

Barn doors ended in 2005

I daily 04 8.1 hd 2500 with Allison. Have put in 4.56 gears front and back. To make up for taller tires 175k miles bought it 12 years ago with 40k miles love it.

I’ve got 2 Yukon 8.1/4l80s, and a Silverado 8.1/allison. All three have been DEAD RELIABLE. And will pull anything I hook to them. Amazing trucks. The Yukons especially are just a very practical truck. Other than fuel mileage lol they are great off road, great to camp with, great to tow/haul with, great road trip vehicles

Great model,
Great engine,
Great horse power,
Can be modified to get great horse power.
Best model ever General Motors produced.
Drinks like a fish.but don’t forget that fish is tasty and good for health.
😂

I own a 2002 1500 Subuarban with 270K and it is great!

Shamelessly try to sell it to you at the end. These guys have no idea what they're talking about and they're the reason Colorado kind of sucks anymore.

As far as what they're saying if you believe the suburbans are better vehicle than the Ford excursion you go on believing that, doesn't seem very reasonable to me. Most your videos don't.

Every GMT800 is incredible

I still have my 2001 Yukon XL 1500 from new. About 148k on it and it still runs and rides like it did from day one.

The second row is not as roomy as you would think compared to today's vehicles, but that pretty much goes with most vehicles. The third row however is decent compared to other third rows at the time. The XL's had a lower floor unlike the shorter versions where the floor raised to match the trunk floor.

My second row middle arm rest folded down and had a large tray and two cupholders which is super nice instead of just cupholders.

The XL has a lot of cargo space even with the 3rd row up. With the 3rd row folded up it was like whoa! With the 3rd row removed and the second row folded down it was like 🤯. Only fault I didn't like and wished it had was the 3rd row being able to be split instead of a full bench for more configuration flexibility. The shorter version had split 3rd rows.

I think this is the meanest looking body style if you wanted to mod out if you like the off road look. The older styles look too but a little to boxy. The newer generations look nice of you are going for luxury look. But they don't look aggressive. It's like a lady dressed up in all nice fancy clothes and throws on a pair of hiking shoes to go hiking.

I've got the Escalade V on the phone for you......he's pissed off.

I just picked up a 02 suburban 2500 with the 8.1 and 4wd this last weekend. 340k miles fully loaded and in pretty good shape all things considered. No rust whatsoever barely any oil/fluid leaks. Biggest problem it has is its factory gm white so there are chunks of paint missing/peeling all over. I just wish it had the barn doors really bad. Best part is i only paid $3k for it and drove it home. Absolutely love it so far.

I just picked up a 2000 Tahoe with the 5.3 with only a 136k with one owner. For only $2,500 and it’s a 4x4 with the G80 rear end. I feel like I stole this thing! But the pink is already in my name so I am good!