Some years ago I had the same debate, and finally ended up getting a Suburban to do what a Suburban is good for, and a Ford truck (a real truck, not an Ex) to do what a truck is good for.

When talking 10 year old vehicles (2000-2005), it might be affordable to consider what the predominate use of the full size SUV will be, and go with the optimal horse for the specific course. Race horse for the race track, draft horse for the carraige.

Someone posted that the 6.0L Vortec in the Sub is only 300HP, but the 6.0L in my 3/4 ton Sub is 325HP, according to GM. The 4L80E transmission has been trouble free towing 7,500 lbs. My axle ratio is 4.10, and I believe that makes a difference.

When I compared the Ex to the Sub, I preferred the front leg room of the Ex better. I have a Ford Super Duty, and really like the driving position of the 99 up Ford cab, which the Ex is a replica of. I also found more room in the second and third seat in the Ex than in the Sub. However, the seats themselves were more side supportive and comfortable in the Sub. I don't carry passengers that often, just personal cargo, so the rear seats are folded down 90% of the time.

Another comparison point is the operation of the rear hatch. The Ex has a french/dutch door hybrid arrangement, whereas the Sub in the years that you are shopping for offers either a double barn doors or a double liftgate hatch (hatch within a hatch). If you use the back a lot, then some consideration might be given to what door arrangement you would perfer to live with.

Another difference between the Sub and the Ex is the location of the spare tire. Here, the 2000 and up Sub seems to be a bit more advanced, because unlike the Subs of 1999 and earlier, GM moved the spare tire to underneath the vehicle, and yet still retained 39 gallons of fuel capacity by using dual fuel tanks. Having the spare tire stored underneath is nice for a couple of reasons. First, one doesn't have to empty part of the interior rear cargo area to access the spare, and second, one doesn't have to remount a filthy wet flat tire back inside the cargo area. There is no way to clean a muddy snow covered flat while on the side of the road, so it is nice to be able to just winch it up underneath the vehicle. And it is nice not to have to have one's belongings piled up on the side of the road while hefting the spare in and out of the interior.

Unfortunately, the Ex has an interior mounted spare tire. That's a lot of tire to lift up that high. The Ex has only one fuel tank, a 40 gallon aft axle tank, that disallows the mounting of the spare underneath. That creates another issue... weight distribution between front and rear axles. In the Ex, ALL of the fuel, and the spare tire, is carried aft of axle, whereas in the Sub, slightly less than 2/3's of the fuel is carried in between axles, which distributes the weight more evenly between axles.

That being said, the overall weight of the Ex is heavier than a Sub, and the wheelbase is also 7" longer than a Sub, and if a diesel, the front engine is several hundred pounds heavier than a Sub, so the issue of lever moments aft of axle and weight distribution between axles is muted by these other factors.

Yet, the overall weight brings up another factor... hauling around the extra weight itself, especially for the times when all that is really needed is indeed, a station wagon, rather than a "truck". Which brings the debate squarely back to anticipated usage.

(Pause... to put on flame suit, as this forum is naturally biased in favor of the Ex! Suited up and continuing...)

As far as driving and handling were concerned, the Sub, and my 3/4 ton Sub in particular, was superior by every memorable measure to my (limited) experiences driving the Ex. This includes cornering, braking, accelerating, steering, manuevering. and overall driveability. Now, it helps that my Sub has 4 wheel steering, and since this very useful feature (imagine a full size 3/4 ton SUV with the same turning radius as a Honda coupe) was never available on the Ex, that automatically tipped the scale of my decision in favor of the Sub. That, and the fact that I already had a Ford diesel truck.

If driveability and manuerverability, as well as towing performance and handling, are important to you, I would suggest not ruling out looking for a 3/4 T Sub with Quadrasteer and the 6.0L/4L80e/4.10 drivetrain combination.

There was an old Ford advertising campaign back in the late 60's (1967-8) for when the new body style Ford pick up was introduced. The ad slogan said "Drives like a Car, Works like a Truck" This was the year when Ford eliminated the monolithic drop center I beam front axle, and replaced it with Twin I beam independent fromt suspension. The goal is obvious, and is still being pursued... more day to day driving comfort, while still retaining capability in hauling.

Stock for stock in a 4WD full size SUV, a 3/4 ton Suburban seems to meet that old Ford mantra a bit better on the "drives like a car" end than the Ex does. In stock form, the Ex attempts to do both, but falls short enough to inspire many Ex owners to change modify their springs to essentially F-350 truck springs... biasing the Ex further toward the "works like a truck" end.

In fact, a cottage industry of suspension "corrections" to bring the Ex handling under control has been created, with names like "LandYot" for track arms. No such cottage industry exists to "correct" the Sub handling beyond lift kits which are typically made for all trucks.

Fortunately for Ex owners, there is a vast experience base, much of which is found right here on this forum, to help improve the ride and handling of the Ex. The slightly larger interior volume, the additional leg room, "manly" bodylines, and the diesel engine are amoung the distinguishing factors as to why some would chose the Ex over the Sub. The Subs shorter wheelbase, softer lines, and more comfortable ride stock are among the distinguishing features as to why some might chose the Sub over the Ex.

Obviously, no one here can say what is best for you. But at least, with 6 pages and counting, there is a feast of thought from which to consider as you select your choice.

 

I bought a 98 Suburban new, worst vehicle I have ever owned, bar none! Sold it to get my 2002 Excursion, best vehicle I have ever owned, bar none! Dumped the Suburban with 76K on the clock, never took a trip without a repair along the way.... Sold the Excursion with 186K trouble free miles on it, great rig, but was ready for a F250 4x4 CC SB with the 6.7, hope it is as good a rig as the Excursion.

 

Didn't he already say he got an Ex? GM sucks

 

suburbans are pure garbage compared to excursions. end of story crackerjack!

 

Im happy to say I just bought an excursion, red 2002 v10 4x4 with 143000 miles on it for 6500! Now its time to have some fun with mods

 

Congratulations!

 

Got a picture?

 

LOVED?! NO I HATED THAT POS!

no flip flopping, you have to do what you have to when its all the rental company has! trust me i was not happy what was i gonna do tell them no and walk? everything else they had was a up charge. that was a no go.

we have two chevys in the garage. i do drive them. but 30+ years old doesn't count. i'm a brand loyal ford owner and dont foresee owning anything else.

i should correct my quote, i would not be caught dead owning a chevy. there. better?

the two chevys we have in the garage.

 

man that vette got some ugly rims!!!!

 

Man, that's messed up.

I would love to have that car. But the wife says it isnt a family car being a 2 seater. So I convinced her to let me build a 78 Camaro. I had one befor my first marriage and ended up getting rid of it.

 

My Eyes they burn!!!

 

It's O.K. we know you have a love/hate relationship with Chevies. Don't forget your ski mask when you drive that Vette now.

 

I used to have a vanity plate that said "I'd rather push a Ford than drive a GM". I forgot to take it off when I sold my Tempo. Too bad, I loved that plate...

 

1990 called. It wants it's Fittipaldi's back.

 

Tempo? So you were quite familiar with pushing huh?