Ok so maybe I'm searching for this using the wrong words, but I am trying to figure out how mechanically comparable the Suburban 2500 is compared to the Excursion.

I think I worded that right.

Basically I know the Excursion is based off the 3/4 ton truck. Now I gather it's essentially a suv body slapped on a F250 frame? Same axles, same brakes, engine, trans, etc. Am I wrong and there is some difference?

Now is the Suburban 2500 the same as a Chevy/GMC 2500 truck just with a suv body? I can't tell because all I keep finding is the 2500 has the bigger v8's and stronger transmissions.

Yes I know there is more to it because the Suburban is an IFS setup and dimensionally smaller, I'm just curious if it's a true 3/4, or more of a 5/8 ton vehicle! Sorry that's a bad pun haha

This is more of a curiosity things than a this one is better than this one question.

 

First things first, you need to change the title of this thread since this isn't the Expedition forum.

The frame of the Ex is different than the F-Series truck from the B pillar back, but basically speaking, the other stuff crosses over with a few differences.

Stewart

 

Fixed!

 

Reps!

 

I looked into the 2500 Sub vs. the Ex too. They're pretty different underneath, yes the body is larger on the Ex but the bigger difference is underneath. The Ex is actually sort of a 5/8 ton, it has softer springs than an F250 and the frame behind the driver seat is more like a van than a truck. Suspension is archaic leaf springs, hard to compare that a suburban with it's IFS as you pointed out. The Sub is going to drive a lot better and be more car like in general, but that's always true about a Chevy vs. a Ford in the past two decades. They're both good, I nearly bought an '01 2500 with that HUGE eight liter V8, had the rear axle not made some bad bad sounds on deceleration. In retrospect, would have been a great deal.
You just have to decide how important the driving experience is to you and if you really need to size/towing capability.

 

I had a 1500 Suburban before my Excursion and almost bought a 2500 Suburban with oil burner from a friend. Both had over 200K on them with original engines. They are interesting to compare and there are pluses and minuses for both. I don't see the 2500's commanding the same premiums as the Excursion.

 

Yeah seems to be the case. I REALLY want an Excursion but it's nice to know if I can't find one a Suburban 2500 is a good choice.

Plus with them being made up until 2014 there will be more of them still available as time goes on

 

Up until 1991 you could get a straight axle suburban in 1/2 - 3/4 or 1 ton configuration with either a small block, big block and even a Detroit diesel.

Id rock a 1 ton straight axle sub with a Detroit !

 

IMO, the big advantage with the Excursion is the availability of a viable diesel engine. GM really missed the boat by never offering the Duramax in the 'burb.

There are other things that I consider better about the Ex, but that is the big one.

 

If I was after a diesel then yeah the choice would be easy! But as much as I want one, I can't justify the extra cost of one. This is going to be a big family vacation hauling vehicle, that'll occasionally tow an open trailer with a couple quads, then maybe a couple years down the road a travel trailer big enough to accommodate 5.

It's not going to be a daily driver so the diesel having better mileage isn't really an argument, and as little as it would tow again the mileage and extra grunt of the diesel isn't warranted.

I know the v10 is a good engine, my parents vehicle to haul all of us around was a 01 e350 with the v10. It was the 15 passenger and with all 9 of us, plus luggage, plus a pop-up camper it had no problems.

In fact i helped my dad do all the maintenance on it and in 190k miles we did 2 alternators, plugs and coils once, and regular maintenance stuff. Never failed once. Only reason they sold it was they're down to 2 kids at home so no need for a van that can haul 15!

Don't know so much about the Suburbans. Only ever known 1 person who owned one and it was a 90s 1500.

I do know that either way the inner kid in me thinks it would be cool to say I've got a v10 or a 496ci v8. That inner kid is the one that usually gets us grown men in trouble!

 

Have the brakes improved on the newer 2500 Suburban? The few I drove were just like every other 90s Chevy truck and just terrible, if not downright scary. The exhaust note would be better on a big block V8 compared to the V10, so there is that. But overall I give the win to the Excursion. This is still the Excursion forum.

 

From what I understand somewhere in the early 2000s all Suburbans went to hydroboost brakes which were a massive improvement.

And Excursion is my first choice, but it's nice to have a backup

 

I was always a GM guy and had an Avalanche before my Ex. The Avalanche is really just a Suburban 1500 with a short truck bed on the back. I ended up with the Excursion I have because I got a good deal on a low mileage (less than 65,000) V10 with 4:30 gears. We tow a TT and wanted the extra interior space. When I was looking, I found that Suburban/Yukon XL 2500 series are like hen's teeth. There are not many out there without really high mileage and if you find a nice one, you pay a premium for it. I found the pool of Excursions to be much larger. So far, I'm happy with the Ex, but it is definitely more truck-like than the Avalanche was and I'm sure the Suburban/Yukon 2500. The ride and handling characteristics are much different.

 

For me.... if I towed (heavy) less and carried lots of people more often (daily driver) I'd get the Burb', but since I use my Ex like a truck, tow heavy, and carry lots of stuff, it's kind of a no brainer for me.

The Burb' can do (tow) what the Ex can do, but not as easily. However ... I would prefer a gasoline Burb over a gas powered Ex.

 

I'm still looking hard for my perfect Excursion, but also on the look out for good Suburban deals.

My only problem is what people are asking for them. I understand market drives value more so, but why on earth is the market $5000+ what all the auto price guides suggest what a vehicle is worth?!?!