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OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons?

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Dave in GA

01-06-2005 11:09:27




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I'm starting to look around for a 1990-1995 half ton, 2-wheel drive Suburban for commuting to work and hauling the kids around in. There are lots of them around here in good shape. However, I'm wondering if there are any specific years to avoid due to lousy transmissions, electrical problems, and the like. My wife has a 1990 right now with 200k. It's been a good vehicle, but the rear end had to be completely rebuilt last year for about $1700, and it's on its 2nd or 3rd tranny. If I get another Suburban, it won't be used for tractor hauling, and I don't need 4x4.

The reason I'm in the market is because my nice '63 Riviera daily driver was rear-ended right before Christmas by a lady talking on her cell phone while driving her SUV. The car's been rear ended twice by drivers not paying attention, which seems to be the norm these days. The car got out of the body shop yesterday and looks great, but I'm ready to trade it in for a battleship since it's a virtual war zone out on the roads.

Were there any Suburbans in that era that were lemons worth avoiding?

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Farmall Don

01-07-2005 09:27:48




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Dave in GA, 01-06-2005 11:09:27  
I have a 95 GMC. Besides standard wear items, the tranny went at 70,000, intake gasket & a leaky power stearing hose at 90,000 & ignition swithch at 101,000 miles. That is it. It has the 350 V8 and is in supurb condition. I dont think that is bad for the size, weight and use.



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Bob in KY

01-07-2005 05:54:06




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Dave in GA, 01-06-2005 11:09:27  
I had a 91 suburban and I am sorry I ever sold it. I have since bought a 99 3/4 ton and hated it. It rode like a log truck. Traded it for a 2004 and it is not bad, but I am in debt for about 30K now. The 91's only problem was the 700R4 transmission. I replaced mine three times in 150K miles. I was pulling an 8x24 enclosed trailer with my classic chevies in it, so the weight was probably too much for her. The cloth seats were like a lazy boy chair, plush, double arm rests, and very soft. She was a real treat to travel long in. I would not hesitate to get another one, particularly an older one with the plush seats. the 350 engine is a great choice for the burb. Rear air is a must, and the barn doors are nice but they do obstruct the view rearward. I opted for a tailgate on later models and liked that better. Just my thoughts. Hope it helps.

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Kevin (FL)

01-07-2005 05:10:04




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Dave in GA, 01-06-2005 11:09:27  
Gene,

We have a '95 6.5 Diesel C2500 with over 200K miles. Diesels had electronic fuel injection problems (with the Stanadyne pump), but once the factory figured out the problem, the replacement pumps were upgraded. I'm not saying to look for a diesel, but you may find a good deal on one from someone who has spent money getting it repaired. Ours starts and runs like the day we bought it and with the heavy duty towing package with beefier suspension, it drives solid. Mileage is much better than our Ford Powerstroke truck too. Whether you go with diesel or gas, I would be looking for a 2500 model to get the heavier suspension and rear end and also make sure it has the towing options--oil coolers, etc.

There are several TSB's that list all the "small" issues on the Suburbans, but I don't know of any year that is bad--except if you go for the diesel, get the latest year possible--DO NOT GET A '94 VERSION!! Get one after '95--the later the better--then it will have the improved fuel pump.
For gas go with the 5.7L--very reliable engine.

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Gene Davis (GA)

01-06-2005 20:51:37




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Dave in GA, 01-06-2005 11:09:27  
The suburban is a great vehicle in my book,if you are looking for durability and dependability more than changing of body styles. I am on my second one. 1st was a 91, the old body style. boxy but tough. Woman rear ended it in Augusta a few years back, she was talking on the cell phone also,. The Volkswagen Rabbit bounced off the bumper and didn't even bend the Suburban's bumper. Present one is a 93 with 205K miles on it. The vortex engines have some intake manifold water leakage problems at 70-100k miles. This seems to hold true on the pickups also. The non vortex don't seem to have it as much. The key to having a transmission survive in a suburban, or a pickup doing towing jobs is to keep it cool. I would reccomend that you look for the factory towing package that has engine oil cooler and an auxilary transission oil cooler. I have a 93 with a 5.7 V8, the auto overdrive transmission,front and rear a/c & heater units. Factory towing package and the tailgate rear door, not the barn doors.It has ps,pb full trim package exterior, cloth seats and carpet and is fully loaded. It has had a valve lifter tapping for about 30 seconds upon start up for over 200k miles. I service it regularly and don't abuse it and consistently get 15 mpg average and 17 on the interstates. We have thoroughly enjoied having the extra seating capacity for kids and grand kids to travel with us. We plan to start looking for another one when this one reaches 350K miles unless something happens or some one crashes into it.

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thejdman01

01-06-2005 20:44:58




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Dave in GA, 01-06-2005 11:09:27  
i would try to find one with the 5.7 vs the 5.0. the chevy 350 is a very very durable reliable engine and has been around practically forever(yes i know not forever) but remanufactured waterpumps etc etc and parts are very numerous and very cheap. also with the 5.7 i would also recommend the 4l80e vs the 4l60e transmission. i know half ton 2 wheel drive those options (esp w/o a towing package (your more likely to find the 80 tranny in a vheicle w/the towing package)) but there built alot heavier. and anyone who doesnt beleive me tear the 2 down side by side and then well talk. there alot beefier and will stand up longer. a suburban is very reliable. also watch rear ends. you mentioned city driving but also you mentioned hauling kids so im sure you wont go out drag racing. fuel economy wise is you could get the 3.43 or the 3.73 rear end. (im not sure that the 4.10 were offered in the 1/2 tons i know for a fact they were offered in the 2500's not sure about the 1500's. there are alot of alot of suburbans around so heaven forbid but if it gets tangled in an accident parts are fairly widespread and chevy truck bumpers grills etc intterchange between pickups and suburbans. one thing i really liked on my wife who used to have a 93 were the rear barn doors (two doors on the back vs the tail gate personally i liked them. we traded taht in 99 on a dealer demo suburban just to upgrade only real problem we ever had (and it had 240k on it when we gave it away i mean traded it) was the ac compressor. one thing i liked on the 99 is it didnt have the remote entry and it had a unlock by the rear door. wife loved that after putting groceries back there didnt have to unlock front doors. also rear ac is a must .....not a must but a huge advantage

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mike in mo

01-06-2005 14:37:46




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Dave in GA, 01-06-2005 11:09:27  
well i dont know if its modle years or just junk parts but from what i see in the junk yard i work at the 6.5v8 is not so hot and the 700r4 auto o/d tranny is just junk if your going to do more than just drive it. on my 95 pick up the doors and hinge have give me the most trouble .

just what i think



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Bob

01-06-2005 14:12:58




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Dave in GA, 01-06-2005 11:09:27  
I had a 1992 Sub, traded it last year for an '02 Yukon. The 1992 had 193,000 miles on it.

Put a tranny in the sub, no complaints there, it had lots of miles when it went.

Had to put intake manifold gaskets in, though. This IS a common problem. Mine leaked water EXTERNALLY, some leak internally, and if not caught, the bearings will be damaged by the coolant.



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Jim.UT

01-06-2005 13:18:06




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Dave in GA, 01-06-2005 11:09:27  
'63 Riviera is a nice car. Are you sure you want to part with it?



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Dave in GA

01-06-2005 13:32:47




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Jim.UT, 01-06-2005 13:18:06  
It is a nice car, but as a daily driver in Atlanta rush-hour traffic, it's lacking safety features such as shoulder belts, front disk brakes, air bags, four-way flashers, a third brake light, and bumpers that can withstand any impact. The car doesn't even have headrests, so there's a higher risk of whiplash. I used to feel safe driving it and it's fun to drive, but I've been a victim twice, and in a collision, even a minor one, the old car always comes in second.

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Mike M

01-06-2005 11:48:01




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Dave in GA, 01-06-2005 11:09:27  
According to my track history with GM products---They are all lemons. Based on my experience with my 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 I would recommend one of these or check into a Durango. I'm sure others have had problems with the Dodges,but I have a good one and it's about time I finally get a good Truck. Used to buy GM before---never again.



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Gene Davis (Ga.)

01-06-2005 20:28:36




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Mike M, 01-06-2005 11:48:01  
Interesting that the G.M. is referred to as being a lemon. Then in the next breath a Dodge Durango is reccomended. Isn't this the model that the ball joints seem to suddenly disintegrate and the front wheel falls off?



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Brian in Ny

01-06-2005 12:24:18




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 Re: OT: 1990-1995 Suburbans-Any Lemons? in reply to Mike M, 01-06-2005 11:48:01  
Well...I have owned both--a 1994 Suburban 1500 4x4 I put 212k miles on the old girl and she was one of the best trucks I ever owned. I had to replace the 4wd solenoid but thats the worst non-maintenance item.
I have known of others with similar trucks but none with lots of problems.

I just traded off a 98 Durrango which was a bit of a headache Ball joints (3 sets right, 2 left within 78k miles), head gasket, fuel pump. Rode a little rough but handled nice.

I would stick with a 'Burben but hey I am a Chevy guy. Guess I should not have tried to save cash on a Dodge...

Check www.edmunds.com for reviews of the trucks you mentioned and try their town hall feature where real owners sound off about problems.

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