2003 Chevy Suburban 2500 3/4 Ton 4x4 Review (8.1L V8)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ต.ค. 2024
- In this video, I take you on a tour of my newly acquired overland project, a 9th Generation 2003 Suburban 2500 4x4 that features one of the largest V8 engines to ever be put inside a production vehicle as well as the exterior, interior and talk about all the things that it needs before it undergoes an overland solar conversion.
To learn more visit www.horizoncamperbuilds.com
#carreview #2003chevysuburban2500 #suburban8.1
I own 3 GM vehicles from this generation: A 2005 Suburban 2500HD (8.1), a 2002 Silverado 1500, and - the crown jewel - a 2004 Hummer H2 Luxury package. I bought the Suburban with 110k miles (it currently has 210k), the Silverado with 137k (it currently has 179k), and the Hummer with 53k (it currently has 79k). I daily drive all three, and have done many long-distance road trips and family outings in both the Suburban and the Hummer. I occasionally tow with all three (nothing very heavy), and have done a fair amount of light off-roading with the Suburban and the Hummer. These three vehicles have proven to be the toughest, and most reliable vehicles I have ever owned by FAR, in my total 35-ish years of vehicle ownership. In the case of the Suburban, also the most versatile and useful. GM really knocked it out of the park in the early 2000's.
Chevy: Calls the truck the “suburban”
Also Chevy: Shoves one of the biggest engines they have into it
I’ll buy it just the way it sits
Had one, loved it!!!! terrible on fuel but was all smiles on the road!!! So odd that the 2500 models had these shitty extendable mirrors and the 1500 models had folding power mirrors. 8.1 was way underrated due to rear wheel performance measurements, I had an 02 with a hyper teck tune and emission delete kit, I loved it man, hauled balls!.
You have a diamond in the rough. Every part under that truck is interchangeable with the Silverado HD except for the transmission, which would be an Allison mated to the 8.1. In your case its a 4L80E or possibly a 4L85E. Either way they are the best overdrive transmission ever built by GM or any other manufacturer for that matter.
I would highly suggest finding a local tuner that is familiar with this platform. You can expect to go from 275 hp and 330 lb.tq. To 340 HP and 400 Lb.tq. At the wheels, not the at the flywheel. He will also be able to firm up the shift points and make any other corrections in the computer these platforms often have from the factory. This is money well spent for anyone with one of these trucks.
Good luck with your build.
Wow you just cemented what my next vehicle is going to be.
@@alale923 did you ever buy one, i love these things
@@baljeetspp3602 i have not unfortunately
They don't make them like that anymore. I had an 04 escalade esv, mint. It was stolen in front of a Costco in broad daylight. I then got an 07 esv with 6.2. Vortec. I feel 04 was built lot better than later years. That 8.1 is a beast.
The engine is frukin enormous
The marine version of this same engine puts out 425hp at the propeller or around 450hp at the crank, so there is more to be had with some tuning.
Good morning, Elie. I may well be your newest subscriber but count me in as one of your biggest fans! Thank you for making such clear and easy to understand videos for those of us who are new to the Suburban conversions. Looking forward to more of your videos!
Thank you for subscribing!
HEY BOSS! Contact Doug Demuro and let him do a review on this truck/engine. This gem needs more exposure to the world and Its a super clean example! I love the body style and motor! Congratulations!!
I thought about it but I ended up selling it. At least I got it on video.
@@Horizoncamperbuilds As saddening as that is too me personally…Very happy to know it crossed your mind as well that you responded to me. You should tell the individual you sold it to. After all that vehicle will not be reproduced again and it is an excellent example!
Keep in mind the 8.1 in the suvs were detuned for the 4l85e so they made a noticeable less amount or torque and power but can be disabled and the transmission can take it hell they paired the transmission with the duramax in the vans too
Have one for 15 years now.
Will not sell, even though I have a newer and brand new diesels.
Motor has given me 0 problems.
Yes, it is the 8.1 L.
I have one its a 03 suburban it has the 5.3. Black and tan leather. Straight ss an arrow. Replace everything to do with brakes. And rebuilt ttanny. Replaced a, ,/c compressor replaced air ride system. Replaced alt. Oil pump water pump. Serpentine belt. Got 7000 grand in it im second owner. First owner told me that it was time to get his wife a new one. I gave 2300 dollars for it in 2012.got around 7400 hundred in it and its 2021 with 263.000 miles drives like a caddy. Also front differental on both sides plus fuel pump i know sounds like alot but its not been all at once. And the thing is i know what i got and like it they are so usefull camp out of it. You could live out of it actualy half a ay comfortable if you remove the bench seat and lay down the two back seats.
I’ve had 2 of these. One with a 6.0 and an 8.1. I sold it because having that 8.1 with a 4L80e worried me. So stepped to a Silverado 8.1 with the Allison. Nice truck though
I do love the old model the 2500 heavy duty used by the Secret Service. I love this vehicle 2003 beautiful I am looking for one I’m in Tampa Florida I met someone who had a 2004 2500 HD full package and it was bulletproof. Got it through a friend of his an auction.
@tyronegalvan4267 just saw one on TH-cam for sale..may still be available.
Love the 7th Gen! GMT 800 rocks.
I have a 2003. It still runs. That's all I care about
Still got it ?
@@Sheguey01 yes. It needs new tires but it's still running. And a new paint job. But still looking Good.
... I'm going to drive it until it explodes
Nice truck right there....I just can't be a fan of the gen2 engines vs the geniii LS based. I have a suburban overland build on my channel; just released the 2nd video of that series. May want to check it out. We push it off road a bit, talked about mods in the first video and then started pushing it off road in the 2nd. Love that HD axle/wheel combo, just not that 8.1.
The 8.1 has 40 more horsepower and 100 more torque than the 6.0. It is a true workhorse and having all that towing ability sure is nice. The only downside is fuel economy which is why its been discontinued but otherwise it's a great beast of a motor.
Is the 8.1 no good? Does the 2500 with the 6.0 have everything the same except the engine?
@@Horizoncamperbuilds discontinued because of emissions 😞👎 but GM should of put the Duramax in these monsters.
I want one so bad.
I have a 2001 & I love it, but wish it got many fuel mileage. It has OnStar. Mine had DVD & VHS.
Does the 2500 suburban come with the G80 rear locker?
Yes, it does
@@Horizoncamperbuilds thank you, I'm getting a great deal on one. I wanted the z71 but I cant pass this up
yes my 02 had the G80, twanged every time it engaged lol
14 bolt w Detroit locker. Semi floating axle s. I have an 04
Cadillac 500 v-8 was introduced in 1970 not 1960.
What gear ratio does it have? 3.73 or 4.10
4.10 gears and auto locking rear diff
@@Horizoncamperbuilds nice
Plus the difference from the 2000 all the way to 2013 is the frame I know the new models 2423. The frames are different.
What’s the price for cell
How much.
Did these come with a rear locker?
Yes, they did
This for sell ?!
Sold already
@@Horizoncamperbuilds how much prince you sold Please thanks
Rear tire must of had a blowout.
Did they ever come with an Allison
Yes, some did have the Allison transmission
@@Horizoncamperbuilds must be super rare I can’t find one most have 4l80
@@Horizoncamperbuilds no they did not from the factory. Allison only ever went into trucks.
@@Horizoncamperbuilds Have that 480le gone through by a custom trans shop and will be just as strong as a Allison, shift kit and better clutch plates as well as a stall torque converter and it will be dynamite matched to the 8.1 did this years ago and was def worth the 1500 bucks back in 2003
Many of the 8.1's (with the 4.10 gear set) got the 4L85E which was a beefed up version of the 4L80E. It could handle up to 690ft/lbs of torque, which is about 230ft/lbs greater than the regular 4L80E (which came in the 3.73 gear set versions, and all 6.0 models)