kas83

Alright guys, I need to buy either a Suburban or Excursion, primarily for seating capacity(7 people). The only way I will buy an Excursion is if it has a PSD, but those things are like gold when it comes to the price. The only way I'll buy a Suburban is with a gasser, because I can't stand the 6.5. With that being said, I've noticed a lot of 3/4 tons with the 454 V8. I've been wondering how these would compare to a 98 K1500 I had with a 350 V8 as far as mileage goes. Obviously the Sub is heavier, and I just don't think the performance with a 350 would be the same. I'd like to have the power, but still get relatively decent economy. In your honest opinions, do you think stepping up to the big block would yield performance without sacrificing alot in economy? I'm not looking for brand wars, just your guys' thoughts on the subject. If Dodge made something to compete, it would be my first choice. Durango is simply too small for what I need.

And at any rate, whatever I get is bound to be better than my 9 mpg 01 Ram.

DWK

I would go with the 350 myself. My 3/4 ton suburban got 9MPH on good days. Pull a trailer and it dropped to 7.5 MPG.
I/we currently have an 07 Suburban with the 5.3 and i am really pleased with the ride and performance. Our 04 suburban got about 2MPG (16 -17 HWY)better with the 6.0 though.

MCummings

Why not get an excursion and repower it with a Cummins?

www.FordCummins.com

www.destroked.com

Merrick

kas83

Price. I would love to, simply can't afford to.

dieselJon

Get the Burb. But I am partial as I am driving a 87 1500 with a 350 tbi. Gets about 12-14 mpg but it needs new rings. A good 350 burb should get you at least 14mpg maybe squeaking into the 15-16 mpg. They are nice.

Jon

bentwings

My son has a 03 'burb that is really nice as far as comfort and ride goes. The seats are the best around. It get's pretty good mileage too. It seems to like 70-75 is the sweet spot. I've tried 60-65 and it is about the same. It definitely drops with any trailer however. Even the ATV trailer drops it down to about 12 at best. The car trailer and ATV is below 10. This truck has the 6.5 gasser.

patdaly

I would get a burb and throw a 12V in it.

I had a 1997 Ext cab 3/4 ton with the 454 Vortec in it, got only fair mileage, 10-11 mixed and best of 13-14 on the Hwy. Plenty of power though.

nirion

I had a friend with a suburban with a 350 (98 model) and it did pretty well in performance and economy. They never pulled heavy with it, but it did go quite often with 7-8 people and never any major issues until after 150k and it was abused since day1 (they bought it new) and even more abused after about 100k. It was replaced with an 02 suburban with the 5.3 which was even better.

rockdonon

I have an 02 Excursion with a 7.3. 18 mpg hwy & 12mpg towing. The ride comfort is awsome.

paroxysym

mom had a 97/98 suburban with the 454. maintenance was expensive on those things and they got decent mileage for how big they were. cost till fill up was about $65 or so. she never towed with it, she bought it for the seating- which was pretty nice, 2 plush buckets up front and two bench seats in the rear. the rear was removeable. you could pack alot of stuff in that thing too.

dieselman43

My vote is for an Excursion, at least you would still have a diesel. And you could always do a Cummins swap down the road. Sorry you are in this postion, cause I gotta get something bigger also. I might have to swallow my pride and get a newer cummins because of my growing family.

Sea:\>Drive

My choice would be the Excursion, but if you're looking to save $$$ don't discount the E-150 full size van series. You can get one with the 4.6l and you'll end up with pretty good mileage, lots of room for seats (default is 8 I think), and lots of cargo room in only a 1/2 ton chassis. My wife runs a daycare and wanted lots of seats, at the time this is what I could afford, and it turned out to be a pretty nice ride.

kas83

Excursions are simply too much money, and I really don't like the idea of a van. I like the platform of the Suburban, I owned two Chevy pickups before coming to Dodge. i just wish Dodge had a vehicle built on the Ram platform that was comparable.

And I can get a diesel in a Suburban. I just don't know if I want to chance it with a 6.5. I'd rather try my luck with the VP44.

electrifried

My first 6.5 Sub ran to 385,000 before I could not stand the doors rattling. I could not see paying about 400 bucks a door to quiet it down. Sold that one and bought a 99 6.5 sub. The 95 is still going strong for the newer owner. Both of them were or are less trouble than the dodges. the Cummins part is realitivly hands off but the dodge parts make up for it. As a grocery getter or people transporter the 6.5 has been GREAT. Change the oil regulary and the fuel filter once in a while and let her cruise at 70mph and get 20+ mpg in a 7500 lb 4x4. I would give up a lot before I would give up the 6.5 Suburban

signature600

Suburban...Mom has had a new one every year since 1985...all 1500's with 350's, until 2001, then came the 5.3's. Rides is good, power is good, mileage is excellent for a 9 passenger SUV...we can sqeeze out 20-22mpg on highway trips, about 16-17 around town...this is 2wd, and even the new body style 07 model.

I'd love to have a Cummins power Excursion...but for a gas, you can't beat Chevy's mix of power, mileage, and dependabilty!

Chris