Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

You can buy replacement leather seat skins (and foam) on eBay very easy and not too expensive. Don't let that be too big of a detractor.

fantastixvoyage

iTrader: (1)

Getting closer.

Must haves: 03+, 2500, 8.1, 4x4, captain chairs, under 150k

Optional: quadrasteer (if available for 8.1, doubt it), Denali trim, two-tone leather, rear air/heat, tv

Have found probably a dozen 2500s that have just about everything but the 8.1 and the ones with the 8.1 are just a bit too beat or over priced

fantastixvoyage

iTrader: (1)

Driving from MI to Tampa over christmas holidays so have extended my search quite a bit. Should help in my search for a unicorn....

sprink58

Not to say that it would work for you but it might apply to someone reading this. I tow my 7500# 255 Formula Liberator with twin SBC's/Bravo I's with a 2005 Escalade ESV with the Hi performance LQ4 6.0 Vortec. It is all wheel drive and has the 9250# tow package with the G4 Posi front and rear axles. I ramp my boat and even at extreme low tide have never had an issue in pulling out.

I commute 100 miles daily and average 14.2 MPG. My Escalade is a bit of an odd ball in that a bit of research revealed via the build sheet that I got from Cadillac that it was a "GSA/Fed Spec Special Hi Performance" order for FBI/CIA/Secret Service use. Accordingly it has a 410 horse version of the LQ9X and has a 140 MPH Certified Hi Performance suspension.

I picked it up at auction last year for $12k and immediately noticed that it ran like a "Raped Ape" and runs as far into triple digits as you want to push it. I even still have the sun-visor, grille and rear window Strobe Clips where the flashers were mounted...and of course it is BLACK LOL.

The Escalade ESV and the Yukon Denali XL with the LQ9 make a great tow vehicle if your tongue weight is no more than around 600# and tow weight is not over 7500#~8000#.

Anything beyond that other than for occasional use you are better off with the 8.1 in the 3/4 ton. I lucked out in that mine has the 7500# brake package which is the base package for the 2500 Suburban/Denali.

FIXX

iTrader: (2)

what i have noticed was all the quad steer models have side marker lights on the rear fender flare..i personally would not want it..just a bigger pain in the a$$ to aleign and you have another front end to ware out and repair..tierods,balljoints and so on..http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...=50&slrTypeId=

FIXX

iTrader: (2)

the leather heated factory from gm covers are 800.00 a seat,,after market covers dont fit for chit..just sayin..

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

Fair points and good info.

Once I taught myself how do take seats apart, it's really not that big of a deal to replace a seat bottom skin and/or foam The last few seats I have taken apart do not even have hog-rings in them anymore. It takes less than an hour, and that's if you are really slow. Seat backs are more complicated. I've had mixed results with fitment, but you pay for quality. GM has not always gone for high grade leather, especially not the the Corvettes until the C6.

There are some options out there.
http://katzkin.com/

I have bought and installed a few of these:
http://www.heatedseatkits.com/heatedseatkits/index.html
...and integrated (rewired) them into the factory controls.

firehill19

iTrader: (1)

I have the 02 Yukon XL 2500 w/8.1, 3.73, but 2WD. Bought it from a friend about 4 or 5 years ago. He ordered the vehicle brand new and I don't know why he didn't order it with 4X4. But so far, never an issue pulling the boat out of the water since 2010. Love the vehicle and its a daily driver now. I was trying to keep the miles down and only use to tow my boat (but haven't towed anywhere). Sitting at 96,000 right now. Got some great ideas from Sydwayz a month or two ago on how to make it the perfect tow vehicle but the only thing I have added is a class 5 hitch. Now thinking about possibly selling the boat and going pontoon but will see in January. The 2500 is a great vehicle and as stated, i get around 11 mpg around town but at least it has a 38 gallon tank. Was looking for the same with 4X4 back in the summer and found the same and almost bought a couple but wrong color (I wanted white). I did find the perfect one and could kick myself for not doing it but it was pricey. It was a 2003 (or 04) Suburban 2500, 4X4, with quadrasteer and in excellant condition. The engine had been upgraded by Duraburb out of Florida to a Duramax LBZ that came out of a 06 (I think) truck with about 95,000 miles on it. Man I wanted that vehicle but they wouldn't budge on the price of $34,000. If they would of given me a better trade in I would of done it. Also, I do have the aftermarket leather looking seat covers on the front buckets to protect the orignial leather. I got from Stylin and they fit and look great. Color is almost exact.

wannabe

As an FYI The Yukon/Suburban/Avalance with an 8.1 and either gears will get around 11-12 mpg city around 14 mpg hwy. Towing a boat about 8.5-9 ( 11k lbs). A 1500 with 5.3 will get 14=15 city and 18 hwy. 9 towing a boat ( max 7500 lbs). Used they are great vehicles, comfortable, and reliable. I would avoid the Excursion with the V10 gas is worse than 8.1 usually. If you find one with 7.3 I think it might be a hidden gem. The Allison tranny is not availabe in the SUV's for GM, only the HD trucks. The floorpan was not wide enough and the trucks actually have theier bodys raise about 2 inches. But the 4L85 is a great trans.

Wannabe

Plowtownmissile

A co-worker bought a white 2500 suburban 8.1 4wd with every option available for $16k two years ago with 30k miles on it from a big LOTO boat dealer/marina. You might wanna check with big boat dealerships to see if they are getting rid of one.