Here's Why The GMC Yukon 8.1 Is The Best SUV Of All Time: Ultimate Buyers Guide 

You can buy a new seat bottom cushion and cover.

@@ne2i Of course. But seeing that I had it built in Arlington and picked it up there nearly 23 years ago, it's gone the distance. I've been saying that I'm getting something new for years now. Instead, I stare at my non-functioning cassette deck and CD player while the 5.3 just continues to get me to where I want to go.

Same here. I have a 2005 Yukon SLT that just hit 240k on the odometer driving across the country last week. I used to only do light maintenance on my cars, but the Yukon's so easy to work on that I've taken to doing 99% of repairs and upgrades myself. Like yours, my paint has seen better days but for a boat-hauler and camping truck I'm not too worried about it. I just replaced the driver seat cushion and leather earlier this month before the long drive (go for it if you're on the fence--took me an hour and paid immediate dividends on the 40 hours from PA to CA).

@@aiolijones One thing - I wish the Yukon/Tahoes aren't as long as they are today. This size was perfect for me with growing kids and now as empty nesters. And it's so much easier to see around the vehicle than the current trucks (having driven K-Blazers and this Yukon since 1981, I still call them trucks), and I can parallel park it like a Mini.

Long as it doesn’t have afm it’s good to go

Yeah, the price.

Have 2 gmt800s with the barn doors

Well done.

I have an 03 Tahoe with 298k and no problems that 5.3 vortec is a BEAST!!!

Bought a 2-owner ‘04 Tahoe with the 4.8, paid $800 with 250k miles and now she’s sitting at 272k going strong 💪 I’ve taken it several states away on several occasions and never worried about it

I have 3 of these in my drive way. Just bought a 2001 Tahoe 5.3 4wd for $3900 with 171k miles last month.

Have 3gmt800 tahoes one with barn doors

Exactly

These are over priced too

The 8.1 has more rotating mass, wouldn't that give it more pulling torque? Granted, most individuals these days don't have a need for that kind of power

@@josephina24 well I could make the argument the 8.1 could potentially be more durable because it’s physically bigger (not just in displacement, it’s literally a bigger engine) but at the same time I can make the argument all that rotating mass is a detriment too. As far as power, the 8.1 made peak torque at 3200 rpm and depending on the model that would have been 440-455 pound feet. So the 6.6 is making awfully close to that according to GMs dyno chart at that rpm. It’s definitely making over 400 foot pounds of torque at 2000 rpm. So maybe the 8.1 is making more torque below 2000 rpm, but it sound be similar. And the added HP from the 6.6 L8T would more than offset that in my opinion. Now like I said, it would truly be a game changer if GM made a new Big Block Chevy engine with the LS/LT style heads and intake. Chevrolet Performance makes the ZZ632 crate engine which does just that and it makes 1004 hp and 876 foot pounds of torque on pump gas. If they used that technology for a production engine around 500 cubic inches it would just be revolutionary for gas HD trucks.

@matthewanderson9912 If only the 632 did not cost as much as a small house lol. It's a badass engine for certain, the displacement and mass out of the 8.1 is a definite detriment to its fuel economy, but hey. If I'm getting single digits it's going to be in style! Lol

You are absolutely right on the seats. I have an 06 Avalanche and OMG it's the standard I compare all other car seats to. I have a bad back and no issues with them.

Same

Awesome super rare! I have an 8.1 2500hd myself

keep it going. Do the routine maintaince and you can hit the 800 mile mark. Then contact GMC and they might take your vehicle in their museum and give you a brand new z71

how much did u pay ? i own 2 but they r 02 's

The best. No argument

​@@Turshinagreed!

how about steel brake lines ?

cheap cost parts not CHEAP PARTS.. some ppl are put off by lol. but yes brother I feel you with affordable parts. My GMT800 escalade is kind to me in that department but gas is a diffferent story. I have mines on open pipe 3 inch mid dump setup. always love the cold starts!! hahhaa

Cap

i mean dont buy cheap fuel pumps and youre doing something wrong if you go through 3..get another mechanic or find someone who knows how to actually fix it right, no way youd need 3 fuel pumps in 70k unless its user error.

@@ILOVEBACONBOY2018 Tell that to GM.

@@grabir01 Tell what? As mentioned above there is something else wrong if it's actually eating fuel pumps, or they are using cheap pumps. Prior to around 04 they were very known for fuel pumps and most of the originals have been replaced and no more issues. I think you're missing the point. If you're neighbors experience was typical then these wouldn't have the legendary reputation that they do.

@@1984Cutlass2nv Tell GM. You are preaching to the choir. The first pump was all GM from the factory. Not sure about the next 2. Also. This is a common failure for these as well as Camaros, and others.

Yeah I liked that about the 6.0. Even when towing it just dropped a couple mpg. Make sure to get the larger fuel tank lol.

I might be getting a 1999 Yukon Denali for $800, just needs exhaust work.

454 is a 7.4L

Not as much as you'd think, what really killed them most times was that people neglected to change the fluid on them

I love an under stressed big block.

I would get the last year of the gmt800. I do not care for the gmt900 platform. The bail out years....