We Bought The Cheapest, Biggest, And BEST Used 4x4 SUV Ever Made (No, Seriously) 

You do realize, Tommy, that the more you come out of your shell the more fun you are to watch as a presenter. You really know your stuff and your comments are hilarious - Fisher Price window switches! You're gonna end up taking over TFL from your dad one day and you guys will always have me as a fan. Great review, great laughs first thing in the morning!

My '99 Suburban has over 383,000 miles on the original engine and transmission! My parents purchased it back in March of '03 with just 81,000 miles. I have to agree with Tommy, they are very comfortable both inside and while floating down the highway.

Great truck - $4000 is actually a really decent price for a good condition truck.

The suburban is the longest running production vehicle in the world first introduced in 1936 still in production today pretty cool

This is my favorite type of content you guys create. Back in the 90's you didn't really think about buying a 20 year old vehicle to be your reliable daily...now it's pretty common. Just goes to show you how good these were. Thanks for another great video!

Tommy is quickly becoming my favorite automotive host across any channel

$4,000? That’s awesome! I love this generation of Suburban. Plus the fact that it’s a GMC makes me like it even more.

The GMT 400 platform has aged so well. Such a sharp, clean design.

My dad's last vehicle before he went blind was a 96 Chevy Suburban in Cherry Ice. It was a great vehicle for NW Minnesota and brutal winters. Probably the best AC of any vehicle I've ever experienced to date. I wish I could have afforded to buy it from them back then.

I own a 98 K2500 with the 454 and absolutely love it. I brought it 7 years ago with 89k miles from original owner for $4k. I'm confident it will outlast any modern SUV. Yes, it is thirsty but I can buy a lot of gas for less than a huge monthly payment for a newer one.

Couldn't agree more! I got my '97 GMC suburban K2500 last year for $2400, minimal rust with the 454, it's got 285k miles on it now and still running strong

Absolutely love the GMT400 trucks, and this one is no exception. Personally though, I would have rather seen a GMT800 model go up against the Excursion in the upcoming series! Either way I'm looking forward to it!

You missed the GT4 option = 3.73 gear ratio. Also with those miles if they haven't failed already, change the intake gaskets before you get Coolant in the oil and the infamous spider injectors. Also replace the distributor for good measure and your good for another 200,000 miles.

So glad to see you guys giving old Suburbans some love! Vastly underrated amongst “overlanders”.

Personally, I think this is one of the best looking generations of Suburban. I think it just has a clean timeless style, and the interior is still fairly modern looking without being overly complicated. I would love to have one of these with the later 6.0 V8 swapped in.

I have a 99 Tahoe that I bought 11 years ago with 72,000 miles one owner. It came with the tow package but it had never been used to tow and the passenger door and rear doors were still stiff from not being used. It's our "tow and snow" vehicle. I'm retired so I've got it up to 123,000 miles on it and it's still going strong. Soon after purchase I had all the fluids changed out - transmission, transfer case, differentials, coolant, and replaced hoses since they were aging. It should last me the rest of my life.

We have had 4 Suburbans over the years, and all of them have been an exceptional vehicle. While some complain of the gas mileage, all, but our 1984 with a 454 cu in, got similar gas mileage to my father-in-laws gas guzzling and small 4-runner. We never sold them due to reliability issues, but rather because we wanted a newer one. We have since switched to a 2019 Traverse which took us from 15-18 mpg to 27 mpg, but will definitely reconsider the Suburban again when they go electric.

They all came down the same assembly line . reliably came down to how you took care of them and service one of the best ever 🇺🇸🇺🇸

When shopping for sofas It took a 3 stores and 20 attempts to find something as comfy as my late 80's caprice. GM had excellent seats back in the day.

I’m definitely a fan of this era of gm, I grew up with these things. My parents had a 98 suburban and a 01 1ton durmax, my neighbor’s both had 99 1/2tons, then my first truck was an 02 s10 zr2. Very fond of these old gms because when something breaks they ain’t hard to fix or figure out what’s going on, and there’s all kinds of aftermarket support. Overall they’re some good vehicles.

Got a 93 4x4 with the 454 and 4l80e I love mine and can’t wait for the next adventure. Also a 98 Tahoe in amazing shape with 113k most everything stock. Thanks TFL for covering this great SUV.

I grew up as a kid riding to school and hockey practice in two of these...one was a brown 1994, and the other was a Cherry Ice Metallic 1998. My first vehicle when I got my license at 16 was my dad's 1997 Sierra 1500...lots of good memories from the GMT-400 platform for me. My grandmother even still has my grandfather's old 1998 Sierra 1500...barely over 70,000 km on it. It's like a time capsule, and it brings back fond memories of my first truck every time I drive it...mine had about 215,000 km on it when I started driving it and I sold it when it had almost 300,000 km if I remember correctly...would have been the better part of 13-14 years ago...still miss that truck.

I really enjoyed that, Tommy. I bought one of these new (1999 GMC version with barn doors) in 1998. There was also a version with a lifting tailgate which provided a rear washer/wiper. The only problem I had with it was a leak at the manifold. Otherwise, it was a great personal & work vehicle so long as it was fed lots of fuel. Then again, the 42 gallon tank gave it a range of over 600 miles before a bit more pain at the pump. It had a full front bench seat so it could seat 9 people - most of them comfortably. Mine did have the auto 4WD function but there was, so far as I can recall, no center differential so it wasn't an ideal vehicle for mixed winter traction. But it was great for towing and hauling people. It also ate up long distance trips up and down the east coast. The triple 12 volt outlets were handy for CB, bag cell phone (external antenna, great range for the time) and one extra. Fisher-Price controls all over for sure, but I came to like them and they work a lot better than a lot of modern screen based controls. Yes, that overhead thing is a CD holder. I imagine yours has lost some compression over the years but when the truck was new it actually had plenty of power - esp. for towing. You're right about the sound of the 350. We picked up a client from Austria once, in the 'Burban, and he said: "Now, that's the sound of America". He just loved the whole truck.

They did a great job designing this truck. Frame on body design, simple strong built parts.

My first vehicle was a ‘97 Tahoe that I got for $4500 back in 2007. Durable, comfortable, plenty of power from the 350 to pull my boat. Wish I still had it. And he’s not wrong about those seats! Best seats in any vehicle ever, way more comfortable than my ‘19 Silverado!

Well, as a GMT400 owner, I'm obliged to love this series! 😄 The "CD holder" was there before the trucks had CD players - I don't really know what it is for my mine is full of fast-food napkins.😉

Love the fact it still has a Burt logo. That thing never left Colorado. My father's daily driver is a 96 Suburban my parents bought in 97. I learned how to drive in that thing. It was our family car that replaced our Astro van.

Still running the 2001 Yukon with the same 5.3 and tranny. 345K miles. Has taken us everywhere. One of the best purchases I've ever made.

I have a 1999 GMC suburban just like that one and has virtually no rust I paid 3,500 for mine 4 years ago and absolutely love it.

Tommy: Don't film that Cameraman : *zooms in* 🤣🤣 Great channel guys, been a viewer since almost the beginning! It's been great watching Tommy grow into his comfort zone. Keep up the great content

tommy youve really come a long way since you first started appearing on camera. youre really a lot more fun to watch than a lot of people on youtube. keep doing you my guy never change

Love the GM full size SUVs. I had a 97 Tahoe I bought brand new, now I have an 02 Suburban I bought for $6k. Having had both, I prefer the GMT800, but not by much. They are both great!

Awesome truck! My family used to have a 99 Chevy suburban 2500 LT 7.4 w/ 4.10 axle. Same color combos as the truck you got. My dad sold it about 8 years ago with only 75000 miles…great condition. Can’t imagine what it would’ve been worth now. Excited to see what you guys do with it.

To me, this series of the Suburban is the best. Timeless styling. Vortech power (97 to 99), compliant suspension but heavy enough to tote some serious loads and very much an everyday driver. With the right tires, pretty adept off road. Fuel mileage isn't great but nothing of this class does much if any better. I had a 97 and 99. Great service from both of them.

Roman drives a $60K+ brand new Cummins Ram as a "ranch truck." Tommy drives a $4K 1999 Suburban as a "ranch SUV." The child is father to the man. ;-)

I always liked the first gen, 4-door Tahoe’s. I do believe that this is likely the most loved generation of full size Chevy trucks and suvs.

Loved this review! I worked for a dealership in 2001-2002 that sold these off lease, wish I would’ve bought one then and just held onto it. Great video Tommy!

As clean at that Suburban is, for $4000 it was a steal! I would've snapped that up in a hearbeat! I may drive Toyota and Lexus now, but I always had a thing for Suburban's. They are special vehicles and those were truly the last of the great ones for GM! Used to love when I came across them in the car business and they were always great to take on vacations before I sold them. My first car was also a 75 Suburban!

The best, indeed. I owned 1988 Chevy Suburban, and that 5.7/350 engine is just amazing.

Just bought a '99 K1500 Z71 5.7 and its a beautiful truck. I got it for $6000 but it only has 140k miles, clean title, and zero rust. Only thing it needed are new tie rods.

It’s crazy to see how small this thing is compared to current models.

100% agreed! A 90s Suburban is the best car you can own! and you can own it for a VERY long time with little cost on repairs and insurance.

You guys are right about current used market. I bought a '99 f150 4x4 with 185k miles about 10 years ago for $1400. Put a new spring in valve body to fix hard 2nd gear shift at the time. Only maintenance since then while it racked up another 90k miles. Sold it about a month ago for $4700. People being crazy out there.

Hey I don’t know if someone mentioned this yet but when you fold the rear seat up towards the front seats there are two holes that hold the rear seat headrests allowing you to fold the seat down completely and giving you a flat surface for work or storage. Sharp looking truck! 🤙🏽

I have a 1994 Chevy Suburban K1500 that has been in our family for 22 years. It's been a loyal companion through many stages of my life. It's old, rusty, and the clear coat is faded but I love it and I will never get rid of it. I don't know why but when you get in and start it up; it just feels like you get transported back to a more simplistic era and for a little while, the problems of today go away. If my wife would let me, I'd buy one for each day of the week lol. Thanks for posting this and sharing the simple pleasures of a 90s GMT400 truck. They are really a piece of 90s Americana

Those are wonderful cars! Durable, cheap to mainain, easy to fix, roomy, rides nice and cool looking!

I grew up in the backseat of one of the 1994 suburbans 1500 LT model I remember when my mom traded it on a 2002 chevy tahoe. And having a cd player was awesome in 2002 She still drives that taho to this day. 180,000 and still trucking along in 2022.

I have a 2000 Cadillac Escalade which, along with the GMC Yukon Denali, were the last consumer applications of the GMT400. I have a lot of the same options as you have on your Suburban, but mine only has 133k on the clock. It's a wonderful truck and soooo comfortable to drive. I definitely think the Chevy had the best look back then, but they're all very timelessly styled machines.

While I love the GMT400's when I was buying I went with the GMT800 (Tahoe) as I feel it is GM's best ever truck. However the 400 would be 2nd in my book.

I have had every make and model of truck, imports and domestic, 2wd and 4wd, 2017 to 1940, I love my 97 Chevy Suburban Regency. It wheels with my xj, hauls with the big dogs, and seats the crew + with comfort. Great video

You guys have been giving the older full size GM SUV’s big time love in the last couple videos!👍🏿

Tommy... love your* reviews, fun to watch you grow doing this too. Well done young man.

Lot of nostalgia. My great uncle only owned suburbans, although he was a bowtie guy. Remember the days of being dragged up and down the Oregon Coast in this vehicle.

Great video Tommy! Last year my brother in law borrowed $2000 from us, and in lieu of a lengthy repayment period offered his 1999 GMC K2500 SLT with the 454 and 183k miles. Runs great, no leaks of any kind. Just like yours the carpet was a disaster, but it sits in our garage right now with the interior gutted to replace the carpet, new lower seat cushions in the front, new leather, new sound system, cameras front and rear, etc. Also replacing the entire cooling and AC system. Come spring it will be almost like new for not a whole lot of money. Great trucks!

Man hell yeah we had a green 96 gmc suburban with the barn doors and vhs player and we took that thing everywhere. Brings back some damn good memories. Thanks tommy!

This era GM trucks were rly good, & very well made. We had one for a while, & that thing was tough as nails. It just wouldn’t die.

Love the suburban I have had a 94 98 2007 and 2011. Been thinking about getting another GMT or 2000 to 2005. Suburban save my life in bad 15 car accident. I walk away but my 94 was hit hard in the back. No glass broke just would not open. They told me I would have died it I was in any other vehicle. That day I became a true fan of the suburan. Thanks

We had two of these a GMC and Chevrolet both 95s. My favorite feature was the little light in the engine compartment that you could unhook and use to look around the whole engine bay

My aunt still to this day owns her 1999 GMC Yukon, these GMT400's are such iconic vehicles, my dream would be to own a 2-door Tahoe/Yukon.

My 97 my grandfather have me right before he passed away has been amazing barn doors Are helpful with my job can carry huge loads and be fully loaded with people never had one fail me and she's got 307k miles all original mine though I have had some in the past with over double that and still keep going strong however My 97 has the floor shift 4wd which I absolutely love Over the push button good solid trucks Great overlanding rigs cheap to fix Spacious safe reliable good looking and well rounded Machines in my opinion

I really miss my 94, still as of today, the design is amazing!

You nailed it buddy! Once you have evolved to the sheer logic and use ability of owning the Chevy Suburban you’ll never own anything else. Suburban’s have always checked all the boxes for me. Best TFL ever made.

Love my Tahoes and suburbans all years, my parents had a ‘98 with the 5.7, then an 04 Yukon xl Denali with the 6.0, and I have a 2011 tahoe with the 5.3. All of them have pulled the boats and hauled the kids over the years without a problem.

Just bought the Chevy version LT 4x4 5.7 Vortec cold air power window all work 256k miles $3,300 great deal!

Got 98 2 door Tahoe. Had it since 2009 250k miles still going strong

That 99 is in great shape! I have a 99 same color scheme but just fighting a battle with rust. I have a newer suburban as well but I just can't get rid of my 99. I love it!

The 4L60E is a good transmission, what kills them is people tow with them and don't turn off the overdrive, the torque converter becomes overworked, which kills the torque converter, which takes the entire transmission with it. As long as you don't tow in overdrive or use tow/haul mode on newer vehicles.

These are awesome truck.. i have a 1999 tahoe with 325k miles and running strong.. i also have a 1996 2 door tahoe with 225k miles.. i want a 1990s silverado.. i have lifetime warranty on multiple parts from Auto zone and orealys.. most of the parts are all interchangeable… super awesome trucks

Great Video Tommy!! I had a 95 Yukon GT for 20 years. Ran awesome, and was incredible in the snow. The bolt pattern allowed me to put rims from 2015 1500 Sierra and 285s under it. Loved that rig. I was in Denver last week and stopped at Snarfs!!

I was too busy looking at the reviews of whatever vehicle that Tommy was showing at the time to notice that he grew up! Great job, you’re the best but you learned from the best, your Dad. Thank all you guys at TFL.

Tommy, I love the used car reviews from you, sir. Please keep them coming. No one else that I know in the states, does it. Could be your niche.

Loving the dry humor. Great vehicle! Great review! Keep it up! 👍🏼

I’ve had no less than 9 of the GMT 400 variants. Including a 2wd shorty step side with a v6 manual. I don’t own it any more, the the fellow I sold it to has close to 300,000 miles and he says he still loves it. It’s pretty hammered, but he still won’t sell it back to me! Also had a 1992 K1500 blazer (not taohoe!) 2door strippo 5speed 4x4 and a 95 2wd 2500 6.5 turbo diesel king bed! They were all fantastic driving with only minor, inexpensive repairs and maintenance. Even when fairly new. I still love how they look. GMC is still my preference! Great clip!

We had one when i was a kid. Went all over the country in that thing with a family of 5. Had a play station 2 and a 12 inch tube tv in the back seat my brother and I would play on long trips. It was awesome and I’ve seriously thought about getting one in good shape now that i have my own family just because it was so roomy and we never had any serious issues with it at all. Cant beat an old 350 Suburban!

I've always had a soft spot for this generation of the Suburban myself. Great find.

I bought a 94 k1500 Gmc suburban 2 years ago with 170k on it for a whopping $700. Absolutely rust free, perfect interior, and i only put a fuel tank and fuel pump in it. I'm currently having the trans rebuilt, cause who wants plastic accumulators? Other than that, the best $700 i've ever spent!

Imho the only other GM engine that's just as iconic as the 350 is the 3800 V6. Both relatively bulletproof and willing to go 350-400k miles with minimal maintenance.

I have a 96 K2500, 7.4L Gas. It is the best vehicle I have ever owned. It goes anywhere, fast.

I was so happy when I researched and found my 05 Suburban Z71 4x4 LS based rig for just $2300 and it was rusted to hell. It only needs a good interior cleaning and blend door for heat/cool maintenance. Always blows cold when i want, but sometimes the actuators dont close/open the doors for heat to flow every time. Will keep it forever and completely rebuild it when needed.

Great presentation 🎉. Love the GMT400 Suburban!

Always thought it was really cool that they made 3/4 ton suburban and excursions. Y’all should DEFINITELY, do a series on excursion vs suburban.

It’s crazy I’ve seen these with 160,000 + going for 7-10 grand. But they last 400,000 miles 💪🏽 strong you can’t kill these trucks

Chevy man here also my 97 Tahoe 4x4 with 198.000 miles and still going wow!!!!!!!!!!!!

I owned a '94 Chevy Suburban with barn doors, leather seats. 350 V8! Great 4X4 tank! Good memories 👍🔥

I just love how there was no spoiler in thumbnail and even title and you get to know about the surprise 20sec in the video no bullshit talking for 10mins like how shitty vloggers do ie stradman. And next 18mins is all about that specific car. simply lovely

I have the same suv except a different color that my dad bought new in 1999. We’ve took that thing on many trips over the years and we still drive it sometimes. It has probably 150,000 miles on it now and runs like a top. It’s been garage kept since day one and will never be sold.

Hell yes. I've been camping out of my '06 6.0L 4x4 burb for over a year now and I absolutely love that thing.

I can't believe you got that truck for only 4K. That is in this day and age an excellent price.

Hi TFL! We still own a 1999 Chevy Suburban. This thing is a absolute tank. If you are looking for a comparison, we’re happy to lend ours!

Our 99 tahoe still going strong at 170k. Just had to replace the sun gear in the trans common problem. It is the best one made they had all those years to develop it and made it the best it could be then the new model after it everything was new and untested crap.

I’ve got an 05 Burb LT that just hit 367,000 miles, still going strong 😎

My dad purchased one of these in 1999 and I was happy to take it off his hands in 2021. It is simple and has timeless utility that is also surprisingly comfortable. Works perfect as a dedicated road trip, camping, and ski mobile.

I had a 97 Chevy Suburban ànd regret getting rid of it. Thing was a tank. I was able to fit a scout troop in it with all the gear in the back. Although it did hurt everytime I would hit the pump.

Recently bought a very clean k2500 1999 with 4:11 full floater and a 454. It pulls my trailer like there is nothing behind it. I paid 11,000 with 108,000 miles. I at first thought I'd paid way too much but after driving it over the road I feel that it was a steal. Comfortable, stable, simple, roomy, and wonderful for towing.

Good looking Burban-love the rear barn doors!👍

we got one with 348,000 miles. proper maintenance + cheap parts means it can run forever.

Tommy! My favorite on TFL, watching you from the beginning has shown how much you’ve grown and become the best RU-vidr I watch daily!

I had a 96 gmc suburban 4x4, sold it at 360k miles. My parents had a 1996 Chevy suburban 2wd, sold it at 540k miles. Loved the barn doors, could have stuff loaded in by forklift. I upgraded to a 2002 z71 suburban, have no plans to over get rid of. One of the most useful things is the ability with both the gmt400 and the gmt800 was if you took the third row out and folded down the 2nd row, it fits 4x8 sheets of plywood or drywall inside and you can close the doors. Still amazes employees at Lowes or home depot!

Bingo Ed, last new GM truck 2014, 6 recalls in 3 months, Have several 92-2003 now, Very happy…

Great video, and you doing a better and better job! Congrats with new familytruckster...