Cd & A for Suburban, Tahoe, and Durango?

[Hersbird]

I bought a 3 row Envoy XL with the 5.3 v8 hopeful that it would get better mileage then my brothers 5.3 suburban but I sold it when it never broke 18 mpg and wasn't a great tower. I traded it in on a Duramax crew cab but again sold that from lack of use, just too nice to sit there all year and wherein live diesel is 80 cents more per gallon.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by cray54

FuelEconomy.gov:
(Chevy Suburban / Tahoe body style changed in 2000)
Although I'm looking for a 4WD, I had trouble finding specifications that could be compared. All the numbers below are for 2WD. The Chevy ratings are in back-to-back years with the 5.7L.

• Chevy Suburban GMT800 00 12/17 mpg
• Chevy Suburban GMT400 99 12/17 mpg
• Chevy Tahoe GMT800 00 12/16 mpg
• Chevy Tahoe GMT400 99 12/16 mpg
• Dodge Durango 00 4.7L 13/18 mpg

The mileage ratings did not change from the 99 GMT400 to the 00 GMT800 for the Tahoe or the Suburban. I suppose I would seek the newest possible version, but a few thousand dollars in savings would allow for more improvements over stock.

I'd double-check that.
1999 had the 5.7L (Gen II small-block V8)
2000 had the 4.8L/5.3L/6.0L (Gen III small-block V8)

The 4.8L made more power than the 5.7L, but was rated at 13/18 in 2000 and 14/19 in 2005+

If you are finding specs for the 5.7L in 2000 it is probably the GTM400 Tahoe that they had a limited run of for 2000. GM likes to do that when they switch body styles.

2005 had some small aero improvements and electric fans. So, the '05-06 Tahoe is probably your best bet. Also, the EPA numbers don't account for optional gear ratios.

I bought my wife a Tahoe and picked it specifically for optimal fuel economy. 2005, 2WD, 4.8L, high gear ratio. She has a heavy foot and gets 13-15mpg city, 22-25mpg hwy.

[aardvarcus]

Just a few GMT400 vs 800 data points for you.

I have a GMT400 1991 K2500LD (Heavy Half) 4x4, TBI 5.7L, NV4500 Manual Transmission, 3.73 gear ratio, 265/75R16 Tires. With very conservative highway driving I could hit around 18 MPG.

My dad has a 1999 GMT800 Silverado 1500, 4x4, 5.3L, 4L60e auto, 3.73 gear ratio, 245/75R16 tires, tonneau cover. With normal style driving that truck can get around 18 MPG.

Just to throw another option out there, you may want to consider the 2002 and newer 4runners, they can be had with third row seating.

[cray54]

So, further periodic looking has not helped me find the actual Cd or A for these vehicles. If I do find them, I'll post them here for reference.

With the other information presented here (and other searching), I've decided to try to find a 2003-2006 Suburban or Tahoe (or Yukon equivalent). That should result in a drive-by-wire throttle and decent aerodynamics (as far as GMT400 vs GMT800 go). I hope to work on some decent efficiency testing and improvements... and possibly become a helpful / contributing member.

The Dodge interior quality seemed terrible compared to the GM products and the Ford suggested did not seem to measure up either. Even if the Dodge or Ford were better on paper, I think the GM option will be nicer for the family.