Cd & A for Suburban, Tahoe, and Durango?
 

I'm seeking an off-road capable vehicle that seats 7 or more. These are the vehicles that I'm currently considering:

• Chevy Suburban GMT800 00-06
• Chevy Suburban GMT400 96-99
• Chevy Tahoe GMT800 00-06
• Chevy Tahoe GMT400 96-99
• Dodge Durango 97-03

I've had trouble finding any drag coefficient or frontal area numbers for any of these. I'm interested in useful comparisons between the GMT400 and GMT800 specifically, but would like the ability to compare them all.

Where might I find this information?

Thanks, Chris

Good luck and Welcome!

I don't know about that specifically, but possibly more to the point might be comparing on fueleconomy.gov , I think the 05-06 GM non flex fuels will come out on top, of the vehicles you mentioned

I have seen .42-.45 reported for the gmt400s.

I would agree that the later gm SUVs will be best but I would suggest you perhaps narrow down your options a bit. The 96+ models of both the Tahoe and suburban before they switched to the newer body style which I believe was in 05 will have the best support for off road modifications.

But the question is if you want a stock vehicle that has limited off road capability and gets decent gas mileage for what it is or if you want a modified off roader that can go anywhere but gets horrible gas mileage.

If you want the former stick to a 05-06 model if you want the latter buy an older one and don't worry about aerodynamics since once you get it lifted it's all downhill from there.

Off-Road:
I am looking for a vehicle that has decent stock off-road capability for farm use (hay fields, pastures, woods roads, logging roads, etc.). I do not expect any of these need off-road modifications for my current purposes.

On-Road:
The vehicle is intended to be used on-road less than daily, but reasonably regularly.

Aerodynamics:
I'd like to work on some aero modifications for one of these, and figured I'd try to start with the best foundation.

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.

Ok I made a mistake I was thinking that Tahoe and suburban changed in 06 as well but it was in 07 that the newer one came out.

And if you want the lowest price look at the gmc Yukon too same car different badge.

You shouldn't need any modifications for the off road use you need.

For aero mods a good start would be, wheel covers, grille block, rear wheels skirts, and a roof rack delete. Smoothing out the underbelly would be another good mod, and if you feel comfortable with it a passenger side mirror delete. Weight reduction is another option you would have too.

I personally have a 1996 Suburban 4x4 with the oem running boards, external sun visor, and brush guard, so it punches a big hole through the air. The only mod I have is a grill block. It is rated 11/16 on fueleconomy.gov. In summer I have achieved 15.3 mpg in what I call "city" driving...although it might be better looked at as combined. This was with p&g, coasting in neutral. I don't really drive highway, but the one time I did a long trip I got 15 mpg with greatly varying driving styles and speeds, and temps below zero.

A friend has a 1998(?) Tahoe... it drives a lot nicer than a suburban, you can feel that it is a lot lighter. He claims he has seen up to 20mpg on the highway...but I wouldn't be surprised if he was driving kinda slow.

My Dad had a 2000 GMC Yukon (GMT800). He claimed up to 20mpg was possible on the highway, but if your cruising on the Interstate probably 16mpg is more realistic.

Hopefully these numbers help...if you have any further questions about the 3 vehicles I have mentioned I could try to get you more detailed info.

The Durango is the most aerodynamic those years and has a smaller frontal area. I would say the 4.7 v8 is the most efficient engine even more so then the v6. My Daughter has a 2005 4wd Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 and can get over 20 mpg but overall averages about 14-15 almost all city. It is a full time 4wd as well with no mods or attention to trying to get maximum economy.

2000 is when the Durango got the 4.7 instead of the old 318 or 360 v8

Fuel economy.gov lists a 1999 Tahoe 4wd 5.7 auto as 11/15 mpg and the 2000 Durango 4.7 4wd as 12/17. Those are both the new ratings, they used to be 12/16 Chevy and 14/18 for the Dodge.

Just in case you overlooked it due to thinking it was only a five-seater, the Ford Explorer got an optional 3rd row in 2002. Might be a better off-roader than the rest on the list. Fueleconomy.gov puts the '02 at 13/18 with the 4 liter, or 13/17 with the 4.6.

Edit to add: There's the option of the Trailblazer/Envoy too, though you probably know that so I'll shut up now.