2017-2019 Escalade/yukon/tahoe

[ChrisV]

Looking for a used SUV for the wife.

Pro/cons with the 6.2 and 8 speed? Would this pull my 26 out of the water?

Thanks

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

There's a 23 Yukon Babymax for sale in the classifieds byOldSchoolBoats.

You don't want something newer? That vehicle would be perfect and you don't have the motor/trans issues with the older models.

 

[BigAl96]

Looking for a used SUV for the wife.

Pro/cons with the 6.2 and 8 speed? Would this pull my 26 out of the water?

Thanks

Any of the 3 will get it out of the water easily. A buddy tows his 29 deck with a 2022 6.2/10sp escalade all the time. Towing longer distance I'd look more at yukon xl/suburban/esv, because the longer wheelbase helps with stability.

They added afm to the 6.2l in 14 so they'll all have some form of it which can cause lifter issues (albeit not a huge issue on the ls/lt motors) and in my experience the 8 speed liked to hunt for gears quite a bit when towing, a tune helped this a lot.

The newer 10 speeds are pretty nice if you can swing one, but after seeing all of the issues with the smaller half ton diesels, I'd stay away from them unless you're willing to go through the headache of a full egr/def/dpf/cat delete and even then we still saw issues constantly.

 

[ChrisV]

There's a 23 Yukon Babymax for sale in the classifieds byOldSchoolBoats.

You don't want something newer? That vehicle would be perfect and you don't have the motor/trans issues with the older models.

That’s the dream but only have enough saved for the older models.

 

[ChrisV]

Any of the 3 will get it out of the water easily. A buddy tows his 29 deck with a 2022 6.2/10sp escalade all the time. Towing longer distance I'd look more at yukon xl/suburban/esv, because the longer wheelbase helps with stability.

They added afm to the 6.2l in 14 so they'll all have some form of it which can cause lifter issues (albeit not a huge issue on the ls/lt motors) and in my experience the 8 speed liked to hunt for gears quite a bit when towing, a tune helped this a lot.

The newer 10 speeds are pretty nice if you can swing one, but after seeing all of the issues with the smaller half ton diesels, I'd stay away from them unless you're willing to go through the headache of a full egr/def/dpf/cat delete and even then we still saw issues constantly.

So add supercharger and tune. jk.

This will only be towing the boat from the house to the ramp. So 2 miles only.

 

[BigAl96]

So add supercharger and tune. jk.

This will only be towing the boat from the house to the ramp. So 2 miles only.

Bingo! Ya the 6.2 is probably even overkill. Like I said, he pulls a loaded down nordic 29 deck with a 600sci/xr with a shitload of gear/drinks/food/etc in it, and all 7 seats in the truck full too, and has used it for canyon lake and saguaro which both have fairly hilly drives and it does just fine.

 

[attitude]

6.2 8 speed will pull your boat no problem. Mine was a 2wd and pulled my dad’s 27 speedster out with no issues.

They rip when they run right, you will probably want to tune it as the stock trans tune sucks. Mine was converted to flex fuel with the sensor off the 5.3, super easy job.

Their downfall is the shitty lifters that GM is still using, mine ate the cam on the way out to the river. I fixed it and got rid of it, my fiancée no longer trusted it, but she loved that truck and is still morning its loss lol.

I researched the shit out of them before I bought it and could tell you almost all differences between the 15s-19s as each year had changes.

This body style came with 3 different transmissions.

Early 2015 6 speed
2015.5 8 speed
2018 10 speed

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Only the 5.3 is capable of flex fuel. For some reason they never setup to 6.2 to also do it.

The 15-19 range is certainly capable, we tow a 30 Eagle with a Yukon XL with a 6.2 and the 8 speed. Back and forth to Havasu from LA, going up and down the Indio grade in July.

I will say, to the trans hunting pointed out earlier, that you can put the trans in manual mode and then select gears with the gearshift buttons which is way the heck better than letting the trans decide for itself.

I don't have a trans tune.

 

[JL95]

I want a xl with bealocks/kings/toyos lol. They are very good bang for your buck right now.

 

[hallett21]

2006 8.1 liter 2500 Suburban

 

[ChrisV]

2006 8.1 liter 2500 Suburban

I want the tv in the headrest so the kids can stfu.

 

[Singleton]

Make sure it has the HD tow package (brake controller built in, is the tell). My 2015 Yukon moves around my 26 deck no issues. Even the Havasu to California trips when needed.

 

[J&k beer can]

Had numerous GM SUV.
2003 Tahoe 5.3
2007 Tahoe 5.3
2015 Yukon Denali 6.2
2017 Escalade 6.2
And numerous other ones and trucks(Duramax)
Change the oil religiously and never and issues..( maybe just got lucky)
Make sure there's a service history with paperwork...

 

[BigAl96]

6.2 8 speed will pull your boat no problem. Mine was a 2wd and pulled my dad’s 27 speedster out with no issues.

They rip when they run right, you will probably want to tune it as the stock trans tune sucks. Mine was converted to flex fuel with the sensor off the 5.3, super easy job.

Their downfall is the shitty lifters that GM is still using, mine ate the cam on the way out to the river. I fixed it and got rid of it, my fiancée no longer trusted it, but she loved that truck and is still morning its loss lol.

I researched the shit out of them before I bought it and could tell you almost all differences between the 15s-19s as each year had changes.

This body style came with 3 different transmissions.

Early 2015 6 speed
2015.5 8 speed
2018 10 speed

The lifter issues can be fixed with an afm delete, new lifters and a cam. It doesn't help fuel economy in the real world near as much as gm wants people to believe.

 

[attitude]

The lifter issues can be fixed with an afm delete, new lifters and a cam. It doesn't help fuel economy in the real world near as much as gm wants people to believe.

The lifter that failed on mine was not one of the DOD cylinders, but you are correct. Chris should buy one and put a cam and some Johnson lifters in it, for reliability of corse

 

[85RiverRAT]

I've got the 2018 Yukon XL 6.2L 10speed. Zero issues with it. Very capable.

We also have a 2015 Tahoe 5.3L that does launch ramp duty, and it does just fine back and forth to the ramp. Others have stated about the shorter wheelbase on the non-XL models. Having a longer draw braw on the Tahoe helps with maneuvering.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I want the tv in the headrest so the kids can stfu.

I haven't seen that since my ‘03 Escalade. Everything GM has done since is that drop down video screen mounted on the headliner in front of the second row with wireless headsets.

If you want the TVs in the headrests I'm sure that's a custom install for beaucoup bucks.

 

[81Sprint]

Decent deal for Escalade 6.2/10Spd

Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade For Sale at Lifted Trucks | VIN: 1GYS4CKJ1JR372085

Used 2018 Cadillac Escalade from Lifted Trucks in Phoenix, AZ, 85022. Call 844-702-2401 for more information. T28227A

www.liftedtrucks.com

Edit. Wait, you have TWO DCB's! Brand new V Escalade paid in cash. This is RDP remember!

 

[ChrisV]

I haven't seen that since my ‘03 Escalade. Everything GM has done since is that drop down video screen mounted on the headliner in front of the second row with wireless headsets.

If you want the TVs in the headrests I'm sure that's a custom install for beaucoup bucks.

Ball out

Autotrader - page unavailable

 

[eand28]

The 8 speed can be a bit clunky around town but it’s great for towing. I definitely would recommend disabling the afm and getting the tcm tuned as the converter is programmed to slip as it switches between v8 and v4 modes.

 

[OC Daytona]

Easy peasy......I had a 2019 6.2 Escalade I used to tow my 28 Daytona with twins off any ramp but I did require 4WD. Now I have a 2022 Escalade with 6.2, 10 speed and 4WD...even better. Best SUV I've ever had. Got 18-20 mpg on the highway depending on how fast I drove

Towing up the hill from Windsor you didn't even know you had a boat behind you.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Ball out

Autotrader - page unavailable

Well that's cool!

 

[Mikemo_SDS]

The 5.3 would pull it just fine. 6.2 will do great. My wife’s previous 2013 2wd Tahoe pulled my old 26’ Nordic out of the water fine once I put some BFG Ko2’s on it. Never had engine issues with any of my Chevy trucks, but I change oil every 5k like the engines life depends on it!

 

[Chevy5150]

Our 2016 Denali had the 8 speed trans and the hard shift problem. It was pretty bad. Wife joined a class action and won. I would stay away from the 8 speed. just my .02

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Our 2016 Denali had the 8 speed trans and the hard shift problem. It was pretty bad. Wife joined a class action and won. I would stay away from the 8 speed. just my .02

I wonder if as a second owner of a 2016 Yukon, I could get included in that class. As far as I can tell I don't think the case itself has been adjudicated yet, the only thing decided was that it could proceed forward and the class was valid.

 

[JFMFG]

Anyone else’s wife’s with years stated and the 6.2 break driver side motor mounts like my wife has . We are on the 2nd replacement and I drove it last week and felt she did it again

 

[CammdSS]

Since youre not going far, can even get away with the 5.3. My 17 Tahoe 2wd with 5.3 pulls the 26 just fine. Couple trips to SD and back too. Although if I was towing far and at steeper ramps all the time I would want the longer wheelbase and mo powa. Im at 90k miles and never skipped a beat. When it goes, DOD delete, stock cam, lifters, tune and let it eat for another couple hundred thou

 

[CammdSS]

Anyone else’s wife’s with years stated and the 6.2 break driver side motor mounts like my wife has . We are on the 2nd replacement and I drove it last week and felt she did it again

Ooof, go solid billet. Did them on my 1000hp SS and never looked back

 

[ChrisV]

Since youre not going far, can even get away with the 5.3. My 17 Tahoe 2wd with 5.3 pulls the 26 just fine. Couple trips to SD and back too. Although if I was towing far and at steeper ramps all the time I would want the longer wheelbase and mo powa. Im at 90k miles and never skipped a beat. When it goes, DOD delete, stock cam, lifters, tune and let it eat for another couple hundred thou

The 6.2 is for Daddy.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Only the 5.3 is capable of flex fuel. For some reason they never setup to 6.2 to also do it.

The 15-19 range is certainly capable, we tow a 30 Eagle with a Yukon XL with a 6.2 and the 8 speed. Back and forth to Havasu from LA, going up and down the Indio grade in July.

I will say, to the trans hunting pointed out earlier, that you can put the trans in manual mode and then select gears with the gearshift buttons which is way the heck better than letting the trans decide for itself.

I don't have a trans tune.

They did. The first generation of the 6.2's were flex fuel. My '09 ESV sitting in my drive way is flex fuel. Gets absolute DOG SHIT mileage on E85 though. Like around 14 or less on the highway. Around town its crap either way so it really doesn't matter much for that.

 

[Motor Boater]

I have a 2019 Escalade 6.2 4wd. I’ve towed my 28 Howard bullet with it, no problem at all. Great truck and it has airbags. Mine has some goofy electrical things I don’t like but nothing bad. When I get in it and it sets itself to my seat position it points the drivers mirror at the sky. I’ve reset it 20 times. Still does it. Not the worst thing in the world.

 

[FENDERFAB]

i have a 2019 suburban that i bought in july for my wife. The transmission blew up after i had it for 2 weeks at 54k miles.. Cost 6 grand to fix.

We like it other wise. Havent towed with it yet but the previous owner said he pulled a good size hallett with it.

 

[ChrisV]

i have a 2019 suburban that i bought in july for my wife. The transmission blew up after i had it for 2 weeks at 54k miles.. Cost 6 grand to fix.

We like it other wise. Havent towed with it yet but the previous owner said he pulled a good size hallett with it.

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Stock rebuild or built?

 

[Doc]

Looking for a used SUV for the wife.

Pro/cons with the 6.2 and 8 speed? Would this pull my 26 out of the water?

Thanks

I had a 2015 6.2 with the 8 speed. I did go through a radiator/fuel pump/muffler in 60k miles. Never had anything catastrophic happen and was plenty powerful and comfortable to drive. I would get 21-23mpg driving to the river doing solid 80mph.

That thing will have zero issue pulling your boat around town and launching it. I would just run it in 4hi when launching to be safe and your good to go!

 

[Justsomeguy]

i have a 2019 suburban that i bought in july for my wife. The transmission blew up after i had it for 2 weeks at 54k miles.. Cost 6 grand to fix.

We like it other wise. Havent towed with it yet but the previous owner said he pulled a good size hallett with it.

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Beautiful ride. What's the set up on the suspension? I heard it's the torque converters that's crap on these things. I'm terrified of the trans going.

 

[Dog]

Beautiful ride. What's the set up on the suspension? I heard it's the torque converters that's crap on these things. I'm terrified of the trans going.

I was, and still am, looking at a 2022 1500 truck. If you look into any of the f*u*book group. Every 10 speed has "shuddering" issues (torque converter) or disintegrating lifters. Me thought is there are millions of these products out there and if you hear from 1% that's 100,000 that are looking for a place to vent.

 

[Justsomeguy]

I was, and still am, looking at a 2022 1500 truck. If you look into any of the f*u*book group. Every 10 speed has "shuddering" issues (torque converter) or disintegrating lifters. Me thought is there are millions of these products out there and if you hear from 1% that's 100,000 that are looking for a place to vent.

Like my cp4 that made it 180k and my uncles that went 18k. I always figured it was over blown.

 

[Dog]

Like my cp4 that made it 180k and my uncles that went 18k. I always figured it was over blown.

I don't want to be the one guy that says it is a non issue. It has happened. and probably will again. I don't think anyone can narrow it down to a manufacture error or user error.

 

[D19]

The 8 speed can be a bit clunky around town but it’s great for towing. I definitely would recommend disabling the afm and getting the tcm tuned as the converter is programmed to slip as it switches between v8 and v4 modes.

Exactly! Superchips makes a programmer that does all of that. And definitely add the Transgo cooler bypass—it really helped with the hard shifting and kept the transmission about 50-60° cooler on average.

I had the 6.2/8-speed combo in a 2018 GMC Sierra, and I really loved that truck. Unfortunately, the engine locked up at around 80,000 miles. I’m not sure what caused it, but I had all the mods mentioned above done. I ended up replacing the engine, but I had to send the core in on trade, so it never got fully torn down or investigated. I think it was just a rare issue. I'd definitely buy another one.

 

[JL95]

I don't know what year they updated it but I believe my AC condenser cracked once again, have no cold air now. Dealer quoted $2700 or so, got it done for $950 at mountainview. Chris could probably do it himself, I am too lazy for that lol.

 

[FENDERFAB]

Beautiful ride. What's the set up on the suspension? I heard it's the torque converters that's crap on these things. I'm terrified of the trans going.

Thanks- its got 2.5" kings all the way around, bags in the rear and baja kits upper arms.

Yes its the converter. Gm is well aware of it. But they didnt issue a recall, they issued a "Service bulletin" basically saying the converter will fall apart and take out the whole transmission but they have zero solution for it and wont cover the repairs.

Stock rebuild or built?

Fully rebuilt but with heavy duty internals and converter.

 

[rivergames]

Selling my wifes 2019 Escalade since we need a suburban with more room for all the kid shit. Been a great SUV. Let me know if you're interested.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Thanks- its got 2.5" kings all the way around, bags in the rear and baja kits upper arms.

Yes its the converter. Gm is well aware of it. But they didnt issue a recall, they issued a "Service bulletin" basically saying the converter will fall apart and take out the whole transmission but they have zero solution for it and wont cover the repairs.

Fully rebuilt but with heavy duty internals and converter.

Can I ask where you got it rebuilt better? I want to have info like this on hand for when, not if, I get to deal with my trans.

 

[FENDERFAB]

Can I ask where you got it rebuilt better? I want to have info like this on hand for when, not if, I get to deal with my trans.

Yes sir. I used HB Transmission as they were close to my house. It was a no bullshit legit deal, great guys to deal with. Had it rebuilt and back together in about a week.

HB Transmissions & Auto Repair Huntington Beach - Google Search

 

[stephenkatsea]

Back in 2018, darn near pulled the trigger on a new Escalade ESV Platinum trim level. Until we took a look at the Suburban Premier trim level. Bought that in Phoenix. Really like the car. Out of curiosity, I recently googled a 2025 Escalade ESV Platinum. Damn. Looks like they’re about at $162K. Add T&L and you’re looking at $178K? WTF. Makes our low mileage Suburban look even better.

 

[ChrisV]

Selling my wifes 2019 Escalade since we need a suburban with more room for all the kid shit. Been a great SUV. Let me know if you're interested.

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Thank you but this won’t be till early spring. Plus we want a white one.

 

[attitude]

Thank you but this won’t be till early spring. Plus we want a white one.

FYI, the white in these years still has the GM flakey paint issue. It’s not as common as the 2000s but it happens.

 

[ChrisV]

FYI, the white in these years still has the GM flakey paint issue. It’s not as common as the 2000s but it happens.

Yeah I’ve heard. Roll the dice…

 

[attitude]

Yeah I’ve heard. Roll the dice…

Mine was fine and it had many areas where it could of started chipping from.

Just something to look for.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Anyone else’s wife’s with years stated and the 6.2 break driver side motor mounts like my wife has . We are on the 2nd replacement and I drove it last week and felt she did it again

Please post a pick of the vehicle so that I can be sure to get out of her way. Sounds like she took the course @Bpracing1127 school of racing.