Picking the ultimate family hauler

[motormonkey]

1...The new diesel Yukon are nice and get crazy milage.
2....8.1 Yukon
3.....Excursions are just awsome
I have driven all listed above and that's my short list

 

[hallett21]

3500 cc lb gets my vote.

You trying to save me money here?

 

[ChrisV]

You trying to save me money here?

Nothing is too expensive. Just gotta make more money.

 

[Riverbottom]

Excursion was awsome in its day. Parts availability is tough. Front doors and sheet metal same as truck, but back side doors, and the rear fiberglass doors are extinct. Ford is terrible when it comes to replacement parts. I would look at newer Suburban or Yukon with a 6.2 for towing.

 

[85RiverRAT]

Any idea what they charge?

Duramax Specialties will put a 6.6L LBZ Duramax in your 2003 - 2013 Surburban.

Find one with a blown 5.3 or 8100 and do a conversion.

Duramax Specialties, LLC

Thank you for your patience, this page is currently under development. Feel free to call or visit us at the links above.

duramaxsuv.com

I went down a rabbit hole with these. It is such a cool conversion. The Suburban's with the HD Silverado fenders, hood and grill are sick. The donor + conversion was I want to say 60k+, which was more then my Denali. Lots of implications on California Registration too. I ran into dead ends trying to understand how to get it registered in CA. You would need to, if you have means, register it to an Arizona address, etc.

These conversions are cut off at the 2013 model year. Looks cool, but dated. Seemed too that clean donor's were getting harder to find. A cherry 2013 LTZ, that wasn't beat to shit was getting harder to find. Limited on colors, conditions etc. All could be cleaned up and repaired, but just more up front costs on correcting the cosmetics/plastic hard parts, electronics.

Duraburb, was working on a late model upto 2020 half-tons, sort of an SS model, Stock front suspension, but 1-ton swapped rear axle. But crazy expensive. They consumed all of the FLEET 2500's w/6.0L of that generation (Cop/FBI/FIRE Suburban's), were they could swap 1-ton chassis under the suburban's. The 1/2 ton SS, was last I saw when I checked in on them. Again registration seemed like a black cloud.

 

[getch]

May be a little biased but we’re loving our 7.3 excursion we got from a member a while back. Not gonna get the 90mph up hill part thou lol.

Or if you can up the budget a little there’s this…

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[81Sprint]

2003 Ford Excursion 4x4 EDDIE BAUER 7.3L DIESEL 79K MILES ESTATE GREEN BACKUP SENSORS REAR ENTERTAINMENT NAV NEW TIRES | Westville New Jersey | King of Cars and Trucks

ONE OF THE NICEST ON THE MARKET!! 2003 FORD EXCURSION 4X4 EDDIE BAUER 7.3L POWERSTROKE TURBO DIESEL (LAST YEAR) ONLY 79,136 MILES! ESTA...

njtruckking.com

I saved you $500

 

[Cole Trickle]

6.2 suburban or yukon xl.

Never understood the love for the 7.3 Ford's. Sure they don't break. Either does a stock 4 cylinder Toyota Camry engine...lol

They are both so slow.

 

[bonesfab]

Buy something done. You're low on your cost estimates. I want a Cummins swapped square body burb one day. The cost of labor now days has gotten pretty steep.

 

[81Sprint]

I had an Excursion with a 7.3 on 37's. Really miss that thing, you could load up a ton of people and gear in that beast! Ran a 100 Hp chip in it and never had one issue.

 

[SBMech]

As Bones said, you are probably low by 200-300% or so on your items list for fab/conversion...it's stupid expensive as parts and labor become even more limited these days.

Bang for the buck, a Denali Sub or Yukon XL with the Denali package like River Rat showed will probably be the best compromise and tick the most boxes.

If you are lucky you can track down one with low mileage and get an extended factory warranty till 100k, worth it if you are going to use it heavily towing etc.

Just as a side note, the late model vehicles with the 8 and 10 speed transmissions tow like a champ because of the gear ratios involved, no need for a big block or diesel.

 

[Big B Hova]

I picked up this 2018 yukon xl denali with 10spd 6.2L. It's been great. Paid 41k used with 42k miles on it 3 years ago. Fully loaded with front and rear DVD / tvs. Has 95k miles on it now. Tons of power and hard to cruise below 80 on freeway

Recently ditched the air shocks and went with new coils and shocks. Rides nice.

 

[whiteworks]

That's a Fat want list...

You're gonna need diesel power to meet your overall requirements.

I know you said you can't do a van, but you should check out what @whiteworks built before you make up you mind about that.

His list didn’t say anything about something you can get laid in, shower in and take a shit in. My hippy van ain’t pulling a 270 up cajon pass at 90, unfortunately it tops out at 83, on flat ground without anything in tow. That said if you want to bang out some stupid miles on the cheap (not counting price of admission) like running up to Montana it’s the only way to go. You get tired you just pull over and hop in the bed for a while, then get back at it when you’re rested.

 

[BUDMAN]

As already mention 7.3 excursion all day long, or a diesel powered 4x4 van

 

[c_land]

Either the Jeep Grand Cherokee (2016) packed to the absolute gills.

Or a 3500 CC LB Ram.

I’m good with throwing on a shell but I’m finding that my life (limo driver) would be a little easier with captains chairs and access to most items in the vehicle.

And if and when we add another kid to the mix the pick up is gonna get old fast.

Im on team Yukon XL or suburban.

Excursion is cool, but is your wife running this for daily driving duties too? Excursion is going to ride like a covered wagon compared to a Yukon

 

[white tortilla]

I had a growing family and the wife was driving a Raptor. Dogs were getting stuffed in the bed with a snug top. Wasn’t going to work for the summer months.

Ended up picking up a 2023 Yukon XL Denail in September. It’s an amazing vehicle, roomy, the air ride is awesome, 6.2 has a ton of power. And the turning radius is insane compared to the trucks. It’s got a lot of technology but so far so good. The “super cruise mode” is pretty cool. My only complaint is the price otherwise it’s a pretty awesome machine with a ton of room.

 

[ChrisV]

Not sure if you warm up your vehicle before work. With an excursion you’re going to wake up the neighborhood.

 

[rivermobster]

I had an Excursion with a 7.3 on 37's. Really miss that thing, you could load up a ton of people and gear in that beast! Ran a 100 Hp chip in it and never had one issue.

View attachment 1326039

Yep.

Mine is on 37's with 4:56's, Super Chips, cold air intake and the exhaust all done up.

25 years old and still going strong. It's a tough package to beat, but I still like that Sprinter based platform.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

 

[PaPaG]

That’s my hang up lol. I know you can make them badass. But I don’t want a squeaky tractor either. Now if you can strip the interior and “tighten” them up I think they’re awesome.

I had 3 Excursion 7.3s, one was a 2x, the other 2 were 4x4. The last one I sold was the cleanest EX I have ever seen, looked like it just came out of the factory showroom, very very comfortable and quiet in regards to squeaks etc...well as can be except for the diesel knocking around which I LOVE and enjoy driving. We drove it up to Wyoming, Tahoe, Cali, Utah and it was great on power, room, fuel (with 35's I think we got 16-17avg at 75 and would cruise at 85 with ease), and safety in my opinion. There are so many aftermarket parts out there that work well with them. A buddy of mine has one with gears, and a gear vendor he claims 20mpg from Cali to Utah every other week for his biz and has just over 500k miles on it with a 1x trans rebuilt I think he put in a Woods Trans but not sure. I have been looking for another one and kick myself in the ass every time I see a clean one wishing I kept mine.

 

[2Driver]

Keep your eye on the bring a trailer site. Some really nice low mile stuff pops up on there.

 

[Sharky]

I went down a rabbit hole with these. It is such a cool conversion. The Suburban's with the HD Silverado fenders, hood and grill are sick. The donor + conversion was I want to say 60k+, which was more then my Denali. Lots of implications on California Registration too. I ran into dead ends trying to understand how to get it registered in CA. You would need to, if you have means, register it to an Arizona address, etc.

These conversions are cut off at the 2013 model year. Looks cool, but dated. Seemed too that clean donor's were getting harder to find. A cherry 2013 LTZ, that wasn't beat to shit was getting harder to find. Limited on colors, conditions etc. All could be cleaned up and repaired, but just more up front costs on correcting the cosmetics/plastic hard parts, electronics.

Duraburb, was working on a late model upto 2020 half-tons, sort of an SS model, Stock front suspension, but 1-ton swapped rear axle. But crazy expensive. They consumed all of the FLEET 2500's w/6.0L of that generation (Cop/FBI/FIRE Suburban's), were they could swap 1-ton chassis under the suburban's. The 1/2 ton SS, was last I saw when I checked in on them. Again registration seemed like a black cloud.

I can just imagine how hard it would be in CA. CO is almost as bad unless you live outside the 5 county area for emissions.

I'm guessing the guy I saw here in CO lived in one of the counties that did not crawl up your ass for engine swaps/emissions.

 

[2Driver]

View attachment 1326050

Where did you see this?
Problem is these usually blow thorough their gvwr.

 

[Done-it-again]

Did anyone read "budget was 60k" love RDP......

 

[Hammer]

This is what you need, both Big B and White Tortilla are spot on. My only regret is not getting the Denali with the 6.2. I just wasn't willing to pay for it. My 5.3 Yukon XL will tow the 300 to the ramp and back. I thought I'd need my truck to tow the 30 around Havasu. Nope! Now, I have my 2500 HD if I need to tow it home or to a far trip. Very rare though....

The 7.3 Excursion are fuckin noisy and ride like shit. And its old technology.

With the kid(s) the Yukon/Denali XL is a no brainer... I don't ever get tired of it. It works with my three kids and a wife that packs half the house to leave for the weekend..

I picked up this 2018 yukon xl denali with 10spd 6.2L. It's been great. Paid 41k used with 42k miles on it 3 years ago. Fully loaded with front and rear DVD / tvs. Has 95k miles on it now. Tons of power and hard to cruise below 80 on freeway

Recently ditched the air shocks and went with new coils and shocks. Rides nice. View attachment 1326044

I had a growing family and the wife was driving a Raptor. Dogs were getting stuffed in the bed with a snug top. Wasn’t going to work for the summer months.

Ended up picking up a 2023 Yukon XL Denail in September. It’s an amazing vehicle, roomy, the air ride is awesome, 6.2 has a ton of power. And the turning radius is insane compared to the trucks. It’s got a lot of technology but so far so good. The “super cruise mode” is pretty cool. My only complaint is the price otherwise it’s a pretty awesome machine with a ton of room. View attachment 1326049

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Where did you see this?
Problem is these usually blow thorough their gvwr.

I just typed in Quigley Duramax Van's and that was the first one that popped up. My buddy has one and pulls a 36' toy hauler loaded with no problems. Have another buddy that has one he basically lives in (yes, down by the river..lol) heck it even has a wood stove in it.

Homepage

Quigley leads the global supply of 4x4 conversions for full size vans and cut-aways. Quigley 4x4 vans provide you the ability to Conquer Your World.

www.quigley4x4.com

 

[Xring01]

I wont say a negative word regarding a Tahoe/Surburban or Excusion…. The Exhibtion…that I would not recommend.

What has not been mentioned, which cross‘s off all the requirements you list, and in my opinion rides better than the Tahoes….

Lexus GX460… I just sold 2013, it towed great, never replaced anything on it other than routine maint items. When I say it was all original, I am not joking. It hauled my family until it hit 105,000 miles. It was listed on RDP…

Before you make up your mind, I dare you take one for a test ride. Because you get Lexus ride comfort, with one of the most reliable V8’s every produced with variable valve timing. There are folks on youtube who call that engine a 1 million mile motor.

The best thing about them. If you buy one used, they hold their value very well, and the demand for them is stupid high. I posted about that on another thread, when mine was for sale.

Note, I have had several Tahoes over the years… 1999, 2007, 2016. They all treated me right, but my wife loved her GX460 over the Tahoes.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I have a 2016 Yukon XL with the 6.2 and the 8-speed. I tow a 26 Eliminator Eagle between Havasu and Lake Arrowhead twice a year (sometimes more) and it goes up Indio grade just fine with that boat, 55-60.

I’ve also towed a 30 Eagle behind it once a year from Long Beach to Havasu. Little harder to get up the Indio grade but still does a decent job.

If I was going to tow the 30 consistently I’d probably want to switch to a 2500 platform, but my father tows the 30 Eagle with a 2021 Yukon XL with the 6.2 and the 10-speed and it seems easier with that Yukon.

I’d recommend a Certified Pre Owned Yukon XL from 2015 to newer with the 6.2.

 

[Singleton]

1...The new diesel Yukon are nice and get crazy milage.
2....8.1 Yukon
3.....Excursions are just awsome
I have driven all listed above and that's my short list

Are the diesel Yukons still drinking oil. Looking at those, but heard rumor they ate oil

 

[N2DEEP]

I bought a cpo 2020 cadi platinum esv 4X4 for the wife a few months ago. Paid 62k and it had 26k miles. Night and day difference between our old 2017 yukon xl with the 5.3. The 6.2 has plenty of power with all the bells and whistles. Sticker price for it in 2020 was 104k.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I wont say a negative word regarding a Tahoe/Surburban or Excusion…. The Exhibtion…that I would not recommend.

What has not been mentioned, which cross‘s off all the requirements you list, and in my opinion rides better than the Tahoes….

Lexus GX460… I just sold 2013, it towed great, never replaced anything on it other than routine maint items. When I say it was all original, I am not joking. It hauled my family until it hit 105,000 miles. It was listed on RDP…

Before you make up your mind, I dare you take one for a test ride. Because you get Lexus ride comfort, with one of the most reliable V8’s every produced with variable valve timing. There are folks on youtube who call that engine a 1 million mile motor.

The best thing about them. If you buy one used, they hold their value very well, and the demand for them is stupid high. I posted about that on another thread, when mine was for sale.

Note, I have had several Tahoes over the years… 1999, 2007, 2016. They all treated me right, but my wife loved her GX460 over the Tahoes.

Ain't no way in hell you are getting 4 adults and 2 car seats in the dressed up Yota. The car seats have to go in the middle row then access to the 3rd row, if possible at all due to the types of seats is difficult at best and uncomfortably cramped once back there.

Very few adult functional 3rd row seat SUV's now-a-days.

 

[Xring01]

Ain't no way in hell you are getting 4 adults and 2 car seats in the dressed up Yota. The car seats have to go in the middle row then access to the 3rd row, if possible at all due to the types of seats is difficult at best and uncomfortably cramped once back there.

Very few adult functional 3rd row seat SUV's now-a-days.

OK…. When is the last time you rode in the middle row of a GX460…
I have done it many many many times…. I am 6’02” over 275lbs…. It has more leg room than our Tahoes…

Pending the year, the newer GX460’s are air ride suspension. Again, in my opinion ride alot better than our 2016 Tahoe.

 

[hallett21]

I wont say a negative word regarding a Tahoe/Surburban or Excusion…. The Exhibtion…that I would not recommend.

What has not been mentioned, which cross‘s off all the requirements you list, and in my opinion rides better than the Tahoes….

Lexus GX460… I just sold 2013, it towed great, never replaced anything on it other than routine maint items. When I say it was all original, I am not joking. It hauled my family until it hit 105,000 miles. It was listed on RDP…

Before you make up your mind, I dare you take one for a test ride. Because you get Lexus ride comfort, with one of the most reliable V8’s every produced with variable valve timing. There are folks on youtube who call that engine a 1 million mile motor.

The best thing about them. If you buy one used, they hold their value very well, and the demand for them is stupid high. I posted about that on another thread, when mine was for sale.

Note, I have had several Tahoes over the years… 1999, 2007, 2016. They all treated me right, but my wife loved her GX460 over the Tahoes.

You don’t have to sell me lol. My dad born in 58 and we lost him in 2016 ran 4 different Toyota platforms over 350k a piece lol.

I just wish they’d make a suburban like platform.

 

[hallett21]

OK…. When is the last time you rode in the middle row of a GX460…
I have done it many many many times…. I am 6’02” over 275lbs…. It has more leg room than our Tahoes…

Pending the year, the newer GX460’s are air ride suspension. Again, in my opinion ride alot better than our 2016 Tahoe.

Do they have a 3rd row?

 

[zhandfull]

Another fun trip and another drive home of me saying we need more room lol.

Figured we could use a little positive content. So what would you buy or build if the budget was 60k?

Parameters are 4x4, capability of towing up to a Hallett 270, needs to fit 2 adults, 2 car seats, luggage for Mammoth/Havasu/other 5 day vacations and a German Shepard. Ideally it could also carry an additional 2 adults comfortably.

I’m not opposed to adding a Yakima or Thule cargo box on the roof.

I’m currently torn between a newer suburban/expedition, redo an excursion, or maybe redo an 08-12 era Suburban?

Whatever it is, it needs to be reliable, capable of accelerating up a grade at 90 if I want and comfortable. I have no desire to drive something that won’t track straight or that people can’t comfortably take a nap in.

Could you redo an excursion from the ground up for 30-40?

I’m not worried about resale as this would be a 5-10 year vehicle. What I don’t want is something that kills me 3k at a time for years and years.

I’ve been considering the same. I need more space. Thinking a 10 year old suburban might be a good start. They get decent milage on the highway for the size too. The lifter issue is my biggest concern with them.

On the way home from the river last weekend. I saw a Mercedes GLE 450 that caught my eye. Great looking suv. Used, couple years old with 20k miles they would set you back 60-70k. I’m not sure it wouldn’t bleed you dry just in general maintenance. Bet the tires alone are close to $800 a piece.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

OK…. When is the last time you rode in the middle row of a GX460…
I have done it many many many times…. I am 6’02” over 275lbs…. It has more leg room than our Tahoes…

Pending the year, the newer GX460’s are air ride suspension. Again, in my opinion ride alot better than our 2016 Tahoe.

Oh no, the 2nd row is great. Problem is the car seats have to go in the 2nd row leaving adults to the third.

The 3rd row size and comfort is the real limiting factor on most import SUV's.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Do they have a 3rd row?

The 4Runners do. You could get a couple car seats in the 3rd row. You aren’t carrying any cargo with all 3 rows deployed though.

That Lexus is just a 4Runner. It drives like an 04 Tacoma. They are great, but you’ll know you are driving something 20 years old.

 

[endobear]

Love vans.

 

[Bigbore500r]

The answer is 06-up Excursion with a Cummins swap…..

You get the updated front end, coil sprung front (smoother ride and can run coil overs), Newer dash and creature comforts (still old AF by todays standards). They’re cheap cause the 6.0 sucks. Find a cream puff and 5.9 swap that bad boy, set it on some big King’s and 37’s. Roll coal, tow circles around @rivermobster

Or…..newer Suburban with the 6.2 and 10 speed, easy and done

 

[CLdrinker]

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=carGurusHomePageModel&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d638&zip=92308#listing=331426817/NONE/DEFAULT

 

[Jefftowz]

Just my opinion, Buy a new car, whatever fits the family’s needs and enjoy every mile knowing you have a warranty and a new safe vehicle for the trip.

 

[Xring01]

Do they have a 3rd row?

Yes…

 

[bilz]

Tundra Crewmax with 5.7.
Just don't pass a gas station.
But remember..
Performance is Economy

 

[Xring01]

The 4Runners do. You could get a couple car seats in the 3rd row. You aren’t carrying any cargo with all 3 rows deployed though.

That Lexus is just a 4Runner. It drives like an 04 Tacoma. They are great, but you’ll know you are driving something 20 years old.

Wow, I stated earlier in a post… my 2013 GX 460 rides better than my 2016 Tahoe…
They have air ride suspension…
Call it want you want, but ride quality is amazing… its an extremely reliable vehicle, that fits the bill for OP….

My only advice to him was to take one for a test ride before he made his decision.

 

[LakeMead Boater]

As many have stated, the Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2 and the 10 speed is awesome. Actually just bought one for my wife that was delivered today.

 

[hallett21]

Is the 6.2 really a make or break?

I’ve driven 09-12 era pickups with them. And to be honest the 3.5 eco boost motors were more impressive.

 

[attitude]

Is the 6.2 really a make or break?

I’ve driven 09-12 era pickups with them. And to be honest the 3.5 eco boost motors were more impressive.

I’ve don’t really have experience with the 5.3s but I like to go fast. So a 6.2 that I converted to flex fuel was the way I went. An expedition with a tuned 3.5 would probably still drag me.

 

[attitude]

As many have stated, the Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2 and the 10 speed is awesome. Actually just bought one for my wife that was delivered today.

Congrats, I assume you already have new wheels picked out? Lol

 

[LakeMead Boater]

Congrats, I assume you already have new wheels picked out? Lol

Lol, actually going to leave it as is (for now). Window tint today and call it done.

 

[LakeMead Boater]

I’ve don’t really have experience with the 5.3s but I like to go fast. So a 6.2 that I converted to flex fuel was the way I went. An expedition with a tuned 3.5 would probably still drag me.

The short answer is it's a night and day difference. We have two 5.3's and now the 6.2, 6.2 is miles ahead compared to the others. After driving her car around last night, I'm dreading getting into my truck to go to work lol.