Yukon/Tahoe VS. Commander

[kmanxj5050]

Going to be looking into a newer family rig for the wife to drive this spring. Currently in a XJ.

Mainly looking for common issues of either and personal experiences. Would most be hauling kids around but I would like to haul my XJ if the need or want arises. The commander would be a HEMI if I purchased one.

The big thing I like about the commanders is they are cheaper and newer, and I have always liked the looks. But the GM's are on a frame and are more "truck" like if you will.

Looking at 01-06 tahoe/yukons.

 

[iluv83vettes]

My immediate family has had 6 Tahoe/Yukons ... 96, 97, 97, 01, 06, 13. They are easy to work on and parts are easily available. Average around 16MPG for all of them all around. All of them have been 4x4 with the push buttons except the 96 which had the deal on the floor like XJ's do. That is the only one we ever had a problem with it popping out of 4x4. We never really had any problems with them, just normal maintenance.

I would feel more comfortable hauling the XJ with a Tahoe/Yukon vs the XK. Also the Tahoe/Yukon will have more room inside for hauling the family. I test drove a commander and it seemed smaller inside than the XJ.

Hope this helps.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Tahoe/Yukon for sure. As already stated` parts are always available and super reliable. The LS-based motors are great. Make sure to pick up one with at least a 5.3L` if not a 6.0L.
Heck, if you end up wanting more power` you could swap the stock motor in your heep and put something beefier in the truck.

 

[RoTorKev]

I have an 06 Yukon XL that we bought about a year and a half ago, and my wife and I both love it. We were using the XJ as a family hauler and it was getting to small as our three kids keep getting bigger. What I love about it is it seats 8 people. and can seat 6-7 pretty comfortably, so if the inlaws are in town or if the kids want to bring a friend we have plenty of seats and seatbelts! Mine is a 2WD and it gets around 15 in town and up to 20-21 on the highway. It's also reliable and drives nice. If your looking for lots of room the Yukon wins hands down!

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

I have an 06 Commander, Hemi with Quadradrive II 110k miles.. Bought it 2 months ago
So far my wife and I have a Love/Hate relationship with this rig, witch is scary.. after such a short time..

It's a Jeep.. And that alone means I've had to work on it ALOT considering its an 06'

16 Spark plugs!! and they need to be replaced like every 40k?
20 Gallon tank with a rig that gets 12/city 18/hwy I suddenly remember my XJ days and being at the gas station every 4 days
Recalls.. theres 3 or 4? one of witch is for the Transfercase.. The fix is WAY WORSE than the original problem? (You loose 4lo, witch.. for me means alot with QD2) I havnt done it yet

Exhaust Tick.. I've been told these rigs have a problem with Manifold studs? I plan to replace the 3' long muffler and mask it with some "Rumble"

random shutoff.. this happened 4 times before I found someone that knew a trick to stop it.. Zip tie a Wireharness up away from a Coil pack (bad factory design)

The interior Door handles, I replaced 1 yesterday, SUPER COMMON.. witch is disgusting, all 4 door handles are known to shatter? WHAT!?!

With the 3rd row seat up, My Iphone hardly fits in the back.. Let alone Groceries/gear. ...


Now, for the good, Its REALLY comfy.. I enjoy this rig on long drives to the coast etc.. the rear entertainment center and sky lights are a big hit with the kids..

I have done a 2" RC lift, and wheel spacers, I'll be doing 265/70/17s next week.. The lift was not as easy as planned, I ended up having to replace both front CV axles because the boots were brittle..

This was a dream rig for my wife and I, And we dont love it like we had hoped..
Luckely Blue book values it a few grand more then I paid.. I just dont know what I want to replace it with

 

[kmanxj5050]

I have an 06 Commander, Hemi with Quadradrive II 110k miles.. Bought it 2 months ago
So far my wife and I have a Love/Hate relationship with this rig, witch is scary.. after such a short time..

It's a Jeep.. And that alone means I've had to work on it ALOT considering its an 06'

16 Spark plugs!! and they need to be replaced like every 40k?
20 Gallon tank with a rig that gets 12/city 18/hwy I suddenly remember my XJ days and being at the gas station every 4 days
Recalls.. theres 3 or 4? one of witch is for the Transfercase.. The fix is WAY WORSE than the original problem? (You loose 4lo, witch.. for me means alot with QD2) I havnt done it yet

Exhaust Tick.. I've been told these rigs have a problem with Manifold studs? I plan to replace the 3' long muffler and mask it with some "Rumble"

random shutoff.. this happened 4 times before I found someone that knew a trick to stop it.. Zip tie a Wireharness up away from a Coil pack (bad factory design)

The interior Door handles, I replaced 1 yesterday, SUPER COMMON.. witch is disgusting, all 4 door handles are known to shatter? WHAT!?!

With the 3rd row seat up, My Iphone hardly fits in the back.. Let alone Groceries/gear. ...


Now, for the good, Its REALLY comfy.. I enjoy this rig on long drives to the coast etc.. the rear entertainment center and sky lights are a big hit with the kids..

I have done a 2" RC lift, and wheel spacers, I'll be doing 265/70/17s next week.. The lift was not as easy as planned, I ended up having to replace both front CV axles because the boots were brittle..

This was a dream rig for my wife and I, And we dont love it like we had hoped..
Luckely Blue book values it a few grand more then I paid.. I just dont know what I want to replace it with

Sounds like if you had to do it over again you would go with a different vehicle?

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

Sounds like if you had to do it over again you would go with a different vehicle?

Correct..

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

New problem tonight

All the dash lights flicker between dim and bright..

I'm told I need a new multi switch

Starting to understand why these commanders were not a big hit

 

[kmanxj5050]

That's crazy.My grandma has a 07 with 99 k miles and has had no issues besides recalls.

 

[scoobyxj]

Going to be looking into a newer family rig for the wife to drive this spring. Currently in a XJ.

Mainly looking for common issues of either and personal experiences. Would most be hauling kids around but I would like to haul my XJ if the need or want arises. The commander would be a HEMI if I purchased one.

The big thing I like about the commanders is they are cheaper and newer, and I have always liked the looks. But the GM's are on a frame and are more "truck" like if you will.

Looking at 01-06 tahoe/yukons.

Personally I'd go with the Hoe/Kon over the Jeep. That being said stick to 03-06 if you're going GMT800. 03-06 have just ever so slightly nicer interiors, and better wiring. 04 got a slight bump in HP over the previous models, and TPS standard (if you care about that). 05-06 have an electric cooling fan, digital On Star (Previous models are analogue, and have been rendered obsolete.) I would definitely go with either the 5.3 or 6.0 however the 6.0 can only be found in the AWD Caddys, and Yukon Denalli (short, or long wheel base). The trans in all the 1500 based NBS rigs is the 4L60E, and IIRC the later model 6.0ltrs got a 4L61E (I believe it's just a tad stronger, but still the same case, and what not...). These things can be junk, or reliable. They're really a crap shoot.
I love mine. They are comfortable cruisers, can be made to have substantial power with not a whole lot of work (a tune really wakes them up), If you're going with a short wheel base I'd try to find one with third row, and the bench in the middle row. At least the 5.3, and 05/06, or if you find a clean 04 snag an electric fan, and harness out of a salvaged one. It's pretty much plug and play aside from needing the PCM tuned to run it (It really helps with A/C cooling, and when towing). You can also swap in the front rotors, and callipers/pads from a GMT 900 body style truck to gain a significant upgrade in braking performance. You do have to have at least 17in wheels though..

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/ Is pretty close the the of the full size GM suv trucks forums. I've learned quite a bit there.

 

[kmanxj5050]

What's the difference between gmt800 and 900?

 

[87manche]

like the difference between pre and post 97 XJs. Same basic idea, just all new everything else.

I despise GM, I would never own a GM car, but given the choice between a GM product with a history of being solid drivetrains, millions of them sold and witing to be raped for parts and a 3 year production chrysler/mercedes platform, I'd buy GM.
http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/106437-gmt800-vs-gmt900/

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

Just ordered $100 in spark plugs

Not only does the Hemi have 16 plugs, they are Iridiums..

 

[scoobyxj]

What's the difference between gmt800 and 900?

GMT 400 = 1990-98 Full size trucks, and SUV's
GMT 800 = 1999-06 " " " " "
GMT 900 = 2007-14 " " " " "

The 2015's are GMT K2xx

This is the GM truck factory identification code for the truck/ full size suv. Basically the same thing to GM as "XJ" is to Chrysler. They also have what's called "RPO" (Regular Production Option) codes that tell you how the vehicle is optioned out. IE: Z71 (You might know that since it's familiar) is the RPO code for the off road package. The RPO codes can tell you everything from what Audio system is in the truck to what gear ratio the axles have. There is usually a sticker located some where (inside the glove box on the Hoe's, and Kon's) with the VIN, and all the RPO codes for that particular vehicle on it.

Here is a PDF with a list of the RPO codes.... http://aplsweb.com/Topics/TopicPix/RPO.pdf

 

[Johnnie Walker]

IMO, the 2007-up are not as good looking. The head/other front lights are much more of a PITA to replace. The prior models are super simple. Obviously, are going to be reasonably cheaper as well.

 

[DansGreyMj]

my uncle has a Commander. I'm over 6ft tall and can't find comfort in any seat. He's had a few electrical issues and some mechanical. I'd suggest sticking to a real American car (chevy or ford) with no German engineering.

 

[srmitchell]

I work for mopar. Lithia CJD.

The technicians, as well as the people at the training centers hate the commander. It was a miss.

Enough said.

 

[scoobyxj]

IMO, the 2007-up are not as good looking. The head/other front lights are much more of a PITA to replace. The prior models are super simple. Obviously, are going to be reasonably cheaper as well.

Personally I like the 07-14 Tahoes (not a fan of the Yokons), but stay away from the 07's. They have the "new platform" issues that may "new platform" vehicles have...

I work for mopar. Lithia CJD.

The technicians, as well as the people at the training centers hate the commander. It was a miss.

Enough said.

Unfortunately true... It's sad because it definitely had the potential to be a nice smaller family hauling DD with the ability to occasionally haul a jeep.

 

[kmanxj5050]

07+ isn't gonna happen. I'm not wanting to spend more than 8k.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

07+ isn't gonna happen. I'm not wanting to spend more than 8k.

Yet one more "X" for a Commander on your list..

a Hemi Commander is still going for $12k+