Members knowledge needed

Nath69

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Hi All

Just joined the forum hoping to gain some USA knowledge on the Suburban.

I live in Australia and we only received the Suburban between 1997 and 1999 in LS or LT spec. The 1500 was the 5.7 petrol and the 2500 was the 6.5 Diesel.

I am looking at buying a 1999 2500 LT as a family hauler and tow our off road caravan. I currently have a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder with the 2.5 Intercooled turbo diesel which struggles with the weight of the van. Only other option for a 7 seater with plenty of torque here with rear Air conditioning are Toyota Landcruisers at a premium price even second hand. I can get a Suburban for $18000 with around 150000km (90000 miles) on it - still a lot more that US used prices though.

Would anyone know if the 2nd row drivers (left) side bench seat can be removed and a second passenger side seat installed on that side? When they sold them in the Aussie market, they did not switch around the 40% - 60% bench seat so passengers for the rear have to enter on drivers side. I was hoping to have a walk through to the 3rd row. This will keep the kids separated!!!!!

Are manual transmissions hard to come by for the 6.5? which is better, the auto or manual? The Aussie version, again, has the column shift next to the drivers side window and indicators on the wrong side for us.

Are parts easy to come by in the USA? How much more power and or better economy can you get with a bigger exhaust, dump pipe and cross over pipes? Do people intercool these engines with any good results?

Thankyou and sorry for the long post.

Cheers

Nathan
 
Not sure if Im clear on your seat question. Looking at the owners manual they describe the second seat as a 60/40 folding seat, not separate seats. There was no manual transmission in the 99 generation of the vehicle. Mechanical parts in general are easy to find new and there are always junk yards. Less restrictive exhaust will always show some improvement. Good luck with your search for a vehicle.
http://www.vadengmpp.com/owners-manual/chevrolet/1999-Chevrolet-Suburban.pdf
 
Thanks Zora

Not sure about USA, but here the second row 40% seat is a separate unit to the 60% seat. I was wondering if I could fit 2 of the 40% units leaving a passage to the 3rd row.

Would a 5 spd manual transmission from the same vintage 6.5 diesel Silverado or Tahoe fit the Suburban?

Cheers
 
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