I asked this question to a degree on a previous thread but got no response because it was probably too long so I'm rephasing it and shortening it up

So I am currently driving a 2004 Yukon Slt the truck has 195k miles on it,it still runs pretty good but things are starting to go on it little by little I'm sure it still has life in it but I don't want to keep sinking money into it the truck is fulltime 4wd/awd which a 4lo switch it came from the factory that way it has 3:73 gears with that being said I'm in the middle of looking for a replacement vehicle and have some questions about these 2nd generation trucks

so a friend of mine has an 05 LS with 132k on it new tranny interior is immaculate and the body I would say for a vehicle this old is a 8 out of 10 interior and body are in better shape than my interior is leather but it is an LS so it does not have any of the creature comforts which is not a deal breaker but it does have 3:42 gears

I've also come across bot an 05 & 06 Z71 similar mileage and asking price and body/interior conditions one is storm gray one black these have the creature comforts being A z71 but like the LS 3:42 gears I'm thinking on both I did not get confirmation on the Z71's but I think those gears came standard after 04 unless the gears were changed as an option so lets say they are 3:42's

I have come across a couple of Yukons as well I think but not sure the Yukons never changed with the gearing they remained 3:73's just the Tahoes changed after 04 again though not 100% sure

can someone tell me the pro's and cons between 2003/04 vs 2005/06

I really love the look of the Z71's I know its only subtle but I like the different roof rack/fender flares/side bar & color matched bumpers&grill thats really the only differences between the Z71 & LT that I know of other than a little bit of ride height with the Z because of bigger rims and springs!

some differences between the years 04-05 on all models however that I think are correct me if I'm wrong are

the Fans Mechanical vs electric are electric that much better


the gears 3:42 vs 3:73 I love the way my Yukon sits on 33's will it be much of a difference with the 3:42 gears with what I currently have (I do no off roading and very rareley tow other than to help a friend out or pull someone out who got stuck in the snow)

those are the only two that I am 100% aware of

I can be patient and wait for a 03 or 04 vehicle to become available but they are hard to come by in good shape so I'm not sure if going into an 05 is going to be that big of a deal I would probably go into one of the Z71's I have not gone to take a look at them yet I'm just starting to see whats out there the LS I did see and its a very nice looking truck but its an LS though it does have the leather I can always add in a dvd player thats the only thing I may miss as my daughter uses it alot I really like the looks of the Z71's it may sound silly but I like their looks a little more than the tahoes/yukons if I am going to spend the money on a new ride I want to really like it.

I don't need to sell my Yukon yet as its still running good but with all the little things going on with it I'd like to get into a similar vehicle with less mileage and put money into that as I'm not sure exactly how much life is left in the Yukon I know its a roll of the dice with any one of these trucks you get maintenance records are very important but their track record for going a long long time speaks for itself usually the body goes before the truck mechanically does for the most part

Thanks