InvestiGator169

Greetings, All.

I am a detective with the Lakeland, Florida Police Department assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit. I have been working an alleged kidnapping of a 75 year old man, who claims that he was taken by force shortly after having cashed a check for $5000.00. Needless to say, this are some things that don't add up at this point; however, I have developed a suspect vehicle-a white Chevrolet Suburban-from traffic camera videos. I know that this model is between 2000 and 2006. But, some of the features have led me to narrow down my model year window to 2001 or 2002. I have noted that there is black body-side molding with white handles and mirror caps. There is a low-profile antenna on the driver's side of the roof and it appears that the wheel wells are flared. There is either a chrome gas cap or magnet on the fuel door (help me decide which). It appears that the wheels are factory, but I can't tell which design they are.

The Florida motor vehicle database allows us to search for vehicles by year, make and model, but it is quite detailed on which engine model to choose from C1500, K1500, C2500 or K2500. The model in question doesn't appear to be a 2500, but I am willing to accept being wrong at this point. Wasn't there a point where "1500" or "2500" placed in badging on the sides near the front wheels? This one doesn't appear to have those. Is there anything with this vehicle that you folks can help me narrow down the year and engine to refine my search. There are quite a bit of white Suburbans in Florida making it a daunting task to check all of them.

Thank you very much for any help you can provide.

Det. Brian Wallace
Lakeland Police Department
Lakeland, Florida

SabrToothSqrl

I believe the 2500s all had orange / red markers on their rear wheel arches. But I could be wrong.

tahoe

So you want us to do your work for you detective?

RacerX

First of all, two options:
a. Ebay, you can search what they have online as to how it matches the description generally;
b. your Chevy dealer, should have a bunch of used ones on the lot and the Service Department should be able to isolate specific details on the body styling.
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c. There are no fender flares on this car. Photo 1.
d. Cs are 2wd; Ks are 4wd. Basic significance is in ride height with Ks generally taller than Cs. Also fender flares on the Chevrolets would be black PVC or painted in contrast the to body color(2 tone options), unless it was an LS(see e.). Now, the GMC models WOULD have flares that matched the body color, but this one is badged on the tailgate and grilled as a Chevy.

The difference I think exists in the Photo 4 of the ride height front v. rear makes me think this IS a 2wd, so a C and not a K. But I m not 100% sure because the camera is elevated so it alters the perception.

e. The key to the body moulding is to ascertain what trim model it is. There is the base(Cheyenne), intermediate(LT & Silverado) and premium (LS).

Black moulding peripherally makes me exclude LS(it would have flares matching the body color) and since it appears the mirror backing cover matches the body color of the car it also can exclude the base model Cheyenne. I say LT/Silverado trim level.


f. 3 engine options related to demarcation. Only 2 engine options should be available in each demarc. For ex. 1500(halfton) should only have the bottom two available 5.3 & 6.0L(regardless of being a C or a K). The 2500 should have the 6.0 & 8.1L and the 3500(1 ton-I speculate all of these were built as Ks-4wds and very few Cs would be offered in the LT/Silverado trim line) also having the 6.0, 8.1L and a diesel option. But this car IS NOT a 3500.

So I say it looks as this car is a 2000-06 Chev. Suburban LT/Silverado C1500 5.3L V8. Hope that helps?

73shark

IvestiGator169: Welcome to the forum.

My wife's 2004 Tahoe has body colored factory flares and is the LT model which is the premium model. The LS is the base model and the Z/71 was an option package. I think the black side moldings were on the earlier years of that body style.

Hope this and the others help.

73shark

So trying to get info on the vehicle is not doing work?

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Sent from a really old laptop.

bilzhorse

Another thing to ask is when did the Suburban go from DRLs in the headlight to DRLs in the parking lights. In photo #5 the DRLs are amber and in the parking/turn signal area.

InvestiGator169

a. I have been checking eBay often for that very reason. I have also checked the various vehicle sites (KBB, Edmunds, MSN Motors, etc.) for any additional info.

b. One of the very first things I did was go to my local Chevy dealer and inquire with them on what they thought. Surprisingly, they were less than helpful. You've already given me much more insight just by your post.

I appreciate your time.

InvestiGator169

Good point, I hadn't noticed that one. Anyone have an answer?

kevinkpk

I think the detective has his ducks in a row, using this as a resource.