Hello, I am going to pick up an )! suburban with nearly 200k miles. I was wondering what things I should look for and what experience you guys/girls have been having with 200k+ Suburbans. I hope to keep this in the family for years to come. It appears that the previous owner took good care of it. But I was wondering on Timing belt/chain replacement intervals, and other common issues.
Thanks for your help.

 

At 200k almost anything can go, fuel pump, rear diff, anything... Have the engine and trans been replaced/rebuilt? If not, start saving. Nothing lasts forever, not even a Suburban.

 

I have an 01 with 190k miles, so I have some experience with this. The truck has become a bit of a money pit in the last few years. Large-ticket repairs include:

Fuel pump
A/C compressor, clutch and tensioner
Front hub/bearings (one-piece)
Exhaust manifold gaskets
Power window regulators

The truck still has the original engine and transmission, and both run perfectly. Have done nothing more on the engine than regular oil changes, plugs, wires and filters.

Ditto for the transmission. Did a flush at 100k, which, depending on who you talk to, might be a bad thing. But it still shifts smoothly and firmly.

Included in that 190k is about 15-20K of trailer towing - a 6500-lb travel trailer all over the country. Blew out two rear ends, but I was overloading the rear axle, so I don't blame that on the truck, though the rear end is indeed the weak point of the powertrain on the half-ton models.

I would not hesitate to load up that truck and take the family on a 1500-mile road trip. It's still completely reliable. It's just that the 08 is nicer. ;-)