So I've been trying to find my next gmfs for a while. First I was kicking around the idea of a RC/SB 1500 then an EC/SB 1500 with the plan that I'd do a 6.0L and 4L80e swap in the near future. Then common sense made me consider just to get a 2500HD and then the engine and trans will already be taken care of but then I eventually end up back looking at LBZ's and LMM's. BUT, today I stumbled across some Escalade EXT's and was surprised that I can buy some for less than 13k (2003-05).
I just don't know if the EXT would be good for what I need it to do: DD in a city during the week, pull a trailer between 4-7,000 lbs occasionally, and deal with lots of snow. I would have to swap out the front diff and transfer case so I could have selectable 4wd instead of AWD, not sure how bad reprogramming everything would be. Other plans would include a happy cam, tow mirrors possibly, small lift to fit some 285's or 305's and XD Monsters, tune, and exhaust. I don't expect it to go fast, just to be functional and nice to drive.
So I've been making a list of pro's and cons:
Pro's:
Its a Cadillac
Its an Escalade, bishes loves escalades
LQ9
Sweet interiors
Rides great
*06 tow mirrors might look sweet
**Probably still has drugs somewhere inside it
Pretty cheap compared to other 1500's of the same year
Cons:
Its a rebadged avalanche
Coil spring rear end
4L65E
AWD - would want to convert it to selectable 4wd
Lift kits are scarce
*06 tow mirrors most likely will look bad
NAV/HU is old and I hate stock ones anyways so it would need a new Alpine or Pioneer touchscreen
Midgates sometimes leak IIRC (most likely from user error)
**Probably still has drugs somewhere inside it
Probably will get stolen
Requires premium gas
Mileage???
So am I way off track here? Should I keep on looking for a nice 1500 or start looking for EXT's? Any thoughts?
I just don't know if the EXT would be good for what I need it to do: DD in a city during the week, pull a trailer between 4-7,000 lbs occasionally, and deal with lots of snow. I would have to swap out the front diff and transfer case so I could have selectable 4wd instead of AWD, not sure how bad reprogramming everything would be. Other plans would include a happy cam, tow mirrors possibly, small lift to fit some 285's or 305's and XD Monsters, tune, and exhaust. I don't expect it to go fast, just to be functional and nice to drive.
So I've been making a list of pro's and cons:
Pro's:
Its a Cadillac
Its an Escalade, bishes loves escalades
LQ9
Sweet interiors
Rides great
*06 tow mirrors might look sweet
**Probably still has drugs somewhere inside it
Pretty cheap compared to other 1500's of the same year
Cons:
Its a rebadged avalanche
Coil spring rear end
4L65E
AWD - would want to convert it to selectable 4wd
Lift kits are scarce
*06 tow mirrors most likely will look bad
NAV/HU is old and I hate stock ones anyways so it would need a new Alpine or Pioneer touchscreen
Midgates sometimes leak IIRC (most likely from user error)
**Probably still has drugs somewhere inside it
Probably will get stolen
Requires premium gas
Mileage???
So am I way off track here? Should I keep on looking for a nice 1500 or start looking for EXT's? Any thoughts?
