2003 4x4 Trucks And SUVs - The Four Wheeler Guide To 2003 Trucks And SUVS

FULLSIZE SUVS

SUVs In This Category Include:
Chevy Suburban
Chevy Suburban 2500
Chevy Tahoe
Ford Excursion
Ford Expedition
GMC Yukon
GMC Yukon XL 1500
GMC Yukon XL 2500
Hummer H1
Hummer H2
Lexus LX470
Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Sequoia

Chevrolet
The Suburban is available as a 1/2-ton 1500 version or a 3/4-ton 2500. This year, Chevy has added its StabiliTrak system to this legendary SUV. StabiliTrak is a computer-controlled braking system designed to improve vehicle stability on slick road surfaces.

Both the 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton Suburban are offered in two trim levels, LS or LT. The 1/2-ton is available only with the 5.3L V-8 mated to a 4L60-E four-speed automatic. This year, Chevy did add electronic throttle control (ETC) to all Suburban powertrains. The 2500 is delivered with a standard 6.0L V-8 and 4L80-E transmission, but an 8.1L V-8 is optional. This engine comes with the stronger 4L85-E transmission.

The Suburban features independent front suspension with torsion bars. The 1/2-ton model utilizes a five-link coil spring in the rear, while the 3/4-ton rig uses two-stage semi-elliptic, multileaf springs with a semi-floating rear axle. Additionally, Chevy added the Quadrasteer four-wheel-drive steering system to the 2500. The 1/2-ton Chevy Suburban has a maximum payload of 2,077 pounds and the power to tow an 8,100-pound trailer. The 2500 has a payload of 2,840 pounds and a trailer towing capacity of 12,000 pounds.

The Chevy Tahoe is 20 1/2 inches shorter than the Suburban. The LS trim features the 4.8L V-8, while the LT level features the 5.3L V-8. This engine is an available option for the LS. Both models feature the 4L60-E four-speed automatic. As with the Suburban, the Tahoe now features Chevy's StabiliTrak and electronic throttle control.

The Tahoe rides on an independent front suspension and five-link coil spring with load leveling in the rear. It can be ordered with a special Z71 off-road package, with a specially tuned suspension, a locking rear differential, P265/70R17 all-terrain tires and OnStar for added security. The four-wheel-drive Tahoe is rated to tow up to a 7,400-pound trailer and has a payload capacity of 1,672 pounds.

Ford
The Expedition features an all-new interior and exterior, a stiffer chassis and independent rear suspension. But that's only the beginning for the blue oval. Except for the Hummer H1, the Expedition is the only fullsize SUV with four-wheel independent suspension. Expedition also features an all-new braking system with larger rotors: 13 inches up front and 13 1/2 inches in the rear.

Ford offers the Expedition with either the 4.6L V-8 or 5.4L Triton V-8. With this larger engine, the Excursion boasts a towing capacity of 8,650 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,615 pounds. Carrying cargo is made all the more easier because the Expedition's second- and third-row seats can be folded in several configurations.

The Ford Excursion, meanwhile, continues to be based on the Super Duty chassis, with solid axles at both ends, and is offered with four different engines, including the 5.4L Triton V-8, 6.8L Triton V-10, 7.3L Power Stroke V-8 or the new 325hp 6.8L Turbodiesel V-8, available later in the model year with an all-new five-speed TorqShift automatic transmission. The Excursion has a payload capacity of 1,800 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 pounds, with the 7.3L Power Stroke. The Excursion is available in XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited trims.

GMC
GMC's Yukon series is based on the same chassis as Chevy's Tahoe and Suburban. The Yukon is offered with four different drivetrains, including the 4.8L V-8, stock for the Yukon; the 5.3L V-8, stock for the Yukon XL 1500; and the 6.0L V-8, standard on Yukon XL 2500. A final engine, the 8.1L V-8, is optional for the 2500. Both the Yukon and Yukon XL 1500 come standard with four-speed automatic transmissions, with the larger 8.1L V-8 mated to a 4L85-E four-speed automatic transmission.

This year, innovations like StabiliTrak are optional for all Yukons; also available is the four-wheel steering system, Quadrasteer, for the Yukon XL 2500. Towing and payload numbers are similar to the Tahoe: up to 8,100 and 1,616 pounds, respectively.

Hummer
Renamed the H1 last year, the classic Hummer is available as a four-door open-top model or as a four-door wagon. Still built by AM-General, both feature the 6.5L turbodiesel V-8 and four-speed automatic 4L80-E transmission standard. This year's model is available with new features like an optional rear ELocker locking differential from Eaton and a heavy-duty brushguard. The H1 has a four-wheel independent suspension and variable-rate heavy-duty coil springs.

The new H2, meanwhile, previewed in the September edition of Four Wheeler, is available strictly as a hard-top with a 315hp 6.0L V-8 and a 4L65-E four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The H2 features a standard Borg-Warner two-speed transfer case with a low-range ratio of 2.64:1. An Eaton electric locker comes as standard equipment. The H2 is built on a ladder-type frame that is derived from the Tahoe and Suburban frames. H2 suspension is highlighted by a front IFS A-arm/torsion bar and five-link coil spring rear suspension with a solid rear axle.

Lexus
If luxury is the key ingredient you're looking for in your four-wheel-drive SUV, check out the Lexus LX 470. A near-clone of the Toyota Land Cruiser, the LX470 has only some minor changes for '03. Lexus engineers have coaxed an extra 5 hp out of its engine, and fitted it with a five-speed automatic electronically controlled transmission. Exterior revisions include standard 18-inch wheels with 275/60 mud-and-snow HR-rated tires, a revised grille and bumpers and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Toyota
Those looking for the ultimate Toyota 4x4 will find it in the Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser comes with a standard 235hp 4.7L V-8, producing 320 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 rpm. This year, the 'Cruiser enjoys such standards as a stock 4.10:1 rear axle ratio, 17-inch alloy wheels with P275/65R17 tires, power-tilt and telescoping steering, steering-wheel audio controls and automatic locking doors.

Toyota's largest SUV is the Sequoia. The Tundra-based Sequoia is available with one engine, a 4.7L V-8. It uses IFS and a four-link, coil-spring semi-floating solid rear axle. Toyota has made some key changes to the Sequoia this year, including a rear load-leveling suspension, the same locking multimode transfer case used in the new 4Runner and an available seven-pin towing connector. If you plan on towing with the Sequoia you can expect to tow a trailer up to 6,200 pounds capacity and get a payload of 1,305 pounds on a 4WD Sequoia Limited.

Abbreviations:
4A = four-speed automatic
5A = five-speed automatic
5M = five-speed manual
6M = six-speed manual