I am not sure if its the cross over suv or too many elec. componants and too many moving parts but it seems there is somthing always going haywire with these neat little suv's. though I do use an 87 burban lifted locked th 400 trans with a/c the only option, it starts and goes even sitting for a month. I want to get the 2.5" lift and run 31 or 32's on neat wheels and play on the trails and go camping but, to be honest I am afraid of breaking down with the kids and where I am is 6 million acres of state park forest and if you break down your done. I have the truck planned how I want it built but our first trip will be in the 87 'burban. I hope I can get everything done to run the voy at leasr once this summer. I will just put the CB and HAM in the voy when I do decide to go for a run.There are soo many jeep cherokee sports out there but they always come back. here it seem's the TB and voys are used for hauling campers. I want to build it up as it has 3.73's ant rear locker (need to see if I can get a tru-trac up front) the HP is decent ans has potential, Has anybody had probs with the front or rear wheeling or been stuck cause of minor stuff? has anybody used a limited slip up front with no issues. in my wifes 95 diesel burban it has factory locker and I put a magnet locker up front though i shortened the axle life a bit it was well worth it. do the switch 4wd go bad as im used to pulling the lever and she is in it does get to -30 -40 here so i pray winter will not be a prob. I also heard the break line by res. goes bad as well as the one under the gas tank. I should have done it when I dropped the tank.
It seems these little rigs have gremlins in them.
- Thread starter minisuv
- Start date
Sparky
Member
- Dec 4, 2011
- 12,927
I know others kicked around putting a locker up front but in the end it was decided that was a bad idea as you run the high risk of destroying something up front (CV axles mostly).
Other than that, while I've not had first hand experience, I do know some people have broken stuff but mostly when hard trail riding. If they broke constantly when offroaded then I wouldn't think anyone would do it, but they seem pretty durable when properly taken care of.
Other than that, while I've not had first hand experience, I do know some people have broken stuff but mostly when hard trail riding. If they broke constantly when offroaded then I wouldn't think anyone would do it, but they seem pretty durable when properly taken care of.
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
There is no limited slip for front.
Front locker is nearly un-findable.
There are plenty of us wheeling them without gremlins. Solid rigs if you read trip reports and build threads here n ortb.
Not sure what gremlins you refer to. I would trust my rig over any pos jeep beercan
Front locker is nearly un-findable.
There are plenty of us wheeling them without gremlins. Solid rigs if you read trip reports and build threads here n ortb.
Not sure what gremlins you refer to. I would trust my rig over any pos jeep beercan
djthumper
Administrator
I don't know what gremlins you are referring to. Mine is lifted 2.5" with 30.6" tires at this point and have had no issues. I do plan on going up to at least 31" when these tires wear out.
The GMT-360 is not a cross-over SUV either.
The GMT-360 is not a cross-over SUV either.
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
true that is why i went with the Envoy well looking for a TB but found this. just the little things get me cat replacement the owner ran 89 octane as I do the dim batt. lite and now my fuel gauge is going back n forth its a shame gm seem's to be having probs with suv's trucks and cars. but i still like gm. I like the frame which is why I will not get rid of my burbans. I just hope I can get the 'voy under control. maybe its the wet weather up here in the mountains.
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
The fuel gauge is any GM suv or truck pretty well. Crappy situation but some were recalled.
Cat replacement is standard maintenance on any vehicle honestly.
We have a battery gauge...not sure what issue with a light you might have. Is it just a bulb in the cluster is out by the gauge?
GM has provven time and time to be the most reliable manufacturer to me. I DD a car with 230K that has needed nearly no maintenance other than typical and gets 29 mpg while seating 5 comfortably. My truck has 170K and has mostly only needed fixing due to my abuse. Nothing has failed as much as worn out honestly. I could complain about the fuel gauge, but it has not worked in 5 years and i don't need one so it will be that way until the fuel pump gives up.
I have owned several other makes and models of vehicles and none seem to last as long with as few problems. Your Voy is 11 years old...it is not new and with anything that age there will be minor issues no matter what emblem is on the grill.
Cat replacement is standard maintenance on any vehicle honestly.
We have a battery gauge...not sure what issue with a light you might have. Is it just a bulb in the cluster is out by the gauge?
GM has provven time and time to be the most reliable manufacturer to me. I DD a car with 230K that has needed nearly no maintenance other than typical and gets 29 mpg while seating 5 comfortably. My truck has 170K and has mostly only needed fixing due to my abuse. Nothing has failed as much as worn out honestly. I could complain about the fuel gauge, but it has not worked in 5 years and i don't need one so it will be that way until the fuel pump gives up.
I have owned several other makes and models of vehicles and none seem to last as long with as few problems. Your Voy is 11 years old...it is not new and with anything that age there will be minor issues no matter what emblem is on the grill.
I will do the pump sender and lines at once as well as brake lines by the tank. Had to do it on my burban this winter though an 87 got more life out of that. The cat I did not think it woul go with milage I have but it will be done with a new muffler maybe Magna Flo but will keep resonator, I have seen the duel look and like it but I do not think the gut used 2 resonator's. I myself am A GM man as I have owned many and know what is good and not. I was just supprised how much I had to and have to do to the low milage rig. The PO took great care of it ran 89 octane as I do for the cat. some people do not realize sume rigs require the use of higher octane like p/t cruisers. I love the little rig and though I did say jeeps do make it off the trail, they are beer can bodies and I like the frame on the 'VOY. I now have to restock funds for lift tires n wheels. The kids want to take it camping and since the burban has been used since they were born they want this. I pray Bar. gets a bumper kit for the voy I think I can use the rear kit. Guess I was to eager to get it up 3" since I will need to replace the bracket so I was told get the 3" kit as it would cost the same and general a/t2 grabbers or BF A/T's 31" there are soo many TB's here only 2 'voys I just want to get it up in the air and wheel it.
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
DocBrown
Member
- Dec 8, 2011
- 501
I feel your pain. My old TB was one of the worst vehicles I ever owned. Over the time I owned it I dealt with pretty much every issue you see posted on the Nation, anywhere from $200-$1200 a year in non-maintenace repairs. Ironically it was the one I owned the longest, 8 years. It never left us stranded and that I6 aside from being noisy was a great engine. It had 160k on when I sold it. I liked it, never loved it. Sometimes I just hated it. I don't miss it in the slightest. But I realize that there are always bad ones in the bunch. I've driven mostly GMs over the 36 years and most have been very reliable.
I've only had my Sierra a little over a year and I love it. It's already been one of the best trucks I've ever had, save for having to replace both front wheel hubs, which I've had to do on every GM I've owned in the past 10 years. It's fit and finish is far better than the TB, and the seats are the most comfortable I've had in a vehicle since my '95 'Burb.
I've only had my Sierra a little over a year and I love it. It's already been one of the best trucks I've ever had, save for having to replace both front wheel hubs, which I've had to do on every GM I've owned in the past 10 years. It's fit and finish is far better than the TB, and the seats are the most comfortable I've had in a vehicle since my '95 'Burb.
Mooseman
Moderator
For the fuel level sender, the little fingers that contact the rheostat wears out and either has intermittent or sporadic contact.
My 02 TB was a rolling wreck when I bought it. Initially just needed an engine and eventually replaced almost everything. After that I started modding it. But it was just practice for my current ride. Still have it, just don't drive it as much, probably will just be my winter vehicle.
My 02 TB was a rolling wreck when I bought it. Initially just needed an engine and eventually replaced almost everything. After that I started modding it. But it was just practice for my current ride. Still have it, just don't drive it as much, probably will just be my winter vehicle.
I know what you mean about comfort my wife still ownes and drives her '95 6.5 turbo diesel'burban slt all leather and I love that truck 3" lift was one of the first to put hummer wheels on it got all 5 for $150 now they are big money it spotless and a nice riding truck. the 'voy just keeps popping up with one thing after another but like you said there will be a few in the bunch. my buddy has 180k on his TB not 1 problem but wifes diesel has 175k on it now and not 1 prob. but many had issues. I will straighten out the 'voy then my son will get it my other wants the 87 burban and by then I hope to get the 95 burban and run in the diesel world since hers is tuned wheels like hell fuel milage is insane and hp n torque unstopable me and a friend were hauling 30ft trailors on a 7 mile steep grade he ran a 454 me the diesel both 4.10's I had a bigger tire I was at 80mph on top of the hill my bud was at 45 with flashers going. I do love GM just hope to get the 'voy right and take my plow from 87 and put it on the 95.DocBrown said:
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
Why blame the truck when it sure seems it is previous owner issues? Its used and you blame truck repeatedly. Yet many have no issues you imply are standard flaws.
Keep the 87 burban n junk the ifs 95. If its problems have not appeared...they will dwarf the voy's once they appear. The 87 is a better burban than any post 91 model.
Keep the 87 burban n junk the ifs 95. If its problems have not appeared...they will dwarf the voy's once they appear. The 87 is a better burban than any post 91 model.
Tiggerr
Member
I don't know how long you've had your envoy. I've had my rainier since 2012. Bought with 124k miles on it. Now has 162k. Was my wife's dd till we got her a new fusion in February, now it's my dd. Have had nothing but good luck with it. Other than normal things you can expect at these milages. Had the rack and fuel pump done under warranty from where I got it. Trans lines, water pump, wheel hub, and normal maintenance. Truck runs like a watch, uses zero oil, drives great, comfortable. Look good. 162k miles in Ohio and no rust to speak of, just a little oxidation underneath on frame etc, none on body. What more can u want in a vehicle? You have to remember most vehicles are made to last 5-8yrs and 100k miles. There are people on this site with over 300k on these trucks. Especially the 6cyl. Inline 6 engines in general are known for longevity. Sure things need replaced from time to time. Everything wears out eventually. They're designed that way. Companies would go broke otherwise. Just a fact of life. Every vehicle has its quirks. This one is no exception. I have absolutely no complaints about the reliability of mine. It's been a great vehicle. Hell I may buy an 2nd one I like them so well. Maybe it's just not the right vehicle for you, if you expect it to be perfect forever and need nothing but oil changes for its whole life. I'm not a huge fan of modern GM but this one was a good one for sure!!
My .02 for what it's worth
My .02 for what it's worth
the 95 is my wifes and not for wheeling, the 87 will stay as its also my plow truck and the 'voy I just need to build up an account then put money into it as I plan on keeping it. I hear people that have no trouble and others that everything goes wrong. the po took good care of it was garaged and babied it. after a month little things started going at once I dont blame the truck but I have had NEW GMC pick ups I returned under the lemon law and got another that was great. The 'voy will be good once I spend the money on it but once I got that dim batt. lite weird things happened as for the power I have a new cat just need to figure out the exhaust plans then drop the tank fix fuel gauge prob send the cluster out for rebuild and led upgrade I will do the other led's inside myself then I can save for the lift n tires. and bugs should be worked out. and ready for me to break stuff which is common off road. Doc was saying with the probs it never left him stranded which was my concern and just agreed that the 95 is a comftorble ride. though I am now to used to the console shifter I went to move my burban to take the plow off since its sanded n painted and was grabbing air looking for the shifter had my boys cracking up. So I don't blame the truck just want to get the bugs worked out and many have had same issues but not all at once but it will be taken care of as I do like it.
DocBrown
Member
- Dec 8, 2011
- 501
I don't really buy into that. In my opinion, it is standard flaws. Mine only had 55k on when I bought it. I don't care to list everything that had to be done to it over the time I had it, but quite literally it was nearly every issue that many others have had at one time or other. The good part was that once fixed, they never repeated save for the sway link ends.HARDTRAILZ said:
Things like the rear wiper motor dying, the fuel pump rusting and leaking (a TSB/Recall but didn't happen to me until after the extended warranty on the TSB ran out), intermitant issues with 4WD not working when the snow was wet and heavy and getting the electrical connections wet, broken seat mounts (I am not a heavy guy, 180#), sway link ends twice, and other flaws are not due to lack of maintenence. And these are all things I have never had issues with on other vehicles.
Why just a few Trailvoys go through this? Who knows. All I know is that my '99 Catera, reputed to be one of the worst cars GM ever made, was far less expensive to own and maintain than my TB was. It was a heck of a lot more fun to drive too!
I'll take the '95 'Burb over the '87 any day. I've owned both generations of 'Burb and as much as I loved my '85, my '95 was twice the truck and didn't rust until it had 180k on it. The '85 started wasting away at 100k and was pretty much shot by the time I sold it with 170k. My dad has my old '95 now. 200k on it and it's still a great truck. Neither one though ever gave me many problems mechanically.
littleblazer
Member
- Jul 6, 2014
- 9,267
Most issues with any vehicle at the house is the 03 escalade. Least is the vette. The sierra and tb are tied but the sierras wheel bearings failed catastrophically and the rear springs failed as well as shocks twice. Not a fair comparison since it is a utility body that weighs around 8000lbs. So far every thing that failed on the tb has also failed on the sierra minus the thermostat and water pump. Granted we owned the tb from 97k on and the sierra was driven off the lot. And the sierra did burn 2 tuned computers.... all the gmt's have the same issues, weather or not they surface is another story. Now stop fighting dam it. [emoji13]
SnowBlazer
Member
At my house, both my parent's vehicles are tied with issues. Dad has an 05 Ranger and Mom has an 05 Pathfinder. Both have dropped a transmission and seem to come up with surprising issues (Fuel lines on the Ranger and CV issues on the Pathfinder).
Surprisingly, my sister's cobalt with 50k hasn't had any issues over the past 3 years other than a battery.
As for my truck, well you guys know what I have had to replace over the past year. I don't think this platform is all that bad but, my take on it is...parts are going to wear out and you'll have to replace them sooner or later. It's hard for me to wrap my head around someone saying they haven't had an issue. Did you ever replace BJ's, UCA's, LCA's (ect)?
Surprisingly, my sister's cobalt with 50k hasn't had any issues over the past 3 years other than a battery.
As for my truck, well you guys know what I have had to replace over the past year. I don't think this platform is all that bad but, my take on it is...parts are going to wear out and you'll have to replace them sooner or later. It's hard for me to wrap my head around someone saying they haven't had an issue. Did you ever replace BJ's, UCA's, LCA's (ect)?
my 85 is rusted away but runs like a top the 95 w/175k never had a problem and is still show room and that's in the north east and it is one hell of a truck so agreed. I just wanted to get this little thing fixed so there are no worries. Thank youDocBrown said:
All truck have issues but I have been told by many they are having the same issues not PM issues weird stuff and there's a few that think we are nuts because nothing ever went wrong there ride. maybe its our harsh winters compaired to FL trucks or AZ IDK. Its like the jeep guys defendig their brand and that is not what this is about. Its sharing info to get things fixed. Thank You.SnowBlazer said:
littleblazer
Member
- Jul 6, 2014
- 9,267
I'm in jersey and I dunk the truck in salt water many times a year. They don't plow my town anymore, just brine it. Guess I got wendesday truck and you got a Monday one? I did have to do bjs the sierra has wander now too. Probably needs them soon. The sierra is parked in the winter, the under side looks brand new except for the rotted out diamond plate bed from gallons of liquid shock running on it all these years. It really comes down to who did what and when. I don't think you're nuts, I see it. The way things work, you're much more likely to hear about the bad ones than the good ones. Just saying.
Escalade, aside from shocks has all original suspension components. It wins that catagory.
Escalade, aside from shocks has all original suspension components. It wins that catagory.
Im not looking to just do oil changes or was n shine n drive,, I use my 4x4's and have done many trail side fixes it's just the weird stuff i am trying to get done and people with the same prob. example the battery light being on all the time very dim, went from cluster bad,cluster needs cleaning, ignition is bad a slight ground so on and so on. I like the truck I want to make sure when im out with my kids and fighting cancer that the truck does not just quit. from what I have seen you can still go with these probs just need to address them soon. life is way to short for some to complain I just wanted to know the causes. that is not a crime. my 2 cents.Tiggerr said: