Gotta say, I was a little disappointed to see what was done to the suburban. I was excited to see what he could do with a $6000 budget, but whatever. Gotta make it entertaining lol
Yeah, I wish they would have taken that part a little bit more seriously. They could have done some really cool stuff to the suburban and the Escalade for cheap.
These "3 Idiots on a Tight Budget" series genuinely make my day. I've truly enjoyed your similar series from the past, and this one is equally great. Keep that entertainment rolling, gents!
Wtf happened with the suburban you had 6k to improve it I was expecting the suburban to be completely changed and it could whoop on they other two just why?
Next you guys should do a early 2000s softroader competition. Use vehicles like ford escape, mazda tribute, subaru outback,rav4 all the budget awd vehicles. Something for the people that dont want a huge vehicle
@@Jacobtheunwise I suppose I should clarify then. Our franken mazda had front cv axle u joints that were damaged. We just capped them off and drove it that way lol
I nearly died when he said MASSIVE 2k winch lol. That’s the same as on our four wheeler. I’m not sure how much help it would be other than on flat ground with little resistance
Every time I’ve done MPGs on my vortec 350 it comes out to 16. Full of people, 16. Completely empty, 16. Hill abundant road trip, 16. Flat land road trip, 16
Tell you what, of those vehicles, the 90's GM 5.7 is the only other thing besides cockroaches that can survive a nuclear bast. Not very powerful but seriously, like a rock. That thing will go forever with basic maintenance.
It was hard for me to see the tape stuck to the suburban. I have a 99 suburban. 85 octane doesn't do justice to that motor. 89 is perfect for those engines. I love this series though
@@xXstrattXx I've driven higher milage 5.7 in several vehicles. they've always wanted 87-89 to be more responsive with no pinging. Perhaps when they were new they needed 85?
@@xXstrattXx hey I'm going off of what the book recommends on these engines I just would go with 87+ I worked on one these with the same year and the 5.7l v8 it recommendeds 87 or higher no lower
Great stuff, guys. I love Moab. I drove my 26 year-old 6-speed Z28 from Monument to Grand Junction a couple of weeks ago. 296 miles, 10.124 gallons.... 29mpg. Blew my mind. 😂
the suburban is 8 years older then the Ford, has two less cylinders, plus Tommy only used 85 octane in the suburban and despite all of those disadvantages didn't fall too far behind and was able to do everything.
I love the suburban, I had a 97 it was my baby till got totalled last year still have a front end rebuild kit, has everything from the front rotors/ wheel bearings and everything in-between sitting in my garage. I'll get another one sometime
On the contrary to what Roman said, this is great timing for y'all to do videos about old gas guzzling trucks! That way I can just take my phone and go sit in my C/K 454, watch your videos, and pretend like the engine is running. Much cheaper that way. - Everett
This is one episode where the TIRES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE in terms of off-road performance! Those BF Goodrich KO2's are PERFECT for hot desert and rocky MOAB off-road runs! Just putting these tires on them added over two thousand dollars worth of 4x4 RESALE VALUE to these vehicles! Interestingly, up here in Vancouver, Canada, I am seeing quite a few lifted Cadillac Escalades with 4 and 6 inch lifts and 35 inch to 37 tires on them! Mostly Goodyear MT/R's, KO2's, Nitto Ridge Geapplers, etc. as their tires. These 15 year old trucks can be bought for less than $20,000 and you just need to put in $15,000 worth of upgrades and maintenance work to bring them up to full off-road/overlanding/boondocking specs with an engine-tune, Fox or Bilstein active shocks plus add front and rear bumpers/bush bars with heavy duty winches, big lighting kits, rear extra fuel and water swingout cages, rooftop tents and camp-gear racks. You can even put in skidplates and upgrade the wheel control modes by updating your ECU and suspension control software via 3rd party-written Flash BIOS updates which give you Ford Bronco-like GOAT (aka Go Anywhere) modes! It sure is a LOT CHEAPER than buying a Bronco PLUS you get that SWEET V8 power and sound! If you coat the truck upper body and entire underbody ENTIRELY in Line-X truck bed liner you don't even have to worry about scratches and dents as the Line-X is the toughest, most weatherproof coating out there! Last summer I even saw a 'Slade with 42 inch Mickey Thompson 4x4 tires and a huge lift. The owner had to cut the wheel wells and weld some strengthening beams for the new suspension and stronger drive shafts/transfer cases BUT he did fit it all in there! Putting on $5000 worth of new tires and wheels may be a little CRAZY but some people like doing that sort of thing! V
Especially if it has a G80 locker in the rear end. It may not be great for rock crawling or mud bogging, but it’s plenty good for anything you might reasonably attempt in a stock Escalade.
@@buyallmeans425 struggle is real man! Currently drive a 00 expedition with the famous 5.4L 😖 it has its issues but still hauls down the road with my 8 family members with at least 10mpg combined! Time will tell when the spark plugs will shoot out 💀 miles: 189K
Exactly. I just some stupid trendy term someone came up with cause they where embarraaed to say they like car camping and spent a stupid amount of money on it. 😅😅
My 2004 tahoe 5.3 gets 17.5 MPG on the dashboard. It used to get over 19 MPG with standard road tires until I put BFG KO2s on there. I was suprised to see the 6.0 in the escalade get 19 with KO2s. I wonder what gives.
I used to have that escalade model. It's a snow plow! Never got stuck in deep snow on stock tires. So comfortable as well. Just don't like the image it portrayed
Great video guys. Brought back a lot of memories . At one time I owned all those different SUVs or a version each of those brands and generations. I would love to see an auto journalist Chanel do a story on what happened to all those comfortable seats you all were commenting on. Why are all modern seats rock hard and heavily bolstered. Tommy did have the best softest seats out of that group, every generation after that had less and less paddling. I have always wondered why, why are modern seats so hard. Why, why, why???
This makes me miss my 95 Suburban, seriously the best SUV I've owned, but it was the slowest thing on this planet lol. However, I don't miss the 42 GAL tank
I have a hard time believing the excursions mpg, out of the 6 years I've owned mine with the v10 the best I've ever gotten was 14 flat. On average it gets around 10 😢
My Excursion with the V-10 and 35in tires usually gets 11mpg. I wonder if the elevation in Colorado and Utah improves mileage. The thinner air should offer less wind resistance. Also, I think they were driving slower than I normally would, which definitely makes a difference.
Yeah, I don't understand what Tommy was thinking, he had the most money to improve his suburban and instead of spending it on mechanical upgrades or repairs,... fake lights, fake esthetics and a winch that is smaller than on my 4x4 atv.! Kids these days.?! No common sense.
I own a 99 suburban my self and I have 295k on mine. It's a slow climber for sure will hold about 45 on most climbs at 2000 rpm or so. Reminds me of the old 300 I 6 Ford. Slow as a snail but will pull anything
Agree with Tommy. Overlanding trending way to describe car camping like people have been dojng for ages. Have to,add another requirment is you must have an IG account to document every thing.
With $6000 to upgrade with, that suburban should have had a 6" lift, lockers, and 35" tires not fake lights and an atv winch. This series is great but the upgrades were lacking
living in California, I would do horrible, disgusting, unspeakable things to see gas at 3.99 per gallon. Well, maybe not really. gas is over $6 and I live five miles miles from work so I use less that two gallons a week. But still...
The suburban was cool until Tommy destroyed the paint by putting that junk all over the outside. Why didn't he have more money to upgrade his truck when he spent less than everyone else?
Yes Coffee and TFL on Sat morning rocks!
Exactly what I'm doing!!
Yes Morning Poo and TFL on sat morning rocks!
Yaaahhh wine and TFL on Sat night rocks! (In Asia)
Same.
Do u guys know if u could put the gas tank from an excursion on an 2009 expedition
Gotta say, I was a little disappointed to see what was done to the suburban. I was excited to see what he could do with a $6000 budget, but whatever. Gotta make it entertaining lol
Yeah, I wish they would have taken that part a little bit more seriously. They could have done some really cool stuff to the suburban and the Escalade for cheap.
They spent the $6000 in gas
Yeah Tommy tried to be funny in old Top Gear style but he just messed up that Suburban.
@@TermlessHGW and now they selling it with no reserve lol
Agreed. Even just having all of the mechanical issues fixed would have been a better use.
A “massive” 2000lb winch? Made me laugh… might be overselling that. I’ve got a 3000lb Warn winch on my ATV!
And it’s bolted to the plastic license plate bracket yet too lol
I think he was just being sarcastic.
With enough snatch blocks it will work. Lol
Yeah complete sarcasm
@Spencer Ellis the magnetic lights kind of gave it away LOL
These "3 Idiots on a Tight Budget" series genuinely make my day. I've truly enjoyed your similar series from the past, and this one is equally great. Keep that entertainment rolling, gents!
Wtf happened with the suburban you had 6k to improve it I was expecting the suburban to be completely changed and it could whoop on they other two just why?
Next you guys should do a early 2000s softroader competition. Use vehicles like ford escape, mazda tribute, subaru outback,rav4 all the budget awd vehicles. Something for the people that dont want a huge vehicle
Agreed or slightly larger like Highlander, Pilot, Murano, etc.
@@nycad2484 a series on both would be great
The tribute V6 was a damn good vehicle. RWD based AWD too
@@rjlopez9358 nope the tribute has a fwd awd setup. I know because i have one lol. Also identical to the early escapes
@@Jacobtheunwise I suppose I should clarify then. Our franken mazda had front cv axle u joints that were damaged. We just capped them off and drove it that way lol
Nathan shines doing these off the cuff adventures. Tommy's sense of humour 👍👍👍.
humor*
I nearly died when he said MASSIVE 2k winch lol. That’s the same as on our four wheeler. I’m not sure how much help it would be other than on flat ground with little resistance
My atv has a 3500 😂😂 I thought the same thing
The winch combined with the truck power can do more than some think.
Plus it’s just mounted on his license plate
That winch just looks so sad. I dont think I've ever seen a smaller winch on a vehicle before bhahaha
Heavy rust?!?!?!?! that's rust free here in Michigan!!!!
Tommy is right, overlanding is just a fancy word for car camping.
And here I thought you guys would take the challenge of building up the trucks seriously 🙄
Yeah I thought they'd at least put a lift kit on the trucks. Nothing crazy, but maybe like, a 2-3" lift.
Same
Disappointed. I thought the suburban and Escalade would have way more mods to reach the 10k budget
heavy rust? thats brand new for the folks up north! 🤣
😂😂😂
I cried when I saw that. I don't think he really knows what rust is. - VT
Tommy is gunning for Matt’s Off-road Recovery. Get’em Tommy!
With a little Jeremy Clarkson sprinkled over the top.
Every time I’ve done MPGs on my vortec 350 it comes out to 16. Full of people, 16. Completely empty, 16. Hill abundant road trip, 16. Flat land road trip, 16
Atleast shes consistent lol
@Sammie&Grayton I’ve worked on expresses and I’ve worked on 5.7s but never that combo. That sounds horrific to work on.
6:40 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Gotta love this channel.
Team Ford, anyone else?
“that’s a bit expensive right there”
bruh it’s 200 to fill a truck where i am with regular fuel😭😂
If Tommy would’ve gotten a slightly newer Suburban with the 5.3, he would’ve had some decent power and mpg compared to the old tired Vortec 5.7.
Ya for sure the 5.7 sucks honestly
It says use no lower then 87 in those older chevys not 85 that's why it's running so rough
A winch bolted to the license plate holder is hilarious 😂
Tell you what, of those vehicles, the 90's GM 5.7 is the only other thing besides cockroaches that can survive a nuclear bast. Not very powerful but seriously, like a rock. That thing will go forever with basic maintenance.
Waste of money on the suburban with all that safety stuff on it
Tommy…. Why did you ruin that suburban 😭
Dear Ford,
Please bring back the Excursion 🙏🙏
And the 7.3!
Tommy waisted his money. Had the most money and did useless mods
Tommy would love his 99 suburban if he drove my 88 GMC suburban.
Did Tommy turn into James May this episode?
It was hard for me to see the tape stuck to the suburban. I have a 99 suburban. 85 octane doesn't do justice to that motor. 89 is perfect for those engines. I love this series though
That's why it's running so poorly, 87 plus is the best they should use
@@thekingofnoobs8362 💯
Those 350's have around an 8-1 compression ratio. There's no need for anything higher than 85 octane
@@xXstrattXx I've driven higher milage 5.7 in several vehicles. they've always wanted 87-89 to be more responsive with no pinging. Perhaps when they were new they needed 85?
@@xXstrattXx hey I'm going off of what the book recommends on these engines I just would go with 87+ I worked on one these with the same year and the 5.7l v8 it recommendeds 87 or higher no lower
Great stuff, guys. I love Moab.
I drove my 26 year-old 6-speed Z28 from Monument to Grand Junction a couple of weeks ago. 296 miles, 10.124 gallons.... 29mpg. Blew my mind. 😂
that escalade is getting as good as my new explorer.
Hey Tommy premium gas in California is $6.59 per gallon. You guys have really cheap gas prices. Very jealous!
Yeah “cheap”
Just can’t figure out why gas prices have skyrocketed in the last 1.5 years….
The Ford door switches are known for sticking and giving you the door ajar error. My 2003 Ford Ranger and my Dad's 1997 F150 have had that happen.
Overlanding? Tommy hit the definition on the head and Nathan had what is probably the more legal definition.
Suburban was a major disappointment. THUMBS DOWN
the suburban is 8 years older then the Ford, has two less cylinders, plus Tommy only used 85 octane in the suburban and despite all of those disadvantages didn't fall too far behind and was able to do everything.
More miles on the Suburban too
I've taken my 99 to TN several times. It's all fine with 89 octane. Not the same elevation I know but still mountain type driving
You ruined the suburban!
I’m jealous of your “cheap” $4 gas ⛽️
I love the suburban, I had a 97 it was my baby till got totalled last year still have a front end rebuild kit, has everything from the front rotors/ wheel bearings and everything in-between sitting in my garage. I'll get another one sometime
Which one would you want to drive every day? Escalade hands down
Nah, I'm an asshole and I like the excursion, babeh!
I've been driving my 7.3 excursion for 18 years. Couldn't see myself driving anything else. Dream rig everyday.
how is that Escalade getting almost 19mpg?
LS motors for ya
On the contrary to what Roman said, this is great timing for y'all to do videos about old gas guzzling trucks! That way I can just take my phone and go sit in my C/K 454, watch your videos, and pretend like the engine is running. Much cheaper that way. - Everett
Tommy should not have put 85 in it. 87 minimum ☹️
As someone who is a full time truck camper dweller/overlander, I absolutely love the definition of "glamorized homelessness".
The 5.7 dose pretty good in the tahoe
Tommy? Harbor Freight called. You missed a item on Isle 7. Lol
I've been looking forward to this video. It was worth the wait. Thanks for the great Saturday morning entertainment.
This is one episode where the TIRES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE in terms of off-road performance! Those BF Goodrich KO2's are PERFECT for hot desert and rocky MOAB off-road runs! Just putting these tires on them added over two thousand dollars worth of 4x4 RESALE VALUE to these vehicles!
Interestingly, up here in Vancouver, Canada, I am seeing quite a few lifted Cadillac Escalades with 4 and 6 inch lifts and 35 inch to 37 tires on them! Mostly Goodyear MT/R's, KO2's, Nitto Ridge Geapplers, etc. as their tires. These 15 year old trucks can be bought for less than $20,000 and you just need to put in $15,000 worth of upgrades and maintenance work to bring them up to full off-road/overlanding/boondocking specs with an engine-tune, Fox or Bilstein active shocks plus add front and rear bumpers/bush bars with heavy duty winches, big lighting kits, rear extra fuel and water swingout cages, rooftop tents and camp-gear racks. You can even put in skidplates and upgrade the wheel control modes by updating your ECU and suspension control software via 3rd party-written Flash BIOS updates which give you Ford Bronco-like GOAT (aka Go Anywhere) modes!
It sure is a LOT CHEAPER than buying a Bronco PLUS you get that SWEET V8 power and sound! If you coat the truck upper body and entire underbody ENTIRELY in Line-X truck bed liner you don't even have to worry about scratches and dents as the Line-X is the toughest, most weatherproof coating out there!
Last summer I even saw a 'Slade with 42 inch Mickey Thompson 4x4 tires and a huge lift. The owner had to cut the wheel wells and weld some strengthening beams for the new suspension and stronger drive shafts/transfer cases BUT he did fit it all in there! Putting on $5000 worth of new tires and wheels may be a little CRAZY but some people like doing that sort of thing!
V
Great series, guys. The Escalade would be the undisputed winner if it had low-range. Next series should definitely be budget soft-roaders. ✌🏻 🚙
Especially if it has a G80 locker in the rear end. It may not be great for rock crawling or mud bogging, but it’s plenty good for anything you might reasonably attempt in a stock Escalade.
Oh yeah. I'm diggin' this episode.
Can't wait to do this trail in early October!
Tommy's Suburban looks like the Ghostbusters decorated it!
It looks very similar to Ecto 1
Tommy finds out his fuel economy is almost as bad as the Excursion: Well, at least mines the slowest. I've got that going for me.
don't forget Tommy used 85 octane 👎
White lettering out is the proper way on all trucks.
you guys make a great team, especially Tommy and Nathan. you guys kill me lol
Don't ever let Tommy modify a vehicle again! Seriously disappointed!
Thats the first time ive heard the words "cool" and "KIA" in the same sentence. :p
Nothing like 34 cylinders firing away on the highway! 😂
I hope Nathan got a vacation after this. He was getting tosseddd in that thing hahhah his back has to be in shambles
did all these get fixed yet by that one mechanic guy?
I just love the excursion. I don't know why, and that is o.k. but I am a large mammal.
Wasn't expecting the excursion to get 15 mpg on steep uphill and downhill wow 😮👏 makes me wanna consider buying an excursion in the near future 🙏
The only regret to owning an Excursion, is visiting the gas station. Everything else is great
Ikr.. Miguel, I have a 2001 Ford Ranger 4.0 extended cab that gets only 17 mpg.. that's on flat Florida roads. Driving like a grampa...
@@HammerWrench haha with these gas prices, definitely 😂
@@buyallmeans425 struggle is real man! Currently drive a 00 expedition with the famous 5.4L 😖 it has its issues but still hauls down the road with my 8 family members with at least 10mpg combined!
Time will tell when the spark plugs will shoot out 💀 miles: 189K
@@buyallmeans425 check out my RUclips video if you're curious to see what's currently wrong with my expedition
Tommy sounds amd becoming more like Jeremy clarkson !!!
I live in SoCal and I see TRX’s and gas is like $6-7 they must be ballers
Gas is $4.90 a gallon here in Batavia NY.
This series is awesome! Props for the America song reference!
Tommy nailed what the definition of overlanding is.
Exactly. I just some stupid trendy term someone came up with cause they where embarraaed to say they like car camping and spent a stupid amount of money on it. 😅😅
Tommy, stop trying to be Top Gear. You're no Jeremy Clarkson.
2000 pound winch ? That's what we put on ATV'S
Lol, “heavy rust”.... come to 🇨🇦
My 2004 tahoe 5.3 gets 17.5 MPG on the dashboard. It used to get over 19 MPG with standard road tires until I put BFG KO2s on there. I was suprised to see the 6.0 in the escalade get 19 with KO2s. I wonder what gives.
I agree with Tommy expensive car camping
Nathan = Clarkson jezza
Andre = Hammond
Tommy DEFINITELY = Captain slowly das mr slowly.
Loved this series 👍🏾
No way.
Andre = Captain Slow
Tommy = Jeremy
Nathan = Hamster
I used to have that escalade model. It's a snow plow! Never got stuck in deep snow on stock tires. So comfortable as well. Just don't like the image it portrayed
What image? I just bought my first Escalade. I am loving the 6.2
and i am getting fantastic fuel mileage
Yes finally I feel like this episode couldn't come fast enough lol great job guys
I love these videos, the format is excellent. I’m watching this now instead of TV
That escalade is so sweet
That excursion has heavy rust? I do not think you know what heavy rust is
Only $120 to fill an Excursion???? Here in Canada, that would have been closer to $300!
Great video guys. Brought back a lot of memories . At one time I owned all those different SUVs or a version each of those brands and generations.
I would love to see an auto journalist Chanel do a story on what happened to all those comfortable seats you all were commenting on.
Why are all modern seats rock hard and heavily bolstered. Tommy did have the best softest seats out of that group, every generation after that had less and less paddling.
I have always wondered why, why are modern seats so hard. Why, why, why???
crash safety. A firm bolstered seat keeps the occupant in place better. unfortunately the firmer you get the less of a one size fits all.
4.55 for premium 😳, I wish. In Vegas we’re paying an average of $5.20 for 87 😟
This makes me miss my 95 Suburban, seriously the best SUV I've owned, but it was the slowest thing on this planet lol. However, I don't miss the 42 GAL tank
Stiff ride? Did you guys even air down this time?
The I did that stickers at 8:09 😂👍
Hey viewers! Make sure to use the code "TFL" at checkout at YAA and get 20% off 😎: joinyaa.com/TFLtruck
Has Nathan always worn a hat with an Aussie flag? Had to take a double take! 🇦🇺
I have a hard time believing the excursions mpg, out of the 6 years I've owned mine with the v10 the best I've ever gotten was 14 flat. On average it gets around 10 😢
My Excursion with the V-10 and 35in tires usually gets 11mpg. I wonder if the elevation in Colorado and Utah improves mileage. The thinner air should offer less wind resistance. Also, I think they were driving slower than I normally would, which definitely makes a difference.
You have to put at least 89 in the suburban 87 will do nothing for power.
15 mpg 6.8 v10 WTF Best I've done was 13mpg with no weight or spare tire
Lol I thought my crazy cousin was the only person who says clapped out
Would like to see the Excursion take the Cake at the end of the challenge
Yeah, I don't understand what Tommy was thinking, he had the most money to improve his suburban and instead of spending it on mechanical upgrades or repairs,... fake lights, fake esthetics and a winch that is smaller than on my 4x4 atv.! Kids these days.?! No common sense.
I own a 99 suburban my self and I have 295k on mine. It's a slow climber for sure will hold about 45 on most climbs at 2000 rpm or so. Reminds me of the old 300 I 6 Ford. Slow as a snail but will pull anything
Wow yall are lucky, it's $6 for premium here in the Chicagoland area!
Agree with Tommy. Overlanding trending way to describe car camping like people have been dojng for ages. Have to,add another requirment is you must have an IG account to document every thing.
yes you have to be continuously posing and recording yourself.
With $6000 to upgrade with, that suburban should have had a 6" lift, lockers, and 35" tires not fake lights and an atv winch. This series is great but the upgrades were lacking
living in California, I would do horrible, disgusting, unspeakable things to see gas at 3.99 per gallon.
Well, maybe not really. gas is over $6 and I live five miles miles from work so I use less that two gallons a week.
But still...
Nice - still loving the ford - would defating the tires help
Lucky to see gas under $4 !!
here in Washington state $4.89 and that was ARCO. well over $5 at Chevron and Shell
2000 pound winch? What ya gonna do, pull a tricycle out of the ditch?
That pump number IS two dollars away from being more than my car payment...
The suburban was cool until Tommy destroyed the paint by putting that junk all over the outside. Why didn't he have more money to upgrade his truck when he spent less than everyone else?
With all the upgrades they were doing, nobody talked about changing air filters. That's the first thing I would have done.