When was the Yukon introduced?

[Curth]

What year was the Yukon introduced and what year was the 5.3 standard introduced?

Also, what were the best engines and years for the Yukon?

[2000CAYukon]

Originally Posted by Curth

What year was the Yukon introduced and what year was the 5.3 standard introduced?

Also, what were the best engines and years for the Yukon?

Not sure of the first year; however, the 5.3 started in 2000 in the new body style. In 2000, the Denali in the old body style still had a 5.7.

1996 thru 1999 was the years of the Vortec engine. 1995 and prior was TBI.

//2000CAYukon

[envoyxuv]

If you're talking about the body style of yukon that just got replaced in 2007, that yukon was alive from 2000-2006. The 5.3 was originally introduced in 1999 when the pickups got a re-make. The 5.3 engine is a very bullet-proof engine, mechanically. It was available on 1/2 tons. The 3/4 ton yukon was available with a 6.0 or 8.1 liter.
The first few years (2000-2002) had the most recalls.

There were also problems with window motors freezing up and window regulators (the part that rolls the window up and down) breaking. Also more common in the '00-'02 era was fuel pump failures.
In 2003, the interior electronics were updated, and the electronic "drive by wire" throttle control was standard. This time, the window motor and regulator problems were pretty well eliminated, but the door switches became "modules" and are prone to software issues that can usually be cured with reprogramming. The radios were also changed in 2003 and also had problems that could be cured with software updates.

2004 did away with an external fuel filter and put it in the fuel tank.
The '00-'02 yukons/trucks also wore out parking brake shoes. Once repaired, the updated kits came with a fix to keep it from happening again. This is not a problem in 2003 and up yukons.
My personal preference is the 2004-2006 yukons. 2000-2002 spent some time working out bugs in the new body style. 2003 spent time working out bugs in the electronics. 2004-2006 stayed mostly the same. The powertrain, when taken care of, will serve well for many years.