Abandoned History: It's 2000 and the Chevrolet Tahoe is Old, Limited, and Z71

In 1999 General Motors began its rollout of GMT800 platform vehicles, updated and more rounded designs arrived to replace the square-bodied GMT400 platform that was in production since 1988. The platform’s main family haulers, the light duty (1500) Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, and GMC Yukon made the switch to GMT800 for 2000, while the luxurious Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade remained on the GMT400 for one final year. Sending the GMT400 Tahoe out with a bang were two special one-year limited edition models. These special editions made good on the promise of a Nineties concept vehicle, introduced a trim level that would become permanent, and (crucially) used up some excess capacity at one of GM’s most important plants.

The GMC Yukon was a new model for 1992, as a more road-ready replacement for the K5 Jimmy. It was joined by the new Chevy Blazer that year, which used its old K5 nomenclature alongside the smaller S10 Blazer through 1994, before it was renamed to Tahoe for 1995 (as the S10 Blazer lost its upscale Tahoe trim). Wildly successful, both versions and their long-wheelbase brethren were part of the American suburbanite SUV boom kicked off by the Ford Explorer.

In the middle of the model run, Chevy debuted a concept vehicle called the Tahoe SS. In a similar vein to the production B-body Impala SS sedan, the Tahoe SS was all about serious and sporty good looks. Photographed in a royal blue metallic, the show car was presented as a 1997 concept at that year’s SEMA show, in a lovely emerald green metallic. 

With its SS and Corvette-adjacent race flag badging, chromed five-spoke wheels and lowered stance, the Tahoe SS had an aggressive look. The front clip was monochromatic and featured air intakes set into the bumper. The truck’s lower stance was enhanced by a flared bodykit around the exterior. 

Initially presented as a rear-drive vehicle, onlookers suggested four-wheel drive would be more desirable. So GM built a second example with enhanced 4x4 underpinnings and showed it a bit later in Memphis, Tennessee. The crowd went wild, and then GM announced it would not build any Tahoe SS. 

At the time, insurance companies were jacking the rates on SUVs (likely given their tendency to roll over and their complete lack of roof safety requirements). GM executives felt that a performance-oriented and SS-badged SUV would cost too much for consumers to insure, and create a sales flop. The project was unceremoniously cancelled. 

But the idea was resurrected four years later in two different ways, just without the expectations generated by premium SS badging. The most similar to the SS was the Tahoe Limited. Available only in Onyx Black, the Limited was rear-wheel drive like the SS concept. Fitted with a factory body kit package that was almost identical to the SS concept, the Limited replaced the daring front air intakes with integrated fog lamps.

Monochromatic black trim was everywhere, and there was no chrome presented on the outside of the Limited. The Limited was also fitted with the Z60 chassis package used for police Tahoes as standard. That meant a ride height that was two inches lower than a 4x4 Tahoe. Exterior badging was minimal and subtle, with Tahoe Limited on the front doors, and a simple italic Tahoe badge on the tailgate. The split rear barn doors were not available.  

Limited gained sportier ride and handling via Bilstein shock absorbers, and a limited-slip rear differential. There was additional engine oil cooling, and a more aggressive 3.42:1 or standard 3.73:1 rear axle ratio. Wheels were unique to the Limited, and provided by Ronal: a five-spoke R36.

The interior was also specially finished in two-tone leather, not available on standard Tahoe models. There were no interior color options, as gray and charcoal was the only theme available. Gauges were adjusted slightly, and the Limited’s speedometer topped out at 120 miles per hour instead of the standard 100 (not that anyone would notice this).

Limited was joined by the more off-road ready Z71 for 2000. The 4x4 version consumers wanted out of the SS concept experiment, Z71 was less restricted in its build specification. Available in four different colors: Indigo Blue Metallic, Emerald Green Metallic, Victory Red, or Light Pewter Metallic (pearl white), the Z71 was not available in black. Two interior colors were available, neutral or gray.

The Z71 did have a monochromatic appearance for the front and rear, but did not restrict chrome trim like the Limited. There was a chrome trim strip along the side like the standard Tahoe, though Z71 received the same front and rear clip as the Limited with integrated fog lamps. Small Z71 badges appeared in silver and gold at the C-pillar, the typical place for trim notation on GMT400 and GMT800. 

Tubular running boards added to the Z71’s tough looks, supplemented by plastic tail lamp trims meant to look like the sort of metal lamp guards you’d find on a Range Rover. At the back there was no Tahoe badge at all, only a Z71 badge and Chevrolet. The Z71 was not lowered like the Limited, and had the off-road chassis package instead, newly deemed the Z71 package. 

It also used the same sporty Bilstein shock absorbers as the Limited, but had a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio option given the locking differential. Z71 also featured an oversized radiator for heavy-duty operation, and additional skid plates underneath. There was no integrated side step, only a black painted tubular rail exclusive to Z71. 

A black brush guard was standard on Z71, but often removed by owners. Perhaps most notable for the Z71 was its unique wheel design. Provided by Alcoa, the excellent five-spoke, six-lug wheels were polished aluminium for a smooth chromed look. 

Both the Limited and Z71 shared the standard 5.7-liter Vortec V8, not modified for special edition duty. They were built at Arlington Assembly alongside the holdout Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade. Largely Abandoned History today, the production figures for the Limited and Z71 is a range between 7,500 and 8,905 in total. 

It’s unclear how many of each were made, but both are rare to see today. Amongst the limited collector audience for these, the Limited is generally considered more desirable given its SS-adjacent appearance. Which do you fancy?

[Images: GM, seller, seller]

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