What about the Chevy/GMC 6.5 turbodiesel?

[Darky]

I see these come up once in a while for really good prices. If I can sell my Ford, I would love to pick up a diesel for towing, hauling and DDing. Towing would be the Jeep on an as yet non-existent car trailer or a small utility trailer full of hay. Hauling would be hay, gravel, furniture/appliances, normal type of stuff. DD is running around town, going to class (16 mile round trip 2-3 times a week, possibly becoming 120 mile round trip in a few months).

I know it lacks the reputation of the Cummins and the refinement/power of the Duramax, 24V Cummins, or Powerstroke, but they were the upgrade engine in the HMMWVs and seemed to be a darn site better than the 6.2 it replaced, at least powerwise.

 

[86cherokeek20]

thre 6.5 is a BA motor if you get a later model late mid 90s or so is the laterones i believe. but only if its turbod for doing what you say it will do fine their only downfall (as with all chevys) is the durability of the block and heads so do a compression test before you buy but iv dealt with them before and they are good motors if you take care of them and dot dial up the turbo because they are known for spinning bearings if ya do

 

[Keithmania]

I've always thought of the chevy as kinda so so... Its not stellar compared to others, but, it doesn't suck either. If I had my choice I'd go with a Dodge Ram 2500 with the cummins diesel... Cummins are just awesome.

 

[eflores]

Buy a first gen cummins ram....they r cheap

 

[DieselSJ]

That is the engine that I swapped into my 1987 Grand Wag. I like it. There are some great forums out there for making them live and make decent power. I'm probably making 450/ftlbs of torque...not a lot compared to todays standards, but better than a stock 1st gen Cummins. You can find them cheap compared to PSD and Cummins. Go for the 97-later with the updated cooling setup. Add a tune and a couple cheap turbo mods and a big exhaust and you will have a nice setup.

 

[WAD357]

A few of my friends have these. One has 215k on it and already got a motor. the other has like 150k on his with Fair amount of mods and its been reliable for him. The 6.5 is know for injection pump problems As well.

 

[Darky]

I found a 94 for $2750, 4x4, ext cab, in pretty decent overall shape, but something like 250k miles. Interior still looks good though. Right now my tow rig is a 73 Ford 390. It has yet to be in good enough shape for me to tow, and it gets 8-10 mpg. It's a blast to drive, but I need family space and better mileage. .

 

[87manche]

Lawn Cher towed with a 6.5L burb for a long time and is still driving it as far as I know. It's slow and sounds like a big popcorn popper, but gets good mileage.

 

[FlexdXJ]

Buy a first gen cummins ram....they r cheap

with a manual................bulletproof!

 

[cheapcherokee93]

with a manual................bulletproof!

not if its the getrag 360, which im pretty sure all 1st gen manuals have.

 

[drewkeen]

not if its the getrag 360, which im pretty sure all 1st gen manuals have.

This is correct. Only the 94+ trucks got the strong NV4500, NV5600 or G56 trans. The first gen manual is not as robust as these but is still by far better than the 727 or 46rh that the auto 1st gen trucks got.



The upside of the 6.5 is that they came with the NV4500 or a 4L80e. Both of these are good transmissions and will hold up fine behind a 6.5




The "injection pump" issues are really just caused by the FSD/PMD (fuel solenoid driver/pump mounted driver) you just have to get a relocation kit with a heat sink and this will not be an issue. When I had my 6.5 I carried a spare in the glove box and it takes about 15 mins to change if it ever does fail.



That being said I sold a 200k mile 6.5 and replaced it with a 300k mile 2nd gen 12v cummins truck. The ONLY regret I have is that I do not have a lot of space with the regular cab dodge.

 

[Grayguy]

Even with the heat sink and relocation they aren't exactly reliable. Between my brother, my dad and I we've had 10-12 pump/ controller failures on 3 different trucks and been stranded or screwed by them on a regular basis. We tried all the fixes people say work nd it hasn't. I'd avoid owning another one like the plague. My brother bought a D-max, I bought a 6.0 gas, and were about to put a 12v in my dads 98' after the 6.5TD blew a hole in the block at 130k...

 

[jakeWI]

I found a 6.5 suburban. I did a bunch of research and heard the same complaints as what Grayguy is talking about. I heard the later 98 plus' were better but still not the greatest. So needless to say I passed on the burban.

 

[hadfield4wd]

With all the better options that are available I don't see why you'd do the 6.5.

 

[IllianaXJ]

I paid $4k for my 96 K2500 about 1.5 years ago. It was pretty much stock, I've made several mods for power and reliability. I haven't had any catastrophic failures yet. Everyone complains about the 6.5 because they don't make 30psi of boost, had some easily solvable issues with the PMD and cooling and won't pull Eisenhower at 70+ while towing 20,000 lbs like we all know a Cummins will

I paid cash for my truck. I could have taken on payments for a PSD or Dodge, but then I'd be stuck with TTB/balljoint eater or a junk transmission. The ol' 6.5 tows what I need it to as fast as I want it to and still gets decent mileage. They all have their problems, but everyone picks on the 6.5.

Edit: That's not to say if I found a CCLB 97-99 PSD of equal value I wouldn't trade.

 

[FlexdXJ]

and won't pull Eisenhower at 70+ while towing 20,000 lbs like we all know a Cummins will

You forgot while getting 25 mpg towing or not!

 

[Darky]

You forgot while getting 25 mpg towing or not!

And for double or triple the price!

I found a 95 GMC extended cab 4x4 for $2750. Strangely, I found a 95 GMC 3500 dually ext cab 4x4 for $7000, checked KBB and that's actually a fair price in excellent condition, which this one wasn't.

 

[87manche]

find cheap beater gasser that will get your occasional towing needs done and buy a DD car for your commuting.

Or go buy a used Uhaul box truck, sell the box and build a flatbed on it. Or go ghetto like I've seen some with box damage, just cut the sides/tops off and leave the aluminum deck.

Here's a cab and chassis big block GM
http://www.uhaul.com/TruckSales/equipment/816039/DC0175R

they will take way less than what's listed, my 26 footer was listed at 4700 and they took 2000 no questions asked, I should have started at 1000.
The plus is you could build it as a ramp truck/flatbed and not have to buy/deal with a trailer, possibly saving enough money to pick up a gas saving DD.

anyway, just tossing out some other options.

 

[WAD357]

Keep your eyes out for 95-97 powerstrokes... If you look hard enough you'll find a deal

I paid 3800 for the white one, 97 f250hd 7.3 powerstroke auto trans that had 3k on it when i bought it 113k on the rest of it. Needed a brake line and that was all. My buddy paid 2500 for the green on with 215k on it also a 7.3psd auto only difference is his has 3:55s mine has 4:10s we both average between 14-16 unloaded and 13ish with the jeeps in tow.

 

[Darky]

find cheap beater gasser that will get your occasional towing needs done and buy a DD car for your commuting.

Or go buy a used Uhaul box truck, sell the box and build a flatbed on it. Or go ghetto like I've seen some with box damage, just cut the sides/tops off and leave the aluminum deck.

Here's a cab and chassis big block GM
http://www.uhaul.com/TruckSales/equipment/816039/DC0175R

they will take way less than what's listed, my 26 footer was listed at 4700 and they took 2000 no questions asked, I should have started at 1000.
The plus is you could build it as a ramp truck/flatbed and not have to buy/deal with a trailer, possibly saving enough money to pick up a gas saving DD.

anyway, just tossing out some other options.

I wouldn't mind going that route, but the wife wants to whittle the number of cars down... We're at 4 at the moment. 73 Ford, 96 XJ, 03 Caravan, and 85 Nissan 720. The Nissan needs a new tranny and some engine work, but that would/will become the DD in the current vehicular arrangement.

Plus, I still need the towrig to be able to haul 5 people.

Keep your eyes out for 95-97 powerstrokes... If you look hard enough you'll find a deal

I paid 3800 for the white one, 97 f250hd 7.3 powerstroke auto trans that had 3k on it when i bought it 113k on the rest of it. Needed a brake line and that was all. My buddy paid 2500 for the green on with 215k on it also a 7.3psd auto only difference is his has 3:55s mine has 4:10s we both average between 14-16 unloaded and 13ish with the jeeps in tow.

I've looked for the Fords but they seem to be gold plated out here. They usually run around 6-10k for a decent one.