1995 2500 Extended cab 6.5l Turbo

OK. Not long ago I was posting about my 2002 Tahoe needing more torque. Today I stumble across a 1995 chevy 2500 extended cab 4x4. 6.5l Turbo diesel 170k miles. Tow capacity is listed at 8500lbs. Do you guys have any firsthand info/experience on these trucks. Specifically the good, bad, ugly regarding the power train. The trailer that would be pulled is approx 6000lbs+.

Thanks.

 

Tahoe would be better imo

 

I don't have any first hand experience but I did do some heavy internet research on the 6.5L Turbo Diesel and the general vibe I saw was they are not that great. Slow, expensive to fix, and leaky.

If anyone has had good expriences please share.

 

There was a pro and con debate I stumbled upon in one of the diesel forums...I should have saved the link. But yes the general vibe was thumbs down, but those negative responses that I saw were usually not followed up with details whereas what I have seen people responding positive, rave about it after replacing the Pump Module Driver (PMD) and so forth?. This truck looks to be in great condition and bone stock/unmodified with even the stock wheels. For the price it is very tempting even if I have to line up another $1k to preempt any reliability issues...o No:

Thinking of keeping the tahoe for the wife, sell my car and buy the truck...

I don't drive far to work and can easily take the Rivi to work if there are issues with the truck.

I am all ears...

Thanks

 

I agree with you. Hopefully some people will chime in.

I want/need a newer truck and diesel is a must. I will be paying close attention to this thread.

 

I love my D-Max but i would buy an older Cummins before buying that 6.5. Better on fuel, more power and by far more reliable.

 

Chad, I own a '97 2500 4WD Suburban with 6.5 Turbo and 4.10 gears automatic. The downside is 15 mpg because the 2500 mostly came with 4.10 gears. Even with OD it is geared too low for fuel mileage, Highway at 70-75 mph is never over 16 mpg with a 30 to 40 cent premium for diesel. That said, I like the suburban and it has been pretty reliable. I did buy an extension harness, pump driver cooler and spare driver module. Originally mounted on the injection pump, they had a tendency to heat soak and give trouble, mine did occassionally at fuel stop before relocating the module. I have 160 k on mine and have done no engine work. I did have to replace the hydraboost unit because of fluid leak. It pulls my 18ft travel trailer just fine.

I started my diesel vehicle experience with an 82 model 4wd suburban with the infamous 6.2L naturally aspirated engine. It was a dog, gutless beast but it got 21 mpg highway and 16-18 in town with 3.42 gears. Had another 82 auto 2wd that got even better fuel mileage, also gutless but hard to beat when diesel was 10 cents cheaper than regular.

I made my living as a diesel mechanic so I wasn't afraid to own one.

Check your rear end gearing, they only came with 2 ratings in that 3/4 ton housing that I have, Higher gears get better mileage but you give up a little on the towing side. I have not had any other issues except the typical abnormal front tire wear patterns on the 4wd models. By the way, I onced towed a 16 ft flat bed car trailer empty behind it for 1500 miles, couldn't even tell it was there and still got 15 mpg highway.

As for the Dodge with the Cummins 5.9L, it was probably the best "engine" on the road, I also own one of those, '97 3500 service truck. Noisy bastard but hard to beat. '97 was the last year for mechanical injection, most 98's are electronic and were at first somewhat troublesome.

As with most vehicles, it is the luck of the draw whether or not yours gives trouble, but I would recommend the 6.5 turbo if it appears to have been properly maintained. Good luck, TexasJohn

 

Diddo...but with a '82 3/4 ton standard cab truck. As much as a dog that truck was I miss it because it just did the job, was cheap and amazing on fuel mileage considering. It obviously isn't enough for my needs now.

Thanks for you insight on the 6.5. I appreciate it. This will help me make my decision.

 

For years I have gone to insurance salvage auctions and bought wrecked vehicles to rebuild to get my daily drivers and to resell as well.I have never bought a wrecked lemon in that time till I bought my 94 6.5l turbo diesel truck.You will have to move that module that gets heat soaked before it goes bad or you will be replacing it and moving it at that time and it is a $400.00 to $600.00 part [been there].Had to replaced some oil lines that were pouring oil and they are high dollar[been there]Injection pump has some electronics and is about $1200.00 part if 180,000 miles get ready[there right now]Plus I had to have trans completely rebuilt $1000.00 parts and labor at a discount price.If it was running it was used as a truck but is not a good example of diesel powered truck STAY AWAY FROM IT unless these issues have been address recently and priced right.Find you a ford 7.3 powerstroke they run forever.

 

Asking price is $2500. Should I pull the trigger?

Description is in first post.

-Chad

 

If it had decent paint and interior. I would pick it up in a hurry.

 

I say you look for a 6.0 liter gas LS powered 2000 or newer truck.. Much more reliable and can tow easily...Turbocharge them and make an easy 900 HP....

 

The 6.2 and 6.5 engines are not great. They are very old school and offer very little power. I had one in a 16k box truck and it was horrible. It took an act of God to get it running in cool weather, leaked oil like crazy and had no power. The 4l80e was a turd too I wouldn't buy it.

 

Bought a 2004 F250 6.0 "no start" - educated myself on every detail of the engine. (This decision was also based on my Dad currently owning 4-5 6.0L and having clocked 1 million miles on his original brand new 2005 F250 Crew Cab Long Bed (have picture at 900K/miles) and he also has well over 500K/miles on his other trucks. Not to mention the Ford Truck Enthusiast forum has outstanding technical information.

So, I Bought Blue Tooth OBDII dongle with Torque Pro app such a handy tool either for diagnosis or real time data displaying on my phone. In short, so much detail on the good, bad and ugly on these 6.0s. Ended up making my own injector tool to disassemble injectors and cleaned them. In all paid 3K for truck, by the time I got it running I was another 3K, Ford OEM parts all the way and the new Michelin Tires I bought. So for a "No Start" 6.0 w/ 200K/miles I have a decent F250, Crew Cab, shortbed truck for $6K. Not bad in my opinion.

:TU:

 

Picture...

Can't see because of fence but have the Ford chrome running boards as well. :beer

 

i got rid of a dmax for one. it does really good towing and it sarts in any weather, gets 1 mpg less but also cost 30 cents less a gallon, and doesnt require the kings ransom to repair one little thing. i had two ton in the bed just the other day. it pulled up hills 65 mph with that weight in the bed. my lly had less power without the tuner imo. oh and it was 10 grand less than dmax with the same miles on it. i personally never want another diesel pickup truck. overly expensive to run and keep running.