Tractor hauler?

Lazy WP · Apr 5, 2015

Well I am doing a bit of rearranging of the finances. Thinking of taking a BIG step back and getting rid of my 2012 Dodge 1 ton Dually, and getting a 93 Chevy 1 ton dually. Trying to buy a small place and I don't pull NEAR like I used to. The Dodge is half paid for, so I can clear up all my other debts, other then the house, plus have 5 or 6 thousand left over. Just think its time to get out of debt.
All that said, so now the real question. I haven't been around a 6.5 turbo at all. Will the run and pull decent? I know I am not going to be able to set my cruise at whatever speed and forget about it, like I have been able to do with my last 2 pickups, but will the 6.5 pull a 30 foot trailer with my 830 and DC Cases on it? Is there anything that I can do to add a little extra power? It is a 5 speed, 4X4, crew cab.

806man · Apr 5, 2015

We had a new one in '95. If my memory serves me correct it would run pretty good. Just had to keep your foot in it. Decent fuel mileage but don't try to out run those Cummins. Just not enough juice on those hills when your loaded. I really liked it, nice leather bucket seat interior and roomy extended cab but when Dad started slowing down it just started setting so we sold it while it was in relatively good shape. Been running Cummins ever since. Just my 2 cents worth and your mileage may vary !!!

Eldon (WA) · Apr 5, 2015

(quoted from post at 06:45:10 04/05/15) Well I am doing a bit of rearranging of the finances. Thinking of taking a BIG step back and getting rid of my 2012 Dodge 1 ton Dually, and getting a 93 Chevy 1 ton dually. Trying to buy a small place and I don't pull NEAR like I used to. The Dodge is half paid for, so I can clear up all my other debts, other then the house, plus have 5 or 6 thousand left over. Just think its time to get out of debt.
All that said, so now the real question. I haven't been around a 6.5 turbo at all. Will the run and pull decent? I know I am not going to be able to set my cruise at whatever speed and forget about it, like I have been able to do with my last 2 pickups, but will the 6.5 pull a 30 foot trailer with my 830 and DC Cases on it? Is there anything that I can do to add a little extra power? It is a 5 speed, 4X4, crew cab.

One of the best things I've done was going from a 6.5 GMC to a Cummins. The GMC was a nice truck, but the brakes sucked big time, constantly downshifting with a trailer, overheating at every hill...front lugs constantly twisting off...then the FSD problems started......

Lazy WP · Apr 5, 2015

I have had a 91 7.3 Ford, a 97 7.3 Power Stroke, a 06 5.9 Cummins, and this 2012 Cummins. I won't own another 6.7, unless I can figure out how to get better mileage out of it. My 06 with the 5.9 would pull every bit as good, and got at least twice the mileage. The 06, it wasn't uncommon to get 25 mpg empty. The 12 if I can get 13 I am really pleased!!
Trying to get better mileage, and still be able to pull my 30 foot flatbed and 26 foot stock trailer. Neither will be pulled a whole bunch, nor loaded real heavy. At most the flatbed will have my 800 and 830 on.
Thanks for the input.

JD Seller · Apr 5, 2015

The 6.5 motor is not even in the same league as a Cummins. I would skip it as they had issues. My son has one and he has to play with it all the time to keep it running. The 6.5 is just a rehashed 6.2 diesel. IF the one your looking at has the mechanical pump it is better than the later electronic pumps. Even they where not much of a motor.

A Chevy with a 6.5 pulling your 30 foot trailer and two tractors will be a real DOG!!!!

As for turning them up you can get more power if you like changing crankshafts. They broke them at stock and really liked doing that with one turned up.

I think your on the right track dumping debt but skip the 6.5 and find a 7.3 or 5.9 instead.

IlliniJohn · Apr 5, 2015

Congrats on decision to get out of debt!
My FIL had a 1993 GMC 2500 2WD with 6.5 diesel - - ran it over 330,000 miles, but mostly just driving it by himself.
Unloaded, it ran well, had good power and torque - but, pulling a 24 foot travel trailer, especially into wind, it would bog and smoke some.
Like comment made below, its brakes were ALWAYS touchly/grabby as all get-out - he just lived with it.
He didn't need it any more, and gave it to my BIL , it is still running as a construction crew truck.

If you like the truck you're looking at, consider a 6BT Cummins transplant?
There is a lot of info out there, such as:
https://www.dieselconversion.com/blog/cat/conversion-overviews/post/GM-Chevy-1978-1999-Diesel-Gas/

redtom · Apr 5, 2015

We bought a brand new one in 96 after having two 6.2's. We thought "wow" a turbo 6.5! What we got was "Um, This is a a 6.5?!" It was a big disappointment. Money and repair wise, a 5.7 gasser would've been just as good. It had some power and some economy but any amount of real work and it would get hot. Now have a Cummins Dodge.

Sprint 6 · Apr 5, 2015

'93 should be mechanically injected, so the pump is a little more reliable. 6.5 is a good engine if you drive it with something in mind. It was designed to have the power of a 350 with the fuel economy of a V6. Mechanically, the engine was pretty well debugged by '93. They will break cranks if the harmonic balancer breaks and is ignored. If you hear a knock in the front at idle, shut it off and get the balancer replaced. A Cummins they are not, but they are capable. Probably going to struggle with your planned load, but it will do it.

huntingreen2day2 · Apr 5, 2015

I had one in a 96 crew cab I had an 87 3/4 ton with a 350 that out pull it easily

Tractor hauler?

Lazy WP

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806man

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Eldon (WA)

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Lazy WP

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JD Seller

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IlliniJohn

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redtom

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Sprint 6

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huntingreen2day2

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