- Thread starter dbNga
- Start date
They aren’t a bad truck they are only good for about 16 mpg which isn’t bad they aren’t super powerful . If the fuel solenoid driver hasn’t been relocated to the front bumper do it . They drive nice . They aren’t a heavy duty diesel but they aren’t bad for what it is . I’d buy one if the right deal comes along they have 2 crankshaft dampers rev it up to about 3000 rpm if it has a vibration there or anywhere at a steady rpm Parked in nuetral or park it needs a new damper set make sure you torque them to spec
fastfarmall
Well-known Member
A 6.5 will last a long time, if it hasn't been hooked to a goose neck trailer and pulled the snot out of it,What happen's if it's been worked hard is the webbing in the block breaks,on the main bearing support, and once that occurs it looses oil pressure and its all over! I bought a 95,new still have it, run likes a dream 210,xxx miles,but i baby it most of time, i even plug it in,, when it sits in the garage to take the knock out of it, in the winter, not because it wont start, it starts good. How did the previous owner change oil etc ??
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Why purchase a 22 year old vehicle and expect it to work for a living ?
fastfarmall
Well-known Member
I relocated the fuel driver also like SV stated, most injection shop have a kit for that,not a big deal,but the way GM had it,it gets to hot!
This is a great website . I bought the books they have don’t know what happened to them now lots of information
The diesel page
The diesel page
By '99, most of the problems were fixed, but it would still be better to leave it where it is sitting. You never know what you are getting with a 6.5. I have had customers get 300+K out of one with no problems, and I have seen them break down everytime it rains. The 6.5 is also not what people expect of a modern diesel. They are not a power house. The 6.5 turbo diesel was designed to have the power of a 350 gas, with the economy of a 6 cylinder. It does that very well. It IS NOT a Cummins, Powerstroke, or Duramax in power levels.
Possible problems? Fuel driver module, fuel shut off, fuel lift pump, optical sensor (pump replacement), broken harmonic balancer leading to broken crank, cracked blocks, cracked heads. All of these repairs can be more than a '99 is worth, so pay accordingly for the truck.
Possible problems? Fuel driver module, fuel shut off, fuel lift pump, optical sensor (pump replacement), broken harmonic balancer leading to broken crank, cracked blocks, cracked heads. All of these repairs can be more than a '99 is worth, so pay accordingly for the truck.
grandpa Love
Well-known Member
I would rather work on my 21 year old work truck than pay $70,000+ for a new one!!
Traditional Farmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- Virginia
Yep I can do a lot of repairs on my 99 F550 diesel for the cost of a new truck,it been a very reliable truck with very few problems would drive it anywhere.
On the other hand those GM 6.5 diesels were a dog from the get go.
On the other hand those GM 6.5 diesels were a dog from the get go.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
I paid a lot less than that for Mrs B&Ds GMC crew cab 1500 max towing 6.2 with every option and four extra rim with winter tires .
My dad bought a new one in 96 to replace a 6.2. At the time the diesel race was heating up. Our local media people tested all three makes and they were supposed to be about equal in all aspects. Nope. It was a beautiful truck ordered just the way he wanted. Anemic on power, crappy on mileage. It would run hot on a 70 degree day. It went to the shop every other month for repairs that "we know whats wrong,, they all did that". I still have the letter from GM that he got a few years later that said "we know they all have overheating problems, we won't fix it but will give you a discount on a new truck". CTD ever since
RobCons
Well-known Member
- Location
- Central Alabama
Had one in a 2000 4x4 crew cab dually. Its really weak compared to other diesels of that time. Tuners dont work on it. Some of the electronics fail, lift pumps also. It will over heat fairly easily. Even just going up a steep hill without towing anything. For just riding around in they can be ok. For working I would look at something else.
BarnyardEngineering
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rochester, NY
On a truck that you know, yes. You've owned that truck for how long again? The truck wasn't 22 years old when you bought it, and you've run it, maintained it, and fixed it in that time.
When it's a truck that you DON'T know, it's different. You're buying someone else's problems, no doubt. You're buying a truck that is well known for not being all that powerful, reliable, or durable, and is 22 years old.
Let's put it a different way. Put a price on your truck. If you had just laid eyes on your truck for the first time today, not knowing anything but what you could see in front of you, a 22 year old truck with hundreds of thousands of miles on it, would you consider buying it at that price?
Farmer Rock
Member
The 6.2 and 6.5 were best in half ton trucks, and mostly made for improved mpg's over a gasser. GM never should've put those motors in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, since they weren't built for pulling in the first place, and they new it, yet kept using them.
As for using an old truck daily, my work truck is a 1987 F250HD 6.9 idi, and my 1987 International s1600 6.9 idi, which I use for hauling hay and lumber. They earn their keep, and are a lot cheaper to run and maintain than a new electronically controlled diesel. Personally, I would stay far away from the 6.2 or 6.5, and in general a better choice is a 5.9 12 valve, or 24 valve cummins, 7.3 powerstroke, 6.9 or 7.3 idi turbo.
Rock
As for using an old truck daily, my work truck is a 1987 F250HD 6.9 idi, and my 1987 International s1600 6.9 idi, which I use for hauling hay and lumber. They earn their keep, and are a lot cheaper to run and maintain than a new electronically controlled diesel. Personally, I would stay far away from the 6.2 or 6.5, and in general a better choice is a 5.9 12 valve, or 24 valve cummins, 7.3 powerstroke, 6.9 or 7.3 idi turbo.
Rock
I bought a 2002 3500HD stake/dump body couple of years ago for $2000 with 150K miles on it, has that engine. Was a delivery truck for a lumber yard. There are some good you tube videos on consistent problems with them. I've made a few 1000 mile trips without issues to pick up equipment, but have not towed with it. the cabs tend to rust in the rear corners and rockers panels, replacement sections available on-line, that's on my project list
A buddy had one in a duallie to tow his sprint car in an enclosed trailer, not a very heavy load, and it wasn't used for anything else. If you tried to go over 50 (questionable) the temp guage would climb. Was a true doggo, acceleration with the trailer was embarrassing. He babied it something fierce to get by and sold it. Much better to get something with a real diesel- my 2001 F350 SD/7.3 has 100hp added, tows like a beast, has 300K miles, and I have replaced the alternator and water pump- that's it. Starts and runs like a train, and you can torque it up and roast all four rear tires when the kidz are crowing about their new gadgetmobiles
wore out
Well-known Member
I have yet to have a GM pickup of that era come into the shop that isn't packed full of bugs (and if used as a work or farm vehicle, grass, straw, and debris) between the AC condenser and the radiator.
Keeping that area and the condenser and radiator free of debris sure helps with the cooling.
I personally have a 1994 K1500 and a 1995 K3500 and they have been decent vehicles for me.
Robert (ID)
Member
Ill second Sv's comment I've worked on alot of em and owned a few of em.. 93 was the best, it was still a mechanical inj pump.. you could make those run.. the next was the down pipe and stock exhaust.. then up the boost a lil it will run.. the last 93 we did (3/4 4x4 with the 4500 5spd) would get 20mpg all day long running down the highway loaded with tools.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
11,000 lbs is not shabby . And above most pickup truck drivers license. In fact more weight than these beloved diesels of the 1990s .
Why are so many bass boats hauled by diesel dualies .
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
For heavier loads I would
Move up to the 3500 with the 6.6 DI gas .
Lets see you pull into an interstate weigh station with a couple of those loads and find out how it goes .
What do you plan on towing with when that truck is too far gone to repair ?
Similar threads
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.
Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy