Looking into getting a 6.5 suburban.... what can you tell me about it? What should I look for?

Anything will help... I know nothing.....

 

Not a bad engine, but pretty weak injection pumps overall. A bit hard to work on as the IP is right in the valley of the V near the turbo. Don't try to turn it up and you'll probably be okay. Or swap in a CTD and never look back....

 

My brother has one as his second vehicle (for when his powerjoke breaks down). It is a little had to work on, I had to replace some fuel lines and some other odds and ends. He says overall not a bad engine, parts are cheap, but has no power. when he tows with it (6/7k trailer) he is in the pedal hard all the time!!! If the price is right I would go for it, but dont expect too much.

 

A buddy of mine had a 97 K2500 Chevy with one. He didn't have very good luck with it. First set of head gaskets went at about 85K. Injectors bit the dust shortly there after. When he traded it with 125K the head gaskets were going again. It didn't have a whole lot of power when towing either.

On the other hand I know a couple guys that also have K2500 Chevy's with the 6.5 and they are still going strong with close to 200K on them. I don't know those fellas trucks near as well as the first one I mentioned, but they told me they've never had to do anything other than routine maintenance.

I've heard from several people, that know those motors well, that you either got a good one or a bad one.

 

Dooon't dooo iiit!

Speaking as the former owner of a '95 6.5 Suburban. That engine and its control system are a nightmare. One of the happiest days in my life was the day I sold that truck.

 

I have one and i really love it!
as stated it is gutless, but has neen a reliable vehicle
seating for 8 adults with plenty of room for bags,groceries,luggage,whatever
leather seating, 4wd and not too horible mpg's for a big comfortable truck!!
dodge should have looked at making somthing like it!!

 

i know when i was in the military the injector pumps puked all the time

 

Had a 95, 6.5 with over 250K on it. It only took 6-$1800 injection pump redo's to get there. Never tried to do it myself. Looks like a pain.

 

My dad truck has about 200K on it but it is on its 2nd motor and 2nd trans. It is a dog compared to my Cummins, and doesnt like to pull anything! But it makes a great Farm truck and he gets decent mileage with it. If it has over 125K on it with the original motor I would go for it anything less than that I would be afraid of major engine failure. As for the pump GM did have a "secret" warranty on the I/P on these engines up to 125K because the pumps were designed to run on the old old fuel, not hte low sulfur and ultra low sulfur fuel that came out right before these engines did. They figured it was cheaper to replace a few pumps then to R&D a new one to run on the new fuel.
DS79

 

It is a bit of a turd, but seems to be pretty reliable. My sis's fiancee had one for a while and never had a problem with it, and he had an aftermarket ECM burned for it. While the ECM did seem to bring it to life, still you won't get any sort of a Cummins jerk ya back in the seat feeling outta it. One main problem I've seen is a dump truck came into our shop smelling fuel, found that the fuel lines just kinda lay in the valley and they rubbed through. Made a nice mess and a pain to get to.

 

I had a 92 with the 6.5td. The fuel lines running through the valley is a pain. The O ring on the fuel filter leaking. Had the truck for 300K+ miles and sold it. Ii did have a set or reman heads on it, hard to keep it running cool while towing. If it would have been an ext cab, would have dropped a 12v in it. Nothing runs like a cummins!

 

If you do get it make sure it is either a 93 or 95 and newer. The 94s were the first year for electronic fuel system and a vaccum wastegate. Also buy a pmd relocator will save a lot of problems. But over all 6.5s are good for everyday driving just dont expect it to tow like a cummins


Im tryin to find time and money to rebulid my 94 back up so my gf can drive a diesel plus i know she cant hurt herself or the tranny in that truck

 

just get gas suburban= more reliable and more power we had one we used for the USCG and it was horrible

 

great trucks. engine is a gutless paper weight but fairly dependable.

as far is the injection pump going it does happen however the main failure is the injection pump drive as it is mounted on the side and over heats.

I highly suggest buying a relocation kit for the driver/computer, and if you have a head gasket leak chances are you will need new heads. 90% of the time we replace heads rather than machine because they are toast

 

One thing i can say is that after i had the IP replace on my 94 i had them turn it up a lil and it would smoke like a frieght train.

also if you do get one get a body lift and replace the factory downpipe. Major restcition and heat build up for these engines.