"new" truck

[atvrider93]

hey guys
i'm starting to look for my first truck. i think i want a diesel because of running costs and mileage. i also plan on doing a lot of towing for my 4 wheeler and 6x6. i need something that is reliable, durable and inexpensive. i found a truck on craigslist that is a 1993 GMC 3500 long bed for 800 and the guy says it needs an injector pump. it has 120000 miles. 93 gmc 3500 long bed (mechanics speacial)
the kelly blue book is 1800
would you guys reccomend this truck or not?
should i go with diesel or not?

[coosaridgerider]

That looks like a 1500,A3500 is a 1 ton truck.

[B.A.]

6.2 diesel

The 6.2 diesels get very good fuel mileage. A lot better than the new duramax. If the rest of the truck is in good shape thats a good price

[atvrider93]

The 6.2 diesels get very good fuel mileage. A lot better than the new duramax. If the rest of the truck is in good shape thats a good price

i was told the 6.2l's have no power?
is this true?

[rdr]

i was told the 6.2l's have no power?
is this true?

none what so ever !!!! buy u a cummins 6 speed 4x4 . enought said . robbie

[coosaridgerider]

Yha what robbie said,I test drove one of those trucks many years ago and took it right back to the car lot.Was very dissapointed in the power,NO POWER.I have a 03 dodge 4 door long wheel base with 4.7 gas burner,Gets 20mpg pulls 3 large 4 wheelers with no problem.Love it.

[B.A.]

I run a 94 chevy 2 wheel drive ext cab long box with 6.5 diesel. Lots of power and good fuel mileage. Depends what you want it to do and how much you want to spend.

[brushcutter]

Before you buy this Chevy check the price of the pump that it needs. Some of those things are expensive. The Dodge sounds good if you want a diesel, I know several folks that have them and they perform like gas burners.

[rdr]

Before you buy this Chevy check the price of the pump that it needs. Some of those things are expensive. The Dodge sounds good if you want a diesel, I know several folks that have them and they perform like gas burners.

thanks brush , i have a quad on mine love it to death ,can bark them in 4 on dry pavment and spinn them through 5 in the rain . robbie

[kahn]

Hey Man!!

hey guys
i'm starting to look for my first truck. i think i want a diesel because of running costs and mileage. i also plan on doing a lot of towing for my 4 wheeler and 6x6. i need something that is reliable, durable and inexpensive. i found a truck on craigslist that is a 1993 GMC 3500 long bed for 800 and the guy says it needs an injector pump. it has 120000 miles. 93 gmc 3500 long bed (mechanics speacial)
the kelly blue book is 1800
would you guys reccomend this truck or not?
should i go with diesel or not?

Be careful of these older Diesels. Although some are very dependable, some parts are expensive. I just put a new fuel pump on my 7.3 F350 and the wholesale on the pump was over $500.00. And maintenance is more expensive on a Diesel also. I need one for the equipment that I carry on some trailers but for hauling the 6x6 and quad around, you won't need the power. A good small block gas burner would probably suit your needs just as well and save you $$$. Today my diesel fuel bill was $489.50.

[Jeff t-boss]

The earlier (GM) 6.2s were a bit problematic and not very convincing as the other guys touched on. One big problem was the glow plugs swelling in the heads. (Which was quite common.) They didn't last long in the first place, and if they swelled and you broke one taking them out, off with your head. NOT A CHEAP OR SIMPLE JOB. They also weren't too brag-worthy on the power side either. All around common comute to-and-from-work/store engines in my book. If you put an injector pump in, you might as well change the injectors too. Whatever wore away from the inside of that pump is probably sitting in the nozzles of the injectors. (restricting the spray pattern) Also, a pump installed is gonna start around $1,200.00. AND it HAS to be timed. (The 6.2 was pre electronic control) I don't know of any shops/parts stores that rent diesel injection pump timing equipment (Time-Trak etc..) and it is very expensive to buy if you're only gonna use it once. One member mentioned the 7.3L. It was a good motor for it's day. It is actually an International (Diesel) motor, and too was pre-electronic control. The biggest problems I saw with those were the lift/transfer pump check valve, (Trivial) and injector pump shut-down solenoids. (Also trivial). There were glow plug concerns, but most of that was tied to the controller or short lifespan of the plugs themselves. (Never had one swell in the head.) The successor of the 7.3 was jointly developed by Ford and International. It was the T444E. (Tripple 4 E) It was actually the same 7.3L, (7.3L is actually 444 cu in) but was electronically controlled with HEUI injectors. It was a good motor and there weren't any real issues with it. Inectors and glow plugs at about 150k miles comes to mind. And IPR (Injection Pressure Regulator) failure. Not too bad. Also The oil gally plug seals prematurely failed, but were upgraded. Enough on that. One member mentioned a good gasser for what you want. He/she is pretty close in that suggestion. Diesels are designed to work/run. If you are just towing around a 6x6, it may be a bit of over-kill. I have a 4.3L gasser in my S15 Jimmy and I tow my 1969 19ft cathedral hull fiberglass all over without a big concern of gas mileage or power. In fact, this motor/drivetrain is advertised to pull/tow 5000lb. It does OK. Also remember, that even with todays hi-tech electronec controlled diesel engines, the worst thing for them is to let them idle. And if you do alot of city driving, it's a waste in my book. As I said, they are designed to work/run. This was supposed to be my 2 cents worth, but now that I read it, it's more like a-buck-and-a-half. Sorry for being so winded, but if it helps. GREAT. I don't want to talk you out of anything, just weigh your options.

[mark m.]

Smartly written and good info Jeff. Thanks.

[atvrider93]

wow, thanks for all that info
i think i'm gonna forget about this one and look for a dodge with a late 12 valve or early 24 valve as someone suggested to me. i have friends with a large boat which i would pull on occasion and the only trailers available to me for more than just my ATV are very large.

[McCoy]

atv93,

I might be able to help you out. I have 2 that I would part with. PM sent.

McCoy

[Jeff t-boss]

Dodge used to run the Cummins 6BT (in-line 6) and later the ISB. Both good engines overall. Not really any big issues that I remember. Injectors are easy enough to change. I do remember the 6BT going through lift/transfer pumps. I just eliminated it and converted to an electric one.