Posted 2011-04-19 6:54 AM (#133159) Subject: Thoughts on 1998 chevy 2500 diesel w/ z71 off road pkg?
Member
Posts: 7
Hi guys, I recently posted about my search for a truck and 2 horse trailer on a budget and everyone was so helpful. I've found a truck that is in the budget but older than I had ideally wanted. Like the title says it is a diesel chevy, 6.5 duramax with a z71 off road package. It is not lifted but has tires a size larger than standard. Only 130k. Does this sound like a truck I should look at more closely?
Posted 2011-04-19 10:16 PM (#133217 - in reply to #133159) Subject: RE: Thoughts on 1998 chevy 2500 diesel w/ z71 off road pkg?
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
The 6.5 will tow your bumper single horse trailer really well (on the flat as long as you are going downhill both ways) there are many limitations. Stay clear of those trucks.. IMHO
Posted 2011-04-19 10:46 PM (#133220 - in reply to #133159) Subject: RE: Thoughts on 1998 chevy 2500 diesel w/ z71 off road pkg?
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by Rriddick on 2011-04-19 6:54 AM
Hi guys, I recently posted about my search for a truck and 2 horse trailer on a budget and everyone was so helpful. I've found a truck that is in the budget but older than I had ideally wanted. Like the title says it is a diesel chevy, 6.5 duramax with a z71 off road package. It is not lifted but has tires a size larger than standard. Only 130k. Does this sound like a truck I should look at more closely?
Not a D-max at all....
But with a little research and giving me some information about the engine I can tell you what to check and how to check it out. These are actually GOOD engines, but alittle low on horse power but great towing and super fuel mileage trucks.
I would give it a good look and if the price is right I would jump all over it! Everything on this truck (as far as parts go) is to buy.
ie: I just replace a injector pump on one for $600 parts and labor.
The biggest problem with these trucks is the PMD (pump mounted driver) is mounted on the side of the injector pump from the factory and heat will kill it. (sometimes) I have had many of these type trucks and half had problems and half didn't. It is a simple fix by relocating the PMD away from the engine on move it to the top of the engine on an alum. mount. (found on ebay)
Posted 2011-04-20 2:24 PM (#133250 - in reply to #133159) Subject: RE: Thoughts on 1998 chevy 2500 diesel w/ z71 off road pkg?
Veteran
Posts: 229
Rriddick, I second HTB. I have two 2500, 4X4 Chevy trucks, one a 6.5(1992) and one a Duramax (2001, both automatics. These are two very different trucks used for two very different purposes. The 6.5 doesn't pull the LQ trailer, but it is my work horse. It works very hard hauling a 325 gallon water tank, hauling the hay trailer, pulling buck brush, and pulling my day ride trailer, an 18 foot on the deck, 4,500 lb all steel GN stock trailer. Also, these trucks are good daily drivers, as they sip fuel. Here's the deal, you just can't run up the mountains with the big dogs (yer buddies with the newer diesels). She'll overheat on ya! These trucks are picky, picky on the power range. If are pulling a long, steep grade, think 2200 rpm in a low gear, like 22 mph. You'll get there, it'll just take a while. I have a friend that has a small logging company and he has a little fleet (5) of them. It's all he buys and he's a good business man who does most of his own truck maintenance. If you don't live in mountainous terrain, you probably won't have an issue, especially pulling a little trailer like the one that you described. You just won't be zipping off from the stop lights very well. Maintenance has been good for me. Like HTB explained, just move that switch. My buddy moves the switch on all of his. Mine is older, so no switch to move. The only weak spot that I have discovered on these trucks is is the main fuel injection pump. I figure that that is just the cost of operation if I have to replace it every 70k miles or so. (HTB, I wish that I had only had to pay your low low price.) Also, convert the switch that locks in the front hubs to a manually activated switch. IF the truck is an automatic, the automatic transmissions that came with those trucks is a good one. If no auto trans cooler, need to have a cooler installed. These engines got an especially bad rep because of the 6.2's. This is good, as they can be had cheap. If the truck is in good condition per your trusted mechanic and the price is right, I'd say go for it. My 6.5 is close to twenty years old with 107k miles. I am 60, and I expect that 6.5 to last me the rest of my years.
Posted 2011-04-20 3:05 PM (#133252 - in reply to #133159) Subject: RE: Thoughts on 1998 chevy 2500 diesel w/ z71 off road pkg?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
A friend of mine owns a HVAC company. Years ago he bought several new Ford 2WD one ton diesels for his business. This was before the turbos were available. Heavy utility bodies were installed, and a great deal of weight in various parts were carried inside. For service work, running around town, they were perfect.
Then his daughter got involved into 4H showing. The father installed a hitch on the truck he used and bought a large 2HBP trailer. Every wet show, he had to be pulled off the lawns and parking areas onto the road. He was the first to leave for the shows and the last to arrive. Every hill was an object of frustration, as he rowed his way to increasingly slower speeds with the gearshift lever. The next season he had a different vehicle.
Whatever truck you decide upon, should be adequate for the task. If you make a purchase that doesn't work well, you will have to make an additional purchase, or even a third. This will cost more overall, than initally getting the correct rig. There are many used gas trucks that can adequately pull a 2H trailer. Don't be stuck on one brand or only diesels for your requirements. Your needs aren't problematic and can be satisified by a number of solutions.
Posted 2011-04-20 8:25 PM (#133273 - in reply to #133250) Subject: RE: Thoughts on 1998 chevy 2500 diesel w/ z71 off road pkg?
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by horsecamper on 2011-04-20 2:24 PM
(HTB, I wish that I had only had to pay your low low price.)QUOTE]
I am buying them off of ebay from a company in the North West. I just bought another reman electric IP for a 1994 and ordered it with no PMD and it was $350 exchange, had it in 2 days. This guy has been on ebay for awhile now and seems to stand behind his work.
Thoughts on 1998 chevy 2500 diesel w/ z71 off road pkg?
