Posted 2005-07-09 1:50 PM (#27839 - in reply to #27835) Subject: RE: anyone ever own a Chevy diesel dually?
Expert
Posts: 2689
Same power in either truck.
What I do NOT remember is when GM had a strike (organised labor action) that went on for along time and (..might have..) caused something like a model year slip. Just after that they seemed to be making "last year's trucks" and calling them this/next year's.
The other thing I know for sure is that parts are "tricky" for the 6.5.
You might get the right one, you might have to go back two or three times to get the right one, you may have to take in a part that you've taken off and have the parts place try to match it up. You've probably already been through this with your 3/4 T.
Posted 2005-07-09 9:07 PM (#27851 - in reply to #27835) Subject: RE: anyone ever own a Chevy diesel dually?
Member
Posts: 23
I used to own the exact truck you're considering, "yard-jockey" style (short cab). I hauled a 28' Sooner 4H GN with it, 14,000 pounds gross trailer weight but I'd guess the real weight was closer to 11,000-12,000 packed with 4 horses and saddles and show stuff and 4 hay bales. The truck did the job but there was never a chance of breaking any speed limits. Steep hills required prayer and crossed fingers. Rear suspension was weak but I never busted a spring. Used to get a MASSIVE 3-4 Hz resonance with the torque converter locked up and while accelerating lighly under load on the highway (by that I mean not enough acceleration to unlock the converter)--VERY dangerous. Can't remember the exact speed but ISTR it was around 50-55. I worked around it. Never got around to isolating the problem becuase the fuel pump died on the truck and by then I'd had it with the piece of crap (weak motor, weak suspension, A/C went bad) and traded it for an '01 with the big gas motor. FWIW, there's a guy in town who's using essentially the same truck to pull a 6H Sooner, but he's got a manual tranny. Last time I spoke with him the only thing that'd gone wrong with his '97 was the rear main seal. KS.
Posted 2005-07-11 12:36 PM (#27901 - in reply to #27835) Subject: RE: anyone ever own a Chevy diesel dually?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160
Location: Denver Colorado
And to think this is what our military has put up with for a couiple of decades. The 6.2L and the 6.5L TD. Ask the folks that work on Humvee's. Soon the Duramax and Allison is to come to Hummers. It's in the Alpha civilian Hummer now.
Posted 2005-07-11 12:55 PM (#27904 - in reply to #27835) Subject: RE: anyone ever own a Chevy diesel dually?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
Location: Tipton, IN
Mr. Truck, I had a 6.2L in a 1985 GMC 3/4 ton. It was, in my opinion a better motor than the 6.5L. It still runs around the small town where I live and a guy roofs out of it. The last person in our family to own it after I sold it with 175,000miles on it had almost 220,000 miles on it 2 years ago before he sold it to this kid. Damn near indestructible, but plan on a starter every other year.
Posted 2005-07-11 1:10 PM (#27906 - in reply to #27835) Subject: RE: anyone ever own a Chevy diesel dually?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160
Location: Denver Colorado
That one done well. Which is the general concensus that the 6.2L is better. The military didn't want the elecltronic controlls and wanted a mechanical pump. Something to do with mushroom clouds messing up the electricity. The 6.2L generally gets better mpg than the 6.5L. But these engines still not in the same class as Cummins and Powerstroke in my opinion. Took GM along time to get back in the game and now they are doing well.