Strait dope on diesel trucks
 

Hey folks, heres a little question for ya. My dad is looking to get a 2 or 4WD diesel truck in about two months for his business. We're thinking about Fords or Chevs from the 80s since we dont want to spend more than 5K. Basically the truck will be used as a farm truck, driving two and from his plant nursery to retailers. Anyone familiar with engines in these vehicles? (For example, i have heared that the GM 6.2 is better than the 6.5, but i dont know any specifics.)I have no experience with Ford diesels, or really Ford vehicles in general as I have have up until now been a GM dude. Anyone know of any whidespread problems in particular models or years, or have any particular recommendations? Thanks in advance for all the help.

Any particular reason it has to be a diesel? You said there would be running around, will there be some heavy towing too or something? I think if you are looking at a vehicle that is around 20 years old, it is more important how THAT particular vehicle has been maintained, and what type of shape it is in, as opposed to which type you get. JMO

Diesel is ideal because we plan to run it on biodiesel, either B20 or B100 depending on the year of the truck we end up getting. I guess im just looking to see if there is any particular vehicle that was notorious for having problems and should be avoided.

Not much here but I remember some early GM pickup Diesels were horrible conversions of gasoline engines. If you find one that's still running you should run faster. Away.

Do you qualify for a farming/ag fuel tax exemption? I've never had to mess with it but always wanted to be able to.

The GM 6.5 TD was a good engine, if I remember right. You DON'T want a non-turbo diesel. Ford's 7.3 PowerStroke is a good diesel, too. Better than the GM 6.2 or 6.5's. Dodge had the Cummins diesel back a ways, too. That's always a good choice.

I agree with DEI37. I don't know anything about the Powerstroke or Cummins, but the 6.5's were good motors, tough as hell. Used to work on them alot in pickups/vans/cube vans. I've seen guys drive them into the shop without an oil pan on them (too heavy to push it in and steer without power steering), engines with 500,000+km on them, there was one with a broken crank that was driven in with a complaint of a ticking noise, and once in a van, the tech had the crossover pipe for the turbo off (so the turbo prettymuch blew air into the shop and not into the engine), and he dropped a rag, which got sucked into one of the intake manifolds. He held it to the floor and the rag came out the tailpipe over the next couple minutes in several small burnt pieces.

6.2's are gutless and not really any more efficient than 6.5s in my opinion. As for the new turbo diesel 6.6 "Duramax", it's made by Isuzu, and if I had a nickel for every one I've seen in the shop for injectors I'd be a zillionaire. 1-3 years old, and they come in for a complaint of an oil leak...turns out the injectors are shot, leak fuel into the oil, you check the oil level and it's 4" above the full mark. Replacing the injectors isn't exactly a fun job either. Lucky for the customers they've all been under warranty so far.

I wouldn't hesitate from buying a 6.5 but I'd stay away from a 6.2 or Duramax (although it sounds like you're looking for an older truck at which point the Duramax is out). A quick and easy way to spot the difference (if I recall) is that if it has a turbo it's a 6.5, naturally aspirated it's a 6.2. I think the 6.5s also had holes in the front bumper (air intakes, on pickups anyway) wheras the 6.2s did not. I could be mistaken though. I don't have any experience with the Cummins or Ford engines so I can't say there.

Adam

Wow thanks for all the info guys!! Ill start looking at some 6.5s...