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Is this a good idea? (truck purchasing scheme)

6.2 Diesel as DD?

  • Yes, a 6.2 will give you better mpgs and still allow you to drive an older truck

    Votes: 14 60.9%
  • No, 73-87 trucks are too old to be a reliable DD

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Maybe, Just be prepared to work on it a lot

    Votes: 9 39.1%
  • No Way! Buy a Ricer!

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    23
A 2wd will have 2:73 gears if original. So don't expect stellar performance but it will very happily loaf along at 65 and get good mileage doing it. The 4wd if original will have 3:08 gears, it'll perform a little better then the 2wd but mostly similar. The 700 will be quick to get into 4th gear lockup. In the 40 mph range IIRC.

As for what to look for engine wise. First before starting it check the fuel return hoses that run between all the injectors to see if they're dry rotted or not. Cheap and easy fix if they are but can cause a fuel leak if rotted/missing.

See if there's any old fuel leaks around the hard injectors lines. Check for any of the usual leaking gaskets like any other engine.

Be sure to check the harmonic balancer for dry rot.

When going to start the engine make sure the glowplugs turn on. You'll see the indicator light and hear it turn on. This time of year the truck should start with relative ease, meaning very little to no smoke on start up and while idling. Engine should idle smoothly after a few seconds of running. Should be making a nice even rattling/clattering sound. You can find what they sound like on youtube to give you an idea. Shouldn't hear any misses at idle.

When driving there shouldn't be much if any smoke. A light haze when under WOT is normal. If its smoking like a freight train something is wrong. Could be a clogged fuel filter maybe more, but could be used a point to knock the price down some. Believe it or not the engine will actually be louder at idle then when driving/cruising. If its not any noises beyond the dieseling sound like say a rod-knock will be the same as any other engine.

That's all I can think of at the moment.
 
While a nice looking truck from the pictures. Yes for a cucv its too much money. If it was a loaded civy version in mint condition then be worth that. For what it is, I'd say in the low 4s for it. If as clean as he says it is.
 
I have never seen a m1008 advertised in the low 4s in that nice of shape as a driver. You might find an m1009 that cheap. You can buy ones with missing pieces, rust, dents, etc. for 2-3k but it'll cost you 3k more to get them on the road and you will never have a clean driver of a truck.

Heres the only other ad up right now for comparison.

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/4088081663.html

And here you are buying a truck from a guy who's obviously an idiot.

Another one, as I search more states.

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/3972225810.html
 
yea, i dont get it. People want stupid money for ex military trucks. Yet people are getting them at auction for cheap.
 
There is a 1984 K10 Suburban almost identical to mine on the Boston CL ,if you type in 1984 Suburban diesel it'll show up..its practically mint,but thet want 5 grand for it..looks worth it though!..wish mine was that nice..

Another guy in Rehobeth MA near me has a Military K30 that has the radio truck body on it,and he has a few others listed on there once in a while,all are big bucks though--one was re-geared so it can be highway driven,I think it was listed at 8 grand...

Personally if I bought a truck at a military auction I'd be buying it for rust free cab & body panels,and I'd consider the drive train "junk",even if it has practically no mileage on it--we all know the abuse they get ,being driven by someone who doesn't care if they wreck it,its as bad or worse than a rental car as far as that goes..

I was tempted to go to one auction that had hundreds of 6.2's listed scattered all over a huge parking lot,some brand new looking ones in shipping crates..but who knows if its been sitting so long its seized,or has spun bearings at very low miles,etc..they dont let you test anything ,its buy it as-is or go away...you could score big time--or lose big time..
I think most of those engines were replaced by 6.5's and I'm sure they got "whipped" before they pulled them out..sadly a lot of military stuff gets bought up by scrap dealers in huge lots,so we never get a chance to pick thru and get any of the good stuff...it goes right in the smelter..
 
Thats the one I mentioned,my '85 is the same paint scheme and doesn't have the cab lights,and is not as nice shape as that one is body wise,but its still very solid.. its the closest to mine I've seen so far--same drivetrain,etc...you dont see many older Suburbans with 6.2's factory here...or many pickups any more either for that matter of the same vintage..
I think I own the last 2 on the south shore sometimes..:rolleyes:
 
That one was up last year too. You can see snow in pics. He's either inflexible or no one here wants it. Either way I could go check it out and take a bunch of pics if you were interested. It's literally a mile away from my house.
 
Okay i know i want a 4 wheel drive, and a k20 would be nice because it may be used to tow (not anything crazy, just a boat or whatever), and a lift may be added down the road.

Haha im getting farther away from efficient arent i....

well anyway, with all that stated, what do you guys think about this?
http://chautauqua.craigslist.org/cto/4089952040.html
 
Heres a picture he sent me. Has a banks turbo, no overdrive, but i could swap one in if needed, says its clean and has 13k into it. Yea, i know most is probably paint and those dumb wheels. :haha:

IMG959884.jpg
 
I wonder why he is selling after putting in all that cash?
 
not sure, says the frame is immaculate, but he also let slip that he is a college kid and needs the cash, so i dont know, i figure ill go look at it and judge. Says it gets 17ish mpg.
 
I would expect a little better with the banks. I wonder what gears it has. From what I have read you can pick up a couple mpg with the turbo.
 
I would expect a little better with the banks. I wonder what gears it has. From what I have read you can pick up a couple mpg with the turbo.

ive heard that too, and im not sure on gearing, the way he talks, it doesnt seem like he worked on it.

Wont be for a week or so until i can go look at it, because his schedule is crazy. So hopefully its still around by then....
 
Alright heres a mighty big update. While i was looking for a truck to daily drive, i stumbled across this, and ended up picking it up for a deal. haha i couldnt resist :D

 
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