B.N.Z.MTNS
Elevation 8,500’
Hello everybody, it’s been a while since I’ve posted on the CK5 forum since I had to sell my last suburban... but tractors break, business expenses add up and money is not growing on trees... so vehicles get sold.
Anyway, I’ve been keeping my eyes open for another deal floating around and I am considering a diesel suburban I found.
The short version of the story is… The guy was on a family trip driving back to Kentucky from the north west coast. While they were taking the back roads through Colorado, apparently he got stuck in the snow somewhere and put it in four-wheel-drive to get out. The transfer case took a dump on him and he got it towed to a small town in the area. After being unable to source a new transfer case for a couple days, they had to rent a vehicle to get the family home and leave the suburban there. He left it with a small business in town who said they would help him get it sold and he’s trying to do this deal from Kentucky.
Anyway, it’s a 1986 suburban, but he has it listed as a 6.5 (non-turbo) diesel. When I asked him why it doesn’t have a 6.2, he said the guy he bought it from had the engine replaced in the 90s under factory warranty from some recall they were having with the 6.2 engines. Apparently, at the time this was replaced, the factory was only producing GM 6.5 diesels, so that’s the replacement engine this truck got.
He says the burb was primarily used as a winter vehicle and only has 110,000 miles, so the engine obviously has less miles than that.
My question for all of you, first of all, what are some key things I need to look out for on these diesels? I’ve owned three different Duramax trucks, but never any of the older GM diesels.
Secondly, does his story and explanation of the 6.5 diesel, recalls in the 90s, etc. make sense? Do any of you veteran GM diesel guys have any other info on that era and engine issues.
It’s 3 hours away from me, but I am planning on taking a look at it in the next week or two. Obviously putting in a new transfer case in is no big deal, I obviously have to make sure the rest of the rig is in decent shape and will have him send me a photo of the title to make sure it’s a legitimate situation.
Is there anything that would make any of you shy away from the deal?
Without telling you what he is selling it for... what should I expect to pay for a low miles, diesel suburban with a straight body, minimal rust, fair interior, and a busted t-case?
I appreciate your info and advice. It would be nice to be in a square body GM again. I’ve had to stay off this forum because I always kick myself for selling any previous rigs that I have had. Maybe this rig will be my reason to return.
Thanks in advance,
Brian
Anyway, I’ve been keeping my eyes open for another deal floating around and I am considering a diesel suburban I found.
The short version of the story is… The guy was on a family trip driving back to Kentucky from the north west coast. While they were taking the back roads through Colorado, apparently he got stuck in the snow somewhere and put it in four-wheel-drive to get out. The transfer case took a dump on him and he got it towed to a small town in the area. After being unable to source a new transfer case for a couple days, they had to rent a vehicle to get the family home and leave the suburban there. He left it with a small business in town who said they would help him get it sold and he’s trying to do this deal from Kentucky.
Anyway, it’s a 1986 suburban, but he has it listed as a 6.5 (non-turbo) diesel. When I asked him why it doesn’t have a 6.2, he said the guy he bought it from had the engine replaced in the 90s under factory warranty from some recall they were having with the 6.2 engines. Apparently, at the time this was replaced, the factory was only producing GM 6.5 diesels, so that’s the replacement engine this truck got.
He says the burb was primarily used as a winter vehicle and only has 110,000 miles, so the engine obviously has less miles than that.
My question for all of you, first of all, what are some key things I need to look out for on these diesels? I’ve owned three different Duramax trucks, but never any of the older GM diesels.
Secondly, does his story and explanation of the 6.5 diesel, recalls in the 90s, etc. make sense? Do any of you veteran GM diesel guys have any other info on that era and engine issues.
It’s 3 hours away from me, but I am planning on taking a look at it in the next week or two. Obviously putting in a new transfer case in is no big deal, I obviously have to make sure the rest of the rig is in decent shape and will have him send me a photo of the title to make sure it’s a legitimate situation.
Is there anything that would make any of you shy away from the deal?
Without telling you what he is selling it for... what should I expect to pay for a low miles, diesel suburban with a straight body, minimal rust, fair interior, and a busted t-case?
I appreciate your info and advice. It would be nice to be in a square body GM again. I’ve had to stay off this forum because I always kick myself for selling any previous rigs that I have had. Maybe this rig will be my reason to return.
Thanks in advance,
Brian
