I've been a diesel addict for several years now....I read all the magazines, the Diesel Bomber forums, and drool at all the diesels I see daily. I think from all my research that a 2nd Gen Cummins quad cab long box w/ a manual is the truck for me. Turns out, my 2 young boys need fed so I don't exactly have 10k laying around to buy one. I'm so desperate for my first diesel that I've been scouring the gov. vehicle liquidation site for and old GM 6.2 or 6.5. While not my ideal truck, at least it'd put me in the game I've come to love. Any advice?

 

save save save and keep yer eyes open for a good clean one owner

 

If you only feed the kids every other day you might be able to buy the truck you want. I have owned a few 6.2's and 6.5's and have loved every one of them. If you decide to buy a 6.5 you can't go into it thinking that you will be able to modify it the way you can a cummins. There isn't the after market readily available for them. Just check the truck over good make sure it starts easy when cold, has no strange knocks, excessive blow buy, standard thing's on any engine. If you can see the truck before you buy it test the injection pump by slowly accelerating to 2000 rpm hold it there for a bit then slowly back it back down to idle. It should be able to do this smoothly and if it does not it probably has a IP going out and needs to be taken in to consideration when you buy it.

 

I was in the exact same boat as you just a few months ago. I have been obsessed with diesels ever since I was a little kid, and have never wanted anything more than a diesel truck. Got the idea in my head for a swap and 3 months later I had my diesel

Just give it some time, you'll find a good deal. There's actually a guy selling a clean looking 1st gen Cummins for $2500, its over in the for sale section, you should go check it out! If not, I've seen a few 94-98's with 5 speeds go for $5-6k, you just have to be patient and look around.

 

Thanks for your support. I feel like I fell off the wagon, or I'm at a breaking point or something. I guess I'll just keep researching and wait for a great deal to come along. Thanks again.

 

deals are out there! just keep your eyes open. i picked mine up for $3500

 

All of the posts here are pretty good. The 6.2 and 6.5 were decent engines. Not an abundance of power but they did run for a long time and were pretty easy to maintain. Watch for the truck you want and jump right in. Rather than being hung up on a certain engine or make, look at the whole truck. Is it beat up? Any history on it? Is it a good deal? Get what you can afford and what you like. If you're planning on driving it for awhile, better be happy with the truck. There are a lot of decent deals out there now on all makes. Get a good one and hang on and have fun with it. Diesel is the only way to go.....
Stay safe out there.
Ken