What do I need to know about one of these? I will be going to Ontario (north, not CA) in the next month or two to pick one up. Free to me, slightly rusty, cloth interior, manual windows and locks. 4 speed auto. Approx 100,000 miles. Hasn't been driven much in the past two years, and will have new rear brakes when I pick it up.
Probably a dumb question but are you bringing a trailer or are you planning on driving it home?
Driving. Neither the mega scooter nor the Miata could tow it. Might ride up and strap the scooter into the bed for the trip back though.
I drove many of those 1990s 6.5s as company trucks. they are horrible. No guts at all. Your top speed will depend on whether you have a tail wind or not. The reliability sucks also, and the parts to fix aren't cheap. Anyways, good luck.
I'd have to disagree with Aeromoto.
While my 1990 K2500 non-turbo wasn't a speed demon it would run along with traffic at 80 mph without a problem.
Fuel mileage dropped off quickly once you got over 65mph. But that was probably due to the SM465 tranny with no OD than any issue with the engine. It would average 17-18mpg around town, and 20-21 highway if you kept speeds reasonable.
Some things to watch out for include the damper, if the rubber fails the cranks like to snap, and usually crack the main webs ruining the block.
Make sure the front bracket is on the starter, otherwise they snap starter bolts.
Good batteries and working glow plugs are a must have. More than a couple bad glow plugs and it will be a bear to start, even in warm weather. There's a glow plug relay and a couple temp sensors that work the system, and can sometimes cause it not to kick in.
Avoid using ether if at all possible. If you must, use it sparingly and unplug the glow plug relay before using it.
When first turning the key on, you should hear the fuel pump run (under the drivers seat on the frame rail). They will run with a bad fuel pump, as long as the injector pump is good, but you will run into problems when you need to change a fuel filter.
Since its a '93, the injector pump should be all mechanical, and not have the problem with the pumps that the later electronic pumps had.
If that chassis still used the thermal actuator for 4wd, then the front diff will be slow to engage, especially when cold out.
they are garbage, drop it off in ohio on your way back south and i will dispose of it by pulling a trailer for 150,000 miles or so getting 20mpg
I remember the first dodge cummins I got after a string of 6.5s. It felt like I got out of a pinto and into a ferrari. You could actually merge onto the interstate at more than 40mph.
Since my work truck is a Sterling box truck with nearly identical power specs. But, it has a GVWR of 26,000 lbs, and is still very heavy when unloaded. As in, it weighs more empty than the Chevy will ever weigh loaded. 0-60 is better measured in minutes in that thing.
Only downfall to the pickup is that it is 2wd. Actualy, that is a good thing, since a 4wd would have been claimed by my big brother to haul his boat up the ramp.
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