GMC 6.5 Turbo

Ballenxj · May 19, 2013

OK, I've been eyeballing this truck that is equipped with a very low mile 6.5 engine with a factory turbo. Also, near as I can tell it comes with a 4L80E 4 speed automatic transmission. Does anybody have any experience with this set up, or know anything about it that I should watch out for? Thanks in advance. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> -Bruce

Lostinspace · May 20, 2013

I was looking at a box van with a gmc turbo diesel.  Called my car repair place for their comment and they said to stay away from the gmc diesels.  The owner was trying to sell it as a Detroit Diesel but it was not. So I limited my looking to dodge with the cummins diesel, a great diesel, and ford diesels. I came across a deal too good to pass up for a 35' BlueBird Wanderlodge with a Cat 3208 turbo though so I've kinda quit looking the last month or so.  it needs a lot of work, inside and outside.  I realize there's nothing stealthy about a Wanderlodge, but I think it will suit me.  We'll see.  I can always sell it and get my money mostly back. Good luck in your search.

Ballenxj · May 20, 2013

Thanks for your input Wade. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> Reason I'm asking here is I too have heard about the horror stories of early GMC diesels. OTOH, I have a good friend that is a diehard Chevy/GMC fan, and he insists that the GMC diesels of that year weren't bad. He further says that this is the diesel that the government uses in Humvee's etc. He's pushing me to get it, but I'm worried that it's just the GMC fan boy coming out. RE, GMC diesel being the same as a Detroit, I have read that somewhere too. The very low miles on this one is tempting, but I'm worried about the reliability. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> -Bruce

Lostinspace · May 20, 2013

I love GMC, I have an old 'vette, 1992.  And have had an S-10 that went to 300k miles.  It's just what I've heard on the GMC diesel though.  You might go on some GMC diesel websites with the year etc. and just ask and see what they come back with.  Maybe they can tell you what year/s to avoid. Some where I've heard that 160k miles is about average; that's not even as good as I get on gas engines though.  But if you take care of it and do the maintenance, be religous about it; you should be able to get a bunch more than that. Ask your mechanic, who you get to check it out, what they think.  He shouldn't have a dog in the fight. Good luck.

Ballenxj · May 20, 2013

Thanks again Wade, There's a new twist in this story. I have contacted a guy that advertised a 90 Ford Box truck, (old U-Haul) with a 7.3 liter diesel for trade. I offered my 93 Safari van for trade. He replied that he is interested. Hmm, I think I'm going to look into this. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> -Bruce

rokguy · May 22, 2013

Thought GM Diesel and Detroit diesel were the same company? Sorry off topic Lostinspace look very closely at that Cat 3208. Initially they were designed as a throw away engine and didn't produce much power. You can get a good one but their biggest problem were they didn't have  replaceable cylinder liners with thin water jackets (unborable blocks) hence when they wear its new engine time. Geoff

Lostinspace · May 22, 2013

Yep I understand. This one is a turbo. Has good oil pressure, 45 psi at idle. I will be changing all the rubber, filters and belts.

I suppose if the engine goes I would put in a cummins, which I really like.

On the detroit diesel versus gm diesel, they are different I think. My understanding is the gm diesel is based on a gas engine. Or at least it's what I have heard. I don't understand how they can base it on a gas engine, just what I have heard.

rokguy · May 23, 2013

Lostinspace, Cat 3208 turbo or not was a throw away engine. Just check it over really good. Agreed Cummins make good engines. I got a Cummins 400HP VT903 myself. Geoff

Ballenxj · May 23, 2013

I drove the 230 mile round trip to look at the Ford with the 7.3 IDI engine. I found he didn't disclose that the overhang on the box had been hit and hastily repaired. Also the top of the cab was caved in to the extent that I don't know how the windshield was not broken. You couldn't see any of this in the posted picture. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/mad.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> Back to the GMC as that seems to be the best truck I can find for the money. I looked the value up on Kelly's Blue Book. I couldn't find a box truck there, so I looked up the value of the same model 3500 cargo van that was otherwise equipped the same. The book was way lower than what he is asking. Are box vans worth that much more? Is there a rule of thumb to go by? He's asking $5800, and I'm thinking$4000 to $4500. I'm thinking of splitting the difference between what he's asking and the KBB value due to the low mileage. Thoughts? -Bruce

Ballenxj · May 24, 2013

Update, I talked to the owner of the GMC and told him my thoughts and concerns. I told him I was thinking more like $4500 or possibly lower after I drive it. He said no problem as he had just picked the original number based on what he had seen dealers asking. I said yeah, dealers are always way high. He seemed cool with this. -Bruce

Ballenxj · May 31, 2013

Well, It looks like I'm now the owner of a GMC box truck. I'm almost ashamed to say what I offered, and he took it. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <img src="/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> -Bruce

highdesertranger · May 31, 2013

good for you.  now we need pics of your set up.  highdesertranger

Ballenxj · Jun 2, 2013

Photos coming up. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> The truck.

The rear. Note the sliding door that gives entrance to the cab. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

The dimensions are fifteen and a quarter feet inside from front to back. seven and a half feet wide, by seven and a half feet tall. I won't have to stoop over, YEEAAAY! -Bruce

stude53 · Jun 2, 2013

<a onclick="toggleTooltip('',document.getElementById('divMemberMenu1974686'),this); return false;" href="/profile/1974686" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ballenxj</a>, Love your truck. It's just the type I have been looking for. I've seen a number of good floor plans and builds on the internet for box trucks or stepvans. Some on this site, too. Good luck and keep the pictures coming , we love pictures. Bob

Ballenxj · Jun 2, 2013

Thank you Bob. This is my first diesel too. I'm hoping all goes well. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">   I'm still thinking about what Grummy did with his step van, and I'm hoping to do something similar. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> I have also seen some nice box truck conversions. One of the first things I want to investigate is insulation. -Bruce

stude53 · Jun 3, 2013

Bruce, One thing I have seen that I want to put in my truck is a bed that is attached to the wall and hinged so I can fold it up out of the way when I want to haul something. Just an idea. I've been thinking and planning what I want in a rolling home (my "wheel estate"). Bob

Ballenxj · Jun 3, 2013

Hi Bob, I'm still working on ideas here, that (and money) is one of the reasons everything is moving so slow. Also debating whether or not I want any windows. Oh, and the roll up door. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with or about that, however I have been thinking about framing in a wall just inside of where the door rolls to at the top. This would give me a smaller area to set up living quarters, but leave a generous area for a garage, or hauling things, even a motorcycle. I think I want a very basic floor plan with everything fixed and attached. A full sized bed, an enclosed area for the toilet, a chest of drawers, a hanging closet with shelf, and a work bench along the side that can double as a table. Underneath the work bench will be storage for tools. Ideally a studio apartment on wheels. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> -Bruce

AimlessWanderLust · Jun 3, 2013

Re: GMC Diesel not good because it was based on gas motor This could be totally wrong, but I have also heard that it was based on a gas motor.  My understanding was that in order to save money and design costs, they used the engine block from a well established V8, and just bolted on "diesel" heads, also replacing the crank, rods, etc.  The problem was that the gas V8 block was never designed or intended to handle the higher compression ratio of diesel engines, so eventually the block would crack, and thus, catastrophic failure.

Ballenxj · Jun 3, 2013

Thanks Aimless, I too have heard the same stories, but upon further checking found that the 6.5 Turbo is indeed a version of the Detroit Diesel. Also the 6.5 is the same one used in military Humvee's. They were deemed to be reliable. (I looked it up) I was very concerned about this, but was reassured by several folks including my brother whom owned an H1 Hummer that they are OK, just not a powerhouse like Cummins, Powerstroke, & Duramax. Their forte is fuel economy, which is what I'm after. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> I'm keeping my fingers crossed. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> -Bruce

Ballenxj · Nov 6, 2013

First post on the new forum. I figured my old thread would be a good place to try posting on.

GMC 6.5 Turbo

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