Best diesel SUV? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

86560SEL · #31 01-05-2006, 08:31 PM

Yeah, that is true, not many 90s diesel SUVs in the USA. The Ford Excursion offered a diesel, but it was not introduced until what, 2001?

About the "POS" statement about the 6.5L diesel, I am not sure, but wasn't that the same engine that was offered in the 95' Suburban? I am asking, because my uncle had a 1995 GMC Suburban, loaded to the maximum and it had the diesel engine. He had 270K on it when he sold it and it was still running perfectly and never had any troubles with it. Before that, he had an 1988 GMC Suburban, with the 6.2L diesel and again, never any problems (except power steering) and it had over 300K miles. I the the "junk" diesel you are thinking of was the 5.7L 350 diesel that GM used in some of their large sedans from the late 70s to mid 80s. It was not a popular option even then and most of them were converted over to gas engines. I think that engine was cancelled in the mid 80s.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aamiggia

I'd hate to be the barer or bad news, but there are very few diesel SUV's native to North America from the 90's. Your only choice is a Suburban (as mentioned above), a Tahoe, and a Hummer H1. Unfortunately they all use the POS 6.5 TD from GM. That engine is probably the worst diesel ever produced, other than the GM diesels of the 80's.

You'd be much better off importing a Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan, or Mitsu SUV from Japan. There are tons of dealers in BC and AB that do this. The only catch is they're all RHD.

86560SEL · #32 01-05-2006, 08:33 PM

As far as I know those are not offered with diesel engines here in the USA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunl

Just looking for what I asked - what people consider the best SUV diesels to get. I'm currently considering a Terrano (Nissan Pathfinder) or Hilux (Toyota 4Runner), both RHD's.

Thanks,
Dunl

dunl · #33 01-05-2006, 08:36 PM

There are importers up here that ship them in through Vancouver.

pawoSD · #34 01-05-2006, 08:48 PM

I would call this a perfect ride:

http://www.internationaldelivers.com/site_layout/XTFamily/cxt.asp

dunl · #35 01-05-2006, 08:50 PM

Wife loves those, but she's kinda worried about what people will think of her using a rope ladder to climb in with....

Oilbrnr · #36 01-05-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I agree with you about the 6.5. The thing of it is, this is basically the same engine as those Olds diesels of the 80's that you talked about. They don't want you to know that, but it is just an improved version of that same old POS.

I'm sure that it is indeed improved because it will actually run for awhile which is more than you can say for the Olds engine. After the improvements, they came up with the fancy Dura Max name to try to make everyone think that it was something completely different but it was the same old crap. It was an improved version of the same old crap, but still the same old crap.

The main reason that I despise the GM V8 diesel so much is what it, in effect, did to the MB diesels. Up until the time that GM started pawning off that POS, MB was having fantastic success selling the diesel 115's, 116's and 126's. In the early 80's these cars made up some 80% of the US sold MB's. After GM got through with their diesel car charade, the poor reputation of THEIR diesel spoiled the ENTIRE diesel car market in the US.

My $0.02,

What a total load of crap!

NC240D76 · #37 01-05-2006, 09:05 PM

I still have a 1990 suburban with the 6.2, it is two wheel drive and an automatic and we drive it like the 240d, stomp the pedal till you reach the speed you want and then back off. I taught my daughter to drive in it, great fun watching a 15 year old trying three pt turns in a burb, and felt safe sending her off to college in it and she drove it until she graduated and got her own car. I am happy to have it back.
It is under powered but will run over a thousand (1000) miles on a tank of fuel at 85 mph day after day. It drives, rides and looks better than the next generation of GM trucks and most of the parts are easy to find and get worked on. It is a keeper.
I had a 6.5 and it was very strong and quick but the mpg was terrible and they do not seem to last as long as the 6.2 or the powerstrokes.
We used the 6.5 and two different powerstrokes pulling 25-30ft hydrasport boats tournatment fishing from 95-2003 and any of them would pull at interstate speeds with no problems with reasonable fuel usage for the work load.
The dura max will only get 18-19 mpg but will pull the world in comfort and is available in the suburban for 2007.
Dodge XXXXXXX enough said.

Your choices (at least in our area) would be
1985-1992 suburban 6.2
1993-199? suburban 6.5
any year you can afford Excursion.
there are a few diesel vans around in ford or gm but they are a pain to work on.

Oh and I love my diesel lawnmower, 6 acres in less than half a day.

redassag00 · #38 01-05-2006, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I agree with you about the 6.5. The thing of it is, this is basically the same engine as those Olds diesels of the 80's that you talked about. They don't want you to know that, but it is just an improved version of that same old POS.

I'm sure that it is indeed improved because it will actually run for awhile which is more than you can say for the Olds engine. After the improvements, they came up with the fancy Dura Max name to try to make everyone think that it was something completely different but it was the same old crap. It was an improved version of the same old crap, but still the same old crap.

The main reason that I despise the GM V8 diesel so much is what it, in effect, did to the MB diesels. Up until the time that GM started pawning off that POS, MB was having fantastic success selling the diesel 115's, 116's and 126's. In the early 80's these cars made up some 80% of the US sold MB's. After GM got through with their diesel car charade, the poor reputation of THEIR diesel spoiled the ENTIRE diesel car market in the US.

My $0.02,

Wasnt the duramax (LB7 and LLY) designed by Isuzu? To me, it is LOADS better than the 6.2 and 6.5L Diesels. Quieter, more efficient and more power. I dont think the Duramax has any roots to the old one.

The Duramax has Common Rail Bosch Injection, which wasnt a feature on the 6.5L Turbo......

boneheaddoctor · #39 01-05-2006, 09:21 PM

This one is my favorite...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4602119250&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Oilbrnr · #40 01-05-2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redassag00

Wasnt the duramax (LB7 and LLY) designed by Isuzu? To me, it is LOADS better than the 6.2 and 6.5L Diesels. Quieter, more efficient and more power. I dont think the Duramax has any roots to the old one.

The Duramax has Common Rail Bosch Injection, which wasnt a feature on the 6.5L Turbo......

Exactly.

Oilbrnr · #41 01-05-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC240D76

The dura max will only get 18-19 mpg but will pull the world in comfort and is available in the suburban for 2007.

If it (Dmax) will be offered, which I've not read a conclusive 'yes', it will be a de-rated version like GM is now offering in the full sized vans. The Allison will not fit in the new platform.

Hatterasguy · #42 01-05-2006, 10:12 PM

http://trucks.about.com/od/2005suvreviews/fr/o5_touareg_tdi.htm

Is their any other choice? That V10 is a stunning power plant.

Or you could hunt for a diesel G class or a used H1.

redassag00 · #43 01-05-2006, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oilbrnr

If it (Dmax) will be offered, which I've not read a conclusive 'yes', it will be a de-rated version like GM is now offering in the full sized vans. The Allison will not fit in the new platform.

GM is offering a diesel van again? I thouhg that was only available in the 'work' package and Cutaway Chassis...... I thought Ford was the only one that had a diesel full sized van available, a detuned 6.0L.

When I was going to School at Texas A&M, I was a campus bus driver, after hours, we used 12 passenger Cherolet 2500 Vans with the 6.5L Turbodiesel. We used to blow the boots off the turbo all the time. They were actually fairly reliable for being operated by college students....

t walgamuth · #44 01-05-2006, 11:17 PM

it is very similar in appearance to the chebby rat motor. prob manufactured on the same lines. but i have held a 6.2 rod and a 5.7 rod in my hand and the 6.2 is about twice as strong with larger bearings.

the 6.2 was ok as a motor and will pull a travel trailer just fine, but you need the 3.73 rear end and a 400 turbo tranny. a very few were built with the four speed granny tranny. i saw one once. special order by the railroad. rubber mats and no ac as i remember. if you ran a 410 rear end they tend to break out the main bearing webs.

they are ok but basically like most chebby motors are built pretty cheaply. lots better than the gassers imho. the factory injection pump is a pos. fords are about the same.

i have no personal experience with the 6.5.

tom, w

William73 · #45 05-07-2006, 12:28 AM

If you want the best Diesel SUV ever built, get yourself a Diesel powered ScoutII, or even one with a turbo. Not only is it the best but it was the first.