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  #1  
Old 01-04-2006, 11:13 PM
dunl's Avatar
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Best diesel SUV?

I'm looking to replace my Grand Cherokee, and I'm looking for a diesel SUV to replace it with. Just wondering what people consider to be a good diesel SUV in the 1990-ish range, as that's in my price range as well.

I'm NOT looking for comments from people who have issues with SUV's, SUV drivers, SUV driver's habits, SUV rollovers, or "SUV's aren't safer than cars, I have no idea why you would ever want to buy one" types of mindsets.

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

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  #2  
Old 01-05-2006, 12:13 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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the only one

i have any knowledge of is the suburban 6.5 turbo diesel, which i think would not be too bad. very hard to find, though. might have more options in the great white north than we do here.

love canada. used to go to ontario every year to fish. would love to get out your way some time. its a long way though, prb cant get that far out til i am more retired than i am.

good luck

tom w
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  #3  
Old 01-05-2006, 08:34 AM
aamiggia
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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.
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Old 01-05-2006, 08:54 AM
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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.
The 6.5 is a good engine....there are far worse diesels out there....


the sole weak point of the 6.5 was the driver module on the IP.......which is an easily corrected problem (install a heatsink)
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  #5  
Old 01-05-2006, 09:00 AM
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You should be able to get the Isuzu with the 4JB1-T Diesel in Canada and for sure X the pond. I have one with the C223-T and its an incredible machine.
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  #6  
Old 01-05-2006, 09:05 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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although it may have been offered

with diesel power, i have never seen a diesel tahoe.

the 6.5 gm is not half the motor of a benz or cummins, but it is lots better than the typical gasser, especially gm gassers.

tom w
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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #7  
Old 01-05-2006, 09:12 AM
Craig
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One of these days I'm going to find myself a good 80s vintage diesel G-Wagon to replace my POS Jeep.

Disclaimer: I do hate SUVs, but sometimes I do have to drive in the snow or haul crap. I wish I didn't need to own any POS truck, but sometimes it is necessary.
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  #8  
Old 01-05-2006, 09:26 AM
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Why do you want a diesel SUV since it makes it difficult when there are few choices? Are you towing some big loads or what? I mean, the price difference between gas and diesel is making the better economy a push.
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  #9  
Old 01-05-2006, 10:03 AM
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diesels

Well I am not sure what diesel the last guy is talking about,but G.M. has a good diesel as long as it has been taken care of. There are some G.M. mec.
that love that engine and know it like the back of there hand!!! That new duramax is in my brother's truck "05" and WHAT A ENGINE!!! quit, smoooooth tranny shifting and PULL!!!!!!!!! fifth wheel 18 foot,long 900 bobcat, bucket,forktine, post hole auger, cement equipment and that thing can go up hills 70 mph. and gain speed!!!!!!!!! I had a 6.5 put 100,000 on it and never touched the engine
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  #10  
Old 01-05-2006, 12:01 PM
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well the jeep liberty crd comes to mind. smaller than the gc but a diesel and new to boot.

there is always the v-10 vw toureg diesel. 50g but a diesel.

o nyeah, there is a new international 4 door that is a bigger foot print than a h1 and can carry the h1 in the truck bed. can't recall the name but i saw one and was impressed. also look at the diesel truck thread for the f650.
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  #11  
Old 01-05-2006, 01:01 PM
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My Vote is for a Suburban with a 6.5 TD. I have a 98 Suburban 4x4 with a 6.5L Turbo Diesel and three other Suburban Diesel's with 6.2's. The 6.2's have never given me any trouble, and the 6.5 did require a new IP, but GM paid for it. I love the Suburban as it gets 20 mpg unless I am towing my 27 ft SeaRay, then it gets about 16 mpg. Yep, its large, but it's also very comfortable, safe and has 4 wd. I would drive my Mercedes Diesel, but I can't because its in the Shop getting the engine rebuilt.
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  #12  
Old 01-05-2006, 01:20 PM
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I must also raise a flag for a diesel suburban. I completely rebuilt my 89 gasser last year and if I could do it all over again I'd convert to diesel (although the new modified motor really does the job). Parts for these trucks are everywhere and insanely cheap. If you're in CA, considering the likelihood of rust issues- you should know that replacement steel panels for a sub are easy to find, install, and cost very little. My fenders were $75 US each, and the heavy duty tranny was only a little over $1000. I love Nissan products, (wife drives a gasser pathfinder) but for a diesel to drive through real snow in extreme conditions- I'd get a used 4x4 diesel suburban.
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  #13  
Old 01-05-2006, 01:23 PM
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Without question, the best diesel SUV ever sold in the U.S. was the 1987 Mecedes-Benz 300TDT wagon. It is quick, efficient, comfortable, safe, has competent handling and brakes, and capacious. (It will carry a tandem bicycle or washer and dryer in the cargo area, as examples.) I rather wish I'd have kept mine, there's something about the character of a diesel vehicle...

OK, that wasn't useful, I know. As previous posters have illuminated, there just isn't much to choose from. 'Muricans won't buy a diesel, and SUV drivers simply don't care about economy (as long as their credit cards still work...). Just occurred to me - the huge Ford is available in diesel - what's that one called? I should know, there's enough of them running around Dallas; all with only the driver aboard.

A friend purchased a ~30ft motorhome about 10 years ago. Being frugal, he searched in vain for one with a diesel engine. You wouldn't think it'd be all the difficult - it was built on a class 4 truck chassis (e.g. Ford E450). Couldn't find one, and he ended up with a 460 V8. I don't think it ever broke 9MPG.

- JimY
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  #14  
Old 01-05-2006, 01:24 PM
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Tom: I have tried to find a 6.5 Suburban, but unfortunately like you say - it's difficult. I did see one diesel Tahoe for sale. As for fishing, you gotta try fishing up North for 3.5-4ft long lake trout....whoo-hoo!

aamiggia: I'm aware of the options - that's why I stated I was looking at a Terrano and Hilux, which are both RHD's - meaning they were imported.

boneheaddoctor: Haven't heard that fix, but I'll keep it in mind if I end up in a 6.5....

TX76513: again, very hard to find. I've only SEEN one driving around up here.

aklim: As I mentioned in the first post, I'm simply looking for what is considered the best SUV diesel, not opinions on why I would want one...however, I have a wife and three kids, and family trips across the country in an SUV that I could convert to veggie oil would be VERY economical. Also, diesel is only .10 more than gasoline up here...

83-240D: too rich for my blood, and I can't imagine driving across Canada in that new INternational 4x4, although it looks like a really fun beast!

300sdlguy: and like I mentioned first, they're hard to find. The only one's I have seen up here are rust buckets from out East....
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  #15  
Old 01-05-2006, 01:31 PM
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i didn't see anyone talk about it yet, but you could watch ebay for a Ford Bronco "centurian" conversion where they took a 3/4 ton and converted a bronco to a 4 door and I believe some of them were diesels.

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