I ran across an '83 6.2 burb... 150k miles. The only experience I have with the 6.2 is driving a HUMVEE.

Has does it perform? Slow as an SD? Owner claims 20+ mpg's.. this true? Seems like a good highway cruiser and urban tank.

Any info would be great.

Thanks

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

I had an '89 K1500 that I loved but had to sell to get some cash when I bought our house. It was no powerhouse but it was adequate as a tow vehicle for my boat and snowmobiles. The injection pump did get replaced at 135k. I'd get 17 hwy so if it's a 2wd 20 is definitely within reason.

I'd buy another one if I came across a low mileage one with a mint body.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

the 6.2 is not the greatest diesel. Think the reputation of the 6.5, but a little worse and a little cruder.

The best word to describe the 6.2 and 6.5 motors is "adequate". They have weak bottom ends and are fragile as compared to other truck engines of the same vintage, like the ford 6.9 and 7.3, and the cummins. You know what Im talking about if you drove a humvee. That is a heavy vehicle for those engines. Performance is only ok, they can be souped a bit, but why? then you take any reliability it has and throw it out.

Mileage is probably around what he says, depending on the gearing. Worth verifying though. I once worked on a 6.5 powered suburban that had some unusual high ratio rear end for towing the guy had put in. Top speed was only about 65.

Plus side is they are super easy to repair and parts are cheap. Probably why they are still in military service for an older design. Injection pump is a simple friendly anywhere repair on one of those.

Id get it, but I probably would not tow anything heavy with it, or demand too much from it.

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It could be ok, but it's naturally aspirated so expect a slug pulling the weight of the suburban. Fortunately it has a couple things going for it, it's old enough that it doesn't have the problematic electronic pump components and drive-by-wire present after 1993 and the transmissions are pretty hearty. I hope it has the OD trans though, that'll help with the mpg.

I can achieve 25mpg in my K1500 4x4 truck with a 6.5TD on the highway using winter blend, summer blend I don' t know, haven't exhausted my winter fuel yet.

I would probably only get it if you seriously need it, I kind of regret having gotten my truck although I do use it some, but it sits a lot. Make sure the cooling system is up to par, these (including the later 6.5) need to have optimal functioning cooling systems and good fan clutches. These can also be a can of worms too, so be prepared. The 6.2 / 6.5 (basically the same) were developed jointly with Detroit Diesel so that says something, but they still are old IDI engines...better than the problematic 5.7 Olds engine though.

my .02

Steve A

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Steve A
92 W140 OM603
97 VW Jetta TDI
90 Passat variant TDI 6 speed MT
94 Chevy K1500 6.5TD
05 E320 CDI
+ others

the 83 unless it's been upgraded would have come with either a th 350 or 400 3 speed auto trans.
no overdrive, and the 350 is pretty weak. simple to install the 700R4 overdrive trans, and get lockup converter and .75OD, junkyard parts simple. (or call me, I've got em) need a DIESEL TC, and I'd change the stock 3.08 or so gears for a 3.42 or so set, and get a tad more off the line, and still have 24 or so MPG!
it's a bulky vehicle, and lots of rust issues in the fenders, but parts are a plenty to fix em up.
odds are good the motor has cracked webs, but it's pretty low miles. if the price is right, snag it.
change the IP and Intake manifold for the Jcode, and it's a very torquey motor. and WAAAAY faster off the line, and through it's powerband than the MB TurboDiesels!

The last time a drove a humvee was in Jan of this year but it was newer and must have been turbo. I know I drove my TD that weekend and the humvee was faster, although we never left post.

Here is the link. I would not pay that much for it though.
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1763660158.html

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

Yeah, it'll be slower than a sd. I had several with this combo. All were 3/4 ton with the turbo 400. They tended to crack the main webs if running the 410 rear. the 373 is what you want if you intend to tow. I towed my 24' wilderness tt many miles with mine. It would run about 65 floored but would do it all day.

20 is possible with the od tranny prolly.

342 diff would be too tall if you wish to tow a tt with it but for just driving around it would be fine I suppose.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

At first glance I figured you were probably right about the trans but I checked the the 700R4 (TH700-R4) was an option on diesel in '83, that is unless my interchange has bad info. Given the mpg listed though I would say that it either has a 3.73 or 4.10 axle ratio or TH350/400 trans, or both.

steve a

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Steve A
92 W140 OM603
97 VW Jetta TDI
90 Passat variant TDI 6 speed MT
94 Chevy K1500 6.5TD
05 E320 CDI
+ others

Price, condition & intended use determine all. If it is running & you want something to knock around & haul stuff, get it but don't pay a lot. Modern electronics are expensive. Just ask anyone that drives a 24V Cummins as in "how many miles on the VP?"

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

well, the seller lists it as having an OD trans. so either it came with 700R4 or it was installed later.
I gotta agree, with OD, 20 MPG means it's a short rear ratio, I'd pull it back to at least 373 or 342, if you're not towing, and just want MPG's
My 92 6.2 is just phenomenal with a 373 amazing power off the line, and it'll rev up and pull strong through 80mph. and I have the stinking computer controlled 4L80 that OD will not work in!!!
like that, my truck gets 19ish mpg. so, if he's getting 20 with working OD, he's got SHORT gears, or small tires.

Do not do any towing in OD with that 700R4. Early ones were also basically ****... 27T input shaft, low direct clutch count (3-4 pack), weak sun gear shell, soft shifts, weak forward sprag, etc, etc. Hell even the very last of the design, the 4L60E/65E/70E you really cannot do any decent pulling in OD. Also not the best for Diesel apps due to their narrow power band and the HUGE drop on the 1-2 shift from about 3.06:1 to 1.60:1...

Be better off with something light duty behind it like a TH350 with an aux OD to limit power loss. Not like a killer 140hp/250tq is going to ruin a TH350... plux with an Aux OD you can double your ratios and have OD. These pop up more often than not in the salvage yards around here and in junker rigs on CL. If you plan to do some pulling, step to a TH400 or just a manual...

I have never seen a Burb with a manual like an NV4500 or the like, but I would probably wager a pedal box and such from a similar year truck would bolt up fairly easily for a beef manual trans.

And yes, the cranks are weak on the 6.2/6.5. I believe Eagle makes a forged one for the aftermarket. But for that much hassle and cost to rebuild that motor, I would just swap in a 4BT at the very least. I have seen junker 5.9 trucks around for $2000-2500 also. So you are going to want to toss the weak 8.5 10bolt and just swap in a 14b FF out back (CHEAP and COMMON).



If clean body and you need it, grab it. Just swap the drivetrain.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

i had an 83 1/2 ton 2wd sub and it had a 700r4 trans as this one does by looking at the shift quadrant on his slide show.PRND321.

AS any used vehicle purchase - price, intended use, maintenance/repair costs and of course downtime are the major determinants of whether you should go ahead wth the purchase. If you can handle all four - go for it.

That said - what is your budget?

Be a shame to not consider a Ford Excursion with the 7.3 liter Powerstroke diesel. I would definitely only consider the 4X4 version however. If your intended use is HD - then the Excursion should be a top consideration..... They are beasts & you get close to 20 mpg from what I've heard when not towing......

The biggest shame (from the consumer's perspective) of the last 15+ years is that Chevrolet discontinued the diesel Suburban - big mistake IMHO.

couldn't agree more.if they would have come out with the duramax in a sub they could have sold the hell out of em.there is a guy in colorado that converts em to d-max's but he gets like 50k for em.

I am afraid to go check it out.... I really need to purge a car in order to get another. I have no basic need for a truck, that is what the TD is for. I would just love to have a vehicle that size that gets decent MPG's. I can't imagine ever towing anything although having the capability would be nice. Before the MB's I always did the Ford thing so a powerstroke would be sweet. I would love to have a PS excursion(sp?) but I assume that a crappy one would be $5000. Way over budget.

__________________
08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D