First, let me say hey to all of ya'll. I just found this form and thought I'd ask for help in the form of advise. A guy in my 4x4 club is selling his truck (job is kind of shaky) and I was considering it. It's a 97 GMC pretty much loaded out, 6.5, auto, 2wd, ext cab, 149k mi. $8,800 (KBB quotes $72-$82). First of all, Is that a good price if its in "GREAT" shape (I've never seen it but I've been told), what should I look for / expect with the drive train. I've never owned a diesel but, I've been around Rigs all of my life (dad drives one).


Let me hear the good/bad & the ugly. Thanks in advance for your input.

Is that 1500 or 3500?
The 8th VIN # if "S" for 1500 with egr emissions
and "F" for 3500 with no egr.

How modified is it?
IMO the more the better, 3" or bigger exhaust is a plus.
stock would mean 150,000 miles of intense factory installed backpressure on the engine.

make sure she's not burning too much oil and not overheating. Don't expect to buy it and not have to put any money into it in the next few months though. Those 6.5s are notorious for cracking heads and washing out back two cylinders. if you have the time and means, I would have the compression checked and check for CO2 in the overflow tank. If that checks out OK then I would hook a scanner to it and see if there are any codes. Then I would just drive it to check the other stuff, tranny, A/C, exhaust, tires ETC. Edited by: Texas Diesel Guy

Is that 1500 or 3500?
The 8th VIN # if "S" for 1500 with egr emissions
and "F" for 3500 with no egr.

How modified is it?
IMO the more the better, 3" or bigger exhaust is a plus.
stock would mean 150,000 miles of intense factory installed backpressure on the engine.



It's a 2500, no known mods mods to speak of but, I'll ask. Thanks for the help.

2500 trucks will have an "S" vin if they have 6 bolt wheels.

??? you sure about that whatnot? I always thought only the 1500 ½tons had the 'S' VINs. 2500 would make it a 3/4 ton which will have a HD motor, 'F' VIN, 8 lug wheels and no EGR... someone correct me if I"m wrong, I dont remember seeing one that wasn't 4WD so I'm not for sure if they all have 8lugs. Edited by: Texas Diesel Guy

Well mine is sitting right outside. It has 2500 on the doors, 6 bolt wheels, vin S, L56 in the glove box, Had egr stuff and has a GVW of 7200 Lbs. It had the fender flares added. (I bought about 1-1/2 years ago from a dealer in Houston, TX)


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/1995_chevy_4.jpg

The reverse is out there also.
An "F" engine non EGReight lug axles with 1500 on the door.

The reverse is out there also.
An "F" engine non EGReight lug axles with 1500 on the door.


Is that Suburbans or pickups? I know that al of the diesel suburbans (including 1500's) have 8 lug wheels but I thought that they still has an S vin.

thanks whatnot, I didnt know that ;) sweet truck BTWEdited by: Texas Diesel Guy

They made a light duty 2500 with 6 lugs and a gvw 7200 and would have had EGR stuff. They also made a 2500HD w/ 8 lug wheels and no EGR. Beginnning in 2000 they did make a 1500HD also.


hope that helps somewhat

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/859_DCP_0007.JPG

sorry I uploaded the picture first then I couldnt type so this is the HD 2500 with the eight lugs it has the f on the vin