I need an outside opinion. I have a 6.5 diesel that is having transmission trouble. It is still able to be driven at this point. Do I sell or not? The transmission will cost me about $1500. I can sell it, trade it or keep it. I have been talking to a dealership that has a four-door dodge dakota that I can trade for my truck and $2000 dollars. It has 89000 miles on the dakota (318 engine). I love my 6.5 but if I get the transmission repaired, how long can I expect the engine to last. I have 146000 miles on the 6.5 now and hardly ever pull anything heavier than a riding lawnmover. I just need some outside opinions on what to do. Make sure you look at my sig at the bottom. I have added several items to the truck. Thanks for the help!!

I think with everything you have in your truck you'd be upside down immediately. that's alot of labor and parts you're going to trade on down the road PLUS 2k.

On another note, I would just have my trans rebuilt... Going away from a GMC having trans problems to a Dodge is just a ticking time bomb for the inevitable. The dodges don't keep Transmissions under them. Plus a 318 in that dodge will raelly have you cussing with the fuel mileage and gas being more than diesel right now.

That's just my opinion, hope it helps!

It all comes down to what you want, If the dakota will do what you want it too, maybe you want to take the jump over to Dodge.....Im selling my truck but thats because it doesnt have a cummins in it:) I need more than the ole 6.5 has potential for. They are great ole trucks but once you start to want to heavily modify it you run out of options pretty quick. If you love your truck I'd say get the trans fixed and forget about it, she's only broken in now with 146,000 miles on it :) So really if you like it, keep it...if not trade it and dont look back...

I appreciate the comments so far. I do like my truck and only paid $5200 at an auction. I have put about $3000 in it. That takes it to $8000 in the truck but I can almost get that out of it. It is in great shape and looks good. How many miles can I expect from a 6.5? Thanks again!!

I'd think you could get another 150,000 out of her without to much worry if you dont tow much or drive hard, as long as it dont get hot or bust an oil line, but that will kill any engine. My three have between 200-350k miles on them, my 94 has 225k on it and the engine stills seams fine, I just hate its electronic pump.

Whats your transmission doing?

Mine has or should i say had 146,000 and she just took a poop. Don't want to scare you but got to weigh the options. I've read alot on here and the block, crank, and heads got a life expectancy of right around that milage. Tough choice. I'm in the same boat of scrapping it get something different or what to do...

My 94 has 210,000 miles and no problem to speak of.Towed TT about 150,000
of those miles.Never really pushed it to the limit and never thought of trading it.

Mine just turned 275,000 today. Purring like a kitten. Had the trans rebuilt @ 165,000. Rebuild cost $2,200 including a heavy duty converter.
Ted

Fix your truck and keep it. If you stick a few bucks into the old 6.5, it will treat you good for a number of years. Talk about getting your $$ worth out of your truck!
The Dodge will cost you cash up front, and who knows...that tranny may give out on you also. Who knows.
My .05 worth....

You really can't use any one persons expirence as a predication for a failure. I have a 6.5 with 444.000 miles,& it was a trailer delivery puller daily for those miles.It has had so few repairs it is scary good. Could be repeated? Yes it can. Bill Heath operates a fleet of 6.5 as contract mail haulers & I understand he has never lost a 6.5 engine
There is a tremoundous variance between one persons use , conditions & ability to keep the truck on the road. If an engine could be started only once in all those miles it would be in even better shape, IMO. Cold starts / short trips cause most of the wear on a daily basis.Right after that on a diesel is ignoring overfueling, running over heated or any one other or multiple malfunctions. Get a high quality GM reman trans with a very generous warranty would be my suggestion for the trans. I operated an automatic trans buisness for 25 years & can tell you it is potluck for good workmanship out there. I'm also an auto dealer & I NEVER buy a Dodge any thing to sell or use !!! Good luck with whatever you decide.

I have not put a lot of mileage on my 6.5 since I bought it last October but that's because I have a "company car". I DO know that the previous owner did not baby the truck, he said he hauled trailers loaded with concrete block at 70 mph. It needed a tranny when I bought it from him at 209K miles. I got the 4L80E rebuilt with a new converter and valve body for $1145.00(I have a friend in the business) but the motor itself(knock on wood) seems to have no problems. I have used it to haul a Massey Ferguson 240 with front end loader and 6 foot bush hog along with a 6 foot scraper blade on a gooseneck trailer. It does much better than my old 1988 C2500 5 speed gas burner. Torque vs. horsepower...torque wins! I get 11-13 mpg towing, 17-18 empty. The gas burner got 10 towing, 19 empty. Also, that's on B20.

I appreciate all of the comments. I do love my truck and really would rather keep it. I owe no money on it and it stands out in a crowd. I think I am leaning towards keeping it and saying heck no to the dodge. I hope I can get another 200,000 miles out of this motor. Thanks to all!!!

It is a tough decision if you like the vehicle. And, to be honest, there is no "right" answer. Either way you go is a gamble.

I have 272K on mine and it runs like a dream. The transmission was rebuilt (by GM) at 233K. These engines (and trucks) do last a long time.

All of that said, if something major does happen to the 6.5 (like a head gasket, or broken crank) you are looking a serious money to replace it ($3000 for a rebuilt, way more for high quality). Thus...the gamble.

Will your's last? Who knows! Probably but...

Either way you go, the "unknown" life of the 6.5 or, the yet to be exploded Dodge...it boils down to what you can afford, what you like, and which way the wind is blowing.

Good luck.

The way I look at it is you would be trading something you know for something you don't know. It would be different if you were going to a brand new vehicle, but you're not. I'm sure the Dodge comes with a bit of a warranty from the dealer, but what happens if the trans goes for a dump on it. Now you're out your truck, $2000 and the cost for a new trans in the Dodge.

It would also be different if you knew that other major things were on the way out in your truck. Trans is going/gone, if you have leaks and potential cracks that are going to cost you big bucks in the near future, then maybe it's time to cut your losses.

With me if my trans was to go, I would replace it. If something major on my motor was to go, I would fix it. I like my truck. I've spent some money or it but I know the history of it now.

Besides.....Like Jasondt said. Those Dodge's get terrible mileage. A guy at work had a 98 Durango with the V8 and one of those fancy trip compters. He was getting about 10 mpg just driving around town....terrible!

Dave