How easy is it for a mechanically inclined individual to affect repairs on these era trucks? The engine, the tranny, the brakes, etc.

Anyone with even a slight amount of mechanical inclination can do most work on these trucks.

It's pretty straight forward.

Diesels really aren't that much different than gassers. The principles of operation are generally the same. Gassers require fuel, air and spark to combust. Diesels require fuel, air and compression to combust. In a nutshell.

Peruse the FAQ's and you'll learn quite a bit.

well mine's still running...lol

With the help and knoweledge of this forum you should not have too many problems. These old chevrolets/GMC trucks are actually easier to work on than any other brand of truck out their.

If you have any experiance working on anything else you will have no problems working on these trucks.

If you have the drive to DO, the will to listen, and the desire to learn, you're already ahead of the average 6.5 owner because you're educated about it before you destroy it with ignorance, stick with us, buy a few manuals, and you can kiss the mechanic's labour goodbye for the most part.

On a scale from 1-10, from the broad range of vehicles I've worked on, the most indepth I've been is with this truck and engine, and while challenging, even the engine re & re was pretty easy, I'd give it a 5 for ease of repair, if you know how to turn a wrench and understand diesel and engine theory, you'll be ok.

Not to mention the fact there's loads of room in the engine bay.

:exactly:uh, what he said.....x2