well i am looking at a 6.5 now i really want a cummins but i aint got the dough at the time alot of people make the 6.5 out to be **** which i dont beleive is true it aint a cummins but it gets the job done and wont be towing alot and i could just not see myself in a ferd but anywho what are the most common problems wiht the 6.5 and how much is it to fix them any additional info i should know about them would also be useful thanks :grd:

oo yea one more thign what is the life expectancy of this engine (a '96 if it matters)

It depends on so many things, luch is one of them it seems
Milage and past life will tell some.
Some of the 96 trucks, late build dates have the 97 model year cooling updates which should be done.

luch?? its got 126k on it and it is spotless

I was thinking Luck, but not writing it.
Was it a tow rig? 5th wheel hitch in it?

nope no gooseneck or 5th wheel

Scan through the forums here. 6.5 is the inexpensive diesel. If you are looking for some "check out procedures", there maybe a few of those to do. Is that what you are lookin' for? or just overall opinion on the 6.5? We are all kinda baised, and like them here. Past life a biggy factor. If it's a 96 and up, you can have the codes read, to see if there is a clean bill of health (so far). OBDII will rat-out any recent problems that have not been erased.

'98-'00 seem to blow the engine prematurely. My dads '96 has 250,000 and it gets worked regular, and is a nice truck inside.

ok i think i am going to go wiht this truck its a real nice truck and seems to have been babyed its whole life

If it has been babied and serviced religiously it should serve you well. Check engine for excessive blow by while running, remove oil fill cap and see how much vapor comes out, remove radiator cap and look at coolant with engine running and look for bubbles. No bubbles=good head gaskets, very little blow by =good piston sealing.:grd:

what is the warrentee good till on these motors

The dealer covers the pump 'till 120,000 iirc.

what about the rest of the truck

3yr-36,000mi is std factory unless you buy extended warranty, depending on year also a 100K special policy on block. Update your sig in users CP lower left tool bar so we can know what you have to better advise you.

i dont have anything yet as the title says i am looking at a 6.5 and i just dont want to buy a money pit