Thanks for reading.
A few months ago I started looking into buying a full size pick-up (spending around $4500). After looked at a number of trucks I saw the this super-cool 4door 3500 diesel (97 Cheyenne). I hadn't considered buying a diesel because they were normally out of my price range (or had 250K+ miles). The truck was $1300 more than what I wanted to pay ($5800), but I felt that the crew cab and diesel options were definitely worth the extra money. There was a problem with the engine, but it turned out to be the pmd (many of you helped me diagnose -- thanks again). So the truck runs flawlessly now. 150K miles.
Here's the rub. I wonder what in the world I'm doing with such a big truck. I suppose that I might someday tow something, but right now I've nothing to tow. I haul stuff, but nothing a 1/2 ton couldn't handle. I've read through lots of DieselPlace threads and I realize that 1) I'm profoundly ignorant about these machines; and 2)scared by all the "replace the Injector Pump", "replace the injectors", "replace the turbo charger" language I read.
So, should I expect to have to do this much maintenance to my truck, or do these threads represent exceptions to a wonderfully reliable engine?
Thank you very much.
Doug

I too have a 4 door 3500, and only need a 2 door 1500 really...but I love my truck and wouldn't have it any other way. Do the general maintenance(glow plugs, injectors, fuel filters oil changes and such) when they are required, and she should last a good long time.

Welcome to the addiction

I WOULD DIE FOR THE TRUCK YOU HAVEEE!!!! Well not quite die but i would really like it. I need that extra interior space bad, single cabs are a pain, thats why i have a tonneau cover, to make use of all the space i can...

at 150k your engine isn't really that old, if you keep up with the maintenance as blueburby says it should be good for a long while. That being said there are no guarantees and things do unexpectedly go on you.

A nice thing about these old 6.5's though is that they are orders of magnitude cheaper and easier to work on than the powerstroke, cummins, or duramax. Even if you get unlucky and have to change your IP for whatever reason if your aren't opposed to a little wrench turning it is only going to cost you a few hundred dollars and a saturday vs. say thousands and a week long stay with the dealer for a duramax.

Thanks for reading.
A few months ago I started looking into buying a full size pick-up (spending around $4500). After looked at a number of trucks I saw the this super-cool 4door 3500 diesel (97 Cheyenne). I hadn't considered buying a diesel because they were normally out of my price range (or had 250K+ miles). The truck was $1300 more than what I wanted to pay ($5800), but I felt that the crew cab and diesel options were definitely worth the extra money. There was a problem with the engine, but it turned out to be the pmd (many of you helped me diagnose -- thanks again). So the truck runs flawlessly now. 150K miles.
Here's the rub. I wonder what in the world I'm doing with such a big truck. I suppose that I might someday tow something, but right now I've nothing to tow. I haul stuff, but nothing a 1/2 ton couldn't handle. I've read through lots of DieselPlace threads and I realize that 1) I'm profoundly ignorant about these machines; and 2)scared by all the "replace the Injector Pump", "replace the injectors", "replace the turbo charger" language I read.
So, should I expect to have to do this much maintenance to my truck, or do these threads represent exceptions to a wonderfully reliable engine?
Thank you very much.
Doug




well doug i drive a 2500 extended cargo van when a mini van would suffice my needs. IP's do fail so do injectors.. but from the way i look at it. When driving mini vans i've toasted 3 tranny's and 4 motors in 5 vans. so far with nearly double the abuse on my diesel i've cleaned the grounds and changed the lift pump. a new IP is in the works for me as well as glows and injectors ( the last two because i feel they should be done but not needed)

as far as " this much maintenace .." goes if you look after your truck it'll look after you. simple things done now save headaches later. like taking the extra couple of minutes to let her warm up before you hammer on her to get her on the interstate. These are wonderfull motors and i think you've gotten the impression that its not... millions of units sold world wide in various machines both on terra firma and water and there are only a few thousands of negative posts. so keep the 6.5 let the guys with unlimited pockets spend thousands on injectors and tranny fixes.. wait for the LMM to become the old fleet standard and pick one up at a fraction of what they are now.

I have a 2000 Crew Cab 6.5L. It's nice to have lots of room.

Thanks for reading.
A few months ago I started looking into buying a full size pick-up (spending around $4500). After looked at a number of trucks I saw the this super-cool 4door 3500 diesel (97 Cheyenne). I hadn't considered buying a diesel because they were normally out of my price range (or had 250K+ miles). The truck was $1300 more than what I wanted to pay ($5800), but I felt that the crew cab and diesel options were definitely worth the extra money. There was a problem with the engine, but it turned out to be the pmd (many of you helped me diagnose -- thanks again). So the truck runs flawlessly now. 150K miles.
Here's the rub. I wonder what in the world I'm doing with such a big truck. I suppose that I might someday tow something, but right now I've nothing to tow. I haul stuff, but nothing a 1/2 ton couldn't handle. I've read through lots of DieselPlace threads and I realize that 1) I'm profoundly ignorant about these machines; and 2)scared by all the "replace the Injector Pump", "replace the injectors", "replace the turbo charger" language I read.
So, should I expect to have to do this much maintenance to my truck, or do these threads represent exceptions to a wonderfully reliable engine?
Thank you very much.
Doug


I know exactly what you mean. The key here is that you have read a lot. So you are aware but now, instead of awareness, you can read to learn. The best way is to go through the FAQ before even going to the general thread. The picture thread is great to show you the parts location and how it looks like. The terminology helps you understand the jargon, etc.

I am not mechanically inclined but I can read direction. So if I need something, start searching to see if there is any direction for doing what I need. I have not done any IP replacement but I have done LP, GP, OPS, belt, alternator, oil, etc. Also, there are mods that can help your reliability like PMD, OPS, etc. I have done those so I don't have to hopefully replace them or it should be easier to replace. In the case of PMD, since it is outside, I can just unplug and plug a new one. I have two spares already mounted on a heatsink.

There is nothing to be afraid of, just have to learn it like anything out there. Heck, we used to not know how to walk but we learn.