I just bought a 1995 2500 extra cab longbox and thought I had looked it over pretty good.
It seemed to run good without a load but I pulled my 24' camp trailer over Lookout Pass to Montana (about a 6 mile pull on the Idaho Side) and I couldn't even get it out of first gear. (3 speed auto w/overdrive)

overheated 3 times in less than two miles.

When I got to the campsite I crawled under it and noticed the crossover pipe was almost pinched shut from being highcentered I guess.(previous owner)

Cut out the smashed part replaced that section with new pipe to get me home. It made a big differance but it was still a dog on the way home (about 35mph on the grade)

Did the pinched exhaust screw something up ?
can it be fixed or am I S.O.L ??

Hope I don't sound like a total idiot.
First Diesel.:rant:

well the 6.5 takes some work before it will pull a load comfortably. you started off in the right direction though with workin on the exhaust. first mod should be a straight pipe along with a 3 inch downpipe. this will open her up a lot. the 96 and older models are prone to overheat. there are mods to solve this, like the dual thermostat upgrade kit and the inproved fan clutch. gauges are also a must, especially pyro and boost.

how heavy is this trailer? that pinched exhaust probably got her pretty darn hot and you might have cooked something.

and look in the FAQ at the top of the page for more help.

going slow up a grade with a ? stock 6.5L with ? gears and overheating sounds about right. Test for fuel pressure at idle on the fuel filter air bleed or water drain T. This is an F or S engine with EGR? And read some links off of the 6.5L faq. It will take you to some of the better discussions about these trucks from the last year or so.

MP Hill, welcome to the site update your sig per welcome notes, and visit FAQs per Steiner's suggestion, much of new to 6.5 info is there for you.