I'm just a little curious, I've pretty much been on the inside looking out when it comes to owning a diesel truck. Inside being that I work in a diesel shop, so If my turbo blows up or the injection pump siezes or whatever, its no sweat except whats involved in labor, but I can rebuild my pump at the cost of parts I want, used parts are free.

We've had some guys come in, and their trucks are in SERIOUS need of attention that will end with a considerable bill.

Now I'm not saying that the price of turbos, pumps, injectors etc. and the labor to rebuild/replace them isn't justified, I totally believe it is. Keeping a fuel shop running is very expensive. For a fuel shop to get setup as far as test equipent and tools costs usually $25,000 plus for each model, DS, DE, DPA, DP200, PESP, whatever. Then you have to pay to send technicians out for training so your shop will be certified, and every couple years they have to go back for re-cert.

For example, we had a '99 GMC Van in the shop, hook the scanner up, check everything out, and it needs an Injection pump, turbo, supply pump, vacuum pump, maybe a WG solenoid, installation kit, filters and about 10hrs chargeable labor total. The bill was nearly $4000 once it was all told.

Now if that were me, I would have cried. I bought my truck for $3000, and I knew it would need a set of heads and that I was willing to cope with. But if you told me it was going to need $4000 to get it to run right, I'd say forget it.

I'm just wondering what everyones breaking point is. How much would/could you invest in repairs either in dollar value or % of vehicle's book value.

I haven't been able to put the '93 back on the road since the nvg 4500 broke (~$1000 to exchange it for a professional rebuild), but I've been reducing the cost of fixing the other two trucks lately by getting better at running down the lowest price and not throwing parts at any problem. My breaking point is when I'm not able to think it out anymore.

I would have to weigh out the book value against the repair bill. Praise the Lord I've been able to do most of the work myself with the help of most people here on the boards, including cutting my teeth on an IP changeout.

As much time as I've got into this baby getting it just the way I want it, it would be kinda hard for me to just junk it now, unless something happened inside to wipe out everything including the block. Then I would have a tear in my beer, root beer that is. Would you please pass the Nehi.

Whatever the price of the replacement CUMMINS I-6 TURBODIESEL ENGINE! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! Ha! ! ! !!!

well in the last year i have put in , a rad , rebuilt the engine, rebuilt the trans , new interior , did complete body and paint, then accident, new fender again, bumper and grille, tires and hummer h2 rims,so i guess what ever it takes dont think it can take much more

I've got too much time and money invested to let it go now. If I did get something else it would have to be a Durabucks ah--- DuraMax ;) .

Be carefull what you wish for with a cummins, great engine, but it can take it's toll on the rest of the drivetrain.):h

I'd have to destroy the body and the engine before I give up on my truck, and then I'd replace it with the same thing. I bought my vehicle to four wheel. If you look at every factory truck ever made nothing has this much power (low RPM torque) on a full size frame with a wheel base as short as the Tahoe. I bought my truck for $6400 so I guess I wouldn't start looking for a new truck unless the bill was creeping up on about $5000, since I do my own drivetrain work a complete engine rebuild and/or tranny wouldn't come close to that number. Body damage can go past that number real fast though. My .02

I guess whatever it takes as I don't have enough money to buy a new truck just yet. This one is paid off and the less I put into her, the more I save; the happier I am.

I suppose I would fix or have most things fixed to keep the truck running. I really like the creature comforts of the newer trucks but I swear they dont drive as good as my old one, and she is a lot more truck off road.

I look at the replacement cost of my truck and its in the 40k range. The truck has only 70k on it and I would have to be looking at a very large bill to move me into a new one. I do put money in it every year brakes, seals etc. but no were near the cost of new and no payments. As long as the body holds out (and it should I don't use the truck in the winter) I would even consider a new motor and tranny. The book value of the truck really doesn't mean mmuch to me as long as the truck continues to do what I need it to do and any repairs will keep it going long enough to get that much more service from it. Just another opinion.

If you look at every factory truck ever made nothing has this much power (low RPM torque) on a full size frame with a wheel base as short as the Tahoe.
I couldn't agree with you more on that one MDT. I've been a Full-Size Blazer nut for years. Sold my '90 6.2 for this one. I love they way both of them drive on and off-road, and compared to the standard issue 350 available in either year, the 6.2/6.5 turbo blows them away in power and gets much better mileage.

Exactly, TDG. I owned a 2dr gas '97 before this one, so I already knew the body, interior and chassis were great, but the Vortec 350 was lacking in low end grunt. In 1994 when the Blazer got the 6.5 TD it came in a close second to the ZR2 pickup which was also introduced that year, in the "Four Wheeler Magazine" four wheeler of the year competition. It's a Hummer powerplant with a much shorter wheelbase and about half the weight, how could you go wrong?

got to keep her on the road, no expense spared. the body is pristine, and i have only had a few minor problems. got 149,000 miles on original injection pump, biggest expense so far. truck now has 239,000 miles on it and still runs as good as driving off the showroom floor. does'nt even eat any oil. going for a half million miles before i get rid of her. also doesnt hurt to run a little off-road now and then. lubes up the pump real good.

For The Amount That I Have Invested In My Truck, I Would Spend Anything To Get It Going Again. Even If It Meant It Was Going To Sit For Awhile, So That I Could Afford It. The Only Way I Would Get Rid Of It, Was If I Was In A Major Accident And The Insurance Company Totaled It Out.

TDG, and MDT are right one the money. Two type of people one's that are luckey enough to own a full size Blazer/Tahoe with a 6.5TD and the one's that wish they had one LOL. I geuss what ever it takes to keep it running, and i can say that's true. Heck even my wife no there's no way in HELL I'm getting rid of my truck I'm not giving it to my kids, think I'll be buried in it when the time comes LOL!!!!! New motor, IP, turbo what ever keeping it.

2 years of internet searching and flying half way across the country to get it when I found it.

The guy I bought it from called me at my old shop! "hey I got this old...I think its a blazer or something with diesel that won't start, I'm just trying to get it started so I can sell it" "SOLD! I'll be right over!" ;)

Got my new for the stealer, they looked at me like I was crazy when I told them what I wanted. Best truck I've ever had 11yr and 215,000miles and counting.

I wonder how many Z71 Diesel Blazers were made in '94???

Your's is only the second one I've ever heard of.

Also, I've seen a handful of Diesel Blazers and ALL of them are BLACK? what color is yours?

Just for the record, I purchased mine in Abilene, TX.

Dark Blue, with the paint peeling off the front finders and hood Driving to FAST!!! Heard that was a promblem in 94 but when it started they said it to late to doing about it.
Purchased in Houston, Tx
You keep saying Abilene, Tx and I'm going to plan a trip to Coleman, TX (family and hunting there)

I'll be in Texas for a while next month sometime, not sure when.

Coming back home? NO place better than TEXAS!!! Maybe we can meet up around Abilene or something? Have to check dates but so far sound fun.

So when you figure out when, you are letting us know right? Some of us might find a way/reason to look you up and say hi just before we tie you up so you can't leave again :lol:

That would be sweet, unfortunately I'm flying down so I won't have my truck there :(

I'll let all yall Texas and area folk know when I know.

After this new engine i'll be invested so deep i'll never be able to sell it!!!

After this new engine i'll be invested so deep i'll never be able to sell it!!!

:exactly:

Well over $5000 spent this year. Thats only about 8 months worth of payments on a comperable new one.

I wouldn't trade in the wife just because she needed an operation. With the 6.5 there is no logic, only passion.

Tim

Diesel Blazer: I agree with MDT and others, I really miss my 94 6.5 Blazer. Ordered it in late 93 from the dealer with all of the good stuff. I ordered white and had the lowers painted to match the sport trucks that were available that year while retaining the non-sport equipment (chrome grill, bumbers and such). I kept it for 6 or so years until I couldn't deal with the rust anymore. The fuel lines, body and everything else under the truck rusted due to an excursion on to the beach in Hatteras the second year I had it. So, I traded it in on my current truck. The Blazer had only 76,000 or so miles on it and had most of the early IP issues resolved by the dealer and was running great.

My current truck is right at the point where I have to begin spending a lot of money to keep it running. The bottoms of the doors are showing signs of rust. The brakes need some attention, the A/C has lost its charge and a little front end fender work is on my to do list.

I weigh that against purchasing a new vehicle, something like a touareg, X5, Dakota or similar vehicle. Non have a diesel option or the space of my current suburban. And, not many K2500 diesel subs around for that matter. So, I'll keep it and maintain as needed.

I weigh that against purchasing a new vehicle, something like a touareg, X5, Dakota or similar vehicle. Non have a diesel option or the space of my current suburban. And, not many K2500 diesel subs around for that matter. So, I'll keep it and maintain as needed.[/quote]


Touareg has a diesel option V10 320hp 550trq. I think the option is about 10grand and you can't get it in Cali.(emmissions). Still won't replace the size of your burb, but probably fun to drive.