I would say 100% get a 6.2, you will find everyone here will offer a lot of great advice.
Best bet is to hunt around on Craigslist or use searchtempest, you will decent deal on one.
Expect a truck this old will need some work though, stock up on some replacement parts when you run across deals on them.

Read the FAQ section

And welcome

 

You seem to have a good handle on the situation. The 6.2 was my first truck and my first diesel, but its very easy to work on, damned reliable, and maintenance is simple and not very expensive.

Go for it.

 

I just picked up a 6.2 Blazer lifted to the heavens. And I really do love it. She has enough torque to get any job done, and the mileage is great for a truck that size. The only problems i seem to have with the engine so far are faulty sensors giving me wacky readings. But the engine itself is great! It's also my 1st diesel, i've had a lot of gas cars/trucks in the past, but I really have no favorite.

 

I've owned and driven a handful of gas trucks and drove a 7.3 Powerstroke but the 6.2 was my first diesel truck. Good truck, cheap, reliable, and pretty easy to learn on. I had no clue about 6.2's when I got mine but a lot of gasser knowledge. You should be good to go! You can pick up a good truck for 1500 easy.

 

My 6.2 was my first diesel too. It's only been just over a year and I've already been through so much with it, but I don't regret it at all.

 

I've had my 6.2L van for a bit over a year now and I bought it as a second van. My first Chevy van is a '96 gas Express van with a 5.7L that sucks gas like crazy. I spent several hundred $$ in the first few months due to the fact it had been parked for 3 years. At least it had been under a carport and is still fairly dry inside; more than I can say for the '96 as they both sit outside. Once I got the injector pump sorted out and took excess tranny fluid out of the automatic, it has been reliable. I get about 16-17 mpg around town and low 20's out on the open road. Just don't overtighten the oil filter and change the fuel filter often. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

The beauty of the 6.2 is that it is CHEAP. Cheap to buy, cheap to operate, cheap to maintain and cheap to repair ( you will probably want to learn and do the repairs yourself because most mechanics just aren't familiar with them, even diesel mechanics) It is as easy or easier to work on than a small block and while parts arent' near as easy to find they aren't too tough to get and even the new parts aren't ridiculously expensive. Regular fluid and filter changes and you should have a reliable engine.

Good luck

 

The diesel in the sig is my first diesel. Check out the mileage. Get ready to make your own cold air intake, or find someone on the forum who has an extra .

 

Technically the first diesel was the little JD X595 tractor here.

My 96 came after that, and the K-5 came 2 years later.

My 96 was my first diesel, and even with all the electronics on the 6.5 i still was able to figure it out very easily and get decent power out of it.

Then came the 6.2, and while i had to get used to the simpler all mechanical setup, i got used to it pretty fast.

I love these engines, and will do everything i can to keep at least one in my stable of vehicles til the day i die.

Also for those that spread the 6.2 and 6.5 rumors that they aren't a good engine(you hear it everywhere) i met a guy the other day that had over 330,000 miles on his 6.5 burban. Didn't sound half bad for the miles on it. Now that's reliability.

 

Don't forget about that guy that always types with capital letters. 900,000kms on his early '90's 6.2 that's about 550 000 miles

 

My first diesel was my 83 K5. I was in trade-school taking automotive tech when I bought it and didn't know a thing about them at all. First when I popped off the air cleaner, I was expecting to find a diesel "carburetor" :

I've had some issues with my truck, but working on them is very intuitive but it takes some time and patience to learn. Now, I'd rather work on an old mechanical diesel than anything else. I still like working on gas engines and stuff, but diesels just make more sense to me.

I'm gearing towards having an entire fleet of diesels, just because of the little 6.2 that "nobody" likes.

 

like everyone before me has said, it (6.2,6.5) is a very reliable engine. My current truck is my very first diesel....and I have heard/read all the horror stories of the 6.2. I absolutely LOVE my truck and the 6.2 in it.
As for breaking your bank, I dont think so. If the engine goes south, they are very cheap to replace. The money you will save in fuel economy(if you drive sensibly) over a gasser,you can save for "IF" something does go wrong. Besides, you wont have tune up parts to deal with with the exception of filters,oil,glow plugs every 100k(I think thats right?),and routine maintenance you'll be way ahead!
No spark plugs to foul,plug wires to burn on the exhaust manifolds,distributor caps to crack,carbs to rebuild,gas that goes bad after a couple of months, I could go on and on......
Because of the popularity of the cummins and powerstrokes,they will be more expensive for buy in and maintain. Price a set of injectors for a powestroke and then price them for a 6.2...BIG $$$$$ difference! Dont know about a cummins cause around here they are what everyone "HAS" to have.

 

I got my suburban for free almost 2 years ago. it sat for years in a field and i had to get it running again. no previous car knowledge except how to change a tire and the oil, but not having funds to pay someone to do the work for me, i learned dang quick! and what an easy truck to work on! got the thing running for under $250 in parts and then got some used tires, put a good 7000 miles on it until it needed some upgrades!

even when i had the 3 speed no OD transmission, i could average 16.5 mpg with mixed driving in my 3/4 ton burb! thats almost what i get in my little 98 s10 blazer! plus i havent had to do half the repairs on the burb as whats been needed on the blazer.

when i was filling up a while back, someone next to me was filling his ford 7.3 powerjoke and asked what engine i had. told him it was a 6.2 and he told me i needed to get rid of that piece of **** before it blew up on me! what a moron, my trucks got 237k miles on the clock and hasnt needed much of any engine work (water pump is all so far). its 25 years old and still takes me 4 wheeling in the mountains. plus i paid less than 1 of his monthly car payments for the whole thing! some people are stupid/ignorant about these engines. just be aware that its not a medium duty engine and wont ever compete power wise with a cummins or powerjoke, but for what they are... they are awesome.

thats the end of my love letter to the 6.2 hahaha

 

My 6.2L is my first Diesel. And I love it.

I got my 1990 GMC K2500 6.2L 3spd auto 4x4 just about rust free in trade for a 1981 Ford F-150 300 straight 6 4spd 2wd rust bucket. It was an even trade because the guy who had the 6.2 thought it was junk because the tranny went, it started smoking and he thought the oil PSI was low.. I hooked a mechanical gauge to it and it was fine! Bad sending unit. Rebuilt the tranny and I'll never look back.
My big old 6.2 truck gets better mileage then every other truck I know in my area.

Go with the 6.2! Just don't let anyone tell you it used to be a Gas engine. it was not

 

Thanks for all advice guys. I really appreciate it. Now the fun part, finding one. I have an uncle that lives down in TN thats gonna look for a vehicle for me, I should tell him to find a 6.2. He can probably find one with no rust either, unlike up here in MI (I've never seen a truck that rusts out worse than the 80s GM trucks).

I figured they'd be pretty cheap to fix, being all mechanical. Plus like I mentioned I have a Motor Truck and Diesel repair book that covers the 6.2 so I'd further keep costs down by doing work myself, which I'd want to do anyway because I like working on that kind of stuff.

I actually know of an '84 K10 6.2 Suburban near me. But the body is is serious need of fixing and repainting. Frame looks solid and actually isn't too rusty. Its either got 89k or 189k on it. 700R4 trans is bad so I'm leaning towards 189k. I've been told though it would cost too much to get the body nice again so I kind of scrapped the idea of that one though.

Well, I bet my uncle can find something a lot nicer down there, though.

 

(I've never seen a truck that rusts out worse than the 80s GM trucks).

Me thinks you're too young to remember Datsun trucks from the late'70s early '80s. Also I see tons of trucks that are only 10 years old that have as much rust as some of these 20+ year old trucks. And Ontario uses as much salt as anywhere. Remember the steel in theses truck had only been recycled maybe once or twice before. The new truck are made of the recycled '80's trucks.

 

If you have the time and skill, you could buy that 84 Burb for everything but the body and get your uncle to find you a nice body to transplant the diesel and other things in too.

It can be a lot of work though. So it might be best to find yourself a solid truck with all the options you are looking for. My K5 wasn't exactly what I was looking for at first, but it was only the diesel that I was iffy about...but it eventually became my favorite part.

 

It would be a great project, but neither of us have the workshop area were we could do it. I'm thinking that as well, just find one thats ready to go or close to it. As long as it has Cruise and A/C (and Power Windows and Locks if its a Crew Cab or Suburban), and of course a good working engine and drivetrain then I'll be happy with it.

 

I would recommend one in a second, all thou my cummins in my sig is my first diesel that I still turn too first for heavy towing and highway use. I deffently like my gmc also.
Its no speed demon, but its just as reliable as my cummins and I dont have to worry about babying the turbo before shutdown.
Parts around here are plentiful and cheap, most people dont even know what they are and swap it for a smallblock, stupid simple to work on too.
If i could do it again id still get my 88 k5 for my first vehical, but swap in a 6.2 and id probably still have it.
Good luck
ch

 

I almost bought a 90 W250 Cummins. Guy said it needed new rocker panels, went and looked at it, shoot the whole cab floor was falling out. Passed on it pretty quick lol. I kept looking for another first gen Cummins but they're a pain to find in 4x4 even up here in the snow belt.

Down by my uncle in TN theres a K2500 Suburban with a 454/TH400 in it that was previously a 6.2 powered truck. Too bad it doesn't still have the 6.2 in it, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Beautiful truck. Only $2500, too. I was even thinking of buying it and swapping the 454/TH400 out for a 6.2/700R4 but like I said, don't have the work area to do so.

If it were me I'd want a 6.5 2500 4x4 just because i love the body style and they are already turbo'd. I'd love to have one one day and do all the necessary bolt ons

I was looking at 6.5s, but the 6.2 is more of what I need. Pure economy and simplicity. Plus the trucks with them are a lot cheaper in price usually.

Maybe I'll get lucky and find an 88-93 IFS truck with a 6.2. That might be better since in a pickup I prefer an extended cab.

I might also take a '92-'93 mechanic injection 6.5 if the price was right

 

If it were me I'd want a 6.5 2500 4x4 just because i love the body style and they are already turbo'd. I'd love to have one one day and do all the necessary bolt ons

 

Trios is right.

 

Uhm...about what?

 

Thanks again for all the advice, guys. No luck yet. I have found an '87 4x4 6.2 Suburban but its about 300 miles from my uncle so that might not work.

Also, I also consider 6.5 powered trucks but how much are they to work on/fix compared to the 6.2?

 

Also, I also consider 6.5 powered trucks but how much are they to work on/fix compared to the 6.2?

94+ is when they switched to electrically controlled injection, which will increase the cost of maintenance and repairs. 92-93 is the sweet spot of having a 6.5TD but mechanical injection.

The 94+ trucks will cost more because of electronics, sensors, PMD's and other failure points. The electronic DS4 pumps are larger pumps that can pump more fuel and do it more precisely. Which can help in tuning.

 

I can't believe it. I first came across this 'Burb 6 months ago, and here its still for sale! (I think).

http://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/2822400011.html

I emailed the guy with my number. I want to make him an offer. What do guys think its Worth? Maybe around $2500?

Now this truck being a 1991, would it have a 4L80E or still the old TH400 or 700R4?

 

Should be 4L80E.

 

Ok cool. Good, I was hoping thats what it would be. I don't really want the non-overdrive TH400 but want something a bit heavier duty than the 700R4. I've heard the 4L80E is pretty much a TH400 with an Overdrive (and electronic control).

 

yup. I think though that being a 3/4 ton it would depend on the GVWR. Wouldn't the less than 8300GVWR 3/4's still have the 4L60/700r4. Couldn't see from the pics if it had 8 lugs or 6. 8 lugs would be 4l80e, 6 I think would be 4L60/700r4

 

As far as I know GM didn't make a 6 lug 2500 Suburban, in that body style at least. But whatever it has as long as its an overdrive transmission. The 4L80E would be a plus since its a Heavier Duty trans, but as long as whatever trans it has its an OD than I'm happy.


Still no word from the guy yet. Maybe thats why he didn't sell it, never gets back to people lol.

What do you guys think truck would be be worth? I want to make a reasonable offer and not drive the guy away but then not spend too much, either. Nada blue book average says $5k (Bahaha) and Edmunds says $1500 private part retail (not likely but who knows). I'm thinking around $2000-$2500

http://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/2822400011.html

 

he says it was used on a farm... i would be wary of that cause just about every farm truck i know of has been beaten to hell. who knows, maybe hes been gentle on it... not likely!

if he ever gets back to you and you can test drive it, and if it seems good i wouldnt offer too much. 90k original miles? ya right. when i got my burb i was told it had 130k until digging through the paperwork from a dealership years ago that clocked it at the time as 170k. without that extra digit from the odometer expect it to be high, people tend to be full of crap. but again, maybe it is the real mileage just beat to hell around the farm. i still wouldnt offer too much, if its been for sale for a while, maybe he would jump at a chance to ditch it for a cheap price once you waive cash under his nose.

with any used vehicle (especially one thats 21 years old) expect to have to fix something soon. maybe it works ok right now, doesnt mean it will in 6 months. gotta budget for the unknown.

 

I was just thinking it might've been his daily drive because I've never heard of a Suburban being used on a farm, I've always thought they used pickups for that kind of work.

The mileage I was thinking the same, but 1991 it might have the full 6 digit (plus the .0) so who knows. I'd have him send me pics of that, and send me the VIN too so I can run a check.

I might initially offer $1500 on that grounds that thats what Edmunds.com said the value is. If not I'd go up, but no more than $2500 if its really nice.

I won't be looking at it (I'm in MI, the 'Burb is in GA) but I'd have my uncle in TN go check it out. That's better anyway because he knows a lot more than vehicles than I do, A LOT more.

Well, we shall see what happens. I hope it all works out. I have not currently found anything else that interests me yet and I hate looking lol.

 

it would have to be pretty darn nice to offer $2500 imo. i mean, i got mine for free... well i had to pay a tiny bit and have it trailered 2 hrs to my place. and ive seen several burbs around here over the last year for ~ $1000. one guy was selling his, said it needed glowplug work and was throwing in an extra burb frame, 3 sets of tires (highway, mud and super swampers) a 6 inch lift that wasnt installed yet and he was asking $1k. i tried to get my brother to go buy it.

i would keep an eye out, you will find them every now and then. hopefully a good one will pop up and be the best purchase of your life!