Chevy 3500, 6.5L diesel

[99NCXJ]

I'm going tomorow to look at a truck. Its a 1996 Chevy 3500 with the 6.5L turbo diesel, auto, 4x4, extended cab, dually. I'm just wondering if anyone here knows anything about these trucks. I'm new to the chevy diesel thing. How do they compare to the 7.3L powerstroke that i'm used to towing with? If anyone knows of anything to look out for on these trucks i'd apreciate it.

[1-tonmudder]

How do they compare to the 7.3L powerstroke that i'm used to towing with?

They don't,not even in the same league.IIRC they were bad about cracking heads.Me personally,the only way I would buy one is if I had a Cummins waiting to go in it.They are decent but they are not a work truck.

[HotRodYJ]

I'll second that. I've got a 94 Chevy C3500 4 dr dually with the 6.5 Turbo, auto, 4.10 gear ratio. I really like the truck overall, but it's no power house. I pull my 5k lb tag along camper with it and it does fine from here to Pigeon Forge, but I towed it to Cherokee, NC once and wondered if it would make it over the mountain. Going in from Maggy Valley on the old two lane road, I admit entery speed at the bottom of the hill was only 35mph, but I was flat on the floor in second gear at 2000 rpm and looseing speed. I was just under 30 mph at the top of the hill. Came back thru Ashville and over Sams Gap on I-26. Topped Sams Gap at 40mph flat on the floor and this was with only 5000 lbs behind it.

I've not heard of the cracked heads, but they do have issues with the Pump Mounted Driver (PMD) that is basically the electronic control module on the Injection Pump. They tend to over heat and burn out so it is recommend they be relocated out of the engine bay for cooling. Also they supposedly are bad to break crankshafts and the claim is this is due to worn out harmonic balancers. Recommend they be changed at 100k miles and/or switch to a fluidamper.

[1-tonmudder]

If I could afford it I would have a 96 model up 4dr Chevy 3500 with a Cummins and a Allison Automatic,but my pockets are no where near that deep.For what it would cost to buy/build that you could buy a nice PSD or Cummins truck.

What happened to the Cummins truck Ben was using?? Might be out of your price range but that would be a good tow rig.

[99NCXJ]

The PMD has already been replaced and relocated. I knew it wouldn't compare to the 7.3L but i can't afford one of those anyways. I'm just looking for a good truck to drive everyday and very seldom tow my jeep. Plus i've been reading about some ways to "wake it up" some.

This is coppied from the add:

1996 Chevy K3500 Ext Cab 4x4 Dually, 280k on truck, 90k on engine
6.5L Turbo Diesel, Automatic, marine injectors, 4” full straight exhaust w/ 5” MBRP tip.
New parts: (6) 235/85/16 Load Range E tires, glow plugs, PDM w/ relocation kit and heat sink, new brakes f&r, new calipers and rotors, oil press sending unit, lift pump, wastegate control solenoid, thermostats. Im sure I left out a few.
No rust, brush guard, drop in bedliner, Reese hitch, some minor dents, blue interior, clean with no rips or tears, leather seats, buckets w/ console, visor shelf, Sony CD player,CB.
I have been driving this as a DD so it runs great !

[Hadfield4WD]

4 Wheel and off road did a comparison a couple years back between these and a 454. The 454 towed better, but the 6.5 got better mileage unloaded. Overall they are not bad engines just don't expect them to pull a house down. There are banks kits you can get for them.

[Hadfield4WD]

The add doesn't sound too bad.

[1-tonmudder]

I'll second that. I've got a 94 Chevy C3500 4 dr dually with the 6.5 Turbo, auto, 4.10 gear ratio. I really like the truck overall, but it's no power house. I pull my 5k lb tag along camper with it and it does fine from here to Pigeon Forge, but I towed it to Cherokee, NC once and wondered if it would make it over the mountain. Going in from Maggy Valley on the old two lane road, I admit entery speed at the bottom of the hill was only 35mph, but I was flat on the floor in second gear at 2000 rpm and looseing speed. I was just under 30 mph at the top of the hill. Came back thru Ashville and over Sams Gap on I-26. Topped Sams Gap at 40mph flat on the floor and this was with only 5000 lbs behind it.

I've not heard of the cracked heads, but they do have issues with the Pump Mounted Driver (PMD) that is basically the electronic control module on the Injection Pump. They tend to over heat and burn out so it is recommend they be relocated out of the engine bay for cooling. Also they supposedly are bad to break crankshafts and the claim is this is due to worn out harmonic balancers. Recommend they be changed at 100k miles and/or switch to a fluidamper.


My PSD will top the mountain in Duffield about 45mph with my blazer behind it with us,all our stuff in the truck,and a 2400 pound trailer.It might could do a little better but it has nearly 375K on it and I'm not gonna push it too hard.

[99NCXJ]

I'm not worried about winning any races, just looking for a dependable truck to tow the jeep, mostly up there to TN. I take it pretty easy in the F250 that i've been using mostly because its not mine, and its got 350k miles on it and i'm always worried the tranny is going to give up the ghost when i'm the one behind the wheel.

If i look at it and its in good shape I'll give it some more thought. The price is right but i still need to sell the 4runner first.

[HotRodYJ]

All and all I love my truck and have no plans to upgrade anytime soon. I would like to try a chip in it sometime and see how much that wakes it up but so far it will do everything aI need it for. More DD than anything and I don't hit the steep mountains very often with a load behind it.

[ParadisePWoffrD]

you might want to send Chase at ECGS a PM on NC4x4... he had one in his truck with many upgrades, and eventually pulled it for a 12V Cummins... as said, they arent a powerhouse, even with upgrades, but theyll get there eventually, and in stock form they have the capability to last a good while...

[99NCXJ]

I took it for a drive today. With all the work thats been done to it he said its getting around 18mpg. It rode nice and had decent power. I wouldn't race it against a 7.3L but its not bad. Now i just need to sell my 4runner.

[HotRodYJ]

That's better mpg than I get. The PO told me he got 23 mp out of it... lied thru his teeth. My best is low 17's.

[99NCXJ]

since this one has the high psi injectors, cold air intake and 4" straight exhaust i guess that helps some.