Advise (advice) wanted

If you can buy it cheap, then do so, clean it up real good without spending much money on it, resell it, and make a profit.
 
I've had my 83 6.2 Sub K2500 for over 20 years now and it has 370k miles. 4.10 gears, 4" lift and 8 lug 35's and yes, I get about 17 to 18 mpg. Power....it does lack but it does get you there. Added an ATS turbo kit some years ago which really woke the thing up. It will actually pass vehicles and climb hills with ease since that addition. I have pulled a horse trailer, boat and other assorted things...but watch out for the hills with a load! They are very easy to diagnose problems and work on and parts are cheap. Glow plugs are $10 each and injectors are $20 each last time I bought them. Stanadyne injector pump - $300 to $400. Go price that stuff for today's diesels. All mechanical and no electronics. Alot of folks dog the 6.2/6.5 because of the reputation GM got when they converted the 350 gas to a diesel PRIOR to the 6.2...stupid decision. The 6.2 was designed by Detroit Diesel from the bottom up to be a diesel. No, they're not gonna stand up to many power upgrades like today's diesels but they are good engines. I did have to replace the Sub engine at 340k due to a broken crankshaft, not unheard of with these engines but not a common thing either. My 86 6.2 K5 just rolled over 300k miles with the original engine and it will get 21 to 22 mpg with 33's. The square bodies always get lots of looks and it is fun to pull up to the diesel pumps and see the stares.
Hope that helps you make a decision.
 
Subzilla said:
I've had my 83 6.2 Sub K2500 for over 20 years now and it has 370k miles. 4.10 gears, 4" lift and 8 lug 35's and yes, I get about 17 to 18 mpg. Power....it does lack but it does get you there. Added an ATS turbo kit some years ago which really woke the thing up. It will actually pass vehicles and climb hills with ease since that addition. I have pulled a horse trailer, boat and other assorted things...but watch out for the hills with a load! They are very easy to diagnose problems and work on and parts are cheap. Glow plugs are $10 each and injectors are $20 each last time I bought them. Stanadyne injector pump - $300 to $400. Go price that stuff for today's diesels. All mechanical and no electronics. Alot of folks dog the 6.2/6.5 because of the reputation GM got when they converted the 350 gas to a diesel PRIOR to the 6.2...stupid decision. The 6.2 was designed by Detroit Diesel from the bottom up to be a diesel. No, they're not gonna stand up to many power upgrades like today's diesels but they are good engines. I did have to replace the Sub engine at 340k due to a broken crankshaft, not unheard of with these engines but not a common thing either. My 86 6.2 K5 just rolled over 300k miles with the original engine and it will get 21 to 22 mpg with 33's. The square bodies always get lots of looks and it is fun to pull up to the diesel pumps and see the stares.
Hope that helps you make a decision.
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Thanks for your input. Like I should've said. I know this vehicle. I know the owner he has known me my whole life. He has had the bourb 20+ years had the tranny rebuilt, installed new poly body mounts. Guy he bought it from said it had a new crate motor put in.(?) We have used it as a tow pig for the cow trailer when were between trucks. I think I may rock it. I think I may can get it a g or less. (Ie) the 10 c-notes. Dang looking on some of the websites the lift is more than I plan on paying for the rig.
 
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Lift should be cheaper than $1k...it's just 2 springs, 2 blocks and ubolts....
Had mine at Uwharrie once. If it weren't for the boat-like length I would take it there all the time.... the diesel easily torqued itself up and over obstacles. Got a 75 K5 with 350 for the rocks now but really wish it had the 6.2.
 
Here he goes again... Just kidding (lol). Don't really matter what y'all say I'm gonna lift it about a 3' put it on some 54's and flip the 3 t-cases 1 upright then the other one sideways then upside down (lol). Seriously @Subzilla I was looking@ full kits all springs, shocks and no blocks seems there may have some more in the 4 and 6" kits.
I would like more info on said turbo. Did it just increase hp or did u see fuel mileage go up or bout the same? And the $$$ to do it. Any payback economy wise?
 
redneckyota said:
Here he goes again... Just kidding (lol). Don't really matter what y'all say I'm gonna lift it about a 3' put it on some 54's and flip the 3 t-cases 1 upright then the other one sideways then upside down (lol). Seriously @Subzilla I was looking@ full kits all springs, shocks and no blocks seems there may have some more in the 4 and 6" kits.
I would like more info on said turbo. Did it just increase hp or did u see fuel mileage go up or bout the same? And the $$$ to do it. Any payback economy wise?
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Regearing the axles would be money better spent than three cases,With three cases your gonna have gears that are so close in ratio they will be useless.Turbo'in a 6.2 is a
HUGE WASTE OF MONEY.
 
Mileage did go up a little but I do put my foot in it more than I use to. Found the no-longer-made ATS kit used on a forum about 7 years ago. Couldn't afford, nor did I want to spend that much money, on a $2k Banks kit. But they still make them. Some folks will throw on 6.5 turbo parts from a junkyard. Huge waste of money?? That's someone's opinion. I can find plenty of folks who disagree... Had my Suburban for over 20 years now and plan to keep it a while longer which justified to me the effort to add the extra power. We each have our own priorities, likes and dislikes and opinions.
 
A banks sidewinder kit is $3K now and for that you can do a ls swap or possibly a 12 valve swap if your resourceful.I agree that's one persons opinion but I don't ever see anybody doin a 6.2 swap,6.2 diesel that is.
 
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