Advice on choosing and Older Suburban DIesel?

hertfordnc wrote:
So the consensus is that they don't get great MPG (empty) and the engines are not that great, compared to Cummins or the Ford 7.3?

Was Duramax the beginning of Chevy being a real player?

I'm still curious though. I'm also interested in biodiesl and/or WVO but I don't want a $20,000 truck that will mostly sit in the yard between road trips.

I am close to retirement but with two little boys in the house (it keeps me young) Ford and Dodge did not make many crew cabs before the late 90's so the prices are high. The diesel burbs have been around since Reagan.

You are correct between the comparison between the 7.3 and the Cummins. The Cummins was a way better engine and the old non Powerstroke 7.3 was a slightly better engine.

You are not correct about the fuel mileage. The 6.5 is really fuel efficient. With 21.5 to 1 compression ratio they are really efficient. It just won't get 20+ "average" in a burb like you want. I don't know anything that will in that box. The burb is big, heavy and about as aerodynamic as a piece of plywood.

Well, I take that back. The 6.2 N/A non turbo will get 20+ in a burb but if you put anything on the tail you will have turtles pass you on hills. On the flats you will be fine but in the hills it will get ugly.

One other thing. If you are interested in alternative fuels. As soon as I get a few more things squared away I will start to burn black fuel in my 6.5. I highly recommend that if you want to do this or burn bio or grease or whatever you get a 93 like mine. 93's were all mechanical injection and you can burn about anything you want in them. The 94's on up had electronic injection and they were WAY more picky on what goes through their pumps.

One thing you might think about is if you start to burn black fuel or grease you might get up to your 20+ MPG because black fuel or grease has more energy than #2. Just another plus when driving older diesels.

BTW, yes, the Dmax was GM's first real "good" diesel that they put in their pickups.

Good luck with you quest. :)