Diesel engines

[Lippyp]

What year did GM start offering a diesel engine in 'Burbs? My daily driver at the moment is a rusty '91 Isuzu Trooper and it's gonna need replacing soon and I've a hankering for a Suburban now I've recently had twins and so need a back seat. I still want a good sized load space and towing capacity. My weekend toy is a '67 C10.

Ideally I'd want a 4x4 but it has to be a diesel as it needs to be reasonably economical as it will be running back and forth between my house in the UK and my house in southern France, a journey of about 900 miles each way and with gas prices around the $7 a gallon mark a thirsty gas V8 just wouldn't be practical.

What kind of mileage do the 6.2 diesels give?

Obviously sourcing one is gonna be more tricky here in the UK but there are a reasonable number around in specialists.

Thanks.

[rcbildr]

IIRC the 1982 was the first year for the 6.2L in Suburbans. I have an 85 4x4 with a 6.2 and I love it! When I was driving it, it would get 19mpg and the 2wd Diesel burb I had (it's now a parts rig) would get mid 20's for mpg's. Right now my 85 is parked because the clutch is messed up and I also want to convert it over to hydraulic.

[special-K]

Yep,`82 was the first 6.2 in GM light-duties.They get anywhere from 15-22 mpg.I have a`91 3/4t 4wd Suburban with 35" tires.`91 was the first year for overdrive in 3/4tons.Mine gets 18-20 consistantly.

[rcbildr]

Originally Posted by special-K

...`91 was the first year for overdrive in 3/4tons....

My 85 Burb had overdrive (700R4) and it is a 3/4 ton...that changed when I covnerted it to a manual. The tranny swap didn't affect the mileage.

[longhorn71]

the k-5 blazers 1982 last year for the 2wd and no top.first year for the 6.2 (4X4 ONLY)and the th-700r4

[Lippyp]

Hmmm, a little thirstier than I was anticipating considering my "little" japanese 2.8L Turbo diesel 4x4 gets around 30mpg at freeway speeds (70-80mph) even towing a medium sized trailer.

[Zoomad75]

Lippy,

Don't forget that those Little jap diesels are only pulling around a little truck too. Low to mid 20's for Mpg in a 4500-5000 pound chunk of iron and steel shaped like a brick isn't that bad. Put into perspective, the gas suburbans of the same era were 1/3 to 1/2 less efficient than the diesels were. It all depended on the driver, load and conditions.

Look for one with an overdrive trans or swap one in once you get it. (realize finding a 700r4 in the uk might not be as easy as it is here)

The 6.2's arent the strongest of deisels out there comparing to the current crop of engines but they can be built to be strong enough. Another member here (DirtyLarry) built up an 86 3/4 ton 4wd sub last year. It was a 6.2 with a banks turbo. The crank broke on it shortly after yanking my K5 out of a muddy ditch. Through some work connections he was able to score a 6.5 that he put back in it with the banks kit. That was one heck of a strong truck. Once that turbo spooled up it pulled harder than DirtyLarry's 454 in his K10. He ended up selling it to the guy that got him the 6.5 parts and the new owner drove it back to Detroit (from Colorado) with no problems.

As strong as that 6.5 was I was really tempted to look for one for my K5.

Keep your eyes open you'll find one. Just don't compare 6.2 mileage to smaller lighter diesel trucks. It's not an equal comparison.