How many like their diesel squares?

[rs74]

I was a day late and a dollar short on this last truck I was looking at. I have found another one, an 84 GMC short bed C10 that needs a transmission. I really liked the 6.2 in my old K30. I had decided I would like to try to get another one for mileage purposes. I am hoping if I can get ahold of one that I can see 20+ mpg's. Does that seem possible in a C10?

I know alot of people don't like them for the lack of power but for what I would use it for I think it would be fine. I am not sure what kind of gears this truck has but does have a 700r4 behind it that needs replaced.

If I want power then I will have to wait until my 85 short bed is done or hop into my 454 K30. So for those of you who do have diesels what are your thoughts on them. The one that I did have I didn't get to put alot of miles on so I really don't have much to go on other than the fact that I did like it while I had it.

[steelwheels13]

Here's mine....th400/4.56 gears...haven't checked numbers but seems to get around 15/17 mpgs. Plan on turning up the pump abit to get that seat of the pants performance..

[old Rusty C10]

I liked mine with exception of the fact it was about as temperamental as my ex wife it hated cold weather and didn't want to turn over but it gave me a couple of years of good service.. Bear in mind my old diesel was a former military truck.. the ex wife thought she was a general.. it should also be noted id take back my old diesel truck the ex wife.. there isn't enough money in the world for that

[rs74]

My old 6.2, 400 trans with 4.56 gears. Ran really good but just didn't put alot of miles on it before selling it.

[rs74]

The old diesel short bed I am trying to get my hands on. Not the greatest of pics.

[V30 mongo]

Got this thing new in 88. Still have it. Slow ( don't take it on the interstate) and ugly, but runs when I need it...

[GM72K10]

Have 3 square body diesels that we use. All 86 K30s, the dump is a stick, all with 4:56s. All ex military in some way. ALL get better MPG than my 2012 K3500HD. Easy to work on. Just put a new stock exhaust on the SRW M1028a1. Had an 88 R30 new with the 6.2. Never had any major problems. Very good for what they are. Have had at least 35 of them.

[andrewmp6]

You could always swap a diesel in any pickup.The 6.2 would be a easy swap,Or you can use a cummins the 4bt would give you the most mpg and the 12 valve can be a power house if you got the money.

[D13]

Mine eats both batteries every 5 years. Crank pulley failure is common - too lazy / cheap to swap to serpentine. Fuel filter sucks air because the rubber tip of the water drain broke off. Ato 200, 000 miles, every suspension piece is worn out, slowly costing a fortune to replace.

Diesel is over $1 more than gas today, and has been more than gas since I bought this thing about 10 years ago.

On the other hand,until my new Equinox, it's the only vechicle I owned for the last 10 years with working air, it gets 23MPG (2wd w/ 700R4 and 3.08's), I've learned a ton about the 6.2, I have enough spare parts to make 3 complete trucks, and it's the first road leagal square I've owned since the 80's. I've used it to slowly relarn all my mechanics stuff. And it's still the most comfortable seat I've owned since 1990.

[05duramaxhd]

rs74 That short bed is not far from me I will try to get up there this weekend and give it a good look over for ya. If you come down and pick it up please let me know and we can meet up and have lunch.

[rs74]

Originally Posted by 05duramaxhd

rs74 That short bed is not far from me I will try to get up there this weekend and give it a good look over for ya. If you come down and pick it up please let me know and we can meet up and have lunch.

I am pretty much just waiting/hoping one of these guys that say they want to buy my big block is going to come through. However you know how that goes. I talked to the guy who owns that truck and he seemed to be a pretty good guy. Said he was doing some LS transplants in a couple of them. If I am fortunate enough to make it down there I will let you know. I may not have alot of time on my hands though. 6 hrs one way and I would be driving back that same day plus the time to BS, look, and possibly load the truck. I am all for meeting you just have to see how this goes if it does at all. Lol. Thanks.

[rs74]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

You could always swap a diesel in any pickup.The 6.2 would be a easy swap,Or you can use a cummins the 4bt would give you the most mpg and the 12 valve can be a power house if you got the money.

Lol. That's always the issue no money. I have been looking for just a roller to put the 350 out of my short bed in but came across this 6.2 and thought if I can pick it up for the price of a roller then maybe I should. Other wise I just put the 350 in and go.

Just looking for a daily driver. I got rid of the 03 crew cab and going back to the old stuff, at least for now. I would like to stay driving the old stuff but we will see how that goes. I do miss the technology of the newer already. I guess if nothing else then I could put a 5.3 in it or something. Who knows. Lol

[84chevyguyid]

I have an 87 diesel burb that I bought when it was a year old, love the thing! Its got 310,000 miles on it now and has a 6.5 with a Banks turbo setup on it. I get 18-20 mpg driving 80 down the freeway and its got good power with the turbo.

[rs74]

Not sure if this is correct but I would think a 6.2 in a C10 would have halfway decent power verse having it in a K30 or suburban.

[Corts60]

I have put over 30,000 miles on my C10 diesel SWB. It had a T400 w/ gear venders and 3.40 gears and pulled 21-23 MPG down the highway by itself. 17-19 MPG in the city. I have since switched to 3.73 gears and now I only get 17-19 MPG city and highway. When I tow I get 14 mpg.

The Olds 350 diesel and the 6.2 have near identical HP and Torque figures. Having 3.73 gears behind either one of these makes it a very fun truck to drive. Just make sure you have an overdrive tranny with this gearing as the MAX RPM of these engines is around 3600.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by rs74

Not sure if this is correct but I would think a 6.2 in a C10 would have halfway decent power verse having it in a K30 or suburban.

You are correct. A swb C10 with a diesel and 3.73 gears has respectable power.

[05duramaxhd]

I can help ya load and if need I have a place to say if need!!!

[mattybilt79]

Found one for you!http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/4800026854.html

[rs74]

Originally Posted by mattybilt79

Found one for you!http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/4800026854.html

That almost matches my dually. I have actually seen that ad before.

[Oregoon]

I've always thought the 6.2/6.5 got a bad rap.

I've known quite a few in work rigs, and they gave good service--amazing, since we all know an employer-owned rig is capable of amazing feats of acceleration, braking, cornering, trailering, and can run for days with low-coolant and little oil...

In all seriousness, they get a vote from me. 200K in city-delivery service is pretty good, especially when the driver is a 21-year old kid.

[andrewmp6]

Yeah the 6.2/6.5 did get a bad rap,As a normal truck they have enough power and will run forever if taken care of.A lot of people mix them up with the early olds diesel gm made which we all know about.

[Eraser475]

I love my 6.2. It starts up easily in single digits without being plugged in. I haven't really pulled or hauled anything with mine, so I can't give any input on that matter. I have 3.08 gears and that makes it pretty slow getting up to speed, but I also don't like to just stomp on the pedal. I have the 700r4 and I really like having overdrive. I don't expect a whole lot out of it, but I accept it for what it is; a diesel made for mileage that has decent low end grunt. Mine is a crate motor with 47,000 miles on it at the moment, so it has quite a bit of life in it yet. My dad has a 6.2 and a 350 and even as a kid I loved the 6.2 for some reason.

My diesel square



Mine next to my dad's '82 diesel square

[rs74]

I will go along with the bad rap issue. I think alot it is because of something they heard and never really had any hands on experience with the engine. It easy to hear something bad from Joe Blow and take his word as gospel and then spread the word around even though you have no idea.

Another reason I think they get put down is since Cummins, Powerstroke, and Duramax came along. Everybody got a taste of those engine and then laughed at the 6.2/6.5 engines. Especially the younger generation for the most part. They want the power and all that is to be diesel which doesn't include these older engines. They were built to be what those others are.

I don't alot about them but did like the one I had. Now if the diesel fuel price would just go back to where it should be, under gas price. Gas is 1.79 here now which is great but diesel is still around the 3.30 mark here.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Yeah the 6.2/6.5 did get a bad rap,As a normal truck they have enough power and will run forever if taken care of.A lot of people mix them up with the early olds diesel gm made which we all know about.

It's funny that everyone "knows" about the Olds diesel, yet they fail to see that the 6.2 had just as many design quirks and flaws, only in different areas.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by rs74

I will go along with the bad rap issue. I think alot it is because of something they heard and never really had any hands on experience with the engine. It easy to hear something bad from Joe Blow and take his word as gospel and then spread the word around even though you have no idea.

Exactly why everyone trash talks the Olds diesel. Their Dad told them they were junk so they just keep on spreading the word that they are junk having never touched or driven one.

Anyone that still owns an Olds knows the quirks and, having solved those quirks, have very reliable diesel with same reliability and power as the 6.2 non-turbo.