Looking for a daily driver - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Burnout · 01-08-2008, 01:24 PM

Hey,
I'm looking for a daily driver. I was wondering if a 350 would be a good dd or would it be to harsh on gas. There's a real nice '83 k10 single cab short box 4x4 auto with a 350. No rust. On the other hand, I found a '85 k15 single cab long box 4x4 with a 6.2 diesel and a manual trans. I just love the 'ol body style but dont know witch one to go with. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys and gals,
JR

streetstar · 01-08-2008, 01:40 PM

Historically speaking, The diesel would probably be a little better on gas --- but if its already got a ton of miles on it, they cost a bit more to rebuild than a 350. They are also slower than molasses

The 350 in my Blazer 4-by gets about 15mpg, which is about as good as any 4wd gas powered fullsize vehicle from that era. Normal mileage can vary between 10 mpg and maybe 15 if you're lucky for a 350, possibly 18 or 19 with the diesel, but more commonly, its 14-16 also just because you are always at full throttle trying to get them to move

**old Rusty C10** · 01-08-2008, 03:21 PM

with the cost of diesel over gas its six in one half dozen in the other.. id go with the truck you feel would be the best overall in the long run... gas motors are easier to rebuild and plentiful and if the body in the gas truck is better even tho its a a shortbox it may be a better investment and give you more service

Burnout · 01-08-2008, 03:44 PM

http://www.hebdo.net/result/detailin...1&pgno=3&srt=1

Pyrotechnic · 01-08-2008, 03:50 PM

Gas, because gas by the gallon is cheaper, and the parts to fix the engine are far more common and cheap. Go with the 350.

Hoods69BadBowTie · 01-08-2008, 06:20 PM

I gotta agree I say go with the 350 gas motor because gas is cheaper and parts are cheap and easy to find for it!

joehalford01 · 01-08-2008, 08:54 PM

hands down 350. I've found it to be one of the most reliable daily driver powerplants available if your willing to maintain it and feed it your money (gas)

.

Bishops Trucks · 01-08-2008, 09:13 PM

Welcome to the site. I have to agree about the gas over deisel for the reason that you know you will want to add some shiney performance and go fast goodies on it later. It's a bug we all get when playing with these trucks. And for all you guys that are going to chime in about how deisel's can be modified, I know the performance is there but cost more than working on a gas engine. I'm not trying to start a debate here.

Roper · 01-09-2008, 05:09 AM

A friend has a 6.2 diesel with a banks turbo on it. I have driven it and its not to bad power wise. About the same as a stock 350
I have driven stock 6.2 diesels and they really have no power.
What I have always heard was that those 6.2 are really great on fuel, example 30mpg. Surprises me that everybody on here says there fuel mileage is not all that great?
Diesels deffinately cost a lot more to repair!

BIGCHEVYMAN · 01-09-2008, 02:21 PM

Go for the gas, I have a 6.2 in a crew cab 4x4 and it is a slow mofo.
When the 6.2 finally dies i am going to put a 350 in that i just started building.
My 6.2 is a hd version and it only gets about 10mpg and that is with a new injector pump.

01-08-2008, 01:24 PM	#1
Burnout Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 13	Looking for a daily driver Hey, I'm looking for a daily driver. I was wondering if a 350 would be a good dd or would it be to harsh on gas. There's a real nice '83 k10 single cab short box 4x4 auto with a 350. No rust. On the other hand, I found a '85 k15 single cab long box 4x4 with a 6.2 diesel and a manual trans. I just love the 'ol body style but dont know witch one to go with. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and gals, JR

01-08-2008, 01:40 PM	#2
streetstar Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 2,396	Re: Looking for a daily driver Historically speaking, The diesel would probably be a little better on gas --- but if its already got a ton of miles on it, they cost a bit more to rebuild than a 350. They are also slower than molasses The 350 in my Blazer 4-by gets about 15mpg, which is about as good as any 4wd gas powered fullsize vehicle from that era. Normal mileage can vary between 10 mpg and maybe 15 if you're lucky for a 350, possibly 18 or 19 with the diesel, but more commonly, its 14-16 also just because you are always at full throttle trying to get them to move __________________ Are you retired too? Nonsense! I'm in my prime Last edited by streetstar; 01-08-2008 at 01:43 PM.

01-08-2008, 03:21 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,277	Re: Looking for a daily driver with the cost of diesel over gas its six in one half dozen in the other.. id go with the truck you feel would be the best overall in the long run... gas motors are easier to rebuild and plentiful and if the body in the gas truck is better even tho its a a shortbox it may be a better investment and give you more service __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-08-2008, 03:44 PM	#4
Burnout Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 13	Re: Looking for a daily driver http://www.hebdo.net/result/detailin...1&pgno=3&srt=1

01-08-2008, 03:50 PM	#5
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Looking for a daily driver Gas, because gas by the gallon is cheaper, and the parts to fix the engine are far more common and cheap. Go with the 350. Last edited by Pyrotechnic; 01-08-2008 at 03:51 PM.

01-08-2008, 06:20 PM	#6
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: Looking for a daily driver I gotta agree I say go with the 350 gas motor because gas is cheaper and parts are cheap and easy to find for it! __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

01-08-2008, 08:54 PM	#7
joehalford01 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 98	Re: Looking for a daily driver hands down 350. I've found it to be one of the most reliable daily driver powerplants available if your willing to maintain it and feed it your money (gas) .

01-08-2008, 09:13 PM	#8
Bishops Trucks KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 5,731	Re: Looking for a daily driver Welcome to the site. I have to agree about the gas over deisel for the reason that you know you will want to add some shiney performance and go fast goodies on it later. It's a bug we all get when playing with these trucks. And for all you guys that are going to chime in about how deisel's can be modified, I know the performance is there but cost more than working on a gas engine. I'm not trying to start a debate here. __________________ JIM '97 GMC Sierra K1500 '95 Chevy Silverado C1500 '71 Cheyenne Z71 / LT1 & 4-Speed SWB K/10 Father/Son Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l689JKXPnA http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php "LIVIN' FREE FOREVER"

01-09-2008, 05:09 AM	#9
Roper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Alberta Posts: 248	Re: Looking for a daily driver A friend has a 6.2 diesel with a banks turbo on it. I have driven it and its not to bad power wise. About the same as a stock 350 I have driven stock 6.2 diesels and they really have no power. What I have always heard was that those 6.2 are really great on fuel, example 30mpg. Surprises me that everybody on here says there fuel mileage is not all that great? Diesels deffinately cost a lot more to repair!

01-09-2008, 02:21 PM	#10
BIGCHEVYMAN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Portland , Tennessee , United States Posts: 1,024	Re: Looking for a daily driver Go for the gas, I have a 6.2 in a crew cab 4x4 and it is a slow mofo. When the 6.2 finally dies i am going to put a 350 in that i just started building. My 6.2 is a hd version and it only gets about 10mpg and that is with a new injector pump.



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