6.5 Turbo Detroit Worth

[Kolton5543]

My mom has a mid 90's 3/4 ton pickup that's been sitting in our yard for roughly 5 years. Her and I both are getting tired of watching it return to the earth and would like to do something with it. Ultimately i'd like to get it fixed but its looking to be around $1300 in parts. It's been well maintained and never been worked hard but is around 180k miles. As far as I know it hasn't had any major parts replaced and from what I've read, these engines weren't the most reliable and will likely become a money pit very quick. With that being said, I'm not gunna put that kinda money into it and I'm sure my mom won't either. Chances are we're gunna try to make a couple bucks off it by parting it out. The main thing I'm looking for is how much do these engines go for. I can't seem to get a number for used engines. What do they go for with and without the turbo/running not running. It ran perfectly when parked but that doesn't mean it still does.

If I sell the engine it'll be turn key except for possibly the turbo which I would like to use on another project. I'll also be keeping the NV4500 for my 4runner build as that's ultimately what I want and a b**** to source. I'll also likely keep the 14bolt and the 63" springs for the 4runner again. Other than that though I think everything else is pretty much free game.

[Rod_Lei]

If it's a 93, neato it's fully mechanical, if it's anything else it may be a hard sell. The truck with a standard tranny is a rare setup and is worth some some money running. We need to know more about the ending and its problems before anyone can assign a price range for it.

[Kolton5543]

We've come to the conclusion of trying to sell the engine as turn key and if we can make a fair amount of cash out of it, we'll swap to a small block and auto trans. It's a 92 so it is still the sought after mechanical injection. I went and checked it out yesterday and it has about 200k on the clock so its up there. The manual setup I know is rare and well worth some cash but that's why I'm keeping the trans. I've been trying to source a GM NV4500 with the 6.34 gear set for a couple of years now for my Toyota build and now I have one.

AS for the engine there wasn't anything wrong with it. It ran top notch when it was parked. It was parked for some clutch issues and a few important parts have rusted away making it too expensive to fix. If we were to fix it, it would be around 1300 in parts then I would have to figure out to make it start again. I'm no diesel genius and this would definitely be a learning experience for me.

To recap, 200K miles, ran perfect when parked (5 years ago), well maintained but no major parts replaced, sold as turn key.

[GM-power]

They are pretty much boat anchors. You might get a few hits for one, but they really aren't worth much.

[special-K]

'92 was a great year, first turbo 6.5s. I got 335k out of mine. I've never gotten that many miles out of a 350 or 454. I'd leave it complete, unless you can find someone just needing a long block. For a swap it should be complete

[95 S_Trucker]

It ran perfect 5 years ago means nothing. How does it run today? Does it run at all? What other repairs need done to the truck? Frame rust? Brake lines leaking? Suspension components?

What kind of 3/4 ton are we talking about here? 6 lug 7200 gvw or 8 lug 8600 gvw? Can configuration?

In this area, a running driving truck is 1000. If the truck was in good overal shape(tag it and drive it) it would be worth about 2000-2500.

If it runs, I'd guess around 800. If it doesn't, 400.

You can part it out yourself and get more out of it.

More info and pics would help out a lot too.

[special-K]

It will be an 8-lug regular cab or 3500HD. That's the only trucks that got the 6.5TD in late-92. As long as a diesel is sealed from water and isn't locked-up, sitting won't hurt it. But I would drain all fuel and put fresh in before cranking it at all.

These engines fetch $1,000 used and running.

[Kolton5543]

What I am asking is what do these engines go for. I'm not asking what the truck is worth. I know that. Just if I were to sell just the dressed engine as a turn key unit. I don't really care if they were great engines or not either as I will not be keeping it. My area has a strong diesel community although they're mostly Cummins and Power Stroke guys around here. Before I pull it from the truck I do intend on trying to get it to run though as that can definitely raise offers. I'm not looking for how much is my particular engine worth just what kinda price range do they usually sell for in a working turnkey condition.

Special-K, $1000 seems kinda high to me. Maybe a low mileage engine but this one is getting up there. Thanks for actually throwing out a number on just the engine though.

[special-K]

I have sold them for $1,000 in running condition and based my pricing on what I was seeing others sell for. I was into the 6.2/6.5TDs since the '80s before the other guys made diesels and beyond, till I sold my '85 Jimmy last summer. I think all the other comments fall into the "desire" category. You have to find someone who doesn't think they are boat anchors and that is how all the hear-say has it. But, there are those keeping their factory equipped stuff going and those who know these are a great and totally easy cheap swap into older trucks and other vehicles for those looking for 20-24 mpg in a pickup/suv.