Looking for advice on first truck purchase

[InLimbo]

This is my first post, so I guess Ill say hi and dive right in... I've been browsing around on here off and on for a while. The wife and I are in the market for a truck. I'm hoping for some feedback, pros/cons, testimonials, etc, if you guys would be so kind.

Basic requirements:
Diesel
Able to fit at least 2 adults, 1 child, 1 dog, cargo...
4x4
Including upgrades and mods, All said and done: Under $10k

Just from looking on here for a few hours tonight I've gone from interest in 90's F350 Crewcab 7.3L's and FJ60/62's (ideally, w/ a diesel swap) to
'94-'99 Ram Extended Cab Diesel
80's Suburban w/ the 6.2

If theres something i'm missing, I'd love to hear about it. There are some great rigs on here, it makes it hard to decide where to start!

 

[redthies]

Look at the vehicles for sale forum here. billy bee has a 98.5 24 valve Cummins truck with a Flip-pac cap on it for a great price. I spoke with him for about an hour yesterday and it sounds like a great truck. The only issue you will want to look at right away is the AC isn't working properly. I think you might need that in AZ this time of year! He is in Arroyo Grande Ca. About 180 miles north of LA. He sounds like a great guy to do business with. Unfortunately I have a bit lower budget than you. He wants 8k for his rig, add a 2" leveling kit and some 35s and you would be SO set up! Good luck.

Welcome to Expo too! And I do love a suburban, but the 5.9 Cummins is THE engine!

 

[IdaSHO]

With a 10k budget, you can get a VERY clean 7.3 Powerstroke right now.

The market is prime.

 

[Rot Box]

I went with the Ford (link in my sig) because it was a true 4 door with a mechanically injected (personal preference) diesel engine and a five speed transmission. So far I am very happy with it. You should have no trouble finding a 7.3 IDI or 7.3 PSD four door on your budget. Kids and dogs are a pain in even the quad cab trucks and extended cabs are out of the question for me. What I'm trying to say is if you need a four door don't settle for anything else.

I would drive a few 6.2 suburbans and really read up on the engine before pulling the trigger on one. I like 6.2's but I know what they can and can't do and what to look out for. For some unknowing people that can make or break a happy relationship with one :coffeedrink:

Good luck keep us posted on your decision making.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

The only good thing about the 6.2 is you can swap it out with the 6.5..lol

 

[1leg]

What do you plan to use the truck for? Off-roading, camping, towing, desert exploring. Will you drive it daily?
Can you do most of the repair work yourself?

I'm suburban guy myself but iwouldn't buy a 6.2 diesel unless I was planning to do 6.5 turbo or Cummins swap.

 

[dragogt]

Look at the vehicles for sale forum here. billy bee has a 98.5 24 valve Cummins truck with a Flip-pac cap on it for a great price. I spoke with him for about an hour yesterday and it sounds like a great truck. The only issue you will want to look at right away is the AC isn't working properly. I think you might need that in AZ this time of year! He is in Arroyo Grande Ca. About 180 miles north of LA. He sounds like a great guy to do business with. Unfortunately I have a bit lower budget than you. He wants 8k for his rig, add a 2" leveling kit and some 35s and you would be SO set up! Good luck.

Welcome to Expo too! And I do love a suburban, but the 5.9 Cummins is THE engine!

As far as OE, yep cant be beat... International dt360 is better though...

I went with the Ford (link in my sig) because it was a true 4 door with a mechanically injected (personal preference) diesel engine and a five speed transmission. So far I am very happy with it. You should have no trouble finding a 7.3 IDI or 7.3 PSD four door on your budget. Kids and dogs are a pain in even the quad cab trucks and extended cabs are out of the question for me. What I'm trying to say is if you need a four door don't settle for anything else.

I would drive a few 6.2 suburbans and really read up on the engine before pulling the trigger on one. I like 6.2's but I know what they can and can't do and what to look out for. For some unknowing people that can make or break a happy relationship with one :coffeedrink:

Good luck keep us posted on your decision making.

Agreed, check out http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=92 Its the best place on the net for 6.2/ 6.5 info...

 

[InLimbo]

Thanks for the responses! I think we're going to go with the Suburban. The ability to get into a stock-ish truck for around $2,000 sounds appealing. We aren't looking to tow anytime soon, so uses would be off-road driving in the PNW mountains, Camping (preferably primitive), and in general, a utility vehicle that is also our SHTF/BOV. I'll do most of the work myself.

Looks like an already equipped diesel Sub might be harder to find. So we aren't opposed to buying a gasser down here in the SW before we move back north. I would just drive as a gas truck then try and do a swap within the next 6 months.

The 7.3L's are great looking trucks but I think we would have more of a budget for customization if we started modest with a Suburban.

So...

If you could pick a diesel swap for an 80's Suburban, which would it be, and why?

 

[1leg]

For Suburbans the best one to look for is the 1991 3/4 ton, it will have the overdrive trans, all 1989-91 4x4 only had 350 or 6.2. Get one with the rear cargo doors. I got the tailgate and regret it everytime I go camping.

If i was going to start over I would have bought a 89-91 halfton with the 350 and overdrive auto and just swapped in the 1ton axels.

 

[dragogt]

Thanks for the responses! I think we're going to go with the Suburban. The ability to get into a stock-ish truck for around $2,000 sounds appealing. We aren't looking to tow anytime soon, so uses would be off-road driving in the PNW mountains, Camping (preferably primitive), and in general, a utility vehicle that is also our SHTF/BOV. I'll do most of the work myself.

Looks like an already equipped diesel Sub might be harder to find. So we aren't opposed to buying a gasser down here in the SW before we move back north. I would just drive as a gas truck then try and do a swap within the next 6 months.

The 7.3L's are great looking trucks but I think we would have more of a budget for customization if we started modest with a Suburban.

So...

If you could pick a diesel swap for an 80's Suburban, which would it be, and why?

4bt/ 6bt cummins or the Int. dt360..

The cummins is a proven power-train, that can make stump pulling torque or tire frying horsepower; That just about any 2bit backwoods hack can fix if need be.. (the 12v cummins has become the SBC of the diesel world)

The International dt360 is the same just a stronger starting point...


Also like stated above.. If you get a 'burb make sure it has a solid axle up front....

 

[redthies]

I used to have an 89 1500 suburban with the 350 and 700R4. It was a great rig! Put a Cummins in down the road and you are set. If you can get a solid front axle 3/4 ton with the barn doors that is the best bet. As stated before, do NOT get the tailgate version. The window winders ALWAYS fail.

 

[wheelerfreak]

The only good thing about the 6.2 is you can swap it out with the 6.5..lol

I wouldn't take a 6.2 or even a 6.5 unless it was given to me, and then I'd swap it to a gasser. I've driven both and they are not reliable, powerful, or fuel efficient, like the worst of all worlds.

For that budget I'd look at a 7.3l F350 supercab/crewcab, or a 94-98 Dodge extended cab. I'd skip the F250 due to the TTB, and you can go with the bed size of your choice. Both those diesels are good starting points though.

 

[dragogt]

They are not that bad... But hey are a Light Duty diesel and have to be treated as such...

But they can be made to run, check out the link I posted for the best info on the web for them....

 

[bftank]

i agree with drago, we had and '84 6.2 burb that got between 18-20 mpg. it hauled 5 kids and camping gear in nw colorado just fine. wasn't a speed demon but it worked fine.

swap suggestions => cummins

6.5 had just as many problems as the 6.2 had.

2nd the barn doors.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I am still trying to figure out the Cummins swap, I know its a great motor.. but for the cost you can build a big block chevy with the same tq for 1/4th the price of a swap. That leaves a while lot of gas and beer money left over at the end of the day. I know the Cummins will get better gas mileage, but the up front cost are insane compared to other options.

Don't get me wrong, a Cummins is great..but I'll take a cammed big block V-8 any day if I am paying for it...lol