Buying truck need help!

canadianchevy33 · May 15, 2003

Ok guys i was pretty much set on the truck i was going to buy but now there is a new option. I was pretty much set on buying a 2000 sierra 4.8 but my mom has now decided that she would sell me our 98 diesel. Its a 4*4 extended cab with an auto i was wondering if there is anybad things to purchasing this diesel. I no it might blow a fuel pump and maintenance is more costly but other then that would you guys/gals say this is a good first truck? I get farm diesel so thats cheap and farm insurance as well. Also what is the best chip to get in this truck b/c that would be my first investment if i purchased it. Thanks

Tucson_02Silverado · May 15, 2003

I'm by no means even a novice with diesels' as I have never owned one, just drove over the road long haul for a couple of summers in a KW T2000 tandem. I just followed the checklists given to me by the owner. Anyways, first the 98 has the same type of 6.5 turbo diesel as an H1. Most posts I've seen from light truck diesel owners is that they seem to last an easy 300K miles with just basic maintainence. If the truck has been reliable thus far, then adding on cheap insurance and fuel costs makes for a great first truck. Not to detract from this forum, as there are a lot great people on here, but also refer to the www.THEDIESELPAGE.com they deal with just GM diesels.

And I bet your payments will be a lot lower over the 2K, so you can bank the difference and save for other toys that the truck could haul.

clk7711 · May 15, 2003

How many miles are on the diesel? Many people have negative things to say about the 6.5l, and I've seen some things go wrong with them but they can be relaible. If your lookin for horsepower then I would go with the Sierra with the 4.8l. Since this is gonna be your first truck, I would keep it simple and buy the Sierra. I believe it would work out better in the long run.

canadianchevy33 · May 15, 2003

The truck has 70 000 miles on it and thus far has been very reliable. The only thing thats gone wrong was the fuel pump once but that is common place on these trucks due to something its sits by gives off too much heat. With a chip and 4 inch straight pipe i could have the same power as a 4.8 with way more torque. Im just wondering what kind of chip any suggestions?

Shaners · May 15, 2003

I've seen some head gasket problems on the 6.5L, but not until the milage is about dbl what is on the truck you are asking about...

timk49 · May 18, 2003

farm fuel and farm insurance.Thats a pretty good reason to take the diesel. I'm a gasser though so I would recommend a 5.3 and skip right on past the 4.8.

canadianchevy33 · May 19, 2003

The only reason I would want the 4.8 over the 5.3 is to get the manual tranny. I think i am going to go with the diesel tho.

k1500chevy97 · May 19, 2003

By farm diesel are you taking about red dyed fuel (illegal in road vehicles) or a discounted price that some places give to farmers on fuel ??

The 6.5 is a good engine IMO

We had over 300k on a 94 2500 before it was wrecked most of those miles were on the "illegal" fuel .

We had no major problems with the engine just some minor things that would be expected of a truck with that kind of mileage .

canadianchevy33 · May 19, 2003

Ya purple diesel. Same stuff we use for the tractors. To my belief you are allowed to use this diesel if you have farm insurance because we use dyed gas in our vehicles as well. At least in canada this is the way it is because often cops check your gas tank around here and you get a ticket if your running farm fuel without farm insurance.