6.5 diesel Cheyenne

67Tony · November 17, 2004

I'm looking at a '98 2500 HD 4x4 Cheyenne, with a 6.5 Turbo Diesel engine and a 3.73 axle. This site (http://www.rvsafety.com/towrate98.htm) says tow rating is 8,500 lbs...is this accurate?

What is the reputation of this engine? It currently has 95k miles on it and has had regular maintenance. Will this truck likely have a long future? Would it pull a 9k - 10k lb. fifth wheel?

Thanks for your help!

R Dogg 56 · November 17, 2004

I'm looking at a '98 2500 HD 4x4 Cheyenne, with a 6.5 Turbo Diesel engine and a 3.73 axle. This site (http://www.rvsafety.com/towrate98.htm) says tow rating is 8,500 lbs...is this accurate?

What is the reputation of this engine? It currently has 95k miles on it and has had regular maintenance. Will this truck likely have a long future? Would it pull a 9k - 10k lb. fifth wheel?

Thanks for your help!

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The 6.5 TD's are proven engines. They will work hard and last long. They suffer a little from being restricted, but they will do the job, and do it well. Not a diesel expert, I can only tell you what I know.... which isn't exactly much, but I suppose every little bit helps.

Fxd01 · November 18, 2004

The 6.5 is a good engine. You will want a FSD Cooler or remote mount the FSD. The 6.5 does have some problems with the injection pumps. The pump may still be under GM warranty, some have 7yr/120k warranty on the pumps. I would also install a switch so you can turn the transfer pump on manually, they use the oil pressure switch to complete the circuit. Makes it a pain to start after a fuel filter change without it.

A custom tuned PCM will wake this engine up.

GMC6000 · November 19, 2004

I traded my 6.5 in for my new GMC. Its a good engine. As far as the injection pump problems that everyone talks about, the pump itself is a very good pump, the problem is the Fuel Solenoid Driver or FSD. Some guys insist on remote mounting the FSD away from the pump, but the only real advantage to doing that would be if and when it does fail, it makes it easier to change. GM extended the warranty on the injection pump for 11 years or 120,000 miles because of this problem.