Daily drive question?

[LANCE65]

Hey all, I havent been on here in a while,mainly due to not having had a bump in a LONG time.At the moment I have a 1982 Chevy Silverado 1t diesel(6.2) 2wd. It's a pretty nice truck. I have a chance to trade it for a 1971 F250 Ranger XLT 2wd. It supposedly has a 390/C6. So far the pics I have seen,other than the maroon(two tone) being primered,it seems to be a nice truck also.
I am confused as to what to do. I know that the bump will never get the MPG my Silverado gets...18mpg @55(has 4.56 gears),but I am not too sure about the reliability of the 6.2. I am wanting to take my oldest son(6) camping and fishing. I am fairly green when it comes to diesels,but know my way around a gas engine very well.
I guess my question is would you consider trading?
Thank You for any input I can get.
Lance

[LANCE65]

here is a pic of my truck...

and here is a pic of the bump...

and here is the link to the ad...
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2962550328.html

[1972hiboy]

the 6.2 really isnt a bad hand shake. The olds 5.7l ( that proceeded the 6.2) had major problems and everybody just associated them as being the same. The 6.2 like any other idi diesel of the time is going to be prone to air leaks in the fuel system due to age and drying seals that can attribute to hard starting. They are a little laxed on the power but like you said they get pretty darn decent mileage pushing around a full sized truck. It really comes down to personal opinion. you willing to sacrifice that many mpg? which truck is more comfortable to sit in for long periods of time? ect.

[LANCE65]

The chevy is really a great truck and comfortable. It runs GREAT,but I guess the fear or lack of knowledge has me concerned. I have upgraded the cooling system to a Humvee 10 blade fan and fan clutch,put in urethane body mount bushings,gear reduction starter,new 800cca batteries(2),new injector return lines.

[1972hiboy]

If your looking to getting back into a bump this could be a great opportunity to do so. but if your trading punches for punches for daily driving the scale may tip in the silverados favor. I understand feeling intimidated about the diesel. but I can tell you thins. that 6.2l is Far simpler than a 390 or any gas engine really. The injector pump is your carburetor and distributor in one package.

[Ranchero50]

They are both good looking trucks. If the offer is sincere I'd make him get the bump to daily driver status and fix the crunch in the front end before swapping. Yours runs well albiet they don't make much power. Th 6.2 will rev to 3200 for hours on end and they are decent low power non-turbo'd diesels. Give it 1/4 turn on the fuel screw and it'll run much better.

As they are I would stick with the Chevy and buy a decent bump when the money and time are right.

Jamie

[averagef250]

The turbo it/turn the fuel guys kill the 6.2/6.5's in no time. They have a lot of problems, but like anything else the internet is your friend and can be a big help if you have a good feel for what's reality and what isn't.

Buy an entire 14 bolt rear end with 3.73's for $100 and bolt it under that truck. 4.56's are a bit stupid. If you need 4.56's to pull something behind that truck that motor will have a very short life doing it. They work great in light vehicles, light loads and burn anything you dump in the tank.

That truck you have there is pretty much the cheapest halfway decent diesel pickup you can buy anymore. If you get one that's had an easy life and take care of it it'll last a good long time. If you put a turbo on it the crank will exit through the pan within a couple years worth of miles.

A good friend makes a good living fixing those things, has for a decade or so. I've seen more scattered 6.2/6.5's than most and it really is true- If you don't take care of it or you beat on it it will come apart. The GM cast blocks were just garbage iron in the block, heads and crank. They must have melted down floor sweepings to make those engines. The new aftermarket blocks made by other than GM and the aftermarket forged cranks don't seam to have any of the problems that the GM crap did.

[LANCE65]

Thanks guys. I told the guy I was going to pass. I have put alot of money into my truck so far. It runs VERY good. I dont go over 55 with it because of the gears. I dont have to smog it in Cali 'cause of it's age and it's diesel.(98 and up diesels and 1976 and up gassers have to be smogged here) BUT like averagef250 said, they are not the strongest engines and the GEP/P400 blocks are 1500 bones alone! I dont want to get into that. Unfortunately around here the 6.2/6.5 are not common,the Cummins are EXPENSIVE to buy, and the 6.9/7.3 are everywhere!
I have seen some people buy military take outs(after the repower program),some are perfect,some had cracks in the mains...which these are known for.
If I could squeeze 15-16 mpg out of a 390 I would do it in a heartbeat. I had a '77 F250 w/460,C6 and D61 w/3.07's that got consistant 14.5mpg @ 60mph,but I dont think the FE is as efficient as the 385 series.....maybe I'm wrong.

[1970 Hi-Boy]

We only get the one go around in life, do what ever makes you happy.