my first diesel

[teddbaron1987]

I'm buying an old 1982 Chevrolet suburban 4x4 that's been sitting for five years off the back row of a car lot for $1,500. It does run, but I just wanna know if im getting a bad deal. I know about gas motors, but diesel is uncharted territory for me. Any advice or comments wild be great!

[Dvldog8793]

Howdy and welcome!
I think it really depends on what the rest of the truck looks like and is.
Is it a 3/4 ton?
Is the engine RED or black, this would help maybe determine if it has been rebuilt/replaced.
1982 had some unique things to that year if it is still the original motor.
Check the starter for being tight and make sure that the front bracket is in place.
What is the rest of the drive train like?
Does it have good rubber? Tires are expensive these days.
If its been sitting for 5 years chances are the batteries are junk. These trucks need good batteries, TWO of them.
How much work has been done to it?
Is it leaking oil? sitting for a long time can be very hard on the seals.
is it leaking fuel?
Does it smoke a bunch when started and NOT clean up quickly?
does it idle nice. Try to pick a cold morning to go over and start it.

Lots of things can make this a GREAT deal or a bomb....
Good luck.

[trbankii]

As DvlDog says, a lot depends on condition. I was just looking at the local market and was finding 90’s Suburbans for $1100 to $2000. So my initial response is that $1500 for an ’82 that has sat for five years is smoking the wacky weed… :p

[john8662]

1500 don't sound bad to me, depends on condition. Runs and drives is a plus.

Anything for less than a 1000 is something that usually doesn't run or runs poorly.