cowboy
02-13-2005, 18:09
I currently have a 1981 C10 w/ 250 I6 and a 1984 K20 (C6P HD) w/ 350 and 700R4 tranny.
I'm currently in a major dilemma.
My original plan was to put a flatbed on my 84 for work (farm/ranch) but I'm having second thoughts. I have had this 84 for about a year now and it has about 178,000 miles on it and it is in really good shape; a few small hidden rust spots here and there but otherwise it is a really nice truck.
My dilemma is first its in really great shape and I don't know if I want to take off an almost perfect bed and put a flatbed on it, second I'm a little weary of towing much with any automatic transmission but the 700r4 seems to not really be a transmission up to the task (mine was rebuilt a few years ago) third I currently spend about $260 a month on gas ( I get 10 mpg and it doesn't matter if it is uphill, towing, downhill, town or freeway it is always 10) the 350 I'm guessing was hopped up a bit when they rebuilt it in 96' because it has a good amount of power and will tow whatever I need it to. Most of my towing is just to deliver hay or move cows, etc so I'm not towing long distances.
So I was looking at some other ideas, I have always wanted to own a diesel pickup, and I know it would probably save me close to $100 a month in fuel. I really like the 80's Chevy p/u (not to mention about the newest truck in my price range lol) but the 6.2 engine scares me. I'm fairly confident that I can get another 150,000 miles out of the 350 and if something does go it will be cheap to replace. If I end up getting a 80's 6.2 it seems like chances are a lot greater of needing a new engine or atleast heads at some point, which will cost a lot more than the same parts for a 350. Also I don't own any metric tools and haven't worked on many diesels so it will be more likely that I will have to pay someone to do work on it (The deere engines just never seem to have any problems so haven't had a chance at work to work on them). So looking at those issues and the fuel $ savings seem to be negated.
Also the 6.2 doesn't have any more power than the 350 so that wouldn't seem to be an advantage.
So I'm also looking at maybe a 90 or so F-250 7.3, but I would hate to have to start driving a Ford.
I guess the point of this post is will the 6.2 give me the reliablity and power of the 350? Will it last as long as a 350 without major engine work?
I just wanted to get some ideas and words of wisdom. thanks for your help
I'm currently in a major dilemma.
My original plan was to put a flatbed on my 84 for work (farm/ranch) but I'm having second thoughts. I have had this 84 for about a year now and it has about 178,000 miles on it and it is in really good shape; a few small hidden rust spots here and there but otherwise it is a really nice truck.
My dilemma is first its in really great shape and I don't know if I want to take off an almost perfect bed and put a flatbed on it, second I'm a little weary of towing much with any automatic transmission but the 700r4 seems to not really be a transmission up to the task (mine was rebuilt a few years ago) third I currently spend about $260 a month on gas ( I get 10 mpg and it doesn't matter if it is uphill, towing, downhill, town or freeway it is always 10) the 350 I'm guessing was hopped up a bit when they rebuilt it in 96' because it has a good amount of power and will tow whatever I need it to. Most of my towing is just to deliver hay or move cows, etc so I'm not towing long distances.
So I was looking at some other ideas, I have always wanted to own a diesel pickup, and I know it would probably save me close to $100 a month in fuel. I really like the 80's Chevy p/u (not to mention about the newest truck in my price range lol) but the 6.2 engine scares me. I'm fairly confident that I can get another 150,000 miles out of the 350 and if something does go it will be cheap to replace. If I end up getting a 80's 6.2 it seems like chances are a lot greater of needing a new engine or atleast heads at some point, which will cost a lot more than the same parts for a 350. Also I don't own any metric tools and haven't worked on many diesels so it will be more likely that I will have to pay someone to do work on it (The deere engines just never seem to have any problems so haven't had a chance at work to work on them). So looking at those issues and the fuel $ savings seem to be negated.
Also the 6.2 doesn't have any more power than the 350 so that wouldn't seem to be an advantage.
So I'm also looking at maybe a 90 or so F-250 7.3, but I would hate to have to start driving a Ford.
I guess the point of this post is will the 6.2 give me the reliablity and power of the 350? Will it last as long as a 350 without major engine work?
I just wanted to get some ideas and words of wisdom. thanks for your help