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I have a 1994 1/2 ton with the 6.5 diesel, with almost 200,000 miles, and I LOVE it. It's been good to me. Remember, this is in a light pickup, and I don't tow much with it. However, one of the biggest downfalls of this engine, in a heavy pickup, or used for towing, is the lack of an intercooler. This results in cooling problems, cracked heads, and the 'puter backing off on the fuel rate during heavy pulling. In later years, they increased the coolant flow to try to compensate, but that was still no substitute for intercooling. That being said, an injection pump, installed at a dealer, can push close to $2000.00, and the engines are plagued with a number of problems, including broken cranks and cracked blocks. If the engine should fail, a new or rebuilt "long block" will cost you $5000 to $7000, plus installation, and other parts. In other words, if you buy this vehicle, and have any major engine problems, the cost of repairs will exceed the value of the vehicle, which I think has been inflated by about $3000.00. I hate to discourage you, 'cause I REALLY like mine, for what it is, a light pickup, but I think you would be taking a BIG chance to buy that heavy truck, for a premium price. If you can get the truck at a considerably better price, and are willing to learn how to improve some of it's "quirks", and do your own repairs, you may be getting a WONDERFUL vehicle. TheDieselPage.com is a GREAT reference. Some parts of the site are free, and some require a subscription, which is WELL WORTH the cost, in what you will save, doing repairs yourself, or being an "informed consumer" if you have a shop work on it. Good Luck!
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