6.5 Suburban 1500?

[Murray the Cop]

I have a friend who is looking into a 6.5 suburban 1500 for towing an 8000lb ( at the very most) TT loaded. The truck he is looking at is a 1500 but has an 8 lug pattern. Is this common? His plan is to move from a gasser (350) suburban to the diesel for better performance. Will he see a substantual improvement towing with the 6.5 compared to the 350? Thanks

[moondoggie]

Probably the quickest way to detail the differences between 1500 & 2500 6.5TD Suburbans is found at Dave Hammon's Pete Moore Chev site(Click on the colored text.). Near the bottom of this page, click on A MUST READ Diesel Suburban Facts. Near the bottom of this page is a pretty nice chart. (For something you probably won't see on most car dealer websites, click on More about who we are.)

In my extremely limited experience, he'll probably see a small improvement in performance going from a 350 to a stock 6.5TD & a significant improvement in fuel economy; if he's handy & does the stuff to a 6.5TD that can be done by such a person (most of us here on the Page qualify), he can make a 6.5TD perform beyond expectation, with no loss of fuel economy from a stock 6.5TD, & perhaps small improvement. (I'd suggest a look at Significant improvement in towing performance!(Click on the colored text.) It's a VERY good read.

Blessings!

Brian Johnson, #5044

[matt-max]

i have only seen one other 8-lug 1500 diesel suburban before. i stared at it for at least 15 minutes trying to figure out what was up with it....after all we have 6-lug 2500's running around!

but they did make them, not sure how many, not many for sure.

gearing could likely be 3.42's which might hurt towing a bit. 3.73's would be better. don't think you could get 4.10's on a 1500

matt

[computer monkey]

Here is a picture of my 1500 Suburban with 3:42 gears. As you can see I pull a big trailer with a lot of wind drag. My old engine cracked the number eight cylinder which GM warranty with a new AM 6500 optimizer engine. A lot better and stronger block. I also have added phazer gear set and Heath Diesel new comuter reflash along with JK 3.5"exhuast. Been very happy with the whole setup. Pulls the trailer 60 to 75mph depending on winds and hills. I just found a water tank at www.tank-depot.com for the Heath water injection. Hopefully I will have it installed next month.

Suburban Rig Low Res

Suburban Rig High Res

[tanker]

According to my old archive (1995 GMC trailering guide) The 1500 2wd and 4wd with 6.5,L56/L65 Diesel only came with 3.42 axle ratio. Max trailer weight 5500 lbs (2wd.) and 5000 lbs (4wd), Max tongue weight 700 lbs (2wd) and 600 lbs (4wd).
A 3.73 ratio was only available in the 1500 with the 5.7L, L05 engine.
The 7.4L, L19 was not available in the 1500 series.
The 2500 2wd & 4wd were available with 3.73 & 4.10 axle ratios, along with 5.7L, 6.5TD, and the 7.4L engines. Thats 1995.

[Turbine Doc]

In 98 they had a 3.73 ratio I got one in my K1500 PU; so maybe a Burb with that gear also, heavily modded mine has pulled 12K GN trailer, I'm thinking a 8K load should be no problem with a properly set up truck/burb.

[C.K. Piquup]

Those 8-lug 1500 Diesel Suburbans are in reality a 3/4t(2500).It was a designation game(emissions/mileage,not sure now).

[moondoggie]

Good Day!

There ARE differences between a 1500 & 2500 6.5TD Sub - a look at the dealer site I linked to in my 19 May post (above) shows all the differences. I know the 2500 Sub is 8600 GVWR (as is my 2500 pickup), my 1500 is 8050; my 1500 Sub has a semi-floater rear end where my 2500 pickup has a full-floater.

Blessings!

Brian Johnson, #5044