6.5L Turbo Diesel Blazer Project

[Robyn]

That raptor is a nice looking board

Casey.
Is the new converter from the same rebuilder ???

[arveetek]

Casey.
Is the new converter from the same rebuilder ???

Yes it is. He has been good to work with; hoping this is a good one.

Casey

[arveetek]

6.5L diesel GMT400 2 doors have gotten crazy expensive recently (like everything else). Here is one that just sold at auction for $17,000!!








I spoke to another gentleman recently who drove many hours to purchase one for $13,000. I saw another one listed for sale, and the asking price was $18,000. I guess my $4,900 investment 17 years ago wasn't too bad! Even with the $5,000 I've dropped on her lately, I'm still sitting in good shape, compared to these prices.

Casey

[arveetek]

Still fussing over good looking steps... Can't find any we like that are made for the GMT-400 trucks, including ones like those I put on our 6.5TD Project truck back in 1999 - which I really liked. I did find a new design that looks tough, but they don't make them for the older rigs...
https://www.carid.com/raptor-series/...specifications

I'll have to modify them to get them mounted... but... I did get a welder for Christmas...

I purchased these from Amazon a couple of years ago:


APS iBoard 4" running boards


Mounted on my Tahoe:






They are low-key, blend in well, and are very easy to remove (two bolts on each side) whenever I need clearance when off-road. I only wish I went with the 6" version, as the 4" looks a bit small.

Casey

[Robyn]

Everything is outtasight.

I used to be able to buy used pellet stoves for $100 to $250 clean them up and make some repairs and a fresh paint job....And sell them for $1000 easily

Now absolute junk is being advertised for $800 to $1000 ......"Does not work" $750 was one I looked at on Craig's list recently......
A new Harman pellet stove will cost ya $5K

Everything is off in the ozones......

[56pan]

It's entirely subjective, but the GMT400 trucks are the nicest looking ones GM ever produced. My '93 is the last year of mech. injection on the 6.5 and bone simple. Just got a paint job. I'll keep it until they plant me.

[Yukon6.2]

There is a gas version selling local for $7500
from the pic's it looks clean
Anyone want it?
i would help in any way i could other than supplying the $$$

[More Power]

Well... thanks for everyone's input, but we've made a decision. The above image shows the steps on a 2-door Jeep. I'll need to modify the mounting brackets for the Blazer, but the steps themselves won't require any mods.

The steps will appear more "tucked-in" than this image shows because the pinch-weld seam, where one part of the mounting brackets are bolted to, is farther beneath the Blazer's rocker. Not much of the long horizontal surface will show when mounted on the Blazer.

I saw online where the company that makes these also offers them in stainless steel. Might be a good choice for the newer trucks that spend time on the northern winter roads. Unfortunately, they only make steps for the trucks produced since 2008. Like the Blazer, brackets for those too could be made/modified for the older trucks, but we wanted black to help with the theme we're going for.

[More Power]

... my Blazer (Tahoe):

Mine originally came with a set of factory running boards/fender flare combos, but I swapped them out for the black fender flares.
Casey

Casey,

Just curious, did you drill holes in the front fenders to mount the factory fender flares? I'd like to install these flares to Lil Red. Thx

[arveetek]

Casey,

Just curious, did you drill holes in the front fenders to mount the factory fender flares? I'd like to install these flares to Lil Red. Thx

I used self-tapping screws. I installed the flares, then removed the screws, put silicone in each hole, and then reinstalled them. If you're not careful, mounting the flares can cause rust issues.

Casey

[More Power]

It's entirely subjective, but the GMT400 trucks are the nicest looking ones GM ever produced. My '93 is the last year of mech. injection on the 6.5 and bone simple. Just got a paint job. I'll keep it until they plant me.

I had an industry guy tell me once that the GMT-400 was the most well put together design GM had ever produced. I tend to agree.

There's a late 1990's HD 1500 6.5 Suburban (8-lug wheels and fender flares) that I've seen a few times in town since about mid summer last year. It's absolutely gorgeous - and red... I saw it just this morning in the grocery store parking lot.

A neighbor just up the road from me owns a late 1990's two-tone red/silver 6.5TD K1500 extended cab that I only ever see occasionally. It too is gorgeous. I spoke to him last month, and he said he's having some trouble with the turbocharger... I suspect the engine is throwing a wastegate code (likely needs a new wastegate solenoid or it has a vacuum problem). I'll help him with it before long.

[More Power]

6.5L diesel GMT400 2 doors have gotten crazy expensive recently (like everything else). Here is one that just sold at auction for $17,000!!
...clip...
I spoke to another gentleman recently who drove many hours to purchase one for $13,000. I saw another one listed for sale, and the asking price was $18,000. I guess my $4,900 investment 17 years ago wasn't too bad! Even with the $5,000 I've dropped on her lately, I'm still sitting in good shape, compared to these prices.

Casey

Those are crazy prices! But it is cool how the prices have held up.

[trbankii]

I haven't seen a 2-door diesel Blazer/Tahoe on the highway in years.

I haven't seen any other diesel ones around here, but there are at least two 2-door gas models around town.

[More Power]

Daughter and I changed out the driver side window regulator last Sunday. It had been extremely gritchy, stopping partway up/down... Now, the window goes up/down just like a new one! Not fun to change... Next one would be a lot easier...

The Blazer sat in our garage this past winter, so there weren't a lot of miles put on it.... maybe 200-300. She wanted to get the steps installed and have the Herculiner coating added to below the belt-line (and on the fender flairs, first 6" of the hood and blackout the grille) before using it too much. Still starts and runs great, though it may have a bad glow plug. It starts instantly, even after sitting for a month, but there's a brief period of white smoke/roughness that quickly goes away. I ohmed each of the glow plugs before installing them, but I didn't do a hot test of each one (actually see each one light up). Note to self...

[Robyn]

Good deal.

Glad all is well....

[arveetek]

You better catch up! You got yours running before mine, and I'm already at 3K miles on mine!

Casey

[More Power]

Went camping/kayaking with daughter and Blazer this week. Montana is beautiful this time of year.



This is a small FWP (Fish, Wildlife & Parks) state run (public) developed campground with just 5 camping sites (and a clean restroom facility), at a small lake called "Upsata" here in western Montana - which is near a small town called Ovando. There are Grizzly bears in those distant mountains.



Was calm and serene, and we had the lake to ourselves. The lake has catch/release Largemouth Bass up to at least 4-1/2 lbs, Northern Pike (heard that there's a really big one in the lake) and small Perch (that's why there's catch/release Bass - thin the population). We didn't catch much, but that wasn't really our mission here. Time spent with family is the most important thing...

[Robyn]

Sweeeeeeeeet..

Thank you for sharing....Looks like a lot of "Just having a great time"

[Yukon6.2]

What an awesome time
Glad that you can enjoy the time with your daughter.
Big Truck wheel fire pit,I'll bet that rim could tell some stories.

[arveetek]

Nice!!!

Casey