I just picked up my first tow rig. I think I got a good deal, but wanted some feedback anyway.

1993 GMC 3500HD - 6.5TD, 4L80E, Dana 80, 84,000 miles, 14' flatbed with recessed GN ball, 6 new 19.5 tires, 2 new batteries. Paid $2500.

It runs and drives fine, brakes feel good. I know it's no Duramax, but it's paid for and a good starter truck for towing in my opinion.

I could be wrong, but I thought the 4L series transmissions didn't come out til later...???

Sounds like a killer deal considering the low mileage for that age of a truck

The 4L80E came out in 1991 IIRC. It was an option in my '91 3/4 ton.

Nice nice, how bout some pics?

Nice nice, how bout some pics?

It's 4 hours away me from right now. I didn't have anybody else with me when I looked at the truck, so I had to leave it there for now. Once I drive it back I will get some pics.

I plan on doing minor mods to the 6.5 to improve the reliability (gauges, 97+ cooling upgrade, exhaust, intake, turbo master). This has the mechanical injection, so I don't have to worry about the PMD problems the later trucks do.

If/when it gives out I plan on swapping in a Cummins, but hopefully that will be down the road a ways.

This truck won't be used every day, so I hope it will be up to the task.

$2500 for an HD [actual HD, not the 'newer' HD's] is a killer deal. What, 16K gross? 14' FB is plenty of room to park a rig.


Nice score, even with 120K on the clock, those are still going for 5-6K plus in my neck of the woods... unless its BEAT.

$2500 for an HD [actual HD, not the 'newer' HD's] is a killer deal. What, 16K gross? 14' FB is plenty of room to park a rig.


Nice score, even with 120K on the clock, those are still going for 5-6K plus in my neck of the woods... unless its BEAT.

please take a vid of that terd of a motor trying to pull that much weight. If you want to make it reliable use it for a boat anchor and put a 454 in its place.

please take a vid of that terd of a motor trying to pull that much weight. If you want to make it reliable use it for a boat anchor and put a 454 in its place.

I have read quite a bit on the 6.5s and it's pretty obvious you aren't one of those who support it. FWIW, I looked at 93 GMC 3500 cab and chassis at U-Haul with a 454. I called my cylinder head guy and he said the 454s from that era are worthless.

As I said, I'm not bombing the 6.5, just making it more reliable. When it gives out then it will get a Cummins swapped in.

The 1993 was a good year for the 6.5 they had the turbo and it was the last year for the mechanical injection. I had a 93 4x4 and it worked good for general light hauling I never hauled more then 7k pounds. It was not crying but it wasn't loving it either. That was a good price the only thing I would be worried about is with that low of miles is that it has been sitting for a while and then that it will nickle and dime you like mine did.

It was owned be a roofer and the guy decided to retire recently, so it hasn't been sitting for an extended period. He kept good records of maintenance.

Mostly I will be hauling broke down trucks I buy for parts, but eventually I'd like to be able to pull 2 1/2 ton trucks home. That will require a Cummins for sure.

Since I know I am going to swap in a Cummins eventually I am still debating whether it is worth putting anything into the 6.5 to make it more reliable or leaving it alone and letting natural selection do its thing.

My opinion is put a very little amount of money into it. Just enough to make sure it is reliable and whatnot, but keep saving for the cummins swap.

I dont think its going to require a lot of money to keep it reliable, but dont put anything into it for upgrades or anything, just let it go as it wants

My opinion is put a very little amount of money into it. Just enough to make sure it is reliable and whatnot, but keep saving for the cummins swap.

I dont think its going to require a lot of money to keep it reliable, but dont put anything into it for upgrades or anything, just let it go as it wants

Thanks for the feedback.

I was looking at converting to the dual thermostat setup the 97+ trucks had, but apparently it requires quite a bit of work on the 92-93 trucks. I will upgrade to the 130 GPM water pump, the Duramax fan and clutch, and a 180* thermostat.

I'd like to get the Fluidampr harmonic balancer, but at over $400 it is hard to justify over just replacing the stock balancer and pulley.

The exhaust will be upgraded and the intake will as well. I will probably get a Turbo Master boost controller, add gauges, and be done until it let's go. That will be less than $1000 in upgrades, which I can live with.

I use to have a 92 6.5 3500 dually for a tow truck and it pulled everything I wanted it to even a 26' Uhaul box truck. I worked that truck for well over a year and it only had one issue, water in the fuel tank from me getting cheap diesel from a corner store. If you drive it right then it will treat you right.... but then again, I like the way my 82 burb pulled with the 6.2.... :D

I had a 95 GMC 3500HD with a 9' utility bed on it. I loved that truck. Brakes were amazing, road like it had no suspension at all, it was great.

Only problem, blew up the motor at 96k. Engine was still under warrenty so I got a new one for free. Killed the tranny at 142k and cracked a head and the block at 174k.

The truck was always loaded between 11,500 and 13,500 every mile it had on it. So that didnt help with the motor and tranny problems.

Besides those problems that was the best truck I have ever had. Some day I want to get another HD and throw a Cummins and a 5600 in it.