Not all my vehicle are 5th 4Runners. I have a ‘94 and ‘99 K2500 Suburbans with 6.5 diesels, despite their reputation, the diesels have been reliable with 296K on the ‘94 and 242K on the ‘99. Unfortunately 242K was it on the ‘99 as it suffered a catastrophic oil loss going up Skalkaho Pass in Montana. With no place to turn around, I had to keep going until I could turn around, then coast my way down with no power. The engine was toast.
Cause of death was from the bolt going through the engine mount losing its nut and backing out, allowing the engine to vibrate and rub through a braided stainless oil cooler line.
I love the utility of this Suburban, especially it’s
tow capacity. I also love the fact that it has no smog equipment such as EGR, DPF, etc. Also a new diesel truck would run around $8OK. I certainly can afford that, but I prefer my old rig. So I ordered a new 6.5 Optimizer long block from AM General Engine Products in Franklin, OH who bought the line from GM and supplies the U.S. military for HumVees. It’s an uprgraded 506 block like the one I had in the ‘99. Better metallurgy with higher nickel content to prevent cracking on the web mains, better heads with added coolant passages, and most of all, a forged crank versus the cast in the stock engine.
We’ve pulled the old engine and trans and are slowly prepping the new to go back in, which should happen tomorrow. I have a friend, retired Army Ranger and fellow 6.5 fan, helping me with this job, while staying at my ranch in Montana.