I am looking into getting a late 90's 3/4 suburban for my jeep tow rig. I want the turbo diesel but I know nothing about the 6.5 . Is it reliable? does it have adequate power? is it an overall good motor or am i better off gettin the big block. Any help would be appreciated

Do you flat-tow your Jeep, or do you use a trailer? if the latter, what's the weight of the trailer when the Jeep is on board?

Dude, never ever put any trust into a 6.5 turbo diesel chevy. I have seen it bog down with just a two horse trailer in tow up a small hill. My suggestion is a newer chevy or go with any year or model ford power stroke, they are always reliable and you will never have a problem in torque. and as far as the big block....what size? 454? sure it's got plenty horse power and torque but you will use twice the gas as compared to the diesels. but it's up to you<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Just keep it simple and go with the 350! There is NOT much difference between the actual hp of a 350 and a 454 for your use. Like the man said... the damn 454 uses so much gasoline it makes any small amount of usable torque priced too high.
As for the older diesels... leave them alone. They were not dependable! the overhead on these engines is waaaay to high.
For a vehicle with TOW in mind and nothing else I would go for the 350 and gear her down so she would tow the daylights of whatever was hooked up to her.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

The trailer at most is 2000 pounds and my cherokee is about 3300, I would love the fuel economy of a diesel, especially the 7.3 powerstroke not the IDI, but they are out of my price range. But everyone has sold me on the smallblock, but if anyone comes back and reads this, is the 5300lbs a little too much to tow with a 1/2 ton's drivetrain suburban, if so should i get the 3/4 ton. Little more info I'll be towin from southern connecticut to hilly vermont,new hampshire,maine and pennsylvania.

If I had your delima I would look for a really good 350 fuelie with the thought in mind to install a 4:11 in it as soon as I purchased it.
With stock wheels and trailer brakes that rig should be all
you'd need. Lots of 10K mobile homes are being towed around the country with even the stock axels.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I pull a camper that's rated at about 4800lbs empty with my Chevy 1/2ton 5.3L (350ish) w/3.73 gears, no problem. Tack on a full water tank, and all the stuff the wife and kids pack in, I'm sure actual weight weighs in at as much or more than your cherokee on the trailer <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The 1/2 ton should do you just fine.

My work truck (95 Chevy 1/2 ton with only 65,000 miles on it!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />) pulled a Galaxy on a 1500 pound trailer with no problems. I would say that the Galaxy is close to the same weight as a Cherokee. It's a big ass car. We were even cut off by some douche in a civic, and we just chirped tires a little thanks to the ABS. It has the 350, but my bro and a friend have the 327's, and though not as large, the way they are tuned work just as well as the 350's. So I would say that a 1/2 ton with a decent V-8 should be just fine. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

well my dad had the chevy diesel and he loved it never had a problem with it until the day he sold it he said it go excellent gas milaege and that it had pretty good power

Personally if I were you I'd save up, but a nice truck that can easily handle the load and use that as your daily driver. For 5,500lbs + fuel, water, food, cargo, other people and stuff I'd recommend at least a 1500HD or a 2500.

As far as diesels are concerned you'd be well off with a 2nd gen dodge cummins, or a 94+powerstroke. Both are reliable and both will give you good power and torque and will absolutely manhandle gassers that get in the way, including big blocks. With towing in mind, diesel is the way to go.