I actually have to agree with you Builder. My uncle has a 1997 2500 Burban with a 6.5 TD in it. It is cherry and has less than 90,000 miles. He has a relatively small boat compared to my other 3 uncles at around 9,000# but it does a fantastic job at pulling it. It has a huge fuel tank, something like 50 gallons and will average around 19mpg. The only problems he has had is its on its 3rd injector pump. The last one just failed this year on opening day at the lake. He took the truck the week before to get his boat out of our storage and it ran like a top. He then took it to have it washed and fueled up. It made it almost home and died.
It will not win any races but it does a good job for what it is and will fit in a garage unlike the Excursion. That was one thing many of my friends that have Excursions complain about. I only know one with a 7.3 and do not remember it being overly loud but its been nearly 8 years since I have driven it so maybe it was. The V-10's are really a nice ride but at 12mpg its a killer. Both the ones I know of with the 6.0's have been trouble free except for one EGR valve, again the first week of boating season. That truck, a 2004, has 120,000 plus miles and its the first time its been in the shop plus its paid for. I tried to buy it but he will not sell it. I wanted him to do the EGR valve delete like the later 6.0's but he did not want to modify it.
One crazy thing about the 90's era diesel Suburbans is they have less tow rating than the gas versions. The diesel is limited to 7,500# while the gas is at 10,000#.
Anyway, back to 1/2 tons with a diesel. I really think its going to happen but not sell well. The upfront cost and the already stout tow ratings of the current 1/2 ton gassers will be the killer. I can not see them increasing the tow ratings much more than the 11,000# or so the best of the best 1/2 tons will tow. Yes, having a diesel with low end grunt would be nice but add the extra $$$$$ and it will be a deal killer for most.
Chris
