The GM 6.2L and 6.5L diesel engines were optional in the 1982-2000 GMC Yukon in both turbo diesel (TD) and naturally aspirated (NA) versions. Designed as a diesel engine from the ground up by the Detroit Diesel Division of General Motors, the original 6.2L diesel engine was introduced in the 1982 model year for GMC and Chevy C/K pickup truck and full-size SUV lines. In 1992, the new 6.5L diesel engine was an advancement in technology, and was designed for the application of a turbocharger. The final year of production for the 6.2L was 1993. The 6.5 was replaced by the Duramax 6600 beginning in the 2001 and was a quantum leap beyond these engines. As a Cummins Ram Turbodiesel owner, I'm familiar with all the diesel powerplants available in pickups and SUV's and I can tell you that although these two engines will run practically forever, they are well known as complete and total performance turds. If you want to stay with GM, I'd look for a used pickup or van with the Duramax diesel. But for pure pulling power nothing IMO beats six coffee can sized cylinders in a nice straight line. aka Cummins 5.9 ISB. A Duramax will dust a Cummins ISB off the line, but hitch up 20,000lbs and put them on a long grade, and the Cummins will be still be pulling long after the Duramax is sitting in the breakdown lane with a melted piston.
