99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Here’s a new to me 99 K2500 GMC Suburban that was used as a command unit for a village fire department. It’s seen just 42k miles and has a 6.5L diesel L65 motor, 4L80-E auto transmission, a 14 bolt FF rear with a G80 locking rear.

No body rust that I’ve found. The rear axle Ubolts and plates are a crusty.

It’s seemingly dry well maintained. I’ll give it some elbow grease, tend to a few missing or broken items, and then have the mechanics inspected. I’ve got a lot to learn about maintaining a Diesel engine.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

More pics...

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Google Earth had images of the truck parked in front of the station with the lights on and fully badged.

My daughter is a fan :)

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

That is a great looking truck, nice to have the local history about it as well.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

I'm with your daughter on this one!
Should be a great rig, never driven a 6.5 turbo, but had a couple of 6.2 N/A diesels.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Thanks for the good words guys! She's a fan.

I'm new to diesel motors and eager to learn about them. I've got an upcoming appointment w a diesel mechanic to assess the motor. I've read this motor may have issues with harmonic balancer failure so may just have that replaced given it's age.

I found a couple more photos of the truck at work and will post back after the mechanical assessment.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Very Cool Pete - Awesome first vehicle for your daughter !

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Nice Pete, I love it!

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Thanks guys. It’s the second red 99 I’ve had. I’m a big fan of these 92-99 burbs.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

I found a VIN decoder service. Neat to see how many vehicles of this model were outfitted with the various RPOs and get the build date. Late model year assembly.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

I’m in Pete, I know you’ll make it even more awesome!

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Tyler welcome aboard

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

That is a very clean unit! Even the driver's side seat isn't trashed. Your daughter has great taste! As long as there isn't a lot of idle hours and little blow by on the ol gal, it should be fine.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Ryan thanks. I’ll be picking your brain about winterizing the motor for sure.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Looks like a solid truck! More info on this vin decoder please?!

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Thanks!

See here: https://www.compnine.com/vid.php

You can get five VIN decodes for $5. I wanted to confirm which alternator I had before ordering a new serpentine belt then did a few other VINs.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Everybody needs a Command Unit. Hell I wanna be a Command Unit. Love it Pete...and the Chief!

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Welcome aboard my friend!

I’ve gathered a few parts to replace some aged or worn pieces over the next couple of weeks including oil cooler lines and a harmonic balancer.. The OE Bilstein shocks are nice.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

I like it!

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Very cool, love that body style Suburban too. At least Palmyra isn't too far away for you to go get it. If it hasn't already been done look into the PMD relocation kit- pretty common issue on 6.5L's that causes the engine to stall. Some decent info here about it
https://www.hdiesel.com/C/PMDCooler/279

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Very cool, I wish my K2500 'burb was a 6.5!

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Nice looking burb. I was looking at one similar in our local craigslist not that long ago.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Thanks for the good words guys. MJN thanks for the tip. The PMD was relocated and last year new "engine seals" were added per the fire chief.

It runs and drives good but I don't have any maintenance records and know next to nothing about diesel engines so this morning I dropped it off at a local diesel mechanic shop to have the harmonic balancer and oil cooler lines replaced as well as fluids checked/changed and a general look-see. After that I'll have the alignment checked and the U bolts/plates replaced on the rear axle.

I've been able to source some replacement parts for missing/broken interior pieces including replacement middle row head rests.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

Good stuff Pete. Nice looking console, even better that it’s got the cup holder insert and not the CD holder. Good call on the oil lines, they can be a real pita to keep from leaking sometimes.

Re: 99 K2500 GMC Suburban Command Unit Project
 

It's gonna be very nice, the little touches make the difference.