6.5 preduramax dually

Im a bit new to the diesel world and am trying to decide what my first should be. i looked around and ive taken a liking to the 1997 model 6.5 turbo diesel truck. I want to make a street truck but be able to pull a load if need be. to the point, is this truck worth my money? will it handle upgrades and what is the availability on these upgrades?  

They are okay trucks, but you are never going to get one up to where you want it to be without spending WAAAAAAAAAY more money than you would just buying a newer Common Rail or Direct Injection truck.  The problem with the 6.2 and the 6.5 GM diesels is they all have a point at which the block WILL crack and you WILL experience catastrophic failure and probably have to rebuild the engine.  They do make (improved) replacement engines, and even some aftermarket 6.5 engines exist that go up to around 400 horsepower.  Anyone who runs one of these for any serious amount of time and/or mileage has had to swap an engine at least once, and that is something you would need to be ready for.  

Now all of this is not to say that you can't daily drive and tow with one of these.  There are plenty of people who do, but if you get one you need to be absolutely sure that the block and heads are in good shape and you need to be sure that if/when it breaks you will be able to fix it or get it fixed.  

As to upgrades, they exist!  You won't see serious power out of one of these engines, but you can get up to 300 flywheel horsepower without having to completely rebuild anything.  Also know that this will shorten the time left to the inevitable death of your engine.

If you want to save money though, get a Cummins of any year, a Powerstroke, or just go for the newer Common Rail trucks.  They really are great, and that is why they hold so much value.  

The 6.5 is one of THE worst possible base platforms. You'll have to completely rebuild the engine and dump $12000 of parts into it just to hold together with 400hp. Or you could buy a 90's Dodge and spend about $300 to get the same 400hp.  

Dont get the 6.5.unless you got deeep pockets.