I posted this in the excursion forum as I frequent there more often, but I figured id post here to get some opinions from guys that own super dutys.

What do you guys think this could be (doesnt run smooth he says )? I'm looking for a cheap long bed just to use for hauling stuff on the weekends. Hes about an hour from me.

Its got 140k and he said he'd take 1800. I was gonna get it Wednesday but uhaul screwed me over and then it got too late. Also, im planning on towing it back on a uhaul auto transport trailer. Had to lie to them bc they say the truck wont fit but it should. Anyone towed using their trailers?

From his CL ad:
5.4L V8 Gas Regular cab long bed. Tire tread is decent, truck was assembled w/o A/C
New:
Alternator
Starter
Air filter/cleaner
Battery
Radiator flushed less than a month ago
Heater coil
All done at a local tire kingdom

The issue: Truck doesn't run smooth, it starts fine not exactly sure what's wrong. It's pretty clean so you're welcome to come inspect. I'm getting something new & I don't have time to tear this thing apart. Literally ran just fine until last Wednesday so it hasn't sat long at all today being 1/7/14

Ill post pics in post 2.

 

 

I guess my question is does it sound like something that can be fixed, or worst case scenario, it needs a motor (would it still be a good deal at $1,800?)

how much money would I be looking at to rebuild or get a rebuilt 5.4? I have friends that would help so I wouldn't have to take it to a shop or dealer for the motor or repairs.

 

I would avoid it, it could be a money pit. The early 4R100 transmissions aren't the best. As for the motor running rough it could be just as simple as needing a new coil to a spit plug or a damaged head. The fact that it was built a no Ac truck means it was more than likely a fleet truck and had hard use.

It's your call, used engines go anywhere from 1,200-2,000.00. A new motor raft motor is 5k. Personally if you have a vehicle capable of towing a large trailer, I'd invest in that. You can find tons of used enclosed or open trailers In the 2,000.00 range.

 

I thought about getting a large utility trailer, but when I gave it more thought, I think I'd rather have just a single cab long bed truck. I have my excursion but I dont use it for work, however I can tow with it but I think I'd just rather have a truck. The no air thing doesn't bother me because its just gonna be a weekend truck while working on my house and rental houses. Thats why I dont wanna spend much more. My 01 v10 excursion has that same tranny I think?

 

For something like a work truck I would jump all over it. $4,000 is about the lowest any dealer around here will take for a 250, regardless of age or condition. I sold one that had 250,000 miles and didn't run(xl, no upgrades, fleet white, etc) for $2,500 last year. The tranny is a weak link for those, with a 180,000 to 200,000 typical lifespan. Drive it until the tranny goes out and sell it for parts, which would still get you 40-50k miles for $1,800.

 

See thats the mindset I have. Its been on CL for 2 months but the guy hasn't kept re listing it. Just once. He was asking 2200 obo. And ya its gonna be just that, a work truck. My excursion I want to keep nice. Id likely just fix it up (hopefully able to be fixed without needing a motor right off the bat) and drive it, and when it does break, either replace the motor/tranny with another 5.4 or maybe a 6.8. Or maybe a cummins swap? And then continue to use it as a beater truck. One can always use a truck...always. lol

 

what do you intend to do with the truck?

for 1800, if it was just for local runs to the lumber yard, landfill, ect. you could just do nothing and drive it until it completely dies.

I'd try the simple things first, clean the MAF (Notice the K&N), check plugs/coils ect, but if it is just going to be a self-propelled trailer, and for local stuff, it will likely run a LONG time in its curent state.

In my own situation, i've got about that much into my plow truck. if i were to wound it somehow, but it still ran, i'd just keep running it until it didn't run any more.

One of my co-workers has an old truck that only goes 30 miles to town and back and has been running on two dead cylinders for a decade now.

I'd probably try to get it cheaper than 1800, but even if you can't fix it and it dies, you can get your money back parting it out if you don't mind the hassle.

just some thoughts....

 

It does depend on the use really, since a trailer is a no go I would get it. The only thing that would keep me away from it is the unknown engine issue.

I was told my plow truck was junk 2 years ago when I got it, 20,000 miles and 500.00 later for a used motor it's been nothing but a work horse.

For the price id say get it. In my area that truck would go for 3k all day long.

 

Cool. Makes me feel more comfortable purchasing it. And yea it's only for around town, doubt id ever drive it to work unless I needed it for something directly after work or something like that.

I'll likely just tow it back and tune it up. Then just drive it like you guys said.

 

Oh I tried 1500 and he was kinda firm on 1800 since he came to 1800 from 2200 originally.

 

I agree it could be the MAF. They may have recently re oiled the filter and used to much. $7 can of cleaner and you may be good to go. Just don't tell him that.

 

Well I'm going tomorrow to pick it up for 1700. Ill keep you guys updated on how it goes and what ends up being wrong with it!

 

So I picked it up today. Excursion (v10) towed it well. Didn't even know it was back there most of the time. Uhaul trailer could have been longer but I had it strapped and chained down so tight, it didn't budge the whole time, even though the rear wheels did look sketchy lol.

Really like this pic lol





I had the front wheel straps super tight, both of the emergency chains under the truck, and I put 3 additional straps around the rear tires just to be safe (even though this is probably far from safe). Also had the ebrake on.

Being paranoid driving 80 miles home was an understatement. But after the first few miles and gradually reaching 50ish mph speeds, I saw that it wasn't budging so I just kept a good eye on the mirrors and stayed in the right lane. All went well. Returned the trailer and told them it towed my VW bug great! Hahaha

 

It was used as a work truck, and I will continue to do so, so cosmetics I'm not worried about. There's rust on it that he never told me but I had already driven there and rented the uhaul trailer, so I wasn't going to backout. The cab is pretty solid and the frame only looks to have surface rust, the bed as you can see in the above post has some rust, and below you'll see the rust on the doors. But I'm just gonna drive it and not worry about it. If the panels ever rust thru I'm worry then. Its not TOO bad. It was a Pennsylvania truck.