So I recently totaled my 06 Trailblazer SS and definitely heartbroken... after the settlement i have just enough to get a truck and I'm thinking about taking a look at this 1997 F350 for sale locally. It's a 5.8 Crew Cab with 80,xxx miles on it. Just wondering what I should look out for and if you guys have any advice on what to look at when I check it out. Judging by the pictures it's in great shape. I was very active on my tbss forum and hope this community is just as helpful. Thank you.

-Chris

 

Sorry to hear about the TB. Hopefully there were no serious injuries...

As far as the F350 goes, if you're expecting to be able to tow heavy with ease, the 5.8 ain't gonna cut it. It won't be a complete turd when towing, you'll just have to know its limits.

Things to look for are rust, rust and more rust. Areas that are prone to rusting are the leaf spring shackles and hanger brackets, rockers, door bottoms, frames, and floors. Pretty much the same as any other truck of this vintage.

It does have low miles, and if it's been sitting a while, expect to have to replace rubber parts that may have dry rotted. Tires, seals, belt, hoses, things of that nature.

Is it 4wd? Manual or auto trans?

 

I second the towing comment. If you want to tow, get a big block. If you are mostly thinking of hauling the family around with a camper, a 5.8 should be fine. It certainly wont be as sporty as the ss tb, but it will carry a lot more!

 

I'm not very concerned with towing. I never towed anything in my trailblazer so that's not too big of a deal. It is a 4x4 automatic transmission. Looking forward to having some fun with it too... i had some big plans for my trailblazer so I guess this truck could turn into my next project.

Thanks all.

 

In that case, I think the 5.8 will serve you well. As with any used vehicle, check fluids, make sure trans shifts OK, blah blah.



If you do get it, make sure you post photos!

 

So why are you looking at a 1-ton crew? It may be a nice truck and all but it'll get 10-12mpg max so it's not going to be a pocketbook friendly daily driver.

 

It is going to be a PIG SLOW with the 5.8 and automatic with NOTING in it or behind it

 

I have to agree with Brad on this one.
We use an F-350 5.8L Reg-cab with an 8ft flat bed for work. It will haul anything we throw at it, but it will not do it fast.

As long as you're not hauling much you'll be fine, just don't push it hard.

 

While I haven't driven an F-350 crew cab with a 351/automatic, I did have an F-150 Super Cab with that setup that I (over)loaded with about 2000 lbs on the truck and another 3500 lbs in tow, so my gross combined weight was at least 3500 lbs over the empty weight of the F-350 crew. It certainly wasn't a barn-burner like that, but I wouldn't have called it pig-slow either. So I think it's what you are looking for / expecting. Personally I think I'd be very happy with a 351 in a crew cab, but I don't doubt that Brad would hate it. Neither of us are wrong, we just have different criteria.

But it is a big truck with a smallish engine. It won't have great performance or good fuel mileage. So you do need to ask yourself if it's what you want.

 

My trailblazer ss got about 12.5 mpg city on premium fuel... not so worried about the gas mileage. My daily commute is about 6 miles TOTAL. I recently moved and have a little more property and it would be nice to have a truck. I have about $6500 to spend and really want to avoid having a car payment. So as long as the slow pig can get me 6 miles a day it serves its purpose.

On the other hand.. i just found this thing..
1997 Ford F-350 XL Crew Cab 4WD For Sale In Fredericksburg VA - Autos By Choice

Not sure what the price is yet.. KBB says around 9k fair market from dealer but that thing looks to have some decent upgrades. Any thoughts on what I might want to pay for that? I'm sure I could wrestle up a few extra $$$. I really don't have the slightest clue about anything diesel, let alone a 7.3 turbo diesel. Someone care to enlighten me? What would I be getting into...?

 

The 7.3L PowerStroke diesel is a solid engine with a really good reputation. I had one in an '02 F-350 Crew Cab. It was great towing, great power, good mileage. But it only got about 12-13 mpg in normal driving. Burning more expensive diesel fuel the fuel cost was right up there with a big block. Some people love them, personally I wouldn't want one for a daily driver. But if I was planning on using my truck like a truck for most of it's miles the PowerStroke would be one of my top choices.

 

I bet they will easily want 15k plus for that red truck. Also, it has been repainted, I would be a little leery of that.

Those mud tires USCK for noise and wear.

As for fuel milage. 13-15 would All I would expect from it

Oil changes are about 75-100

Engine maintainance parts are more expensive too

 

I have esentially the same truck and I WISH it were what you found due to the solid front axle. I have rust in the box wheel wells where it traps water.