Thanks to the advice and input from a few members here I made a choice in my seemingly never ending pursuit of a winter truck. I was able to purchase the truck for $700 and it cost me $256 to tow it home. So for a total investment thus far of $956 I have a 1997 F250HD 4X4 with the 5.8.

It's definitely rough but I think it's got potential!

 

Wow! Even if it needs a lot of work that is a really good deal! Congrats! I like that color too. Keep us posted on all that you get into as you fix it up.

 

Well damn! Nice looking truck there for a great price! Sure it needs some work but for that price there's probably a good deal left in your budget to get started.

 

Thanks for the positive comments. Originally I budgeted $2000 for a truck so going this route leaves me a little over $1000 to play with.

First step is to locate a coolant leak near the radiator and replace what's broken. Then it will get a full tune up. After that I need to fix the tcase shifter thats broken.

If all that goes well, it's going to get crazy

 

So I found my leak and it is the bottom corner of the radiator. I will be pulling that in the near future.

I realized the rear lead spring mounts were toast so a change of plans, off with its bed!

Crap that's not going back:

Taillight wire harness loosened from bed, filler neck bolts and clamps removed:

Didn't bother with the rusty nuts, grinded the heads of the bolts:

This bolt was still keeping the bed from coming loose so I opened up the hole, welded it to the bracing and removed the nut the old fashion way. Not much room with the front tank there!

And off!

I am going to knock all the scaly stuff off with a wire wheel and then por15 the whole frame and under the bed. I usually brush it but I think I'll spray it this time.

Where's the best place to get the leaf spring mounts? I'm thinking LMC?

Thanks!