Hey everyone. I am currently looking at a 1997 F250 long bed 7.5L V8. This will be my first Ford Truck if I decide to buy it. It currently has 172K miles. I have not seen the truck yet but from the many pictures I have received it the interior and body looks very clean. The truck has a new alternator, starter, radiator and brakes. I will be running a carfax to review what maintenance has been done. When I go look at it, what should I check out? Any pinpoint questions to ask? He is currently asking $4500. Any helpful feedback I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Joe

 

Park it on a hill and check the parking break, auto or manual?, run the vin through the vin decoder on this forum, check spring hangers, body mounts, engine mounts for rust. Mine has rusted through bumpers and I paid $1000.00 $4500.00 sounds steep to me but price is subject to your region

 

It is an automatic. He is looking for $4,500 OBO. I am going this weekend to take a look at it. I really appreciate your input, and what to look out for. That kind of truck with those miles, what kind of maintenance do you think could possibly need?

Thanks again,

Joe

 

The old 460's will run a long time with just general maintenace. As long as it doesn't smoke or tick I would not worry too much about it.

The E40D transmission I would check carefully. Smell dipstick and check for bright red color. It can be spendy to replace. Does the OD light/button on the shifter work correctly?

RUST. Ever nook and cranny on these trucks rust so the cleaner it is the longer it will last you. There again, it depends on your region or where it lived most of its life. Like mentioned springs hangers and brake lines are a big thing that usually get replaced.

 

Being a 97' it does have the most updated E4OD, so it has that going for it. If it lived its life with a 5er behind it, it might be pretty worn, but lighter loads and that trans could have lots of life left.

 

Post your specs and gas mileage

 

When you looking at it?

 

I have not gone and looked at it yet. I checked the carfax and it is a 2 owner, with 15 service records reported. The cylinder head gaskets were replaced back in 2010. Through out the years the steering/suspension has been lubricated as well. On 06/04/2014 a regular routine maintenance was done, oil and filter changed, rear brakes serviced, steering/suspension lubricated, air filter, and fluids checked. The most recent was on 01/29/2015, the alternator/generator replaced, and emissions/safety inspection completed. Overall, I just need to go look at it and hope it looks as good as it sounds.