I found a 97 F350 with a 7.3 for $5800. Wanted your opinions on the deal. During my inspection I found a leaking master cylinder and front fuel tank. Bad carrier bearing. and it doesn't charge. Transmission also seemed to shift hard to me but I am not sure that wasn't normal. Please give me your advice. 252000 miles. Only rust was in the fenders. I talked the guy down to $5500 and he seems firm. Thanks for any advise you can provide.

 

To high. Maybe 3500

 

Way high

I paid 7k, for a clean 128k mile truck

 

I agree. I think that is a little high.

 

4x4 or 2WD? By "carrier bearing", can we presume that it's a CC? By "shifting hard", can we presume that it's an automatic?

Model, cab/bed config, transmission type and drive type establish the RANGE of value. Mileage, general condition, maintenance level, "what's broken" establish where within the range to value the truck. As a base point, a CLEAN, fairly low mileage (150,000) 4x4 CCLB 5-speed should fetch $10K in most markets. I would never buy an automatic myself, but if this is a 4x4 CCLB, $5500 is def. fair. $3500 is fantasyland for any F350 4x4; front axle and powertrain are worth more than that.

 

So you'd pay 5500 for a truck with rust, needs a master cylinder, front tank, possible trans, and a charging system that doesn't work and God knows what else ?

To me that's a parts truck.

 

No. I didn't. A new truck meeting these same abilities is 52000. I was asking what is the going price. I realize I will not get a perfect truck in my price range.

 

I was posting to mad

You can find what you want in your price range. Just be willing to shop and travel
1997 f250

 

Like I said, I wouldn't buy an automatic truck period. Could you find a solid CCLB frame, running engine, good CREW cab, solid bed and a Dana 60 for $3500 separately, let alone together with the rest of a running truck? You realize that, presuming it's a CC XLT, you could probably fetch $500 for the front inner door panels alone, right?

'Course, the OP still hasn't said what drive type, and we're going on inference ("carrier bearing") that it's a CC.