Hey ya'll, I'm new in this section of the forums, but I'm looking at purchasing a new (old, lol) truck, and would like some advice on what value to haggle towards, and things to check for.

The truck is a 91 F250, 4x4, with a 7.3 IDI.
The transmission is a 5 speed manual that was pulled from (maybe 94? Don't remember what year he said) an F350 with a 7.3 IDI.

Him and his dad did the transmission swap. I tried to find the numbers on the tranny, but I didn't see them, so I don't know exactly which tranny it is, only what truck it came out of.

The truck was originally an automatic before the swap. When I drove it, it shifted well, didn't have any trouble going from gear to gear, no grinding or popping.

Truck and engine has 237K, transmission has 100~K, and a new clutch and friction plate.


Guy who owns the truck is the second owner, fellow who owned it before him had all his work done at the Ford dealer he bought it from, and he has all the receipts.


Owner is asking $4000 in the ad, but I'm sure he's starting high for bargaining room.

At this point I'm thinking no higher than $2500 (especially since I would have to put tires on it. The ones on the truck are bald as can be).

Thoughts? Should I be thinking lower price for the truck? Or higher?


Thanks ya'll.

 

Price is in the eye of the beholder ...

Critical things to check

• If you can get to it BEFORE it has been started for the day ... See how it starts COLD!
• Test Reverse (pops out)
• Test 3rd (whines)
• Test 5th (breaks)
• Test for the proper SCA's ... Supplemental Coolant Additives, using a test strip available from most any parts store.
• Check for signs of Coolant system cleaning. (to hide oil in water)
• Check for signs of recent oil changes. (to hide water in oil)
• Check for oil in the water.
• Check for water in the oil.
• Look into the intake manifold (remove air cleaner) for gray oil. (oil water mix)

Any of the last three, I'd RUN as fast as I could unless I was buying the truck and the anchor (engine) came along for free!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Well, I do realize that value varies from person to person, but I was hoping to get an idea of what it'd be worth so I know I'm not trying to rip him off when I argue for my price, and I know I'm not getting ripped off if I go towards his price.


The SCA's are an unknown for me. I couldn't find any place around me that stocked the strips for testing. I asked the owner about using SCA's in the coolant, and he didn't know anything about it... but he's only had the truck for a year or so.

If the original owner had all his work done at the Ford place, they would have done the SCA'S wouldn't they? What extent of damage can be done with the wrong level of coolant additives in a year or so? Is it a big worry in a short time, or is that a non concern? I'd like to find some coolant testing strips before I look at it again (if I do. That'll depend on if he's willing to budge pricewise), but every autoparts store I called had never heard of such a thing.

Thanks for the help

 

 

i think you should be ok in the $2,500 range.

 

X2. $4K should get you a good body and paint job to start.

 

Well, I talked to him tonight, told him where I was at, but he said he couldn't go that low, and made no move to come down off of 4K at all.

Oh well, maybe next time. Thanks ya'll. Hope he looks into SCA's for that engine if he keeps it though.

 

If the body is not rusty at all, and the interior isn't trash, its worth upwards of 4k imo. I'd rather have a truck that needs a paint job for 4k than a shlt box for 2500