I am considering picking up an 89 f359 7.3idi 4x4. 112xxx on the odometer. It has a rebuilt title. The price seems pretty good at $2500. The owner acknowledges there are transmission issues.

He says it got rear-ended. He bought it salvage. Says the frame is straight. He replaced the bed and bumper. See the pic below. He told me the front end is a clip on that he bought because he liked it better. He does have photos of the truck with the original front end so I believe that story.

My question is, what should I look for when inspecting this truck? On the surface, does this look like a good deal?

 

To me... $2500 is about right for a idi crewcab truck that was in good running shape. But with the R title, bad trans and the mismatched body panels I would say $1500 would be closer to reality(AT MOST)


As for what to look for.....
You are opening a can of worms, it is almost impossible to see a bent frame unless it it REALLY bad

 

Automatic or Manual?

It's all in the eye of the beholder!

If you want the truck, buy it, else don't!

A transmission rebuild would cost nearly that!

I personally would run ... Maybe If had a transmission laying about, then I'd point out everything that's wrong and low ball it, he wouldn't accept and I'd be on my way!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

You want to look at body lines first: bed to cab reveal is the first spot to look, if the frame is bent it'll show there. Check top of bed seam width to bottom bed seam width, then from drivers side to passenger side.

Doors are next: do they open and close properly, then when closed do they seat properly.....is the reveal consistent and straight.

R title in and of itself literally tells you nothing as far as the value of the vehicle. It all depends on how the damage was done that resulted in the r title....r title doesn't mean trash, a trained eye and a tape measure can easily determine whether or not the damage actually means anything.

 

The bed and cab not lining up really doesnt say much about the frame.

Body bushings are know to go bad, especially on a 30 year old truck. That right there will make the bed and cab NOT line up

 

If the frame is bent, it shows in bed-cab reveal....it's pretty obvious if the mounts are rotted away and the bed or cab is not parallel to the frame, but worthy note.

 

That pretty much sums it up. These old trucks are only worth what someone is willing to pay for them. Rarely do projects or hobbies balance out monetarily when you consider all that's invested.

Sounds like you already know the big stuff, i.e. trans, title, etc. so there's not much more to do but make up your mind and try to get the best price out of the guy, or walk.

 

Thanks for all the info everyone! Between the tranny and the potential accident damage there are just too many unknowns for me. I think I'll sit this one out.

 

by the pictures, it does not look bad.
but as Brad pointed out, it needs paint, and a trans. paint is minimum $1,000, and trans is minimum $2,500.
so you are looking at $3,500 minimum in repairs for a truck with a salvage title, without counting the cost of the truck itself.
if you are proficient at mechanical work and painting, offer $1,000 for it as is.
if you do the work yourself and can get it for a grand, should be able to put it all together and have a good looking truck for around $2,500 total.