1997 Ford F 350 XL
Eddie Bauer model
5.8 gas
Rear wheel drive
mileage 186000

Ford was purchased used 10 years ago from a Sea Food Company
I was told at time of purchase truck had recent engine & tranny overhaul . Company decided too sell their fleet of company owned trucks going too leasing .

Our family business had a need for a delivery truck but after purchase found nobody liked too drive .
Had a high walk in single door box mounted too flat bed of truck
Design was too high , body was bolted too floor but felt like it swayed on turns .
Weight of box was 2 thousand lbs.
Few minor fend benders, mechanical issues, nobody using, for safety I parked truck at home. Started and driven locally often but not used for commercial anything .

During this year I purchased a 30 ft boat with trailer .
If I was not retired I would have considered a newer model F 350 for business & pleasure, but not wanting this type of truck as a daily driver.
Occasional tow Ford is perfect plus lot cheaper

I have too tell you Ford Truck PEOPLE WHAT A TRUCK
Not used in all these years its like a new find. Having a good time fixing up
I removed box . No wind resistance . I now get 15 mpg

Put a few grand into overall repairs, doing a lot myself
New dash
Seats re done
headliner
Interior is so pretty , clean
New brakes
shocks
no body rust
U PULL it salvage for small interior & tail gate .
New Mud tires for traction at boat ramp
air conditioning compressor , all basic mechanical items, if it needed replacing it got done.
strong engine, no smoke runs clean, tranny good ,
Body could use a nice paint job and if painted green would look like the truck in the movie Walking Tall . Has the mud tires just needs the stainless rims .

I have one issue I cant seem too get a handle on Truck Drifts .
No pull , steering no play, hard too explain but find I drift over lanes
I had no knowledge of front end work and at young 70 did not feel like laying on back doing this type of work
Had a shop preform , my thinking they would find drift and correct . WRONG
They replaced tie rod and other front end items .
Had outside shop preform Alignment.
They said it was really out of alignment
Repair shop said if tie rod & alignment does not correct will have too change steering box
I asked about pitman arm and he said there is no pitman arm ??
Red flag just went up .
100 times better but still find I drift lanes
My next door neighbor is a mechanic, got under checking pitman arm and steering box and said its tight .
He said maybe from the old heavy box rear springs are shot ? causing drift
put up on lift or have somebody follow and see how it goes down highway ?
No rear weight it sits high
Don't want too throw parts if not needed

ANY IDEAS
Sorry so long just wanted too share my story

 

What kind of shape are your pivot bushings in? With that mileage and loads I would take a look. They are at the ends of the I-beams where they connect to the frame.