I am turning in my 2004 F150 SC Flareside FX4 and looking at buying a 2003 F250 XLT Sport SC SB with a 7.3l diesel.

I have run a carfax report and it came up clean.

I then asked for an Oasis report about an hour ago here on FTE, and I just received it by e-mail. (Thanks a bunch guys!!)

What really peaked my interest was these items.

Cust Comments: INT LIGHT STAYING ON CAN NOT OPERATE WINDOW AND RADIO WITH KEY OUT
Tech Comments: ANYMORE. RE RE DASH PANEL FOR INSPECTION DIAG LIGHTS
STAYING NO COMMUNICATION W/USP LINE RE RE INSPUMENT CLUSTER AND TESTED CIRCUIT FOR HEC TO DLC REPALCED AND REPROGRAMMED HEC

Cust Comments: LEAKING BEHIND TRANSMISSION
Tech Comments: RE RE PUMP OIL LEAK DIAG REPLACE H/P PUMP O RINGS AS PER TSB 04 04 04

Cust Comments: CHECK FOR ENGINE OIL LEAKING
Tech Comments: DYE TEST FOUND OIL LEAKING FROM CYLINDER HEADS AND ALSO REAR MAIN SEAL, REPLACE GASKETS, FOUND CYLINDER HEADS WARPED REPLACED BOTH RERE ENGINE RE RE CYLINDER HEADS REPLACE REAR MAIN SEAL AND HEADS

Cust Comments: HAD A HARD TIME STARTING TRIED 30 TIMES THEN PLUGGED IN AND TRUCK IS RUNNING
Tech Comments: KOEO TESTING CONATMINATION CHECK INJECTOR TEST GLOW PLUG TEST PPT TEST CODE KB11 REPLACED EBP SENSOR TEST COLD ENGINE STARTING AIDS REPLACED RELAY OK NOW


Other than this it had balljoints replaced 4 times, tie rods twice and sway bar end links once. Other repairs were a/c, door ajar switch, thermostat leaking, and window switch.

Now this truck has about 133,000 kms on it (roughly 83,000 miles) And I don't know what to make of these results. The head replacement has me spooked a bit, but I love the truck.

Would like to hear some of your opinions on this.

 

There are plenty out there to choose from. I Would keep looking and find a less problematic vehicle. Good choice as far as a 7.3 psd though .

 

Thats just it though. They are really hard to find in great shape with low klicks.

I have been looking for the last 4 months, and this is the last one I can find in the configuration I would like.

I have until this saturday to find another vehicle or else I am on foot!!
I have found others but they are sold before I can even dial the number.

 

Four ball joint jobs in that short of time???
What was he doing? Stump jumping?

 

My bad, 3 times in the history since new.

2 times replaced lower ball joints.
1 time replaced all four (which was done apr/07)

It was used for plowing snow the last year or two.

 

I looked for about 2 months and got mine for 24k with 46,000 miles on it. What I did was watched the ford site for used vehicles and Auto trader. About 1 week before I came back to the US I seen a ford dealer put mine up in Auto trader I got lucky and they put it on hold until I got in. Use these two sites. http://www.autotrader.com/hornav/tra...=SPMSNSYCBRAND
http://www.fordcpo.com/ford/

 

I wish I lived in the states, it would be easier to find these trucks.

But I live in Canada, where our whole population is less than that of NY State, yet it spans wider than the US.

This is why I am seeking advice on this truck because there really isn't much else out there to choose from. Well there's lots of 6.0l, but no 7.3l.

Mind you this truck is 4.5 hour drive for me to the dealer, so I am going to great lengths to find one.

 

If its been used to plow, the tranny takes a beating.

 

Whats harder on a tranny? Towing heavy trailers or plowing? It's something that I always wondered.

I realize plowing your constantly reversing, but does doing that constantly beat up a tranny quicker?

 

Yes, cause the tranny doesnt circulate as much fluid at low RPM's. When towing at least you get up to speed and go through all the gears and circulate the fluid.

I would pass on this truck. I have not heard of many 7.3's that had to have the heads pulled, or the rear main replaced. Too many hands have been inside this motor. .02

 

plowing is harder on a tranny than towing, when towing you have air flow thru tranny cooler and rad. plowing doesn't give you much air flow except temps are colder.
Don't know what you would have to do or how hot you get 7.3 to warp both heads, but i bet engine and tranny have been hot. tranny and heat = no good..
I got 168,000 on my 01 about 1/2 towing 10,000#, no tranny problem, no head problems and ball joints are original and still tight. IMO keep looking.

 

Here are some pics. (Check my gallery for more)






Just looked into the heads a little further. They were replaced when the truck was 7 months old.

But it looks like I am going to take your advice and pass on this truck.

 

truck wouldn't be sitting in Kingston would it?
Car fax should give selling dealer, call them and find out history of truck, oil change, maintenance, warranty,etc. most dealers are happy to give you this info.
Dealer that has it now may give you previous owners name so you can contact.
Brokers buy from auctions, some good, some not so good..
Bought my truck thru auction out west, talked to owner that traded it in before dealer put it to auction, car fax give me dealer name, dealer give me owner name.
Helped to make up my mind.

 

Be certain to look at the underside VERY VERY carefully. Anything that you put a plow on usually has 2x the corrosion on the bottom, even with extra cleaning in my experiences! Check all lines aswell, future issues to come up.

 

Yes its at a dealer outside kingston. He says the previous owner is his neighbor who traded in on an 08 superduty. No maint. records available. Carfax already done and no information given except all the dates of ownership change or plate renewals.