How many people here have a F250/350 that has a 7.3L in it and put over 200K on their truck? Any posts with current milage and and problems you've had would be great.

Im thinking about buying a 02 F250 XL with a 7.3L and 198,000 miles on it. They are only asking $4500. So I figured that was cheap for a diesel.
I cant afford much more then that and need a daily driver that will last for a few more years without a bunch of problems. I also want to be able to pull my mud truck with it and not have to worry about any major problems. So i figured diesel would be the way to go for anything with high miles.

Heres a link to the truck incase yall want to check it out...
2002 Ford F250 XL Super Duty Turbo Diesel...CHEAP!!

Any input...yay's or nay's...and common problems would be nice to know before I get myself into something I regret!

Thanks in advance guys!

 

Regular cab trucks are much cheaper than extended-cab and especially crew cab trucks. This is one big reason for the low price.

I have a 2001 with over 285,000 on it now. It had an injector knock on #7 cylinder when I got it at 266,000. Replacing the injector didn't fix it so I'm just driving it until it blows. I have a spare motor ready to drop in.

My truck spent it's first five years and 258.000 miles on a Ford lease to a tire sales company, so my Oasis report shows everything that was done to it up to that point. Other than the knock, the only thing I had to do when I got it was a front brake job because the caliper pins had stuck on one side, chewing up the rotor. I paid a little more that the asking price for this truck.

The biggest item you need to be aware of is that with high mileage you need to be prepared to do something major at any time. Unless you have scrounged up and engine or transmission to throw in it, be prepared to spend several thousand dollars for even a good running used engine, and at least a couple of thousand for a rebuilt transmission. If you can't do the work yourself, it is easy to spend a thousand $ on a fairly minor problem.

That is why people pay the big prices for new trucks.

 

Mine is approaching 200K. I've had to replace some o-rings here and there. Nothing beyond normal wear.

The biggest thing to look at is how it was cared for. If all the proper maintenance was done, nothing was Mickey Moused, no abuse, the motor will run to 500K before you should consider a rebuild.

 

Thanks guys, I do all my own work. Which would include an engine/tranny swap if the need be. Ive always learned if you want it done right do it yourself. Had to many friends take their vehicles to the shop and had things break. My friend actually jus took his car to firestone to get an alignment and they did it incorrectly and messed up the tierod. He was driving and the tie-rod came apart!!! Thank god he was in a parking lot when it happened! Like I said trust no one but yourself to do good work.

I know ball joints are a common problem on these things. I know to check for leaks and check all the fluids to make sure they good and not burnt or mixed with coolant/or water. Anything I should feel for while driving it in the trans? That would be the thing im worried about most on that truck. I know these engines are almost indestructable as long as cared for. Thats exactly why im considering it even though its got such high mileage.

Any other suggestions guys??? Keep um rolling :-)

 

I don't own a SD, but have had lots of OBS 7.3L powerstrokes ( including the current truck in my sig.), and work on 7.3L powered Fords for a living. I just replaced a motor in a 2000 SD that had 317,000 on it and ran fine except for a cracked head (the only reason the head cracked was because the radiator was clogged withcorn husks and hay subsequently causing the truck to over heat) this truck was used to haul gooseneck trailers with BIG loads all over the U.S. and was not maintained as well as it should be. this is just one example. I have seen more 7.3L with 2-400,000 miles than I can count.

 

I sure hope so. My 2001 F350 CC is at 275,000. I try my best to treat her right. I love my truck.

 

my old 1988 got to 397,000 before the dreaded cavitation got her.

 

Mine has 221,xxx miles and haven't done anything major other than maintenance items. Those include brakes and rotors, ball joints, clutch, torque injectors and rocker arms, turbo o rings and up pipes, and other small things. Anything mechanical can grenade and cost a bundle at any mileage, but if maintained can run many years. I would say a 7.3 at that mileage is a safe bet at the asking price.

 

It looks somewhat modded. Personaly I would not buy anything that is not stock. You have no idea if the motor was chipped or not and if so, then what about EGT's.

Just my opinion.

As to reliability - I have several 99-00 models with well over 200k on STOCK engines and they have towed trailers most of there lives and are still going strong. ALTHOUGH, most have had to have the Torque converters replaced as they all failed in the F450/550 and some in the F250/350's.

My daily driver for work is a 2wd 99 F250, 7.3L/EO4D STOCK and it has towed up to 14k, and at 245k it is still going strong with the origional engine and trans. Never been apart!

David

 

I bought mine with 167,000 miles on it, and currently have 225,000 miles on it. I have not done anything major besides a altenator, batteries, and glow plugs. All to be expected for the mileage, other then that nothing but maintence items. I would not worry to much about that mileage, it is a great motor.

 

I recently bought a 99 7.3 F250 work truck and it has 206.000 miles. I recently talked to a used car salesman about the highest mileage he ever saw on a trade in truck, and it was a 99 F250 4x4 7.3 diesel and it had 675,000 miles on it when it was traded in, still running good.

 

Not not mine.
Mine has only 240,000
The above is on craigslist in Sacramento area.

 

I've got 297K on mine... that truck has still got a TON of life left. Like the others have said, it'll just be stupid things like O-rings, pumps, sensors, regulators, etc. My truck still runs great and I expect to get more than twice the miles I've got now outta the truck. It's still almost dry as a bone and it doesn't use any oil either.

 

I'm just about to turn 300,000 on my work truck, a ,99 F350 4x4 7.3 and man has it been a good truck. has pulled telehandlers, backhoes, and tractors most of it's life, along with being beat over the farm roads, circle tracks and the like. All of this while having a 90 horse tuner run on it. I've changed oil religiously. I needed a tranny at 200,000 which for the abuse I give it was understandable, replaced 2 injectors, and had an electrical problem under the valve covers, but other than that just normal little things. I bought a 1 ton dodge megacab a couple years ago and continued to use the ford for the heavy lifting. The dodge, even pulling light duty, gave me nothing but problems to the point that I went and bought an '11 F350 and got rid of that dodge just last week. No, I wouldn't be afraid of that truck at all. I just hope the 11 holds up as well

 

I agree 100%, its all about history and these days people will lie right to your face. When I buy anything used, I like it not to have been messed with.