buyer advice
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 2
From: WI
buyer advice
I'm going to look at a 2003 crew cab superduty tomorrow. It has a V-10 and a 6 speed with 70k miles. What are some things I should be taking a closer look at with this model year. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,066
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
Not much to say really. The V10 is extremely reliable and the rest of the truck is typical Super Duty Ford. You might want to put it in four wheel drive to make VERY sure that ESOF is working correctly. Mine didn't, even though all the lights come on and the transfer case clunks into gear and it's very common for their to be a vacuum leak preventing the hubs from engaging. Also, with gas prices shooting up, use that to get the price lower since V10's ain't exactly in the same MPG range as a Prius. But other than that I think the overall condition of the truck should speak for itself.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,069
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From: LONG ISLAND N.Y.
two most common problems are the exhaust manifold bolts rot away...it can be a big job. prices for manfold studs can vary from $400-$1400. the other common problem is the spark plugs sometimes blow out. new plugs installed w/ the proper torque fixes that.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 2
From: WI
Well I checked it out today, not really sure how I feel about it. The truck is near immaculate and the price is close to my range, but worried about a few things.... Brakes were shot, vibrated and pulsated from the get go and got worse as I drove longer.... Engine rumble through the driveline was kinda loud at certain RPMs, but I,ve owned three manual trans trucks and I know what that is all about....weatherstripping on both front door openings looked like it would fall apart afer awhile, not sure if this is common on these trucks.... Clunking noise in front end when turning tight radius while moving when in 2wd.... I would have loved to bring this truck home today and was more than ready too. All I needed was a hard surface to count $100 bills, but they just were not coming up with the figures I wanted to hear. They were willing to fix all problems but just didn't want to deal. Maybe give them a couple days to think about it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
Just a little FYI here, my truck also clunks the front end bad during U-turns, I think they likely all do. But the bad brakes and weather stripping indicates rough use to me. My truck had 76K miles when I bought it in '09 and now has 95K and the weatherstripping looks brand new. Either they drag their feet on it getting in and out or they treat it like they don't care. Between that and the driveline noise, I'd say pass, mine is dead silent on the freeway and yours should be, too.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,069
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From: LONG ISLAND N.Y.
its a buyers market, so try low balling for this truck or keep looking for another truck. take the vin # to a ford dealer and get a oasis report. it will give you a report on any dealership repairs, warrenty & recall work. good luck.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Steeler Country
Clunk in front could be the links to the stearing stabilzer bar. had mine replaced twice in 78,000 miles. the 2003 has a solid front axle. they wear out.
brakes, mine will eat front rotors, warping them, if not lubed up good when installed. also cheap rotors will warp quick. longer you heat them up, the worse they feel. not a hard job.
weather stripping, not a big deal, as long as rust is not under the door.
what's the price? more info on truck?
brakes, mine will eat front rotors, warping them, if not lubed up good when installed. also cheap rotors will warp quick. longer you heat them up, the worse they feel. not a hard job.
weather stripping, not a big deal, as long as rust is not under the door.
what's the price? more info on truck?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 2
From: WI
I must not have been right to say weather stripping. What I meant is the black molding on top of door frame. The clunking in the front end doesn't bother me so much, I figured it could be a knuckle binding because the hubs were locked in or something. I just believe that if a dealership is selling a truck it shouldn't make any clunking noises. When I tried dealing with the guy using these problems against the price, he said he could sell that truck the way it sits without even touching it, just like that... snapping his fingers. So I said good luck and shuffled the family out the door. With an attitude like that maybe I don't want to buy anything from them.
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