Most likely he has no idea what's wrong with it and no desire to learn lol.

 

Ask him if he knows anything about SCA's or DCA4 (Coolant Additives) if he doens't have a clue! Keep your 460!

Even if it needs glow plugs, a controler/relay, all that is still cheaper than a basic tune up on a gasser!

256k miles isn't even broken-in for that diesel!


Only huge draw back that would even make me think twice is that ****ty E4OD transmission it's got! Plus he says it needs a TC. If it needs a TC, it's gonna need a full rebuild.... witch is 2000$+

 

There are good things and bad things about diesels. Gas engines are easier to work on and usually cheaper than diesels, depending on what year and such. Diesels do make good power except as someone said, a non turbo truck is pretty doggy, and that is true. And then the joys of finding fuel, most stations dont carry diesel, and the ones that do, sometimes it isnt the best quality. There are lots of pros and cons, but for a younger person i would say stay with a gas engine.

 

Pros about the diesel over the 460 anyways, you won't be searching for a gas station every 2 hours like you will with the 460....

 

Like I said, I have a couple of each, and this time of year I prefer to drive the gas vehicles, unless I have some heavy stuff to pull or haul. But for the person that started this thread, i think he said he is 16, a gas truck might be better for him.

 

THAT GUY THAT WANTS TO TRADE TRUCKS IS TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE YOUNG KID !!

 

Thats the way I read it too. Although if I had a son, and he wanted to trade a running vehivle for a non running vehicle... Id probably let him lmao.. Then ridicule and harrass him relentlessly afterward.

OP, use your head man, its a bad deal. It would almost be as easy to put a diesel in the truck you already have lol. If you want mileage, go buy a car.

 

good point, about the wanting mileage, get a car. But the guy wanting to trade just sounds fishy, if it has all those new parts, and wanting to trade back in years?? Sounds like he figures he can take advantage of the youngster...

 

Not really idle dollars, but I want to enjoy what I drive. I want to learn more about mechanicing and auto body stuff. Uncle is helping learn me about all that stuff, making me into a better mechanic. Second, I am going into a heavy diesel mechanics/cnc/welding degree program so I want all the knowledge I can get before. I'm going to look around for as much used but in good condition stuff that I can. I may ever use it as an intermediate, running hay from the cutters to purchasers. Scrap etc. Basically, I travel 190miles between home and college I get 13 mpg empty in my Dodge v6 right now, so if I get 8 in my 460, and make money working the entire way thats pretty good. In terms of hauling hay, its usually $25-50 a ton, plus .50 cents a mile. I figure with a 4 ton gooseneck I can get $100 in hay plus $95 dollars in mileage costs. With 8 mpg, at lets say $3.00 a gallon. 190/8=23.75 gallons of fuel or $71.25 dollars in gas. So 195-72=$123 dollars profit/3 hrs drive time=$41 dollars an hour. Not too shabby, and it pays my gas bills to go home from college and perhaps even some repairs.

I am looking to get a 5spd and or a ranger overdrive unit. I figure with a 5spd with splitter I should get 15-16 MPG, and with 4spd 12-13.

Sure there are a lot of other factors business expense, insurance etc. But thus far it seems like a good option.

 

I'd have to agree with the other guys... it sounds like someone's trying to take you for a ride. Kind of hard to believe someone would put so much new stuff on a truck and then balk at putting a torque converter in if that's all it needs. If you're still considering doing this, ask him if you can trailer it up to a reputable shop of your own choosing to have it looked over. If you're unsure about the mechanics best to let someone who knows what to look for do it for you. If he refuses, then that's where you should part ways.

 

The idis are pretty simple to fix. Its either a fuel delivery problem, or a starter. But i wouldn't take it. There was an idi 7.3 near me at 200k for $1100 that i wanted to get but instead i decided to put an idi in my 83, and not have to deal with unknown engines and having to find a place for another vehicle when i got one waiting for some power. Also i hate automatics and it had an auto or course . Also unless the owner knows what coolant additives are don't buy a 7.3idi truck like ididieseljohn said and just walk away no matter how nice it is. Unless you want to rebuild or swap out engines soon.

 

The other thing I would say would be take someone with you that knows diesels a little better than you. Have them check out the truck. The other thing about a car and a truck is you gotta pay more for both on the insurance. Either way just be careful and take someone with you who knows diesel trucks.

 

Here's something to consider; "bricknose" (87-91) = fugly (the "f" is NOT for "ford)

but seriously, supposing the trans will need rebuilt, ok you're looking at about $2,000+

also, the truck has (correct me if I'm wrong) 256k? Sure, the engine still runs great, but that's a lot of miles on a light truck. I'm sure more than just one or two things are worn out.

Anyway, returning to my original point; you prolly want a D60 front, right? Well if you shop around and don't get impatient, deals can be had (maybe on a whole donor truck). I picked up my D60 out of a junkyard for $400, needs balljoints (I kno, yuck) thtll set me back $120 for all of them. So we're up to $520 (kingpin axles are tougher and cheaper to service yet!)....let's also say you want a 4-6" lift on your "auction truck" with the 460. That'll cost you well under $1,000 (I'd imagine, sorry, out of date lol).

You do the math...your current truck has plenty of potential plus it'll save you a boatload in the long run (parts wise). I know I didn't include tires/wheels into my figures, but you can wheel n deal (no pun intended) pretty easily, and those prices will also be affected by personal preference. Anyway, that's my $0.02

 

The bricknoses are not ugly. They look pretty tough. It grows on you once you own one. Mind you they don't compare to what came before and after, they do come with the best interior. Simple but useful (not as fancy as 8-86 but same functionality) and not all bulged out in your door like the latter ones.

 

Actually, I do own one...grew up with it. Gutting it for the 460efi!! I will agree, theyr still better than "other brands" and the interior is better than the 92+ trucks, but it looks like henry's crew just went "eh, that'll do for a while". Def worst of the 80-97 gens. 80-86 is where it's at