Hello I am looking at buying a used super duty and am need of advice on a vehicle I recently test drove. First off I am looking at spending no more that $15k on this vehicle so I know that it will be a little used but most of the F250's I look at seem way over priced and way used. I finally tracked one down that I liked a 04 F250 XLT 4x4 super cab with a 5.4 with 109k miles. At first look this black truck was sharp no dents and very few scratches. Upon a test drive I found several Issue that concerned me and I need help with.

First the truck rode very very very rough i could feel every little and big bump. I know it needs shocks but is this normal for this truck. As far as I can tell its all stock suspension. I have test drove several f250's and this one rode the worse by far. The other ones didnt have 4x4 though I know that makes some difference.

Next I tried to engage 4 wheel drive. The drivers side lock out was frozen but I couldnt tell in what position. The other one was in automatic and worked fine, so I engaged 4 wheel low and could feel the front wheels pulling a little so I guess it works (is there a good way to check?)

I also noticed the "air bag light" was on and stayed on I have noticed this on several f250 I have drove. The dealer said it was cause the seat belt tensioner was not working and I could tell it was broke?

I went to check the oil and found that the dip stick tube was broke about an inch or two from the block!!!! the dip the other part of the tube was been split and push around it to make it stick. Can this be fixed is this common and these models? Lastley the AC compressor kept engaging and causing the truck to rev up I have seen this in my dodge truck when the freon is low. makes me think it has a leak. There were also some bare wires out of the main harness that had been spiced into at some point. The Grill was also kind loose and shook when I shut the hood.

The truck also had a lot of good things it is very nice looking in and out. It has a clean carfax as well stating all service records including a tranny overhaul. The truck looks good underneath has no rust and a nice set of swampers on alloy rims. The motor ran good and strong a shifted even better. I guess what I need to know is how much of this common on a truck of this age and mileage? The 4x4 concerns me the most. Does this seem like an unusal amount of problems??

Sorry if this seems like alot of things at once.. feel free to give your opinion about any part of my post. I have been looking for several months and this is one of the better deals I have foud. The dealer told me he can fix the 4x4 hub and he would put shocks on the truck. They want $13,500 for the truck. This is about retail for truck so I feel they should fix it or lower the price accordingly.

Thank you for looking and any helps much appreciated this will be my first f250 and I just dint want to jump the gun and get in to deep on a truck so figured here was my best bet.

 

Welcome to FTE!


4x4 does make a big difference, but it could also be the type of front springs this SD has. Maybe a snow plow? That adds +2 to the spring stiffness. Camper package...also adds +1 to spring stiffness. Definitely can be the shocks.



Best way to check...is find some loose dirt and punch it! See if all wheels dig in. You didn't say if manual 4x4 or ESOF. The hub is in the locked position when turned clock wise. The hub is unlocked or in Auto when turned counter-clock wise.

The ESOF hubs have this issue...and very common. It could also be the vacuum lines to the hubs.



No direct knowledge here. Sorry...



Check this GREAT write up. Talks about A/C gap...here is the link... SpringerPop's Compressor Clutch Air Gap



Swampers will also contribute to the stiff ride. Make sure not to over inflate tires or keep them at max psi...unless towing heavy. Just my .02.....



Since this will be your 1st F250 SuperDuty...YOU have to ask...what am I going to use this truck for. Will it tow or haul the way I need it to?

Good luck either way...


biz

 

Thanks for the reply I have the 4x4 on the fly I think it has a electric selector in the truck. I wish I could get more opinions about the dip stick issue especially. I think the springs could be the reason fro the rough ride are they expensive to replace ?

 

I think looking at lots of trucks is a huge advantage, and you should find one fairly easily for $15K. I was in your shoes a couple years ago and the first thing I found was that local trucks that are clean and well-maintained are few and far between. Doesn't seem to matter where you live, that's just the way it goes. I looked at and called on many trucks for sale and finally found one after 6 months of searching. I had to post more than a few questions on here and got lots of help from members as for what to look for. I ended up buying an '04 crew cab Lariat with a V10 that was always stored inside with 76k miles on it for just over $18K in '09. The problem was that it was 1,000 miles away, but for a $200 plane ticket (which the lot knocked off the price of the truck) and a $70 rental car, plus maybe $300 hundred in gas and a motel, I got my truck home. When I look at trucks or cars, I find several, then ask myself what it would cost me to make the worst one as nice as the best one. Usually the answer is to just buy the best one, it's cheaper in the long run and the truck is less likely to have issues down the road. Either way, it's your truck and your money so buy the best you can afford and you'll be happy.

 

That is something to research really. Google or your local salvage yard come to mind. You could buy replacement from aftermarket...and be happy. The issue...is the front leaf springs are usually more than the front coil that came on the '05+ SD.


biz

 

Ah so the front has leaf springs thats why I didnt see the a coil. I have now located a nice F250 with the V10 and 95,000 miles and 4 wheel drive. Are the V10 's that much worse on gas? Are there any other draw backs with a V10

 

The V10 and the 5.4 get about the same mileage, so in all honesty I don't think there's any downside at all over the 5.4 motor. My V10 routinely gets 12 mpg or so in mixed driving, and has knocked out 15 freeway only. That's about all the 5.4 gets, and the V10 has more power everywhere, plus the same reliability since they are basically the same design.

 

Welcome to FTE.

I wouldn't even consider the first truck, IMO

What year is the second truck, the V10?

 

I would look elsewhere. The number of seemingly small issues combined with the fact that it needed a tranny rebuild around 100K miles or less (they should last longer than that) and the Super Swamper tires leads me to believe that the truck was run into the ground and not maintained very well. As a comparison, I paid $13K for my 05 this last July with 85,000 miles and other than a couple small dings and scratches it's in nearly perfect condition. Plus the 05 has several significant upgrades over 04 including the 3V engine and Torqshift transmission.

 

The V10 I have not test drove but it's an 03 with 95k miles on it.
Plus it has the f4 package or what ever the off road package is.
The price is right at 11900 so if the V10 is as good as the V8 I will go give it a drive.
Did these have 3:73 gears in them. Is that the best ratio for fuel mileage?

I am going to pass on the other truck

 

1 vote for V10 here... and I have a 99 the later ones are even better...still a crap shoot hope you find a good one

 

Sounds like a decent price on that one. Some had 3.73, some 4.10, and I believe some had 4.30. Check the axle code on the sticker in the door jamb or the tag on the rear diff.

 

Reply yeah it's about to hours away. So i can't go look at it but looked good in pics. The car faxed showed 4 different owners nobody kept it morevthsn 2 years? Is that bad. I suspect fuel economy had some thing to do with it. From what I gather I should expect 11-13 mile per gallon mixed driving unloaded I'd that close?

 

My truck also showed 3 owners in 5 years according to Carfax, but it was misleading. The truck was bought new by a guy who owned a fencing company and registered to the company. Then after a year, he transferred it to himself when he sold the company. Then ownership was transferred to the car lot I bought it from, so on paper, three owners. But even if your was owned by three separate people, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Lots of people buy a vehicle, find out they can't make the payments, or want something else or thought it would get better mileage, etc. People love losing money by buying high and selling low when it comes to trucks for some reason. I think your MPG estimate is certainly reasonable, assuming you drive with mileage in mind. My truck can get decent mileage in everyday driving (12-15) or go through gas like it has a leak in the tank when my lead-footed wife drives. The choice is yours when you're behind the wheel.

 

Most had the 3.73...which is better for fuel mileage unloaded with stock OEM tires.

The other gear ratio offered in 2003...was the 4.30. Which is better for towing heavy and often.

The V10 is a fantastic motor! In my humble opinion!


biz