I will be turning 14 soon and will probably be buying a truck shortly before then. My next-door neighbor is selling a crew cab '92 Ford dually naturally aspirated 7.3 diesel. It is a 2WD automatic. It was used in it's previous life as a crew truck and was used occasionally to haul empty 25-40 flatbed goosenecks to the job sites to be hooked on to bigger trucks for hauling construction equipment. The body is straight with the exception of a few dings no bigger than a quarter. It has a new paint job on it that was done well with the exception of a run about 2 inches long below the key hole on the front driver side door. He is selling it for his friend, but he went from 4K to 3K because we are his new neghbors. He said hardly anyone has showed any interest in it except for people wanting to ship it to Mexico and strip it for parts to be sold. This is the reason he has not sold it yet. He wants to see it go to a good home. I will be using it as a daily driver and occasionally take our 2 horses to the vet less than 10 miles away along with towing a 15-20 stock trailer on about a 6 hour trip one way once or twice a year. It has the west coast style mirrors which will stay on it. It has chrome bed rail covers and a windshield visor. I do not care for them, but I know someone that wants to buy them if I get the truck. The motor and transmission are orignal and have 270,XXX miles. The truck runs well and does not have any coughs or knocks. We have not test drove it yet and will in the next few days. The interior is all original with the exception of the front seat with the BIGGEST cup holders I have ever seen. It already has a nice pioneer stereo in it, but nothing like subwoofers of anything like that, which is how I like it. The bed also has a spray-in bed liner. I plan on putting in a used ATS turbo that I found for $600, full replacement Ranch Hand bumpers, a straight pipe exhaust with a nice 6-inch chrome tip, an AFE perfomance air filter for about an extra 10-20 horses, and tinted windows. I was wanting to know how hard it would be to install the turbo myself, and what tools are needed. I appreciate any help!

 

that sounds pretty ambitious for a 13 yr old.you need to plan ahead and have a few thousand ready for tune up and repairs.it's more than id pay for a '92 2wd with a quarter mill on the clock by a large margin.

 

That turbo you found, did it have an assortment of doo-dads like this one?

Banks Power | 83-93 Ford - 6.9 & 7.3L>>Sidewinder® Turbo System

 

No, nothing like that, just a basic one. About the level of the turbos that came on the late 92 to 97 ford diesels. The guy had it on his 89 ford dually and sold the truck, but not the turbo. I was wanting to know if had to swap out injectors and pump. I have heard yes and no on this. Also, I wanted to know if the turbo is just a few bolts and hoses, or if I would be looking at a major project. Also, what are some common problems and DIY upgrades?


I forgot to add that the truck already has banks transmission temp and oil pressure gauges on it. I plan on adding a boost guage and a few other gauges once I install the turbo and filter.

 

I'd skip it and get a reasonable first vehicle. Get an efficient, low maintenance economy car. Not sure where you live, but duallies are not the best in snow. Tires are extremely expensive (you need load range E tires, no exceptions), fuel is expensive and big trucks need big parts (brakes, ball joints, etc) which is also expensive. My daily driver is a 1991 Mazda 323 hatch. 29mpg city, power nothing and very easy to work on. 200k miles and still going.

For driving every day a CC dually is a lot of truck. You always need to plan ahead, and forget about tight parking lots- you're walking. I've had to back up and straighten out my supercab a few times in narrow lot aisles.

 

So I should try to haul 2 horses behind my MAN mazda? I live in texas where we get less than a week of snow at the most. We need something a family of 2 parents and 2 teenage boys can ride in almost every day, but also go to flea markets across TX at least twice a week, and load up a truck bed full of knives, furniture, old LARGE signage, and sometimes a small trailer with that, buy hay in every 2 or 3 days and occasionally haul horses. My soon-to-be 17 year old brother's first ride is a '95 Dodge dually, he got a few days after turning 14, but it is a single cab, so it will not work for us. That is why I want the truck or something simialer. I was just wandering if it was a good buy for the purpose I will use it for. Sorry for not entering what it's use will be before posting.

 

It sounds like our parents are using you kids. Tell them to buy a 4 door dually if they need one

 

Agreed. Giving background information in the first post also helps us give better suggestions. No need for smart-*** retorts.

That being said, I'd forget any thoughts of add-ons until the truck is in 100% mechanical condition. Injectors, return lines, glow plugs, fluids, brakes, etc. Remember that the engine and transmission have 270,000 miles on them, you may reconsider turbocharging it. When maintained and left alone these old IDIs have a reputation for being extremely reliable and efficient. That being said, there is no way I'd pay $3k for this truck, if the trans goes tomorrow you're looking at a fairly expensive rebuild.

 

While I'm still a Ford virgin myself (37 with two kids though) I personally just bought the exact same truck this week. A 92 Ford F350 XLT. Mine has the 7.5L 460 gas motor though. I bought it to haul my 28' 6500 pound fifth wheel. I would never consider putting a turbo on my truck because in my honest opinion, these trucks are pure BEAST and have PLENTY of power without the additional hassle and maintenance of a turbo. Just my .02

 

A 7.5 runs ok without a turbo, but every diesel begs for one.

The the OP: You asked "...... Also, I wanted to know if the turbo is just a few bolts and hoses, or if I would be looking at a major project....."

Did you look at he picture of the kit in the link I provided? More than a few bolts, and it is in the catagory of "major project" if it's your first time doing it. Also, as several have mentioned, at 270,000 miles, this engine is not a good candidate for a turbo without an overhaul. It will probably last a while, but adding power to a well used engine usually does not end well.

 

Pictures are needed for us to say weather it's worth 3,000. These engines will tow anything, just expect to get passed when running heavy. A turbo isn't to hard to put on, but I would suggest at least checking out the internals first, and if it's your first time plan on a long weekend at best, I don't know you personally but you are 13, so I'm assuming you may know your way around a wrench but don't know these IDIs. The last 7.3 IDI rolled off the line 4 years before you were born.

 

3 Grand does seam a little steap, I just paid $2400 for an '89 F250 460 4X4 SC with 93k (verified) miles, a 92 IDI with 270k+....Unless its in showroom condition I'd pass personaly, and even then I'd be talking him down a bit.

 

Agreed.

No 13 year old needs to be in the market for a vehicle. You can't get your driver's license until 16 anyway, that's over 2 years away. Until then, if you have some sort of income, save your money and you will be able to buy something better once you actually have your license and can drive it.

 

Well, there's that.....

Also, upon reflection here, it's just not a good policy to buy a vehicle (especially this type and condition) from the neighbor. You do want to stay friends with the neighbor, right? How are you going to feel if it pukes the transmission as you move it from his driveway to yours....?

 

Weeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllll, I would not say they are "using" us, but I like going to the flea markets and investing in knives, signs, furniture, etc. It is not just my mom going there, but also my brother and I. The horses belong to me and my brother. Sorry for not mentioning that earlier. If you look at my thread, "V10 opinions", it explains a little more about what I would use it for what I know how to work on. Also, I forgot to mention I was going to fix everything mechanical before upgrades and accesories. I was pressed for time and did not mention that and a few other things. Also, I am 14 this April, and the reason for buying it at 14 a year before I get a permit, is so I can have plenty of time to fix all the machanical stuff so it is road ready when I do get my permit. I will also try to get pics.