Hi All,

I have a dilemma. I am torn between investing the money into my truck or getting rid of it. Heres what I have.

2003 F350 SRW SC 6.0
214k miles

Work that has been done:
ICP sensor - done about 160k miles
Wheel hubs
Ball joints
Brake lines
Reman EGR - about 190k miles
fuel pump - 210k miles

Work that it needs:
Exhaust Manifolds - Quoted $1750
Downpipe
Front end - tie rods etc
U-Joints
AC not working
Throwing code for weak #5 injector
Throwing code for EGR again


As you can see I havent had to put much work into it. My fear is that I start spending money and it will be one thing after another. So what do you all think? What else can I expect to have to replace?

Thanks!

 

Well I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable guys will be along soon... but, here's my stab at it:

With a weak #5 injector, I'd be concerned about the rest of the injectors, and possibly the FICM.

I had to learn the hard way that these trucks (especially with the super cabs) have absolutely no resale value to dealers, so when I went to trade in my '03 F-250 SC 4x4 with 120,000 miles, I got a maximum offer of only $7,000. With as many more miles as you have, you're gonna run out of positive equity in the truck real quick if you start throwing money at repairs.

Ultimately it's up to you. One positive thing about this truck is that you know what's wrong with it. You go buy something else, even lots of good checking you'll still end up with surprises. I traded mine in two weeks ago, took my SGII along for the test drives, ended up buying a truck I thought was solid. A week later I learned it needed new batteries, new alternator, FICM work, new PCM, two new injectors, and a new front end. Thankfully I also bought the premiere warranty which went into effect the day after I bought it, so the work is being done basically for free. Lots to think about!

 

If you'd be content driving it for the next 5 years, I'd do it. Everything that goes on my truck I fix, and up until now it's been less than the payments of a new truck, so I'd call it saving money.

I'd get the exhaust manifolds and downpipe from a scrap yard, should be much cheaper. Tie rods are pretty cheap and you can do it yourself. U-joints I have no experience with on this, but it's not taht much of a job to do on others. AC could go from $200 to 2000. I'd delete the egr and call it a day.

Aside from the AC, you should be able to get most of it done for under a grand. That's 3 months of payments on something used, 1-2 months on something new. Trade-in once you cross the 200k mark is terrible, even for private party. I'm at 222k and a while ago told myself I'd drive it until it was dead in the water. Fortunately it's still running strong. I think at this point, rusting apart or complete engine meltdown would be the only things that would prompt me to buy another.

There will always be one thing after another, it's called maintenance and upkeep. It's whether it's less than the price of a new truck or not that determines what I do.

Edit: i missed the part about the injector. That I'd look into further before making a decision, and that would be a deciding point on whetehr it's time to go or time to keep forever.

 

I replaced my entire ac system compressor, condensor, evaprator, dryer, and hoses for 800.00 from Tolsey. Then paid 200.00 to have it evacuated and charged an dleak checked. Was not hard to change all the parts out. Previous owner put stop leak in the system so had to replace all.