Saturday I am going to look at a 96 F350 that seems to be the exact vehicle i have been wanting. I would be leaving behind the world of gas engines (my beloved 01 F150 Screw) and entering the new world of diesel. It has 220k on it and looks like a cream-puff. I've read all the wonderful pre-buyer advice, taken my notes, talked to all my diesel buddies and think I am ready to take the leap.

I sure appreciate all the great posts - truly knowing this site exists is a key factor. Hopefully by Saturday evening I can post a picture or two of the new ride.

 

.............Good luck! If you get it, make sure you have plenty of pics!

 

Is it a cc ...i hope so

 

Here's what I hope to bring home!

 

Oh,very nice! You will love it.I sure do! I have a cardinal red just like it.I have owned,well who knows but its a lot,many vehicles in my driving years.THIS is my favorite by far! Ill live in it before it goes anywhere!

 

That's what I was hoping to hear! I've waited 30 years of my driving life to own the exact vehicle I really want and not just what I could afford or what was convenient. So, I am hoping this lives up to my expectations.

 

Nice truck! Good luck. We will help you get the most from that new ride. I will warn you though, that is a lot more truck than the '01 you're driving now, but it is more to maintain too. I made a similar move a couple years ago and I can speak from experience. You're going to love that school bus though, lol.

 

Very nice truck, get it, you wont regret ever. Good luck and welcome to this diesel forum.

 

Nate, you calling our cc's school buses?

 

Nice truck! Very nice!

 

I'm right there with you! I used to troll the dealer lots when these were new,just dreaming that I could have what I have now.sure it has 321000 mi and is 16 yrs old...I'm good with that...because its MINE! Yea,I'm possesive of this truck...good luck on the purchase!

 

That's a good looking truck, if it runs as good as it looks you're in for a shock coming from gas motors. I've been tinkering on gas motors for a long time but the first time I hauled some cars with a turbo diesel I never looked back. Good luck!

 

Thanks for all the encouragement - I just got it home about an hour ago. Long day of driving - 325 miles each way.
It ran great on the way home. I've never driven anything like it. No matter how steep the grade it just chugged along at 2k rpm - never downshifted once and that was through Cumberland Gap in southern KY and the Pisgah gap in western NC. Still got about 16 mpg.
Here are my initial questions:
1. It stumbles a little when you are off the accelerator and then ease back on when running down the highway. i suspect it needs a fuel filter so I will start there but any other advice appreciated.
2. I have a little fuel in the valley and it looks like it is coming from the two lines by the GPR - I think that it the fuel pump, but again not sure. Are those just parts I get at Ford? Hard to change? They just look old.
3. Brake light is coming on occasionally. I don't think it is the E-brake as the wheels aren't hot and it moves freely. Feels like i might be losing some vacuum especially in city-like driving. It doesn't stay on long and only happens occasionally - no pattern I can determine.
4. Has a fairly hard shift at 45-50 mph. It can be moderated some by easing off the gas, sometimes it is harder than others. The tranny fluid smelled ok, but looked old. I'm afraid to just drop the pan and change filter and fluid because sometimes that accelerates problems with the tranny. He has a chip in it so I need to see how that is set first. When I asked him about what he had done to the tranny it was nothing. So i suspect it needs a filter pretty bad. Maybve save the old fluid and mix half/half with new so the detergents don't free up too much stuff to get caught in the ports? IDK.

It was really fun. Looking forward to learning the diesel game a little. Thanks to all.

 

According to our transmission expert Mark, that is a myth. Change the fluid and filter. Change all the fluids and filters and see how many of those statements you made go away and then take it from there. Glad your enjoying the new to you truck.

 

The 45_50 mph shift is od/lock up.the chip may be contributing to the harsh shift with old fluid.i would service it and not think anything about it