First off, I have an '03 F250 SD, 5.4l, 6 speed man. tran. extended cab, with 245,000 miles. She's been good to me for the last 9 yrs. I've replaced the block at 110,000, 3-4 spark plugs have blown out, gutted the cat, dual exhaust, and replaced the clutch at 240,000, oh yeah lets not forget the manifold studs twice and ready for it again.
This winter was not good for the body, there's now a hole slightly larger than a soft ball on the drivers side cab corner and the pass. side is looking like it's ready to blow through now. The bed is needing replaced, both rear fenders are rotted through, so are the wheel wells. Then I lifted my bed mat, and see that all the steel around all but the back 2 bolts, is completely gone. I get more spray in my bed when it rains, than I get on my mud flaps.

My dilemma is, should I replace the cab corners and the bed, and hope the motor holds up, or replace the truck and gain a $500 a month pmnt.
I wouldn't be able to afford a NEW truck so I would have to get someone else's problems. I know everything that's wrong with mine, and it's paid for.
My son has been trying to talk me into a diesel with a tuner so I can get better than 12-13 mpg and save gas $$. But with all the stories I hear about the 6.0, I'm a little leery. Why would someone put all that $$ into bulletproofing then get rid of it?

If I get a new to me truck, I would only want to spend under $20,000 but would like to wait till Dec. when the wife's explorer is pd. off.

Thanks for listening, any input would be appreciated.

 

It's hard to say. Does the truck have any sentimental value? What's it used for?

 

No real sentimental value, just like an old recliner, it fits my **** well.

Generally just used to go back and forth to work 80 mi round trip a day. I live in the snow belt and roads are hardly touched when I have to leave in the am. Usually keep between 1/2 to 1 ton of stone in the bed for weight in the winter and need more clearance than a 150. I also do some side jobs, i.e. decks, additions, roofing etc., and haul firewood

 

That's only a call you can make

I like the 'confidence' of a newer car under me and if the monies are right I go for it...

You mentioned side jobs, are they enough to take an income tax break for the vehicle purchase - the first year depreciation may be enough to sway you one way or the other..

and it's not ALWAYS buying someone's problems with a used truck, sometimes it's buying someone's bad decision like with my 2012 f-250 that I just traded in because I needed a 350...


good luck on your decision !

 

I look at it like 40 to 50'000 for new, which I will not do or a few grand into one that I know what I have.Im restoring mine now while still driving it over the next year but, I went through and looked at everything, to weigh out what needs replaced and most importantly to make it dependable.I also am doing all the work myself.I've had mine since new and it's sentimental to me.If you are doing all the work then it mite be worth keeping.

 

There was a guy on here who completely rebuild an F550 that was dying of rust cancer and neglect, a cab-off full-restoration with the works. POR-15 paint job, rebuilt the whole drivetrain, it was basically brand new when he was done.

The point being, if you have the time/tools/equipment/ability/desire, you could come out ahead in both money and quality if you rebuild what you have. You could rebuild it much better than a new one would be, line the underside of the cab and a take-off bed with better rust resistant materials, coat the frame, do some of the engine work you need to do. Even if it costs $15k, you've spent less than buying a used truck and yours would likely last longer because of how you rebuilt it.

 

If it was me, I would opt for replacing the worn parts and hanging onto yours. Like the others said, with a little knowledge and the right tools you can completely restore yours for a fraction of what a new one would cost. I am very particular about what kind of truck I will own and after looking for two years to find exactly what I wanted I'm not getting rid of it regardless of cost to restore versus buying new. It all depends on how much you like the truck.

 

better mileage sure, but fuel and maintenance/repair costs may nullify that savings.

thing is uneducated public opinion has people so scared into deeming 6.0 equipped trucks useless, that you could probably find one that hasn't been abused for cheap and have it bulletproofed yourself, and still be ahead of the game.

that being said if it wasn't for my automotive mechanical inclination and especially this forum, i wouldn't touch a 6.0 either.

 

I'm pretty handy when it comes to working on pretty much anything, with the exception of diesel motors, (I couldn't tell you where the spark plugs are. ) HA HA joking !! I've done all the work on my own vehicles, and some others. Just not sure if the cost of maintaining a diesel would outweigh the savings in gas.
Of course there are some that are indestructible, but my luck, it would be the one I overlooked.

 

I'll say no. I put up with rusty trucks every day and will say if you see any salt use (not sure if your north or south WV) replacing the corners and box will only last a few years and cost allot. In our trucks once I start seeing the corners and box rot out the frame is only a few years behind. I am actually very disgusted with ford and their lack of rust protection. If you don't want rust you have to oil the truck down every other year from day one.

 

You would not have to buy a new one, if you spend time researching you can find a really good deal on a used one. There are lots of people that make poor financial decisions or find out later that the purchase does not meet their needs and have to sell. That is where you pounce and get what you want. Just be patient.

 

Sorry I didn't read you would be looking for a newer truck. My advise there, look for a low mileage truck from down south (no rust). Should be able to find something under $10K easy.