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I'm going to sell my '00 7.3 to get back to the older trucks. I'll be looking at a single cab long bed and wanted to know if there were any common problems that come up.
Thanks!
Pretty much just your average issues for a truck that is almost 40 years old. If its been wheeled hard watch out for bent front end shtuff. The steering box is probably going to be loose, stuff like that
Rust is gonna be cab corners, wheel arches, cowl, cab mounts, bed corners on the body. One of the hidden ones is the rear shock mounts rust out on the top. You can get new ones from JBG and places like that.
definitely look for shade tree electrical work thats been done. rust, bent front ends are all pretty obvious off the bat. take a flash light and look under the dash...i'd also invest in a cheap bore scope/camera. i got one for christmas and its good fun, and can give you an idea of what the inside of the cylinders look like.
I live in Florida. The only trucks with rust I've seen are the ones near the beach.
I live in Florida too, and the vast majority of dent sides I have seen (and that has been a whole lot) have rust in the front of the bed and top of the cab above the doors and windshield. Floor pans are a very common area for rust in these Florida trucks as well.
Not unique to 3/4 ton but fuel system maintenance is often required. Dirty rusty tanks need replaced or treated and all rubber fuel lines replaced. Replacement tanks are available and reasonable cost so this is usually the best option.
For 3/4 ton tires are an opportunity. Most (like mine) had 16.5" wheels standard. Its an obsolete size. A few manufacturers (Firestone, Faulken) offer basic tires but not much selection. Upgrade to 16" or 17" greatly improves tire choice. Ford (and Dodge) used the 8x6.5 bolt pattern into the 90's so used wheels are an option and there are plenty of aftermarket choices.