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Thinking about getting a 6.9

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Old Feb 14, 2014 | 04:36 PM
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Thinking about getting a 6.9

Hey all, I've stumbled upon a truck that I'm thinking about getting, and wondering about the opinions of everyone here.

Here's the ad
1986 f350 4x4 Diesel

Just looking to get some insight before I go in and look at it, I was thinking about starting at $1800 as an offer. I currently have the truck in my signature, I love it and it's a clean truck but I would really like a diesel for towing (and the better mpg compared to my 351).

The most I tow normally is probably around 4000 lbs, would this motor even notice that?
 
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Old Feb 14, 2014 | 05:35 PM
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If its not turbo'd it will. It has to be in top running condition or it will be a drag. At least that's how my 86 6.9 van was.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2014 | 06:14 PM
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Odd that he would sink all that work into it, and want rid of it so cheap... I would be leary of the fact that it is NA and the pump is turned up. But well worth the price at any rate i would say.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2014 | 08:57 PM
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that's not the truck your looking for,for a secondary vehicle to go along with your current one.
you have a 351w and od trans.cheaper fuel and maintenance.the 6.9l n/a with an old 4sp isn't going to be what your after.you shouldn't have any trouble towing 4k lbs with the windsor.if you want another truck,a diesel this time,look for a turbocharged idi/psd truck w/ od trans.that would complement your current rig nicely for a devoted tow rig.
since it's a second truck,and not a replacement right? then just look for a 2wd tow rig.they're much cheaper than 4wds so you can focus on things like od and turbo.
that one there would feel the 4k lbs worse than your windsor w/ 3.55's and 33's lol.take your trailer over and test drive it with the load.you'll see she's not what your after.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2014 | 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by hairyboxnoogle
But well worth the price at any rate i would say.
Yeah, that's remarkably cheap for a IDI 4x.

But the CL poster broke one of my rules for buying a vehicle in CL. I never buy a car from a seller that says anything like "X is wrong with it, but it's a simple/cheap/easy fix." If I ever read that, I run in the other direction.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2014 | 12:15 AM
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Originally Posted by genscripter
Yeah, that's remarkably cheap for a IDI 4x.

But the CL poster broke one of my rules for buying a vehicle in CL. I never buy a car from a seller that says anything like "X is wrong with it, but it's a simple/cheap/easy fix." If I ever read that, I run in the other direction.
You have a good point, if he has spent the money and labor to replace everything he says he has, and the glow plugs is the "only" thing left wrong....... I have to ask, why in the world did he stop where he did.....

Something is fishy, me thinks!!!!!
 
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Old Feb 15, 2014 | 09:26 AM
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Looks like a good deal, did the price just go up? I thought the first time I clicked on it it said $1,800. Now it says $2,200. Either way a good price.

It's always caveat emptor when it comes to a used vehicle, just check it over real closely. When the price is cheap enough even some expected hidden problems really aren't an issue.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2014 | 11:15 AM
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Thanks for all the input. I'm going to check it out today. He said he would be interested in trading straight across for my truck but I'm not sure i want to do that.

And I agree it's a bit weird that he would stop at the glow plugs. But talking to him revealed he isn't really sure what the problem is and the glow plugs aren't getting any juice, I'm certain I can figure it out. I'm glad to hear that's a good deal for the truck.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 08:12 PM
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The price sounds right as long as everything is legit and you can fix the GP issue yourself. As far as towing 4k, I am not sure why everyone is saying it would be "No Fun" with it. It should pull the 4k pretty easy, just don't expect it to be something it isn't. In NA form, it is not going to be a fast truck....but it will get you and your trailer there reliably for a long time.

My 7.3 NA IDI E250 w/3.54 gears had no issues pulling a 5k pound trailer set up. Didn't have any issues merging onto the hwy. CC held at 65mph on all but the steepest/longest hill of the drive. A little more throttle kept the speed just fine. I just made sure I wasn't in a hurry. Could have easily cruised faster, but it is a c6 (3 speed auto).

Also, if you end up wanting some more power you can pick up a used turbo kit pretty cheap.

As far as the mileage goes, my question would be "How many MPG are you getting in your truck?". A diesel may get better mileage, but diesel is also more expensive. In my area it is currently about 45 cents more expensive then regular unleaded (about 12%). This means that I would need to get 12% better mileage to break even. Maintenance is a bit more expensive, but not too bad. They use more oil, but it is less expensive and I go 5k miles instead of 3k between changes. They use more coolant and you have to use SCA additives.
 
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