Like the title says, truck is a '97 350, 5.8l, 4x4, 5 speed (ZF5?).

The truck has 220k miles on it... How worried should I be about that? What questions do I need to ask the seller?
The ad lists "recent clutch"

This is the exact truck I'm looking for, but man that is a lot of miles...








He's asking $4200 w/ winch bumper or $3600 w/ stock bumper... I'd prefer the winch bumper.

 

No way I would pay 4200 for that, also doesnt look like much life in the tires

If you really want it I would try 3 with the bumper and see where it goes

If its what you really want I wouldnt let the miles stop me as long as you can replace/rebuild things on your own(engine, trans, transfer case, axles, etc.)

I see it has the cheap advance auto cab lights on it, I would check to make sure the roof isnt leaking, those lights can be installed with no leaks but more often than not people don't know what theyre doing, I've personally used them once on my 24v cummins and used rtv "the right stuff" and never had a leak

 

Well I offered three and he just simply said no and left it at that. I'm having a hard time finding trucks like this so maybe I'll offer him 3500 later?

Ugh.

 

Also if the seller doesn't mind, take a floor jack and a long pry bar with you if you can. Lift up one wheel and pry up against the bottom of the tire to check the ball joints. Can also shake to check for wheel bearing and steering play. Good haggling leverage.

 

high mileage but its a lot of truck with quite a few extras bolted on. a recent clutch is nice, too. if you go back with 3500 he may want to counter with 3800 ... which is still a touch high ... potential money pit at that mileage... tough call.

 

If it was an XLT Supercab then maybe, but it would have to be up to par mechanically. You've got a bare bones regular cab XL work truck. A lot of people don't realize that they aren't going to get out of a vehicle what they put in in most cases. Tires will set you back around $1k for a good set, so keep that in mind.

 

If you can trade up that would be good. I might give 3000 with the bumper, but non rusty trucks like that are everywhere here in the south. It's probably worth more to you in the northern climate. I only had $800 invested in the rusty f100 (that didn't run BTW) I traded for my 88 F350 4x4 crew xlt lariat with solid body. I would try to trade something for it because it doesn't sound like he wants to move on price much. At the end of the day it's your call.

As far as Q's to ask, is the engine trans and trans case original or had any work done, reason for selling, and most important test drive. Also remember to inspect all fluids, listen for any noises or problems with the drivetrain, and check the front tires for uneven wear.

 

For what he is asking honestly, you can pick up a pretty clean 99 to 03 Super Duty if you look around and are willing to drive a bit. The rig clearly needs new tires and they don't look worn evenly which might be a tell tale sign of suspension work needed. It could use a pair of new headlights as well. From the look of the bed, it is a different shade of white then the cab, in my book it needs a paint job for all to match.

That truck is worth $3500 in my opinion. It is a 350 after all and I don't see any rust. If he does not budge, ask him to call you if it doesn't sell, it might not...He will most likely call you back if it doesn't. That is how I land most of my deals. Tell him your sure it is worth that, but this is all you can afford. There are 97 F350 trucks around my way for $3500 all day long on Craigslist. 220,000 is really not a lot of mileage considering the age. I have seen well taken care of 5.8's go over 400,000 miles. Ask him for a service history if he has one.

 

Airbag in a 97? I have a 97 F250 and it doesn't have an airbag. I got my F250 with 223,000 for $3,200 rust free. If I was you I'd keep looking. I love my truck but I've put over $2,000 into it from tires/wheels, seats, tune up, outer tie rods, brakes and countless interior parts, bumper, windshield and still need more to get it where I want it (much to my wife's dismay)

 

.. .

 

No news yet, I've also found a '97 F250 with the 460 in it I am considering. And he's asking a rational price for what it is, $3500 w/ 171k on it.

 

2k, tops. Those trucks will run a lot'a miles, but that one is ripe to start nickle-diming someone to death. That's probably why he's selling it in the first place. He's on crack if he thinks he's going to get $4200 out of it.

 

I'd grab the F250 with the 460 before that F350. That 5.8 might last another 100k, or just another 1k… depends on how it was taken care of, and by the looks of it, it wasn't.

 

Ugh. The 250 already sold! I'm never going to find a truck!!