Hi,


I'm looking for some input. I have the opportunity to pick up a 2005 F350 Lariat (5.4 gasser) for $8K. It only has 34K miles on it. The down side is, it is located in upstate NY and has been used as a snow plow vehicle since it was new. It wasn't abused, but because it carried a salt bin, the bed is rusted through on the wheel wells and in the corners. It really needs to be replaced. The frame is in great shape, as is the cab, doors, front wheel wells, etc. I'm wondering about the cost of replacing the bed, and given that issue, if y'all think the price on the truck is in the right ball park.


Thanks!

 

WOW,
Out here with that mileage it would be a steal! BUT used rust free beds for these trucks are relatively plentiful & CHEAP! Out here in Communist California Water, Snow and rust is almost Extinct! Here's some examples: F250/350 truck bed , F250 bed 99-2010 white , truck bed , but I'm sure your what you East Coast guys consider rust free and what we westerners consider rust free are completely different. As an example - here's a shot of my 2006 with the inner fender liner removed it has 146,000 miles on it and was a working farm truck. Again no rain, water, snow and salt equals no rust but the interiors & paint sure gets sun baked. Oh - if you're wondering about my screen name well OK I'm a LITTLE off.

 

I would say it's a deal, as long as everything else really is as good as you say. Even if you had to get a bed from further south, I would think it would be worth it.

 

I plow full time in the winter for the last eight years. The truck is potentially beat. Both of my plow trucks my '95 and my '99 are constantly being repaired it seems yet they aren't putting on a whole lot of miles. Pushing snow is just inherently hard on a truck, no way around it.

 

I would say if your seriously looking at this truck get under it and over it and ask for maintenance records, pull an oasis report.

One thing you definitely want to find out is if the truck had had any work done under the front cover ( ie: Oil Pump, timing chain guides, tensioners, cam phasers ) If none of that has been done then I would seriously look to knock some of the price of that work off the price of the truck, sooner or later it will need it done if it has not been done)

The 5.4 3v can be a good engine, but it really depends on how well it was taken care of. If your mechanically handy then really look it over. Boxes for trucks can be gotten cheap, lots of them out there but I would deduct that cost from the price of the truck as well.

 

I don't know if you're in upstate NY like the truck is, but one of our local salvage yards has tons of mint condition pickup boxes. Likely take offs from trucks that got utility bodies or some that have been wrecked in the front but no damage in the rear.
But I'd bet you're talking somewhere a little north of $2k for one.

 

Sounds ballpark for proper deal, how good it is depends on your needs and local inspection requirements. I live in PA and work at a Ford dealer. Because I live on a farm I pick up a few rusty trucks now and then and use em and get great values. I see plenty of old folks homes and colleges trade in trucks similar to what you describe and that's about the sale point. However, don't expect to get through a safety inspection without issue. Also, low miles on the motor is just fine, but how does the transmission shift after all the snow? Any repair will likely cost a bit more in time to clean the rust, and fix broken bolts. The biggest question is, why was it sold/traded in. I find that companies that keep their vehicles that long trade in junk. Now if it's being sold by a dealer, maybe they brought it partially back up to snuff. Many many variables. It could be a good deal, it could be a huge money pit, but you may well be able to get back out and sell it on to someone with less demanding requirements without too much loss for the risk.

 

Thank you for all the feedback. The truck was not used for commercial plowing. The previous owner ( original owner) owned a marina and used the truck to plow his parking lot and pull a snow mobile trailer for his kids. He bought a new truck and is selling this one to me privately, as it's just sitting now. It has new tires, a new starter, and new exhaust manifold gaskets. The only issue I know of is the ac does not work. I believe the compressor is shot.

I am in central NY, so I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me where that place is with the bed for sale!

 

Oh, and it just passed a NYS inspection.

 

Pocketlint, how do i get an oasis report?

 

Crawl under it and check out the frame, fuel, and brake lines, and the brake backing plates. All are subject to corrosion on a plow truck.

Also, the starter was likely replaced because the braided wire on the end of the starter corroded and subsequently disappeared.

Likewise, the exhaust gaskets didn't leak, rather the nuts disappeared from the end of the manifold mounting studs, and the studs broke, again from corrosion.

If he uses enough salt to put holes in the bed, I'd bet that bottom of the truck has been consumed by that same salt.

Plow trucks live a harsh life, but a plow truck used to distribute salt hasn't got a chance.

 

You just need to get the VIN# and then take the VIN to a Ford Dealer and explain to them that you are looking at a Ford Truck you'd like to buy and you would like to get an oasis so you can see what Ford may have done to the truck when it was at any Ford dealer.

That will get you the history or repairs or recalls if any Ford dealer did any fixes to the truck and the dates of any repair. Now remember that if the seller didnt have Ford do any work after it was out of warranty you should be able to see that reflected in the oasis report

 

Eiss Brothers. NYS Rt. 37 just north of Watertown. (315) 629-4370. They always have several boxes in front of the place for sale.
If you're in central NY, you might also try A&P Auto Parts, Rt. 11 Cicero.

 

I would stay clear of trucks with plows or 5th wheels