Hello,


My name is Jesse. As I mentioned in the introduction thread, I currently don't own a Ford truck. I'm currently looking for a truck and here are two that I am considering:


1994 OBS f250
https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/6143170419.html


1984 Bullnose f250
https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/6168510083.html


I think the 94 might be a better deal. I've been drawn to diesel trucks and I like it that the 94 isn't modified and has low miles.


The 84 on the other hand is an AWESOME truck. Of course, it would probably require... $2000 right off the bat for new tires. It's not a diesel but has the other options I want (i.e. automatic and 4wd).


So, can you folks offer me some advice? I have good mechanical aptitude and I'm not afraid to try something new (i.e. putting head studs and a turbo on a 7.3L IDI).

 

I'm a sucker for crew cabs, but I don't think that one is worth the asking price. It looks like it has good bones but needs a lot to clean it up, and that seat is terrible.

he orange one is a bit ridiculous but it'd be a cool truck.

 

I thought the price on the 94 wasn't too horrible. The problem is finding a a crew cab with the options on my list (diesel, 4x4, automatic and OBS or older). There is a Bricknose with some of those options in Corpus Christi, TX. It's just so far from me!

The orange truck is cool, but ​​​​​​not very realistic.

I'm afraid I might have to re evaluate my desires. I might have to settle for a PS. I know the reputation of the 6.0L!

 

My experience has been that folks tend to act like 7.3 turbo diesels are made of gold when it comes time to sell. My point being that you will probably have to pony up to get a truck that satisfies your wish list that is in decent shape. For me condition is king, and I will happily spend more up front if I think I will have to do less work down the road. If you intend to drive on the highway you want a truck with an E4OD so you have overdrive.

I wouldn't mess with the 84 personally. As 89F2urd already stated the 94 has potential, but unless they are willing to negotiate I would keep looking.

The entry fee would less if you went for a gasser or smaller cab truck... needs vs. wants...

 

My advise is look for the same truck as th 94 but with a 460 in it. It will be MUCH cheaper to buy and maintain.

 

Do you mean the 7.3L IDI turbo, or the 7.3L PS? I believe the 94 I linked above is just the plain old 7.3L IDI NA.


I've noticed during my search that 7.3L PS are generally more expensive than an IDI or 6.0L. The price range I've seen for ones that aren't trashed are in the $12k-$15k range.

I've heard that diesels require strict maintenance. If I were to buy a gas truck I would probably look for a Bricknose, Bullnose or even a Dentside.


Truthfully, I have no need for a diesel truck. It would just be another toy in addition to my 71 Oldsmobile 98, I sold the 64 98 years ago

 

7.3l N/A IDI diesel crew cab vs a lifted 460 truck for a toy = 460 truck.
Don't bother with the IDI if it's a toy.You wont be having much fun with a non turbo diesel lol.They are great (though slow) work trucks.Not so much fun for toys like that 7th gen 460 truck is.Those two trucks couldn't be much more apart in their uses.The only way you could get closer to 180 degrees was if one was a car.
Even if you bolt a turbo kit to the IDI it's still not going to be the fun toy your looking for.It will just climb hills while hauling and towing much better.It won't turn it into a hot rod or anything.
Between these two trucks,it's easy.Get the diesel truck if you need a truck.Get the 460 truck if you want a truck.Don't let anyone fool you,both are expensive to operate.

I have two IDI (w/ turbo's) diesel trucks that I use for work and I wouldn't trade them for the world.However if I didn't work them,I wouldn't find them desirable at all.We all have different opinions on what a toy is though.
Go test drive each truck.All will become clear.

 

I will refine my statement, that folks act like the 7.3 power stroke is made of gold independent of the condition of the rest of the vehicle. The 7.3 IDI turbo and NA don't get quite the same devotion, but they still command a premium compared to gas engines. It seems (at least around where I am) the 6.9 doesn't get the love so much.

I'm not saying the diesels shouldn't command more value, just that a sweet diesel engine doesn't make the rest of the truck impervious to time and wear. If you are just looking for a toy then I would look for a 460, as already stated it should be cheaper to buy, maintain and repair. It will be hard on fuel though, worse if you get a C6 transmission.

Personally, I think the 94+ OBS trucks are the sweet spot, but I like a Bricknose too.

 

I might have to check out gas trucks more seriously. They are definitely more plentiful, and seem to be cheaper than the diesel trucks too.


I'm wondering, is the 460 an OBS engine exclusively? I know the 460 was the Ford big block back in the 70s in LTDs, Lincolns and Mercurys. Did Ford just update the venerable 460 and install it in their OBS trucks?


What about other gasoline engines? My mother-in-law had a 94 Ford F-150 sclb 4wd with the straight six. It didn't win any races but it towed a U-Haul just fine between Kansas City and Cap Girardeau.

 

I disagree with 460 being cheaper to maintain than idi....idis are in a category of their own when it comes to diesels, they are extremely inexpensive to repair and maintain. Yea, there's more oil, but they are comparable in maintenance to a gasser.

 

Yeah,there can't be much difference.The IDI will drink less fuel but the fuel costs more.The IDI needs more oil during a change and every 100k "should" get a $1,000+ tune up.(fresh ip/injectors)
All pretty much negating the fuel economy differences.The IDI should go 300k miles between remans so in the very long run,the diesel should win out in savings.How many people planning to buy either,plan to run one of these trucks with a reman engine in either for another 300k though? At some point,we'll need newer trucks lol.
That said,for a toy,go with what's more fun.Both are very expensive for a toy.Even though the IDI is cheapest of the diesels to run,there's still nothing cheap about running an IDI truck.

 

Here is a nice comparison for you. https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/6143041659.html

 

82nd Airborne leads the way! Glad you're avatar isn't that Screaming Chicken.
I am just a dirty leg though, 94M.


Thanks for all of the advice gents. I gravitated to the IDI diesels because 7.3L PS are either too expensive or trashed. The 6.0L has a reputation and I won't consider a 6.4L or 6.7L (mostly due to price).


I guess I should give everyone a little background info. I am shopping for a Ford truck because when I was in Afghanistan from 2012 to 2014 my battle buddy and I always fantasized about the Ford Super Duties. Upon our return to the States he bought a 2005 F250 ccsb 4wd 6.0L PS!


I bought a 2003 F150 ccsb RWD 5.4L Triton. Well, it didn't take long for the 6.0L to bite the dust. My 5.4L wasn't far behind and it blew a head gasket. I rebuilt the top end and then my wife wanted a 2016 Kia Soul. Instead of parting with my 71 Oldsmobile 98 I traded in the F150.


So, it's been just over a year since I had a truck, and I'm itching to find a good one. Mama finally said I could buy one, at least in the $8k-$9k range. I don't want to make the same mistake my battle buddy did and buy a 6.0L.


I am mechanically inclined so I'm not too worried about any required maintenance tasks. I rebuilt the top end of my 5.4L, the 455 in my 71 98, the Slim Jim Rotohydramatic in my 64 98 and a TH 350 in my buddy's Camaro. All the reading I've done indicates that the IDI diesels are pretty stout as long as the 7.3L doesn't cavitate to death or you pop a 6.9L head gasket by installing a turbo without head studs.


Sorry for the dissertation. Keep the advice coming!

 

I always thought that was a puking buzzard.

 

100 and worst.


Actually, here are a few more.


I think the most realistic options are either this 86 sclb or the 94 cclb I posted earlier. This one is as straight as an arrow:
https://springfield.craigslist.org/cto/6133082202.html


This 83 cclb would make a good home for a 6.9L or 7.3L IDI if I didn't like the 351. It's definitely a project though:
https://fayar.craigslist.org/cto/6171417039.html


Finally, here is a 74 Highboy crewcab. It's almost too pristine, although not too far out of my price range.
https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/6171549855.html