Hi guys, brand new to the forum, and brand new to owning a lifted truck (well almost owning), and I am really hoping some one on here can help me. (Also I did look around, but if I am listing in the wrong section please let me know and I'll move it!)
So here's the deal... there is this truck I am really interested in at a local truck dealer around here, it's jacked up to the max, tires all the way around (2500 bucks with receipt), and etc etc. The truck itself is a 2001 F-250 with the V-10 Triton in it, 102k miles, power everything and a sound system in it. They had it listed at $14,999 - but I know the sales manager personally, he told me I could be out the door at about 12k cash. Here's the problem(s). The 4x4 does not work, and they have it listed as "4x4 inoperable, needs http://rd.bizrate.com/rd?t=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB001C9QEKI%2Fref%3Dasc_df_B001C9QEKI5086706%3Fsmid%3DATVPDKIKX0DER%26tag%3Dshopzilla0d-20%26ascsubtag%3Dshopzilla_rev_121-20%3BSZ_REDIRECT_ID%26linkCode%3Ddf0%26creative%3D395093%26creativeASIN%3DB001C9QEKI&mid=184056&cat_id=22000200&atom=10681&prod_id=&oid=5243197526&pos=1&b_id=18&bid_type=4&bamt=45e4b920dcffc474&cobrand=1&ppr=c385d9719b48c8d8&rf=af1&af_assettype_id=12&af_creative_id=2973&af_id=26865&af_placement_id=1&dv=f989529b3ace52eaedf4e2f22af5feaa locks replaced." The other things I did notice was that the steering wheel was not adjusted right (****ed a little to the right when the truck was driving straight), may be an alignment issue may not be, and the power locks do not work, even the manual lock on the outside of the truck doesn't lock the vehicle so I would need to get all that replaced/re wired immediately.
Other than that, the truck SEEMED to run and drive fine.... no shaking in the wheel, no leaks or weird noises and sounds from the motor or etc, the AC blows cold and everything works.
The truck is being sold 'as is' obviously, with no warranty or anything else, so if I buy it I am on my own. They told me I could pay for a buyers inspection and take it to a shop, and I am going to do that for sure as well, but I also figured some experienced unbiased advice would be awesome if I could get it asap.
I can send pictures.. and I can share the link to the truck as well - https://www.nwmsrocks.com/for-sale/l...-xlt-4x4_58447

From what I can make out.. the lift is an 8" FABTECH dirt something suspensionlift (I think), it has a 'magnaflow' exhauston it, and the tires and wheels are brand new, if any of that helps. Let me know if I need to provide anything else or etc I would love some help deciding if this is a vehicle I should pursue, or a truck I should definitely walk away from.

Thanks again in advance,

B

 

It sounds like a basket case. If I were you, I'd find a nice unmolested model where everything works for about $7-8k and build it like you want. It's not going to be fun fixing another owner's hack jobs. You'll likely break even financially, but you'll be way ahead in frustration and enjoyment.

 

Agree...I would run from this vehicle!!

 

if it was worth anything.. the dealer would FIX the problems...

PASS.. its easy to mount new tires and wheels on Junk..... my opinion.

 

I'm with those guys. NEVER buy a previously lifted truck. The steering wheel being out of alignment should be a red flag of poor craftsmanship by the installer of the lift, and the problems you listed are an indicator of lack of maintenance. The previous owner didn't take care of the truck, when the issues got more than they wanted to deal with, they dumped it at the dealer

That price is too high for an '01 with obvious mechanical issues.

 

2V V10 turning 37s..... unless it's got 4.56s or better in the axles you're going to shell out another ocuple grand so that you aren't muching the transmission trying to turn those tires.

 

Stay away from this one unless you can get it for about $5k.

In general, be extremely wary of buying a vehicle that has X problem but "just needs Y part". There are a couple problems with this. If all it needs is the part, wouldn't the seller just put it on and sell the truck for more money? People's diagnoses are VERY often completely wrong. NEVER, EVER take a seller's word for it when it comes to how to fix the problem. If they really knew, they would fix it.

Also, that part that you linked on amazon is a made-in-China piece of junk bearing for a truck with 6-lug axles.

Stay. Away.