Good point and truck can be unlifted.

 

Oh and the flames lol... She hated those as well as me

 

The thing next to the transfer case shifter is a brake controller for towing a trailer with electric brakes.

A rust-free 7.3 texas truck would bring 12 grand up here all day long, salvage title or not. Well, as long as it was repaired properly. I think that any truck owner that had a totaled vehicle repaired so that they could drive it themselves... I trust it would be repaired properly. When I was young, my first two vehicles were totaled when purchased, and repaired by me (and my boss at the time). When it came time to move on to a different vehicle, I had NO problem selling either of them for fair market value, plus a little.

If a totaled vehicle is simply bought to repair and flip, then I would find something else to buy.

 

In my opinion the price is a bit high, but not outrageous especially if you could talk them down a grand or two. Not that this is relevant, but I paid $9200 for my truck in my signature 3.5 years ago and all it needed was fresh fluids and a bit of a tune up. It ran fine, as a matter of fact 50 miles south of where we bought the truck we bought our first travel trailer. So, not only was I driving home 600 miles in my new to me truck, I was towing my new to me 30 ft travel trailer.

Now, my truck is a completely different animal and does not even compare to the truck it was. I agree about the gauges, I don't think that is a bad thing at all. I have a list of everything, and I mean everything (except filling/checking the air in the tires) that I have done to this truck. Not only for maintenance, but for mods too. The list is 2 columns and about 6 pages long on Microsoft Word.

I can speak to any of the things on that list and provide a valid and honest reason and none of them will be "because it looks cool" or "chicks dig it". Each mod was done for efficiency, longevity and reliability. For example, the OUO traction bars I installed. Some people see those and think "oh he races that truck". Well, I got them because I wanted to eliminate the possibility of axle wrap when towing heavy which in turn increases the life of a lot of parts in the rear end.

It is what it is and if you think the truck is worth it, then it is worth it. It is your money and your time, but look over it very carefully. Do your homework on what to look for. I would crawl under it and look around too. Look for new bolts or parts. Take the intake off the turbo and see what shape the compressor wheel is in, things like that.

I would call them tomorrow and ask why the title is salvaged. As a business they should be honest with you and tell you. If not, and they try to dance around it nail them to the wall on the point and see where it goes from there. If they still don't want to talk about it, walk away and keep looking.

 

The "screen" as you call it is a brake controller for trailers run electric brakes. Personally, I put a new one in, I don't take chances when it comes to towing.
I just noticed you blocked out the dealers name/ phone number.

 

Price is very relative. Here in CA Bay Area that's a good price for something decent.

Yep that is a brake controller under the dash there. Looks like the Draw Tite item. The S&B intake is a great product but makes one wonder how much hot rodding was planned or accomplished. Same with the gauges and dual shocks, spent money on it. Definitely a different owner than the cheapo yutz that put the wing nut on the Powerstroke cover. Dash has aftermarket woodgraining on it, probably paid for by the same guy who popped for the S&B. Front end looks like an 05 swap, again a bling item but hey it looks nice. Front end swap possibly result of the theft, except for the insurance description mentioned no body damage.

One concern for the 2001 model year is the build date. Certain ones came with a "mechanical diode" in the transmission that often fails. VIN can clear that up. Or if the trans was already rebuilt (pretty likely) the rebuild would not have that problem.

Lift is not my cup of tea but if the engine is unmolested that's a big plus. The fun is in the molesting! So to speak.

 

wow freakify that took me back a few. Had my Z51 corvette re-upholstered by a pastor I knew in Juarez. And after searching every day after work or on weekends for over a year we found our 7.3 right in front of a dealers lot on the way home one day. Think it was one off Lee Trevino, but could have been Airport, been 13 years, kinda hard to remember street names

 

I would really like to see that list if your okay with that. Dependability and Longevity are the only things I care about really. Beefing it up to tow better is a close second. When I get the truck, this one or another, I know I want ot have it for another 8-10 years. Maybe even until my kids start high school(14 and 16 years from now) Which I know is asking a lot of an '01.

I've seen the bigger things that people do to their trucks; traction bars, tranny rebuilds, new parts for the turbo, but seeing a list of all the little things I can do as well would really help.

Tried talking the wife into go seeing the truck, but she said she wasn't going to make that drive until we can definitely afford it. So I've been trying to do some tweaking of the old finance book to make it work. Really need a second vehicle because my family barely fits in our Nissan as well as schedules not always matching up, however, I don't want to settle for another car that we don't really want.

 

I will send you the list later, PM me your email address and I will get it to you when I get home from work.

If I were in your position, I would call the dealer and ask about the title and discuss with them that you want to look at the truck (don't appear too eager), but you are 250 miles away. Let them know that you are aware it has been on their lot for some time, and see if they are willing to move on the price at all because it is a 500 mile round trip for you.

Never hurts to ask and all they can do is so no and that puts you in the exact same position you are in now. Of course, if the finances don't line up, then maybe your wife is right about waiting until you are ready.

 

Do you by any chance have the VIN that marks the difference?

 

REALLY NICE COLOR!! Here's my thought. It appears to be in really good condition for the age. And if repaired properly, I wouldn't be afraid of the theft issue. Could be anything from interior stolen to who knows what. I say interior simply because the wood grain wasn't stock and it does appear to have a slight different color to the dash components. Lots of folks do the front end upgrade, so that doesn't bother me. New paint? Heck I wish I could afford to do that too. Now the issues for me. Price, especially with the background. Resale. How will someone else think? It appears they also have a nice red cc on their lot for 2k more. The carfax on it appears clean. But maybe out of your budget or not what you're wanting. There is a local ad on cl OKC for a truck like the one you're looking at. Similar options, 2000, but mileage is 263k. Price is $8500 firm. Just to give you an idea of the market in my area. Best of luck on whatever you decide. I've had my truck since 2007 and still love it as much as the day I bought it.

 

I would pass on it myself and I have fixed MANY salvage vehicles. All of those were bought at insurance auctions and I could see what was damaged, except for the 1995 Mustang GT I bought that was a theft recovery. Now all of those vehicles ended being great, including my current daily driver a 2006 Taurus that was hit in front and passenger side. The taurus I have been driving 80-90 miles a day to work for 3 years with just tires and oil changes. But I fixed all of these and I trust my work. I'm not about to gamble on someone else work with my family. Just my OCD! There are plenty of 7.3's out there just might take a little while to find the right one. I've had mine for 10 years and I trusted it so much after my pre purchase inspection that the next day I drove it 800 miles and back on a trip to NY with not one problem. Like 00Dave says I love mine too but I'm thinking about a 6.7 in a year or so. Good luck with your search.

 

Salvage titled vehicles are typically worth about 1/3 less than one with a clean title.
I have owned several, I had a theft recovered s10 for about 70K miles. It was a great truck, it looked great after I fixed the column and replace the radio. It had less than 70K miles on it when I picked it up. It worked out great, but when it was time to sale it.. Most people will not look at a salvage truck. It was worth about 1/3 less.

 

It's not actually the VIN, but the build date of the trans. Basically July 2000 thru March 2001 build dates for the MY 2001 truck. VIN is useful to rule the truck in or out of that range, and it's easier to get than crawling under the truck for the trans tag. More info found in this thread.

 

Ok first does it actually have a salvage title? I currently have two project tucks in my possession that say total loss on the car fax but have clean clear nonsalvage titles here in Michigan. Both bought at insurance auctions. One was a stolen recovery, that only needs seats and a bed that I bought to give to my son when he turns 16 next year. The other is a 2002 7.3 crew that rolled that were putting a southern never wrecked cab on. Again it depends on where it was wrecked and how it was fixed. We're talking about 15-20 year old trucks. Not like we're buying 2 year old wrecks here. My opinion on value is more the condition than what the title says.
As far as 12k for that truck, it looks nice but I think that's a bit high for a super cab. At least up here in Michigan and these things seem to sell for a fortune up here. I don't know what your budget actually is. But if your paying cash I'd just call them get as much info as you can and either make them your offer pending inspection or if your comfortable with it do the drive and then make them the offer. I have tons on friends that are dealers and wholesalers they have 6k in that truck if I was gonna bet.