So I'm looking at a 1997 F350 7.3 Power Stroke with 200,000 miles on it. The body and interior are clean and straight but the owner says the transmission is slipping and the injectors need replacing. Is a $4,000 price tag and good value? What additional cost am I looking at for the necessary maintenance? Looking for a good deal to call my own in the Denver area. I just want it to pull my 26' Keystone Summerland occasionally around our great nation. My 2002 Dodge has been sabotaged by ingrates in the neighborhood. They sliced the bottom of my tank and my neighbor's. I have the 5.9 in it and would like to have that much power or more. Would the 460 be a better option? I am only a couple of years from retirement (no more income) so I want to make the right choice with few out of pocket expenses hereon.

 

Well 4k for a OBS powerstroke is a great deal even if it needs work. You 2002 Dodge is also worth a considerable amount of cash. Lots of those trucks selling for high 20's here.

 

If the tank was the only thing the vandals got to, why not just find another tank for the Dodge? Way less money than another truck, and you “know” what that is, vs something unknown.

 

If it's running how about taking it to a dealership and pay for an estimate of what it will take to make the repairs? That way you would have an idea of how much you will be into at a maximum if you don't do your own work.

Steve

 

So Very True.
The Dodge was my old company truck when I had my own land surveying business. Being the 2nd owner and having owned it since 2003, It never had to haul much so it has not been abused, It is a 5.9 gasser now with 290,000 on it with a rebuilt tranny at 150,000. I just thought a diesel would do better up here in the Rockies over the 5.9. Yes you are correct, I do not know the history of the F350 other than I have seen the ranch where it now is located. Other than that I know nothing about it.

 

I will try to do that if possible. It may prove to be problematic, but possible I suppose. It is 50 miles 1 way.

 

Honestly, I'd repair the Dodge and keep the $ in the bank. As others have said, you know what you have in the vehicle you own.

The other thought that comes to mind is that at some point, everything will go.

The '97 is a great body style but it's not getting any younger. If you're planning to retire in a couple years, the truck will be 25 years old with 200k+ on it. If it currently has a slipping tranny, just plan to replace it all together from a reputable transmission shop. It likely has the E4OD tranny which is very solid but it wouldn't make sense to make a small repair on a 200k mile tranny.

I was kind of in a similar situation with a '90 F150. It was a great truck but at 25 years old started becoming a bit of a mechanical chore. It was kind of like guessing which part I was going to have to replace next. Within 6 months it needed about $2k in repairs and small issues were still arising. Financially, it made more sense to take the average monthly cost of repairs and put that into a payment on a newer, more reliable truck. It was a smart decision but I do still miss that old truck and it's simplicity and style of when a truck was just a truck.

One last thought....If your proposed '97 is a crewcab, shortbed forget anything that any of us have said and buy it for $4k cash! That's a 2 year only truck and is becoming more valuable to the Ford enthusiasts!

 

Thanks for the humor?

 

I had a 94 F150 4x4 clubcab shortbed 302 auto. It was a great survey rig but rust was beginning to form under the side windows behind the front seats. The 302 I thought was a little under powered when I would pull my polaris to and from jobsites. I really liked that body style though. I would rather have a shortbed like my Dodge and my F150. I sure liked having 2 gas tanks. The 97 I am looking at is a longbed. Thats mostly what I see for sale. Seldom do I see a Shortbed. That would be ideal. Most of the time when I come across a 97 the owner states "its hard to find a truck of this caliber and bodystyle", so I know collectors are starting to get in the mix. This 97 is not published. I just happened upon it and the price sounded right and with the long term life of the diesel, and wanting it just to tote the travel trailer, I thought, hmmm maybe this is the avenue to take, so I came here to find the pro's, the guys who have been working on and around these trucks to get some input. I think I came to the right place.

 

I wasn't trying to humor you.

Seriously, if I came across a clean '96 or '97 crewcab, shortbed, I would buy it knowing that its kind of unique. Every vehicle has that certain "sought after" year, for the OBS trucks, thats it.

 

If the 97 is clean and needs a transmission get it. Sell the high mileage gas Dodge.

Do the transmission and misc maintenance on it including any steering and suspension work.


You will be way ahead. If you get tired of it you could trade straight across for a newer gas f250.



If not let me know where it is.

 

My 2002 Dodge has been sabotaged by ingrates in the neighborhood.


Sounds like the ingrates need to be the first problem solved or, eventually you will just have a junk yard around your place.

Hobo

 

I'd opt for the Diesel with less miles.
almost 300K on the Dodge, a rebuild is in the near future.

I bought a used 04 Ram 2500 with the transmission slipping and with harsh shifts for a great deal.
Dropped the pan and replaced the filters and added fluid.
Ran that truck for 3 years without issue before sold it......you never know.

 

So OK I've been looking for the illusive 97 for a couple of years and just stumbled on this one. It is a long bed and yes I'd rather have the shorty but I've been perusing around Marketplace and seen several trucks with more mileage going for $10-15,000 or more. It seems like a sweet deal. That said my buddy in OK said if I was to look at anything from 2003-2010 to beware because the motors aren't that great and to see if the engine has been "Bulletproofed" and then to hope it was done correctly. He went onto say if I could find a 2011 or newer that I could afford, that would be the best and that the 6.7 is the motor of choice. I drive an F150 V6 with ECOBOOST. Its nice because it will TAKEOFF when I need it to.
Any additional input on the latter diesels would be helpful.

Thanks

 

Would an F350 gasser be a good option? Would I need a V10? What displacement V8's were available on the gassers from 2003-2010, only the 5.4?