Just found this board and seems just what I was looking for .
I'm thinking about purchasing 2001 f150 7700 sb,4x4,
extendedcab,pretty well loaded(no leather)71,000k (all highway)
excellent condition, Now the price seemed reasonable until
I researched what a 7700 really was and the bank said
trade in was $17000 and retail was $20,000, The company
I'm getting it from thinks blue book is $16,000 and on
kelly blue it is about that but they don't have the 7700 option
so I guess thats the difference, I can get it for $15,ooo, So
unless I'm missing something I'm getting a sweet deal.
Some questions for those in the know.
Since most people haven't heard of the 7700(myself included)
would I have a hard time in a year or two getting fair(or real) trade-in value since it would be a high price for just a f150?
I've owned 2 f-250's and 2 f150's and the 3/4tns were
higher maintenance, and this7700 seems to be closer to
a 3/4 than a 1/2ton and so I'm wondering what the track record for this particular truck is.
Any thoughts ,answers,warnings,or just some 7700 factiods would be great.
Thanks

 

There is alot to discuss. A search if you haven't tried it will turn up a lot of neat information on the 7700. If you can use the extra capacity its a nice truck. I really like it. Its EXACTLY what I wanted. A testament to that is the fact I've had it a year (yeah I know an ENTIRE YEAR!) I went through 5 vehicles one year because I was bored or didn't like something.

Anyway. There are some QUIRKY things about the 7700 that can be interesting at the parts or aftermarket place. The 7 lug wheels and the 10.25 rear. Are these bad, no, but you WILL get arguments that they don't exist. The 10.25 is an EXCELLENT axle to have. 1.5 inch shafts, big bearings and big carrier. You'll never break it (well, anything is possible, but it'd take a lot). And WELD Racing is the only company I know of to make 7 lug wheels if you ever need a wider wheel, which if you go with bigger tires you will. The original wheel is only 7 inches wide. Parts like axle shafts and hubs are easy enough to get so you won't have any problems there.

It handles weight MUCH better than a regular f150. Thats really a great price too, actually seems a little low. You are right, the 7700 option is little known and not really accounted for in the books. If you were to compare the F250LD from 1997 to 1999 (which is very similar in construction to the 7700) you would see that they normally sell for more than a similar F150. As far a future resale, it depends on who you are selling it to. I was looking at a LIGHTNING at a dealership next to where I work. They picked up on the fact that I had a 7700 and should be worth more. THe even told ME to make sure if I went to Carmax to try and sell it (for those who don't know Carmax they will buy your car from you for a pretty good price sometimes) MAKE SURE they knew it was a 7700.

So at the worst it will be viewed as a regular F150. If you do a private party sell you can stress and point out the fact its not. If its a trade in, ditto. I say go for it if it all checks out otherwise.

 

aldridgec last week I worked on a 7700 with Eagle wheels on it. I just took a look at their site ( http://www.eaglewheels.com/ ) and I found 3 series of wheels that show 7 studs available. They are the 121, 143, 171 series.
I thought it was kinda interesting to find these

 

Thanks racer guy that is nice to know. like aldridgec i didnt know of any seven lug wheels.

Good to know

Brian

 

Up there in Cnd resources must be better! Way to go. More choices!

I was seriously contemplating 8 lug axle swap again!

OT, I need a better name. My last name and first initial kinda sucks.

 

If you send a message to webmaster, Mil1ion or Torque1st they can probably do something about your name for you.

 

I'm sure. I was half joking because I can't come up with anything. A friend of mine has a really neat one: GnatGoSplat.

 

When I bought my 7700, I'm very sure the dealer's wholesaler didn't have a clue what they were giving me, I figure I came out $2500 ahead. I'm also very sure that the state doesn't know what a 7700 is, even though they probably have several in the fleet. In WaSt, we pay truck license fees based on gross vehicle weight ratings, state says mine is a 6100 GVWR F150.

Keep the name Chris, don't confuse me.

-Kerry

 

Thanks for all your help ,you talked me in to it ,I just bought it
and so far I love it . yes I have noticed wheels are few and far between, will the new 7 hole f250 wheels fit? I saw a nice 2004
today with a nice looking set-no idea the price from the dealer though. If anybody else knows of any-other 7 hole wheel dealers please let me know.
Thanks again

 

By the way what is Cnd resources? I did a search and did'nt see
anything.
Thanks

 

How much difference is there in the ride, with the heavier springs and LT tires?

 

I was abbreviating canada.

I think the 7700 rides pretty good. Its definitely has a "heavier" feel than a regular f150, but its still not bad. Alot better than older trucks at any rate. If you pump up the tires with no load its a little rough, but with weight its great and hauls it well.

Chris

 

I love my 7700.

I dont have much to compare it to but it definatly rides and handles better than my 92 bronco did.

Justcarvin, good luck with your new truck.

Brian

 

I agree my 1999 F250LD rides much better than my 1991 Anniversary Ed Bronco!

 

i have a 2000, 7700 super cab, with 240,000 klms, and not a big ford guy, past exp, but this truck has changed my thoughts on ford again. its a little ruff, motor needs work 5.4L, exhaust to be changed, and rails under the box need to be replaced as they are rotten, hopeing they will last until spring, getting hit again with snow.