Howdy from Texas, I am new to forum but ill be around because... I just purchased a pretty rare truck to restore and had a few questions. This is the 2nd ford I have owned (the first being 20-30 years ago) so I am going to be learning and leaning on you experts. I was doing an inspection of farm equipment for my job and ran across a gem in the weeds. A 1994 crew cab 4x4 7.3 IDI automatic in EXCELLENT condition, electric windows, 2 tone paint in really good condition. Ive been looking for something like this for years as I loved my other ford, I know how few of these are around. Especially in this condition and this price. Most I have seen over the years were high dollar and had the 460.

The owner died in 2016 and it has been sitting in the pasture ever since. There are no dents, dings, rips, tears, scratches anywhere on this truck. The deceased owner's family member sold it to me with a clean title for cheap (i think i could triple my money today if I just cleaned it up) but my goal is to fix it up and drive it daily. He said "as I recall it was running when he parked it here, then he got sick and nobody has touched it since."

There are problems though, rats have built a pretty substantial nest under the hood. There are NO keys (so i dont know how many miles are on it, the owner bought it new with cash) . He has no idea where the keys are. There is about a half inch of dust in the interior as this was parked by a farming field. I have some questions that you guys may know.

1. The decal says F250, but I'm thinking this is a replacement because I always thought crew cab 4x4 single wheels were all f350's?? Is it possible it is a 3/4 ton?
2. It looks to be a NON TURBO. Under the rats nest you can see a air filter cover, sort of like what is in a 90's Chevy 350. I did not see a turbo on top. So is that a correct? I always thought 93's and 94 IDI's all had turbos. Maybe somebody took it off? Can/should I add one after I get it running? are they gutless without one? The f250 I had in high school was a 1990 non turbo and it would only go about 55-60 pulling a trailer, and you had to hit a hill pretty hard. Very good truck though. I really liked it but I was 16 and didn't know better.
3. The automatic. From memory, these overheat i think. The owner's family member told me the transmission was replaced a few years before it was parked. My 1st truck was a manual. Are there suggestions there?
4. The rats nest in engine bay.. where do I start as far as checking for damaged wires, etc.

??
5. What do you suggest on keys?


The truck is still in the pasture as I just bought it and need to go get it. Please give me some input of where to start.

 

People don't park perfectly functioning pickup trucks out in barns or fields unless there is something wrong with them. I never understood the appeal of junk cars and trucks from the back lots. Maybe you'll be lucky, and it might be something simple like maybe the brake system failed and the old man didn't want to tow it to a shop to get fixed. Or maybe it was losing compression and he just parked it to get it out of his hair.

Regardless, there is something wrong with it. That's for sure. It'll be a surprise once you find it.

The other problem will be the rats nest. It's likely that all your hoses, wires, and insulation are f'ed. Also, you probably will have feces in everything. They likely made it into the cab, and unless he had some mothballs in there, you'll have mold and feces there too. You'll need to shopvac all that rats nest out of there, clean it up good, make sure the rats didn't get particles into the air filter housing and maybe even into the intake. The fuel in the tank is likely jello now, so you should drain that. Maybe purge the fuel system with clean fuel and replace the filter. I wouldn't run the beast until all your wires, hoses, fuel lines, and tanks have been cleaned or replaced. Even then, it might be good to take the air filter housing off the intake and look down to see if you have accumulated feces or stuffing in there.

Replace the crankcase oil, maybe flush the coolant system too. Check for rust and deterioration. Replace all your belts. Replace the batteries. Check over all your cables and starter. Purging the air from the system will be a B if you only have a mechanical lift pump and low old batteries.

Lots of work. Not to mention your tires, shocks, and brakes are probably rotted. Maybe check your rubber brake hoses to make sure you don't have a crack or chew mark that'll leave you without brake pressure on the first drive.

Good luck

 

Plenty of crew cab 4x4 single rear wheel trucks were F-250s.
There were a few turbo IDIs made, but most were non-turbo.
That's not my memory of these.
A locksmith. It will be easy and not very expensive because these are not chipped keys.

 

Thats a very nice find and a great looking truck. Easiest way to spot the difference between a 9th gen 4x4 f250 and a 4x4 f350 is the front axle. F250 got the twin traction I-beam front axle. F350s got the dana 60 solid axle.
The old non-turbo IDIs arent power-houses, but theyre decent. They'll comfortably pull a 6000lb trailer in the hills with out complaining. A turbo will help out alittle, but cooling system is the limiting factor.
The E4OD transmission is decent. Keep the trans temp below 200 and itll be happy. Most problems with these transmissions are electrically related and easily fixed with a few sensors.
If its been sitting in a field for 4 years, the diesel fuel is probably full of algae. Itll drive you nuts trying to solve fuel system problems. Its best just to drain it out and start with a fresh tank of diesel.
The mice problem is a bummer, but not a deal breaker. Shop-vac out all the loose stuff, and power wash the engine compartment clean. Theres nothing in theres thats sensitive to water except the intake and the noise-absorbing pads on the fenders and hood. Just use common sense.

 

What a find!

As other said, make sure you check the battery cables and wires in the engine bay for wear and corrosion. I had to replace the battery cables in my 86 with a 6.9l because the OE battery cables were pretty rotten.

 

That thing is a death trap, not worth your life. I would run away. Also, be sure to let me know the exact location of the truck and the owner's contact information. I will make sure it is never dangerously sold to anyone that isn't qualified to evaluate and buy it.

I'm the only person that is qualified to evaluate and buy it.

 

Check in the owners manual in the glove box (if its there) I think one of my fords came with like a cheap plastic key shaped like a credit card (key would fold out) that you could carry in your wallet if you locked your keys in the truck. There is a chance it will be in there. Also could have the key code written down, or on a metal tag, pretty sure I've seen that too. Otherwise locksmith or replace the locks. If you're lucky and you know someone else with this vintage vehicle there is a chance the key will fit, especially if thing on the column is worn.

You might get lucky on the fuel if there wasn't any water in it, but would be wise to drain the tank and see what it looks like. If it looks clean, and no water or algae growth it will most likely be fine. Diesel isn't like gas, it doesn't go bad sitting around, and these old trucks aren't very picky about what they burn.

Might be wise to try and turn the engine over by hand before you do too much to it. Clean the intake out first though so it doesn't suck any crap in in the mice invaded the filter. Someone mentioned the rubber lines, I'm guessing its not as bad down there compared to the northern rust belt, but check the steel brake lines as well. Never fun to blow a brake line when you least expect it. (reminds me I really ought to replace that other rear line in the subaru.... crap its cold out now )

 

Just replace the locks. It's quite easy to do on these trucks. And they're available everywhere (my Autozone has them for the doors ($45.99) and ignition ($18.99). Cheaper than a locksmith!

When I got my truck it was a non-turbo. It wouldn't win any drag races but it would get you there eventually. I bought a complete factory turbo setup and installed it with a Banks downpipe. Turned up the pump just a little to match. The 7 psi boost makes a big difference.

 

I had a '94 turbo 7.3 idi F-350 Supercab dually. It was a good truck, the turbo really woke up the 7.3.

 

How can you say that???🤨 even though probably a repair bill surprise, you can't just say it's a death-trap, when in fact, one of the safest vehicles to be in, mass wins.

 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irony

 

Easy. I was being facetious.

 

whats the outcome? did u get it?

 

Guy posted 12-1-21, checked back 20 min later and has not been heard of,
only the one post.

Normal happens all the time,


Charlie

 

That's too bad. He could have sold it to one of us.

I did a Google image search and couldn't find anymore pics of it on the web. There was a red/white OBS F350 with a brush guard for sale in an auction a few years ago, but not one with a headache rack. TX is a pretty big state, I wonder...