Just introducing myself here. Preston, I'm from Memphis, TN. Been on a few car/truck/motorcycle forums over the years. Not a mechanic by any means and know just enough to get in over my head. My wife was recently given her late father's 93 F250. Its about an hour and a half from us and I havent seen it and its been years since she has. From what I've been told it was parked over a year ago as he opted for creature comforts (ac, non log truck suspension, electric windows ect). I was told the glow plugs are shot as well the batteries, has two full tanks of fuel, new tires and the transmission was possibly slipping.

Couldn't find a decent vin decoder (here's what i was given: 1FTHX25MXPKA39991) as well as the axle codes ect. The pictures I've been shown show it parked under a tree but seems to be in fair shape. My plan was to get it running and maybe throw a flatbed on it to use for sidework/deliveries around town. (I work in agricultural distribution)

My questions:
1.) What am I looking at here, and is it worth saving?
2.) Is this something I could undertake myself? I'm no diesel mechanic. I have however installed cams, nitrous, headers ect in other vehicles. YouTube has been my friend for sure. My plan was to take two batteries (open to brand/suggestions) and some hand tools an hour away and try to limp this thing home where I could change all fluids and give it a look over.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

P.T.

 

If you have a vehicle to pull it on a trailer (even if you have to rent a car hauler), I'd suggest that,

nothing worse than trying to limp it home and have two flats, the fuel system gets mucked up or the transmission goes, then you stuck on the side of the road with even more issues,

with a trailer, you go, you load it up (hopefully with a winch and you don't even have to make it run) and then you get home where you have time / tools to do it right,

I'm a junior grade mechanic, I'd feel very confident about tacking this trusting the info it was running when he stopped using it,

if you have to try to drive it home, the glow plugs shouldn't be an issue,



good luck, get us some pictures and let us know how it goes,

 

@Scott in TX I would definitely drag it back if I had a truck! May coax a friend into loaning me theirs, or bitting thr bullet and getting a tow truck. Just wasn't sure if I was overthinking it if it WAS running. I understand that can quickly change if a vehicle has been sitting for a while. Here's what I was shown of it. Doesn't look bad for its age, just hoping no rats nests under the hood!

 

I had just got my 93 f350 7.3, it sat in a tree line for 10 years. Well I threw some batteries in it and it fired up, from what I understand those old 7.3s are like tanks. If you have a bit of either and it's fairly warm outside you should be able to get I running if everything is in fair condition.

Glow plugs shouldn't be a problum right now, just make sure your building oil pressure, if your oil pressure gauge isn't working rats may have something to do with it.
The oil pressure sending unit should be on the back of the engine by the glow plug relay, the temp sensor should be on the front driver side of the engine.

I'm just trying to give alittle help cause when I got mine running the rats chewd everything, I had to rewire all the sensors and I still aint fixed the glow plugs.

 

@At least it's not a Dodge I've got a test light in my kit im taking this weekend.. hopefully that's enough for now. I found a bud willing to loan me his rig and trailer but no winch. I won't be able to muscle it on the car hauler, but I bet I can get it to atleast crawl up on the trailer. Been watching a fella on YouTube called groundtogreen and he seems to be pretty competent with these trucks/engines. It's sounding like air in the fuel system and having enough cranking umph is gonna be my issue. We will see. I'll update when I get her home boys!

 

Be sure to disconnect the Glow Plugs from the system if using ether.
Ether and GP`s do not mix.

Axle code 39, should be a 3:55 Differential if Iam correct.
Think that is what my 86 is.

You could use a Come Along to pull it up on the trailer.
Might have to reset it a couple times.
I would also tow it , and deal with it at home.

Goat