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Hi Folks- I'm new to the site and happy to be here. I have an opportunity to purchase a 1985 F250 (460) Dually Flatbed. I have an Ace Hardware store and have a big need for a truck that can haul pallets of mulch, rock, etc.. This fella tells me that it's outfitted like an F350 from the transmission back...I have no idea how to verify that, hopefully someone here can give me an idea. This guy is the original owner (older farmer) and states the odometer is correct at 38K...don't see how that's possible (could this be a negative and not a positive?). Anyway, any insight / opinion y'all can give me on this potential purchase will be great. He is asking $15K.
This guy is the original owner (older farmer) and states the odometer is correct at 38K...don't see how that's possible
Original owner is good. Was he the only driver on a small farm? Or were there multiple drivers with a big operation? The latter means it may have seen some abuse at the hands of employees.
Low miles can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, there may not be a lot of physical wear and tear on the brakes, etc. But inactivity can be tough on a vehicle, too. Seals dry out, valves and piston rings stick, etc. Low miles spread over nearly 40 years isn’t the same as the same mileage accrued at a normal rate of 2 or 3 years. It’s not like you’ll be stepping out of a time machine in 1989 to buy a nearly new truck back then.
Another factor is the poor truck probably spent most of those low miles putzing along at low speeds. Who knows the last time it exceeded 25 MPH. The brakes may not have been called on to stop fully loaded in decades.
The price does seem high, considering the partial conversion to a heavy duty model.
I would like to see what the VIN and the door sticker say the truck started off as, a F250 that someone added F350 from cab back or a F350 CC, because of the bed, and swapped the F250 to the front?
Also why would someone do that?
Yea 15K seams high to me too
Dave ----
I saw somewhere that the pedals can be a good indicator of mileage, especially in a manual truck. that clutch pedal looks original and the corner of it isnt worn down like the heel of my shoe. So maybe that's the real mileage? In any case, the running boards appear to have saved the rocker panels from decay. Which is a plus.
IDK much about the 460 or how this truck left the factory vs the current rear end but my vote is buy it. They are classic and with some TLC on the interior and seats, this could be a looker. Give it a good wash and slap an Ace logo on the doors and you will get thumbs up all day long.
Full disclosure: I bought an 86 F250 from a farmer.
The only thing that throws me off is the 350 dual wheel rear axle and the 250 4x4 front single wheel wheel & axle
Wonder if it was a 4x2 F350 dual wheel CC truck and someone wanted a 4x4 and swapped in the 4x4 front axle and transfer case from a F250?
That is why I asked about the VIN and the Cert sticker on the left door jamb.
Dave ----
If it's a F250 with a 460, some or all of them came with the 250 HD frame and rear end. Someone once told me that the rear end on the HD could be converted to DRW. I don't know that for sure as it could be hearsay. But checking the VIN and door sticker will tell the tale on how it left the factory. Ask for a car fax report or equal. The seat is hammered but a farm truck is hard on the seat as you're jumping in and out alot.
I've seen power strokes cheaper. 15k should have a pretty pristine interior low miles or not. not a roached seat and dashboard. just my pennies worth
The dash pads on these trucks last about 20 to 30 years unless garaged and out of the sun. New or refurbished seat and new dash pad would be less than a grand. I wouldn't throw out the baby with the bathwater. If everything else checks out, low mileage, well maintained and you need a flatbed make an educated offer . The worst that can happen is he might say no.
I cannot fully agree with your statement. What if he were to attack you with a prison shank? Or set off a high yield atomic bomb, destroying civilization as we know it?
Those are two quick examples off the top of my head, of things far worse than merely saying No.
I cannot fully agree with your statement. What if he were to attack you with a prison shank? Or set off a high yield atomic bomb, destroying civilization as we know it?
Those are two quick examples off the top of my head, of things far worse than merely saying No.
I cannot fully agree with your statement. What if he were to attack you with a prison shank? Or set off a high yield atomic bomb, destroying civilization as we know it?
Those are two quick examples off the top of my head, of things far worse than merely saying No.
You never know with today's farmers. Tinkering with nukes out in the barn. Best to offer full price I guess...
Wow. Karl got really dark, really quickly.
I'm going to take the counter-point. He might haggle with you a bit and then throw in a dozen fresh eggs to sweeten the deal. Who doesn't love fresh eggs?
The dash pads on these trucks last about 20 to 30 years unless garaged and out of the sun. New or refurbished seat and new dash pad would be less than a grand. I wouldn't throw out the baby with the bathwater. If everything else checks out, low mileage, well maintained and you need a flatbed make an educated offer . The worst that can happen is he might say no.
he shouldn't have to touch anything for 15k but thats my wallet talking.
guess my 86 f250HD with a flatbed and capt chairs that don't have any rips, but it does have some rust issues and it was a "farm truck" is worth 15k too.
I'll toss in a few dozen eggs also.
Someone once told me that the rear end on the HD could be converted to DRW..
You can only convert a single rear wheel rearend to a dually rearend by using aftermarket spacers. The factory dually rearend on a pickup is 4 inches wider than a single rear wheel pickup rearend. The 4 inches gives you room from the frame to the inner dually rim which is put on backwards.
He needs to check what frontend that truck has. If it has a dana 50 TTB, he can get the factory dually hubs and put them on the frontend and then he can run dually wheels on the front.
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