Hello good folks of the Ford Truck Forums,

This upcoming week I'll be purchasing my first HD truck and I'm looking for your input on the truck selection. I've done some extensive research on the powertrains available and what years I should strive to acquire.

My intended use case is this:
- Regular (10+ times per week) residential snow plowing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
- Towing/hauling lawn and snow removal equipment
- Hauling building materials for renovation and hobby farm projects
- Daily driver for a family of four with daily 5-10 mile oneway trips

With my current research, I've got my eyes set on a 2017+ F250 Crew Cab SB 6.2L. I don't think my hauIing needs require a 6.7L and the 7.3L looks to be mostly out of my price range $25k - $40k. For my intended use would you agree with my findings? Anything I'm missing?

I've landed on a few options in my area and was curious to hear some feedback
1. 2017 F250 6.2L XL with 95,000 mi at $26,500 (private party). This vehicle comes with a Boss V- plow and has had quite a few owners as well, but an independent mechanic said it was good other than some older missfire codes that could be a potential red flag (cough valve spring cough).
2. 2017 F250 6.2L XLT with 54,000 mi at $36,500 (dealer). This one owner vehicle looks to be in pretty great shape and hasn't been plowed with.
3. 2017 F250 6.2L Lariat with 75,000 mi at $37,000 (dealer). This two owner vehicle looks to be in great shape as well and doesn't have any plowing history.

Are there any particular things I should be wary of with these vehicles? Any red flags I should be looking for when I check them all out in person this week?

Thanks
YaBoyRonnie

 

The XLT would be my choice. The fact that it hasn’t been a plow truck is a win, even if it comes with the cost of installing the plow. The lower miles should provide some confidence in long term ownership.

The 7.3 would be a nice upgrade, but if it’s not in the cards, the 6.2 should be fine.

 

Well, I did actually find a fourth tempting option, a few more hours away...

4. 2021 F250 7.3L XLT with 90,100 mi at $34,000 (dealer). Looks to be in amazing condition and no signs of plow usage....Sadly just found out this is rebuilt.

My main concern would be if the 10spd would enjoy being jerked around in a plow truck as much as the tried and true 6spd.

 

If you possibly can, extend your time to keep searching, getting in a hurry almost always ends up getting you in trouble.
And, widen your search area for a better deal.

 

I would get the XL number 1 because that plow is probably worth a good bit of coin. The valve spring repair is ok, I have had to do it before.

Buying a new plow for the xlt or lariat is going to be added to your budget too.

Run it 2-3 years and remove the plow to install on your next truck.

Probably wont lose much on the XL over that time period, better investment.

You will need to catch it up on all its maintenance but the other 2 are getting to the point in time as well.

 

I'm leaning towards the XL as well. I'm a little nervous with the number of owners and limited maintenance on the CarFAX, but that's how it goes. The independent mechanic I had check it out found the following on it:

Technician Notes: Front and rear brakes are very good - 70-80% life. Tires are like new. Slight seepage at front pinion seal. Battery 601 cca - would replace battery. Charging normal 14.85. Code Memory - P0300, P0305, P0306, P0316. Would recommend replacing the spark plugs. All fluids are full, the trans fluid is slightly dark. All suspension components look good.

Being pretty handy and doing all of my automotive repairs I figure the $10,000 saved goes a long way. Sounds like everyone is in agreement on the 6.2L being the right way to go for my use case.

 

 

At 9 years and almost 100k miles changing the plugs and all the fluids is a good idea.

Yeah on the 6.2. Have owned 2, one with 185k (around 7,500 hours), and one with 90k (11,000 hours). Absolute minimal maintenance which means the oil changes went way over as the 6.2 just has an idiot light (not the IOLM). They ran fine and didnt burn oil.

Broke a valve spring on the 1st one around 145k miles. $800 repair at the dealer. I was ragging on it and had a performance programmer on it.

I notice they get a little weak around 150k miles or 5,000 hours. But do the job fine, still towed 10-15k utility trailers fine.

I forgot at what mileage this occured, but for around town or towing it almost required mid grade fuel or E85. It would have this weird bog if not.

 

As far as the light pinion seal leak, on a Ram 2500 I owned I mixed in 75w-90 with 75w140 50/50 and it stopped leaking. Same brand/model oil.

Maybe a little less 140 since you are up north, but it worked on mine. Long term as well.



Also a 5star programmer wakes the truck up, night and day difference. Even with the daily/tow tunes.

 

Ended up grabbing the XL. Drove 5.5 hours back to the UP averaging 13mpg running E85 with a plow in the bed.

 

CONGRATS!

 

Good choice

 

Congrats! Nice truck!