Pickup Purchase Questions
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Pickup Purchase Questions
Greetin's,
I'm newly subscribed to the list and posted this message over there. I figured I'd post it over here too. I'm hoping to pick up some pointers on buying a used F250 or F350 for RV towing. I'd like a diesel for fuel economy and engine life.
I've been warned to look for the Harvester (Navstar) diesel, not the older Ford Diesel. Nonetheless, I don't want to buy a very late model truck, for cost reasons.
My basic requirements are: Good F250/F350 diesel, mileage appropriate to age (maybe 10-12k per year). Navstar Diesel. Trailer Package. Automagic
transmission. Cruise Control. Desirable: Extended cab, cap or tonneau cover.
So, can somebody tell me what the cutoff age is where I can expect to find the newer Navstar diesels rather than the older Ford diesels?
Any other advice for the newbie purchaser will be appreciated.
I'm newly subscribed to the list and posted this message over there. I figured I'd post it over here too. I'm hoping to pick up some pointers on buying a used F250 or F350 for RV towing. I'd like a diesel for fuel economy and engine life.
I've been warned to look for the Harvester (Navstar) diesel, not the older Ford Diesel. Nonetheless, I don't want to buy a very late model truck, for cost reasons.
My basic requirements are: Good F250/F350 diesel, mileage appropriate to age (maybe 10-12k per year). Navstar Diesel. Trailer Package. Automagic
transmission. Cruise Control. Desirable: Extended cab, cap or tonneau cover.
So, can somebody tell me what the cutoff age is where I can expect to find the newer Navstar diesels rather than the older Ford diesels?
Any other advice for the newbie purchaser will be appreciated.
New User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 12
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Pickup Purchase Questions
...is a fantastic engine. Just take care of it.
Up until early this year I was the proud owner of a 1986 F250 Extended Cab with the 6.9 and a Banks Turbo along with a Gear Vendor Gear Splitter. The combination would allow me to not only go camping and on long vacation trips, but let me take my 2-story house with me without grunting.
Seriously though. Don't get anything older than a 1986. Make sure you get a Turbo with it although you will have quite enuf power without it. A Gear Vendor will Cost in the area of $2600 installed, but use it sparingly as it really depends on what you plan on towing and how much. Make it a tow truck, buy the Gear Vendor, camping? Don't worry about it until you get above 10k pounds.
Do not, repeat, do not get an earlier 7.3. They are a real mess up until about '92 or so. Someone will correct me. The earlier 7.3s are bored out 6.9s with no major changes and kept screwing up the bearings and blowing out cylinder liners because of the close tolerances.
Here in San Diego and surrounding area, go to www.traderpubs.com {with or without the 's', I forgot} and see what they are going for. Normally around $5k. I could go on and on, but for now, have a nice day. Gotta get back to what us Gov't employees call work....
Yea Right!!!
Rick
ICQ# 31227786
Up until early this year I was the proud owner of a 1986 F250 Extended Cab with the 6.9 and a Banks Turbo along with a Gear Vendor Gear Splitter. The combination would allow me to not only go camping and on long vacation trips, but let me take my 2-story house with me without grunting.
Seriously though. Don't get anything older than a 1986. Make sure you get a Turbo with it although you will have quite enuf power without it. A Gear Vendor will Cost in the area of $2600 installed, but use it sparingly as it really depends on what you plan on towing and how much. Make it a tow truck, buy the Gear Vendor, camping? Don't worry about it until you get above 10k pounds.
Do not, repeat, do not get an earlier 7.3. They are a real mess up until about '92 or so. Someone will correct me. The earlier 7.3s are bored out 6.9s with no major changes and kept screwing up the bearings and blowing out cylinder liners because of the close tolerances.
Here in San Diego and surrounding area, go to www.traderpubs.com {with or without the 's', I forgot} and see what they are going for. Normally around $5k. I could go on and on, but for now, have a nice day. Gotta get back to what us Gov't employees call work....
Yea Right!!!
Rick
ICQ# 31227786
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Joined: May 2006
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As far as I know all of the diesels ever offered in the f-250s and f350s were made by international\navistar.There is an article in the march issue of diesel power magazine on buying an older diesel.As far as I know all of fords old diesels were pretty good trucks as far as these engines.The automatic trannys gave problems though.
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