I'm going (maybe tomorrow, if I can) to look at a '96 F250 4x4, PSD, auto. It's a supercab longbed XLT that's supposed to have 92K miles on it. It's supposed to be completely stock and was used to pull a fifth wheel. I haven't owned a diesel in a long time, and never a powerstroke or any kind of turbo. So I need your help with what to look for and expect...

What kind of gears will it likely have? 3.55's I'm guessing, but that's just a guess. What kind of fuel mileage might I expect it to get? I'm needing it to last me at least 3 years and another 100K - I know that's not unreasonable, but what kind of issues might I expect to deal with in that time?

Anything you can tell me that you think might help would be appreciated.

 

look at the sticker on the door jamb.

35 4.10
39 3.55
c5 4.10 ls
c9 3.55 ls (hope i didnt get these backwards)

if the owner will let you. on the intake is two hoses. remove the outer one from the airbox and from the middle section metal pipe. look down in there at the compressor blades and for dirt in the tube. DONT BE ALARMED BY THE OIL IN THERE ITS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.
make sure the owner did good oil changes(these babies take 14+ qts)
look over the front end real good..
those dana 50 ttb axles have issues with bushings wearing out.

3 years....are you serious?? it might make it 4 months...


plenty of guys with big hp well over 350,000 running around on these babies. dont be shy. jump in and drive it like you stole it.

check out this guys site

about 1/2 down is a what to look for when buying a used psd section. plus a ton of other info.


get that truck and come on back here. its time for mods.

(i am officially becoming the mod pusher)
more smoke please

welcome to fte good luck on your purchase. if you get it seriously come back and learn some about your truck. there is some stuff you need to know.

edit: nevermind you have been here a while... gettin rid of the gasser are ya?

welcome to the obs psd forum instead.

do you have any pics or a link to it? so we can see it?



your gonna wonder why you didnt buy one 10 years ago

 

1997F-350 has got it down for ya. Definetly need to check the radiator fluid with some coolant test strips. Ask the owner if he ever threw in the radiator fluid attitive. Definetly a plus if he did. Make sure to check and see if the airbox top has metal bolts or plastic. Metal is good, you'll know if they're metal or not. They're right on top of the air box inlet tube. there will be two of 'em and they run right through the middle of the box. they hold the two air box halves together. Also might wanna check the fuel filter see if there is any crud in the fuel bowl or sledge on the filter. tranny is a whole nother deal. ask him how often and what was serviced on it. be thurough when your lookin at diffrent things on the truck. never can be to careful. good luck, let us know what ya end up doing!

 

Thanks 1997 F350 and powerstroked162, that's the kind of advice I was looking for.

Gettin' rid of the gasser? Welll... I'm not backin' down on either of them, they're both great trucks, but the 460 is a big time gas hog. I've got a chance to sell it for good money, and thought I might try a diesel again. I had an '85 6.9 that I bought new and it was a great truck. Then I got an '87, and that one was nothing but trouble - I bought it used with 112K and a rebuilt 7.3 that had about 8K on it. For what it cost me to keep that thing running in the almost 2 years I owned it, I could've been making payments (big ones) on a new one, plus when it was at it's best it was completely gutless. I know it was just a bad one, but fear of getting another one like it has kept me in gassers since. But, if I get a diesel and like it well enough, the V10 could go, too... I like it, but I really need a 4x4, so if I can get myself back to one truck instead of two, that'd be good too.

I would prefer to find an F350 with the straight front axle, 'cause I know about the IFS front end issues, but I've been looking for awhile and I can't find one without lots and lots of miles and they're still pretty high, so I thought I'd check this one out. I've dealt with these folks before, and feel pretty good about trading with them.

Here's the link;
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/inview/index.jsp?dealership_view_name=meeksautosales
Sorry, I couldn't get the direct link to the truck to work, you'll have to scroll down and find it. There's actually a '97 on page 2 I'll be checking out too. It has a few more miles (160K) which's no big deal, but I'm thinking I'd prefer the lower mileage one. Unless there's something that's improved on the '97 over the '96?

Thanks again .

 

looks like a clean truck from what i can see!!!

 

Finally got a chance to go look. They seem to be pretty good trucks - the '97 actually feels a little stouter to me, but the '96 seems a little tighter. I've been thinking ALOT about this though, and I think I'm going to hold out for an F350 crewcab - I've had 4 doors for too long to go back now. I may have to widen my search, but surely I'll find one before too long. Thanks again for the good advice though, I'll still be using it, and I'll be sure to post when I get one.