I'm thinking of geting an older deisel flatbed (12') dump. It will be used to occasionally tow , but mostly will be driven on the highway unloaded, or lightly loaded. Towing might be as much as 8K, but generally around 4-5K lbs. I'm not concerned with the mileage while towing, but would like to get good mileage while just hiway driving unloaded. Also not concerned with being speedy while towing. I currently tow with an 89 E-350 gasser dually service utility van with 10' stahl enclosed utility body - It's heavy, slow and get's 7-10 mpg, but will run down the road at 70 mph without complaining. The highway driving unloaded is likely to be at about 70 mph, which I realize will probably put me out of the good rpm range. At this point, I'm educating myself, and don't have a particular truck picked out. I'm handy with a wrench, and do most of my own work, but I'm not a mechanic by trade. I would like to be able to continue to work on this truck by myself. Money is an issue. Want something I can spend mad money on - no payments, no big bucks outlay. It seems as the 6.9 or 7.3 might be my best bet, and with the 355's and 5 speed standard that I've been reading about here. Very interested in hearing what you folks have to say. For example, which year, combo etc do you think will best fit my desire? I'm in no hurry - no hole burning in my pocket. I can paitently find the right rig, even if I can't spell. Teach me thing or two, please. I'm a good student!

 

With a 12 foot bed you are going to have to find an F350 long wheel base.
Five speeds were available from 87 with a 6.9 and later year trucks.
With a five speed I would even consider 4.10 gears, less strain on the drive line.
I chew up a lot of U joints with mine which has 3.55 gears.
IDI engines are perfect for the owner that wants to do his own work, very few special tools required to do almost any repair.
If you find one with a turbo on it, it will have a lot more pulling power.

Are you wanting a 4x4?

 

Thanks for the reply Dave. Now I know I can nix the 84 to 86's from my search. Yep, a Long wb will be necessary. I'm thinking it may be easier to find the right cab/chassis and add a dump bed than to change the drive train on one with the right dump body. Maybe not??? Best bet is probably just be patient and get the right truck the first time. I think I have noticed something interesting. Prices for old gals like these seem to be significantly lower if there's a box on the back instead of a dump bed. Do you happen to know the w/b's that were available then?

Do you chew up universals because of low end pulling? Highway towing? As to the 4X4 - Sure, but I'm not going to get greedy! Thanks again!

 

What you need is a cab and chassis set up.
34" wide frame rails from the outside to the outside.
My 86 is a 133" WB regular cab, a 9 foot bed puts the rear axle very slightly to the rear of the center of the bed.

Cab and chassis wheel base numbers I can not give you. There were several though.
I do have a list that says wheel base can go as high as 200 inches on the F series.
In the 80's models,
133" was a regular cab 8' bed.
156" was an extended cab 8' bed.
165" was a crew cab 8' bed.
You need something like 165" -170" with a regular cab for a 12' bed.

 

Dave, Thanks for more info. It helps me to narrow my search. During what operations do you tend to trash the ujoints? Road driving, or low end stuff?

 

Dave, Looks like you prefer the 6.9 due to less hassle rebuilds - correct? If I've interpreted correctly, my best bet would be a 87, since that's the last year w/a 6.9, and the first year with a 5 speed? Other than that, I'm guessing that I may wish to look for a 93.5, if it has the (optional?) turbo? I don't even own a gun anymore, but this is like hunting. Gave up hunting - it's easier and cheaper for me just to grow my own beef! I really appreciate your experience in guidance.

 

Well, yesterday I took the plunge on a truck. Found a 92 F-350 7.3 5 speed 4.10 rear 4X4 XLT with a 12' stake body pto dump with a snow plow in my price and distance range. Since I've never owned a diesel (except for a tractor), or 4X4, or dump, or snow plow before, it was a lot to digest when looking at it. It was owned by a landscaper, and although receipts were shown for a lot of new parts in the past couple years (IP, Injectors, glow plugs, alt., starter, radiator, water pump, brakes), it was not kept clean and little things will need attention just to get through inspection - like that ABS light etc. He did have receipts for oil changes etc, so I've gambled it will make me a decent truck with some TLC and a quick coat of utility white.

First question: I read posts about smoke a while back, and haven't been able to fully understand what might be causing this truck to smoke. It puffs blue smoke when you lef off of it while shifting gears. IP timing?????? Muffler bearings????

Very much appreciate what I've learned here so far. The time and effort the knowledgeable folks put into answering questions from diesel nubs doesn't go unnoticed.

 

My first guess would be the CDR needs cleaned or replaced.

How many miles on the engine?

 

Thanks Dave, According to the PO, there's about 60K on the Jasper reman in the truck. Clock is showing 180K.