I am new to the diesel game. I currently own a 2007 ford ranger. I have had the truck a mere 6 months and am already selling it. I had an offer come up that puts me on top of my truck loan by about 1000 bucks. I am looking into a diesel super duty 250 or 350 now. I have been looking at all years from 2000-2005. within my price range. i have done my research and have read about all the problems with the 6.0. i would like to find a 7.3 liter but they all have such high miles. What should i look for when testing the trucks? if it a 6.0 what other questions should i ask besides about the turbo and injectors ever being replaced?

does a truck like this sound like a pretty good deal? im located in las vegas and would have to take a trip to go look at it.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/551211635.html haha i didnt know the cal(cowl) hood gave a truck power


and what is the warranty that came with the trucks. say i was to buy an 05. i have read that they have 5 yr. 100,000, 100,000, and also read 5 yr 56,000

 

If you look at a 6.0L find out if it has ever had any after market mods done to it like tunes or chips. Also find out if the turbo has ever been replaced for over boosting. These two things are the biggest cause of head gaskets leaking.

 

7.3L PSDs are great engines. High mileage on one would be over 400,000 miles. The 7.3L has one fault, the CPS (CMP or CAMP sensor, depending on who you speak with) but a new sensor has been issued to correct this fault. The disadvantage about the 7.3L is it comes with the 4R100 transmission, which is an OK transmission but isn't as good as the 5R110W transmission you get with the 6.0 L engine.

The 6.0 L was a decent engine, some early engineering faults gained it a bad reputation. Lousy service from some service garages compounded the poor reputation of the engine. Most guys here with 6.0 Power Strokes are very happy with them.

With your budget, I would look for a 1999-2002 7.3L PSD with a manual transmission. With that combination you will probably get the most bang for your buck.

 

Let me start by saying welcome to the site...as you'll find it's a great place to learn all sorts of new information.

Ok, let's get back to your future truck, Don't be afraid of the 6.0s. The key to any diesel you buy is to get the VIN and have an OASIS report done on it. The OASIS will tell you all maintenance done by Ford on the truck. You want to stay away from one that's had powertrain issues...regardless of which motor it has. That OASIS report should be the buy/don't buy decision point for you.

I bought an 03 last Feb (2007). Because it was my first diesel (and I'm a little ****) I bought an extended warranty beyond the 3yr/36K milage norm. The motor has a 5 yr 100K warranty on it. In my case I spent about 1400 on the extended warranty....and I've haven't needed it yet. The truck had 34K on it when I bought it, it has a little over 60K on it right now. SO, don't be afraid of a 6.0...just do your homework and have that OASIS report run before you make a decision.

Joe

 

alright. thats what i like to hear. my budget is not the same as it was when i bought the ranger. i thought i wanted a small truck with a cheap payment that got good gas mileage. cause i wanted to put all my money into my 91 coupe mustang that i am building as a drag car. but i am 6'4 and the ranger is just not cutting it. I'm also an aspiring Firefighter so I think its time to get rid of the little truck and into something bigger. I found a 2004 f-250 lariat 4x4 crew cab short bed. it is charcoal grey with grey leather int.The listing states...

2004 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY DIESEL 4X4-LARIAT -
This truck has it all.
-4X4
-tow pkg.
-bed liner
-low miles 49,000
-never chipped
-leather/luxury
-lifted 5 in.
-17 in chrome rims and 35 in tires
-charcoal gray
-still smells new
-split bench
-no dents
-must see


what is a good price to offer for this truck since i will have to drive 300 miles to pick it up.. i am having the guy send me alot more datiled photos and info such as the vin and a bunch of other info on the truck(any problems with sensors, injectors, or the turbo) i am awaiting that. the ranger i have is prety much sold upon me finding a new wehicle.

 

Go to kbb.com and nada.com and get the used vehicle price for your area on this vehicle. I could tell you what I think it is worth in my little section of the world, but that information may not be real valid where you reside.

 

Just as a point of comparison I paid 23k for my truck-in sig-in May 2007, from ebay. It had 127k miles on it and the only thing it really needed was new tires for winter as the rears were a little lacking in the tread dept. Is this from a dealer? It might benefit you to see if they will do a service( oil change) on it before you buy it, that will save you a few $$ but make sure they use the correct Racor oil filter- very important to use correct filters with this motor, and it really likes clean oil since it uses motor oil to work the fuel injectors. You can find lots of good info on the 2003-2007 psd forum down further on the forums page. Good luck!

 

ok. i emailed the guy with the charcoal grey one. with the psd trucks with a lift wha should i look for. what is a good lift for em. wha else should i look for when i test drive it. besides leaks noises, check make sure it goes into 4x4?

D8 did you do an oasis check on it before you bought it? and how would i go about getting one done.? also would the oasis report show if there is a factory warranty left?

 

If you go 6.0l go 05-07 they where better years than 03 04 but no matter what get a history report on the truck like car fax oasis etc

 

IF you go to the 6.0l forum and look at the top it will have a place there to request an oasis. You put in the vin number and your email address and then wait and someone will send the oasis to you in an email.

 

yes i will definately have carfax run as well. i will request an oasis as soon as he gets back to me with the vin. so if the 6.0s have had so many problens with injectors turbos and hadgaskets how come there was never a recall?

 

alright. im kinda exploring my options here. i found this local. it just popped up and i found interest in it. There are a few things that will have to go, the sun visor, ps2, billet grille, and a few others. but what do you guys think of this truck(original owner). here is the description.


2002 Ford F250 Super Duty Short Bed Crew Cab 4WD V8 7.3L Diesel Automatic Transmission. Red exterior - Tan Leather interior; 95,000 miles; 7yr/100k/$0 deductible factory warranty; Original owner never taken off-road; 20" Chrome wheels and 35" mud terrain tires; Garmin Street Pilot III Color Navigation; Hard wired for Passport 8500 radar detector; Hard tuneau cover; Alarm; Remote Start w/2 keypads; "AirLift" rear air bags; 4" lift w/dual front and stabilizer shocks; 4" exhaust; Transfer Flow 48 gallon fuel tank; Magtech HD transmission pan; Edge Eliminator 5 settings power chip w/digital gauges; Electric trailer brake controller; Front heated seats; Engine block heater; Front tow hitch and trailer wiring; Husky front and rear floor liners; Billet Grille; Color keyed door and tailgate handles; Accordian Sun Screen; Tinted windows; PS2(Play Station 2/DVD player with remote and 2 controllers; Pioneer in dash stereo AM/Fm/CD player with 5" flip up video screen and remote; Roof mounted 5" video screen; Show room condition

kelly blue book states 21,000

 

Looks good, and has a 7.3 if you're worried about the 6.0- I'd say all it needs is some 5" stacks! Whats he asking, you only show KBB, and yes I got the Oasis before I bought a truck 1800 miles away from me that I never drove/saw, other than 20 pics in the auction.

 

sorry i thought that was placed in there. he is asking 26000. which i will have to do some haggling cause my bank wont finance for more than 1000 more than kbb. im not really interested in the ps2, and all that. i just want the truck.

 

well im going to look at it in 2 hours. any last tips... i will get the vin soon. the oasis report where can i go to get that done for this 7.3 truck.