Ive never owned a diesel truck, but have been strongly considering giving up my gasser and going that route.

My current truck is an 02 F150 4x4. Its an ECSB King Ranch with a 5.4, and really has been an excellent truck for the 53k miles Ive owned it (currently at 88k); little more than oil and gas and shes been happy. Im just leery of giving up something familiar and getting into something I dont know much about and have never wrenched on one either.

Everyone I hear about whos switched to a diesel truck is loving it, but its a pretty narrow sample. The other big draw for me is getting off the big-oil grid (Ill gladly pay more from a local bio-fuel producer), and its not an option with my current ride.

Theres a dealer not too far from me, a mom/pop type place in CT with a nice looking (from the pictures) blue 97 F350 XL with 115k miles on it, asking $11,000. Im going to try to get a look at it and take it for a drive later this week.

Almost all my driving is on the highways around NYC and Long Island, with a little bit of Nassau/Suffolk County beach riding thrown in on it. Ive heard about testing for SCA levels in the coolant, airbox fastener recalls and checking the turbo fans for wear. Im just looking for some ideas and knowledge to go in with, and if anyones got suggestions on anything in the situation, I welcome that too. THanks in advance!

 

Going from a King ranch to an XL will be quite an adjustment. Google Steve Baz, or Baz's Page. He has a whole writup under tips and tricks for new truck buying. Also lots of stuff to do to it. 11K for an XL is a little steep for my taste, but that is low mileage. Other thank Diesel being high as giraffe ***, there really aren't any draw backs to diesel in my book. I made the change and will never go back.

 

Regarding the KR to XL thing, Ive never really felt my pants tighten up too much over power accessories (well, maybe a little for the windows...), but there has always been a special place in my heart for a transfer case lever sticking up through a vinyl covered floor.

Heres a link to pics of the truck I was looking at too:

AutoTrader.com

 

11k for a single cab xl is a little too much. robbgt is selling a nice black single cab f350 for under 10. and i believe its power windows and locks. and hes already got some go fast stuff on it. i would talk to him before spending more money for less of a truck. if you dont like robbs there are better deals out there than that one. just my .02. dan

 

Hold the phone......Did anyone else notice something fishy on that one???? The front springs. It's been lifted or plowed with. Just an observation. Those springs have a positive arch. Add a leaf to the back and it would be sitting pretty. I myself like the heck out of that truck and color. I would negotiate the price though. But like Dan said, Robb is selling a really nice one too. And we can all tell you what has or hasn't been done to the truck. Anyway, that is a nice one. I'm totally a sucker for the single cab.

 

I would go diesel. As would most others on here. 11 is a lot for that truck I think. I payed 8 for mine with 172 on it and its ext. cab XLT and no rust at all. If thats been blowed with then ther is a very good chance of rust.

The truck sure would look good leveled out and a nice set of tires on it. It it were me i would look into Robb's truck though. I allwaysed liked black trucks but I thought his was a 250.

 

looks nice, i'd ask if they know what it was used for. I think cody (rubberduck) is right that something has been modded.
Other than that, definately check out steve baz's site, it has all the info you need.
BAZ's PAGES. Home Page
p.s. $11k is too much, even if it's in that nice of condition.

 

Thanks guys for the support! SkylinePCG, The link to my ad on FTE is in my sig, I have to be very careful what I say here because you're not really suppose to discuss sales and such on the forums. Send me a PM if your interested

Nope she's a 350

-Robb

 

That truck has had work done. Front sits high than the rear and its been repainted. No emblems, no moldings. I would check for body work. Plus it is priced too high even with those miles on it. Good looking truck just too much money for it.

 

Opps sorry robb, didn't mean to insualt your truck like that lol. I wish mine had a solid axle up front.

 

Hey not a problem, you just didn't know! No hard feelings

-Robb

 

The guy with the Blue truck told me he replaced the front quarter's because the originals grew some rust on them and offered up that it had been painted before I could ask. As for plowing/work life, he said he didnt know; that he got it from another dealer.

Rob, your truck looks great. If I didnt already have the F150 and a ZR2 Chevy Blazer collecting dust here, Id be ringing you up this weekend. Part of the reason I was considering using a dealer was just the prospect of trading one or both of them off.

 

Don't happen to have a 99-04 Mustang gt 5-speed collecting dust do ya? Thats what I'm looking to get into lol. Well hey if things change and you get one of your vehicles sold feel free to call me up.

-Robb

 

Definitely will do.

 

If the front end was rusting check the bottom of the doors and the rear wheel arches as well. Chances are they have either been repaired or covered up as well.