Hey guys. I've read quite a bit of this forum but I still have some questions about the 1980-1986 F250 diesels. What is the deal with winter starting? Do you plug these trucks in? What kind of mpg do they get if the truck is a 4wd supercab? Any general buying advice and what to look for? Did the supercabs come with captains chairs up front or the bench? With weight in the back how good are the 4wd models in snow? Thanks...

 

Yes these trucks can plug in during the winter, but 1985.5 and older can crack the block if the heater is used. I've tried mine just to see if it works, but never had to use it for cold staring. Doesn't get very cold over here though.

MPGs for a 4wd are probably going to be 15 MPG tops because of the lack of overdrive transmissions and crappy ULSD fuel.

Captains chairs were available in the super cabs.

Look for clean, deep green coolant color. Diesels need the proper coolant PH to prevent cavatation. You can buy testing strips to see if the coolant in any potential vehicle you are considering is within speck. If it is correct, than its more likely to have been maintained during the life of the truck.

Don't know about how well they do in snow because I have a 2wd. But I would imagine with 4wd, weight in the back and some good tread or chains, the truck should be unstoppable.

All we did with a ford ranger 4x4 was put some cable chains on the front wheels (all season tread) and we were bottoming out, pushing though banks and having a blast in unplowed parking lots. I wish it snowed more often....

 

Ok, well I live in the city so I would not be able to plug a truck in. Does this mean that I will not be able to get one of these trucks started in the winter?

 

If the glow plug system is in good shape, batteries are good and the starter is good AND you don't have air intrusion into your fuel system they'll start fine in the winter.
DON'T USE ANY STARTING FLUIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And don't buy a truck from anyone who does/has.
In my opinion the '87 model year with a 5-spd. is the one to get, but I'm a manual trans. guy. And of course it's the newer body style too.

 

When looking at one of these trucks is there a way to determine if starter fluid has been used?

 

Honestly, how bad is it to use a block heater in the cold with an older one? I have an 84 and It gets pretty dang cold in the mornings in Indiana. I just got it this past spring and I am kind of afraid to use the block heater. The engine was rebuilt over the past winter and didnt have any cracks or anything, but I'd like to use my truck in the winter and I don't know what I can do about it.

 

It was bad enough that they changed the casting of the block slightly for late 1985 and up. As for what the actual failure rate on older blocks are, I have no idea. There are still lots of older 6.9s running around, but I wouldn't use it from what I have heard so far.

 

I think you can buy an aftermarket "blanket" type block heater that attatches to the oil pan etc. that might work for you.

 

The general advice is get a lower radiator hose heater, or a pan heater on the early 6.9 engines instead of running the block heater.

If the batteries are good, battery cables are in good shape, glow plugs are good and working correctly and the fuel injection system is in good shape you should have no trouble getting it started.

The nice thing about block heaters is diesels don't make much heat just idling.
They have to work to start making heat.
So even after it is started, it will take a while to make enough heat for the windows to defrost.

With a block heater, the defroster starts working as soon as the engine starts.

 

Ok well I guess I will just have to invest in some good glow plugs then. Mine don't even work right now. The p/o decided that it would be better to hook them up to a toggle switch on the dash, and i guess he forgot to turn them off and burned them up.

 

Momentary switch or push button for manual glow plugs.
To easy to forget to turn them off or accidently bump the switch to on and burn them out.

 

I have used the block heater in my 1983 numerous times. Even half an hour on a 10 degree morning makes a world of difference. I have also have started it with just the glow plugs plenty of times at that temp, but wouldn't recommend trying it much colder than that.

 

Right Time to Hijack this thread.
New here, been lurking the past few days and I am about to purchase an 83 250 6.9l. She seems pretty nice, but there are a couple of things I would like to do to her before she is my "proper" truck.
I would like to:
Make her 4wd (currently 2wd)
Make her a Manual (currently got the c6 in her)
Lift her about 3"
put a winch on her with some bush push bars.
Maybe those vertical Exhaust pipes behind the cab

Here's the fun part, I have no clue on how to throw wrenches. For a complete amateur with no money (student) to pay a mechanic to build her (I also wanna build her myself), how hard would it be to make my girl into my perfect truck.

I know that I will HAVE to get someone to install the MT (that is if I should let them, from what I have read the c6 is a nice rigging once the overdrive kit is added), but what about the 4wd?

I guess my question is with out major shop tools how hard is this going to be?

 

That's A LOT to take on for your first project!
I would HIGHLY recommend buying a 4WD 4-speed or 5-speed in decent running condition instead.
I would be really suprised if I get a single argument from anyone about this.

First of all; paying a professional to put in the nmanual trans. is going to eat-up any savings you have by buying a 2wd.
Second; if you are not ready to install the trans, which is almost a bolt-in, you are not ready to install the required transfer case, steering box, crossmember, shifter and associated linkage, BOTH drivelines, leaf spring hangers, shocks, leaf springs, steering box., brake lines and probably somethings I've forgoten. Plus you will have to remove all of the 2wd. mounts etc.
Third if you buy a basically sound truck that already runs you will be a lot more inclined to spend your time working on it. You know all of those rigs that are just setting around in various states of "disassembly" they are most likely victims of "big plans" that the owner lost interest in. Ask me how I know!

I know most 2wd. trucks are in better shape than the average 4wd. but there is a lot of work involved in what you want to do. I would recommend taking your time and being picky. I PROMISE you will be happy if you do.

Use your first truck to do REVERSIBLE things to as your tastes and experience will change your views over time. The winch and bumper would be great and wise things to do to your truck as you will probably never regret doing them and they are a lot more straight-forward mods.
You might want to hold off on the stacks because once you run them up through your bed and up your cab it's pretty hard to go back. In the interest of full disclosure I don't like stacks so I might be biased! That's a matter of personal taste more than anything but it is fairly permanent.
I've built a lot of trucks over the years and this is my experience/advice anyway.

I would recommend an '86 for a few reasons:
The 6.9L is a better motor as far as durability goes, no (rare) electrolysis/pitting/cavitation.
The motor was changed in mid-'85 to correct some small deficiencies, if you get an '86 you are garaunteed an updated version. Except for the unlikely possibility that it was swapped for an older one by a prev. owner.
The '80-'86 trucks (mostly gassers) are plentiful in wrecking yards so trim pieces etc. are cheap and easy to come by.
I think the old "bull-nosed" trucks look tougher.
The '87 year is cool because it was available with a 5-spd. and the interior is more up-to-date, I have a '90 and I really liked it when it was my "main truck" even though it was a gasser.

Just like any education take in what everyone says and choose what's best for you.

Oh, and one more thing......HAVE FUN!!!!

 

CBMS,
Welcome to FTE and the IDI diesel forum.

I am going to second the buy a 4x4 if you want to end up with one opinion.

2 wheel drive trucks are coil spring front axles.
4x4 trucks have leaf springs in the front.

The tranny, transfer case, pedals and lines would be cake work compared to swapping front axles going from 2 wheel to 4x4.
1983 was the first year for the IDI diesel in a Ford truck.
That year is the weakest of them all as far as issues go.

Shop around for a late 85, 86 or 87 with 4x4, and an F 350 with the solid front axle would be better than the F 250 IFS front axle in the long run.

Once you have a base truck, the IDI is not a hard engine to work on, basic hand tools like ratchets and wrenches between 1/4" and 1" will handle most of the tool requirement.
A torque wrench would also come in handy to keep from stripping bolts but have them tight enough to not fall right out till you get a feel for how tight something needs to be.