I am looking at getting a 92+ f250/f350 with a diesel in it. I was going to get the standard 7.3 in the early trucks simply for cost reasons but i drove a powerstroke today and really liked the power. So now I am broadening my search. What do i want to look for in a powerstroke? how many miles is high for a PSD, what wear items need to be checked on a regular basis? Basically any information you can give me would be great. Thanks

 

If you scroll down in the link you can read buying a used power stroke...alot of good info in there
Tips - Idea - Hints

 

x2. Steve Baz has it down pretty good on his web page.

 

as far as how high of millage is high it depends alot on how it was maintained i would say 500k is high millage mine has over 200k and still runs like new

 

x2....I have 350k and it runs like a top.

 

Great info on that page for a newbie, thanks much for it.. I've printed it all out and it will be a great guide.

 

in my experience, suspension and steering components fail WAY quicker than the engine. not cheap to fix, but worth it if you want to tote that wicked awesome engine around. so, look out for that and make sure you have budgeted for some repairs down the road.

 

Thanks guys. I guess I wont be too too concerned if I come accros one with around 200k. I can do all the rest of the work myself, its just the diesel that has me a little worried.

 

There is alot of good help here if you have any problems.....my biggest concern was history/maintenance.I bought mine from the original owner with records of service since new.Good luck on finding your truck.

 

I would recomend you to get a F350 1997, SRW, 4x4, standard; for me is the best of the OBS 7.3 PSD. and you can choose between standard cab, extended cab or crew cab and short or long bed. and I will choose automatic for comodity only. I love my truck but if I find one like described, and with less than 150k miles, I will trade it with my eyes closed. thats just my opinion

 

Well I am going to check out a truck on thursday. Its a 96 f250 with 7.3, 4x4, manual, extended cab. From the pictures and talking to the owner it is in great shape. No body damage, and everything works great. he has been using for several years to do a 2-1/2 hour one way trip once a week. So most of the 173k are from high way miles. I am pretty excited about it. Its an older guy, so i know its not been hot rodded and all that jaz. There is one thing though he says it gets 16mpg. i thought these 7.3s got from 18-20mpg on the highway?

 

There are alot of variables with MPG....biggest one is the driver,the other is gears......I have 3.55's and am usually at 19....sometimes 16 and a best of 24 on 1 trip(cruise at 62 mph),fuel additive helps too(I run Power Service gray bottle and sometimes 1 oz per gal 2 stroke oil....gauges will also help.....the less you get in the turbo the better you will get(but its hard to do....the sound of it spooling is hard to pass up

 

Hmm, Ok, im not going to worry about it then. Thanks