buyn 1997 psd
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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buyn 1997 psd
A buddy of mine is looking at a 1997 psd in Nebraska with an auto trans. i think it is a 4 door long box. he is thinking of using it for a flat bed of some kind on his ranch. what should he look at before buying it? I want to make sure he has a good truck and not make the 7.3's look bad. no idea on the millage ill give him a call later.
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 3
From: River Valley AR
The transmission is probably the biggest possible issue. The E4OD trannys are not very good in stock form, but many improvements can be made. If the truck does not have aftermarket tranny cooling I would have a pro check it out and take a good test drive (100 miles or so). I seem to hear about more tranny problems in trucks with the 3.55 axles, but that's not fact.
If the truck has been properly maintained it can run to 500K miles, maybe even more. As for making the 7.3 look bad, don't sweat it. Many of us 7.3 guys swear by the 7.3, but the 6.0 guys, the 6.4 guys, and all the others feel the same about their engines too. IMO the 97 is a good package, but you will find a large price range on these trucks so doing some shopping may save some $$.
If the truck has been properly maintained it can run to 500K miles, maybe even more. As for making the 7.3 look bad, don't sweat it. Many of us 7.3 guys swear by the 7.3, but the 6.0 guys, the 6.4 guys, and all the others feel the same about their engines too. IMO the 97 is a good package, but you will find a large price range on these trucks so doing some shopping may save some $$.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 343
Likes: 2
From: Rincon, GA
Put some money aside for a fuel pump and water pump if they haven't been replaced recently.
If you live where it is cold make sure the glow plugs are in order. Mine need to be replaced but I am so afraid of one/some of them sticking in the head that I just leave it plugged in all the time.
Check the speed control. The sensor on the master cylinder that turns it off when you hit the brakes often goes bad. If they are bad or going bad they weep brake fluid. You have to buy the master cylinder with the sensor from Ford. The parts houses don't carry it.
Check the door hinges. The passenger side on my truck is worn to an oval shape. I guess the previos owners used for a long time out of adjustment.
Take the cover off the top of the motor and look in the valley with a flashlight. You don't want to see any oil (turbo o rings bad) or fuel (fuel pump bad).
If you live where it is cold make sure the glow plugs are in order. Mine need to be replaced but I am so afraid of one/some of them sticking in the head that I just leave it plugged in all the time.
Check the speed control. The sensor on the master cylinder that turns it off when you hit the brakes often goes bad. If they are bad or going bad they weep brake fluid. You have to buy the master cylinder with the sensor from Ford. The parts houses don't carry it.
Check the door hinges. The passenger side on my truck is worn to an oval shape. I guess the previos owners used for a long time out of adjustment.
Take the cover off the top of the motor and look in the valley with a flashlight. You don't want to see any oil (turbo o rings bad) or fuel (fuel pump bad).
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 138
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From: Festus, MO
Also take a good look at the oil pan. They are known for rusting out. Mine is "sweating" right now. I am giong to do a temp. fix til I can pull my engine to replace the pan. If it has a drop in bed liner pull it out to see if the bed floor is rusted through.
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