I was looking into buying a used (obviously) F-350 that is a plow truck. It has the 7.3L diesel and around 140,000 miles. Truck is in pristine condition and is a crew cab lariat trim. Anyone with experience able to offer input as to what might be worn out on a truck like this or anything in particular to look for? Thanks, Mark.

 

If it was a plow truck, that is a lot of wear on the front suspension.
Take a good look at the ball joints,bearings,steering linkage,front driveshaft etc.

Plowing is also hard a trans.

I would look very closely at it.

Plow trucks also are subject to alot more rust/corrosion .

 

It would be worth the $90-$100 investment to have a 3rd party mechanic (that knows PSDs) check it out. The 7.3L engine weighs in at 1005lbs dry so there is already a considerable amount of weight over the front end (mine is 4400lbs). Add a plow and you are really piling on the stresses on the front end. The ball joints are going to need to be replaced if they weren't recently. I bought mine with 146K on the odometer, and I knew they were worn. I've milked it for another 35K and am replacing them this weekend (cost of steering components, ball joints and seals $1500). If there's any wander in the steering, you could be looking at any combination of steering gearbox, drag links, tie rod ends and ball joints. Also make sure the ESOF works (since it's a Lariat I'm assuming it's ESOF if it is a 4x4). My hubs wouldn't lock when I bought it (combination of vacuum leaks and frozen hub, cost of $1000 in parts).

I love my truck and you'd never know it's got 181K. Just be aware that unless you know what is tired on the truck and needs attention, you will be stuck with the bill if you don't negotiate that into the price. Oh, yeah, I'm also fighting a couple of oil leaks too. The o-rings are not expensive, but the labor prices (or time in the driveway) isn't small to get to them and replace, but that's next on my list. I do my own work since I don't trust anybody else to touch my baby, so the prices above are parts only. I've had my truck for 2 years now and it's never been in the shop (although I've set many a beer on the radiator coping while I work in the glow of my Craftsman shop lights).

Don't get me wrong, I love my truck (one of the last 7.3s!) and plan to be buried in it!

Just my .02

 

Good post Brian. I think you summed it up pretty well.