Is this a good deal ?
When you say, $12,500...is that with negotiating it to that point? If yes, what was the original asking price? If no, then I would offer them $11,500...and see if they bit. Use the high mileage, 5yr old truck, and gas hog (rumor) V10 as excuses.
Make sure to get an Oasis report (don't just take the dealership word)...and even a CarFax report. The LT285 tires look good, but if the SD has 3.73 gears...will hurt fuel mileage.
Also ask if the PCM has been reprogrammed for the larger tire size? If not, then your speedo and tranny will be off.
Good luck...hope it works out!
biz
Check the ball joints. Are there grease zerks? If not, they're probably original and will need changing at some point. There's a chance that they've been changed and the same crappy Motorcraft ones were put back in ("sealed" for life, short life that is).
Check the alternator. Does it look newer than the rest of the engine compartment? Average life on a Ford alternator is 90k-100k miles. That's the componet point that the designers were shooting for. If it hasn't been changed yet it'll be due soon. The highest I've gotten on any of my SuperDutys is 95k, which is my current truck, and I'm changing it this spring if I don't trade for a Chevy.
Also check the build date on the truck and engine. Is it an early '03 (4 thread heads) or late '03 (10 thread heads)? Ford says the early heads are just as good but why would they have re-tooled thier casting operation for more threads unless there was a problem?



