7.3 Longevity
 

I've shopping around for a bricknose 3/4 or 1 ton diesel that I can use as a work truck as well as drive to school everyday without killing my wallet.

For the past couple weeks I've been seeing a truck on craigslist that has exactly the power train combination I've been looking for (7.3, 5sp, w/10.25 sterling 3.55 gears and ls).

What worries me, is the mileage. The engine has 266K miles on it, while the trans has 146K miles on it. I've heard that diesels last for a long time, but I still have doubts about anything that has that many miles. The guy who has it used it as a commuter vehicle, so most of the miles are highway.

It has had some work done recently. Front/rear shocks, u joints, fluids, front brakes, master cyl, fuel filter, voltage regulator, water pump, v belts, glow plugs, thermostat, and starter.


Since this is my first venture into diesels, I figured I should ask the experts over here. Should I be worried about the mileage? Or should I be fine as long as I keep up on maintenance?



Any help is appreciated
Jameson

Like everything, if its the right price it would be worth it.

Diesels, especially the olderish ones, do tend to last quite a long time when properly maintained. If you can get records of how well the guy took care of the truck that would be a bonus.

I wouldnt be afraid of that kind of mileage... for the right price.

It's almost the right price. It was $2300, now $1600. Also where my problem with the price lies with having the money. I have $1300 now from selling my car, so maybe I could talk him to that price, but if not I would have to borrow from my dad, and I already owe him some for my project truck :(

Here's a pic. She's not pretty, but I don't really mind because it will probably get all beat up by me.
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/a...2dc7ae1f6b.jpg

I think it's worth it, but then again I've never shopped for a truck this new. I don't know how well they retain value



Thanks
Jameson

I would tend not to sweat the mileage, it strikes me as well maintained. And on older trucks you can learn A LOT more from the test drive and inspection then you can from the odometer. That said I thnk it's a little pricey, trucks like these are more expensive around here for some reason, but I think the $1300 you got is a fair price for 2wd F250.

I must not have stated, it's a 350. Don't think that makes much difference though

Unfortunately, if I get the price I offer, I'll be picking it up without having driven/looked at it. The truck is a good 2 hours south of me, so I can't really afford to drive there and back twice :( sucks being a poor high school student



Thanks
Jameson

Well to be honest I have no idea what the difference is mechanically between a F250HD and F350 in a 2wd. And I should have known that, I don't think they did a F250 crew long box in these years, I just thought I saw F250 on the fender in the pic.

Anyway, the big price gaps are between other cabs and crew cabs, and between 2wd and 4wd. Of course I'm sure you know that from your shopping. 2 hours south is important. That makes a HUGE difference on price and makes me think you have an even better chance of gettting it for $1300

Your not gunna buy it sight unsean, your just waiting for him to agree to $1300 before you head down, but can walk away if it turns out to be trashed right?

But all that isn't really your question is it.

Tough trying to figure condition without being able to see and drive it. Mileage is one thing, but my big question for the guy that I would really seak answers on is why all the recent work, and why sell it after all that work? Was it sitting and needed a lot of work to run again? What problems was he solving? Are they really solved or is that an indicator of an underlying problem that either hasn't been found or he's not telling you about? On the mileage, these engines go a long ways, highway miles are easy miles, and if well maintained should be fine. I'd think the clutch would be worth a good look though.

Yes if I drive down with an agreed price of $1300ish and it's a total pos, than I can walk away. I'll be disappointed, but I can walk away.

He says it's his daily driver on a 40 mile round trip commute.

Sent him an offer. We'll see what he says



Thanks
Jameson

well jameson, these diesels are darn near bulletproof if you take care of them a little bit. these engines are known for going half a million miles or more, as long as you keep proper fluids in them.

what if i were to send him an offer for 1200, might encourage him to accept your 1300 :)

Also where my problem with the price lies with having the money.http://www.aele.info/a111.jpg

I offered him 1300, and I swear he shot daggers at me through text message. He ranted that 1300 was such a low blow, and that the recent parts alone have cost him that much and blah blah blah. Needless to say, he didn't accept my offer



Thanks
Jameson

That's a good idea Josh, we're both in the area, we can shoot him some low ball offers and degrade his truck a bit in his mind. Hell I'll tell the truth about my last buy :D

this is him 1991 Ford F350 7.3 Diesel

The one thing I'd worry about at that mileage is cavitation and if he has done anything to combat it. If you mention cavitation and SCAs and he knows what you're talking about, you're probably fine. If you get a blank stare, walk away.

Mike

I've always heard the 7.3's last 300,000 miles before they really need work. My biggest concern would be injectors. If those need replaced you are looking at about $2000 to have them replaced. I wouldn't buy one with over 250,000 miles on it with out the injectors being done unless it was s steal of a deal. $1300 sounds pretty good to me but most crew cabs in my area go from $6000 to 12,000 but thats for a 4x4 too.

Just because the drivetrain is in good shape doesnt mean the rest of the truck is. Every single piece of rubber/bushing on that thing will need to be replaced, other parts like power steering pumps, alternators, etc are pretty worn at that point even if they replaced them awhile back.

I would also be very concerned about rust on the chassis as well.