Hey guys

Awhile back I had a thread about what engine to look at since I have been looking at used 3/4 and 1 tons for quite awhile now. I have narrowed it down to a few and wanted some input. The first one is a 1996 f-250 with the 7.3L. It has about 115,000 miles on it but it drove pretty well and is very clean. The next one is a 1999 f-350 super crew long bed with a utility box and the v-10 in it. I would most likely take the utility box off and put the regular bed back on. This thing had like 26,000 miles on it which seems crazy low. The third is also the cheapest and it is a 1999 f-250 supercab short bed. It also has the v-10 in it. it has about 140,000 miles on it.

This is going to be a work truck for me...hauling and pulling trailers, as well as a daily driver. Just wanted some input as to what you guys thought. V-10 seems more reasonable then diesel but that truck drove great and I really like the looks of the old 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.

Thanks

Aaron

 

115,000 is nothing on a 7.3 if it's been taken care of. The V10 is a great engine too, but 140,000 is getting up there. I'd go for the 26k mile V10 or the 7.3.

 

Since you'll be towing and hauling a lot, diesel hands down. Unless you enjoy getting 10 MPG on a good day.

 

Don't know much about the V10 but like other poster said...115K ain't nothing on the 7.3L.

 

140K isn't much for the V-10 either, but it is for the tranny...

 

thanks for the replies. I'm going back later this week to hopefully finalize stuff. I'm going to hopefully be getting the 96 7.3 for a cheap price. Theyre asking around 11k for it and it has almost 114,000 miles on it. Extended cab long bed. How does that price sound?

 

That sounds high for a 1996. If it was a 1999-2000 it'd sound more in line. Oh yeah, check to see if it has a K&N airfilter on it. If it does, RUN away.

 

I agree - regarding the $$ try negotiating

 

Like a K&N air filter or an intake? and why do you say that? are those not good for the diesels?

 

They are great for normal aspirated diesels, and gas motors...the issue is with the turbo equipped models. Dust (even small particles) can do some serious damage to the high tolerance parts in a turbo's internals and many folks have stayed away from K&N (and clones) for this reason.

 

Any K&N, but the ones in the factory airbox are worse...

 

I prefer the OEM filter on a diesel. If you saw one, you would understand why. It's like a solid brick of paper, since the turbos are so vulernable to dust damaging them. This one is not OEM, but it is just like it. The Fram filter is actually made by Donaldson.

 

That is way high for a 96. There was another 96 in SoCal I noticed advertised, XLT but power everything w/ 7.3 and under 100K for 8 grand which is about the going rate. It was a Crew Cab long Bed 4x4 and SUPER clean.

 

Just got back from the dealership...I offered them $8500 and the sales guy went to his boss and they turned it away so I walked out. Hoping they give me a call back later this evening. I'd like to get out of ther under 10k with all the tax title and license crap included.

Thanks for the heads up about the K&N filter. I really like the way this truck rides and its clean as hell. I hope I can have some good luck and make it work.

 

Just talked to them again last night. They said the lowest they can go is $10,400 so I figure its gona be a little over 11k after everything is said and done. Drove it yesterday again and it drove great. Has the 3.55 gears in it. Sluggish compared to my F-150 but man it was a beast. I didn't take my camera so I'll post the link from the dealership. I put $600 on it to hold it until I can go back and sign the paperwork.

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/for...d&distance=100

Let me know what you think