Thinking of getting an old truck

[vanguard]

A few times a month I actually need a truck. It might be loading up the back with firewood, buying trees, buying pavers, hauling my tractor, etc. The rest of my driving is taking kids places, buying small items at target, etc.

I currently have a 2003 Tacoma and it's falling short for the larger hauling tasks. I'm thinking that the ideal combo would be a truck and a car. (Or maybe a big truck and my tacoma)

(FWIW, I've decided that a $50k+ truck that I'm afraid to throw wood into isn't right for me.)

I keep coming back to this 1999 F250 on Craig's List: 1999 FORD F-25 SUPER DUTY, CREW CAB, LARIAT, 4X4,SHORT BED,7.3 DIESEL

It wouldn't be a daily driver. Instead I'd use it weekly-ish when I actually do truck stuff. My question is, "Would this be a mistake?"

I'm looking to have a family asset on call when I need to pull a trailer or haul a load. But at 17 years old will I find myself declaring it unreliable junk in 3 years? Is it unreasonable to think that if it's properly maintained that I'll get 10 years of occasional use (every week or two) from it?

 

[dieselcrawler]

As an owner of 3 trucks of that type, all with over 200k miles, and the wife's Excursion nearing 300k, I say you can't go wrong.

 

[dieselcrawler]

After reading the ad you posted...

That is likely what we call an early '99, judging by the v8 emblems on the fender not the powerstroke emblem on the door, which was the '98 model trucks just titled 1999.

No mileage listed... price is high, for that money it better have NO RUST, and less than 200k miles.

 

[ovrszd]

Doesn't say how many miles are on it??

I've got a '00 similar truck with 220K miles. I expect to run it another 50K miles and then sell it. I put on 1000 miles a month. I paid $12K for it with 100K miles. Very trouble free truck. 15mpg. Easily pulls this.

 

[George2615]

Other than a little damage to the driver side front bumper it looks pretty clean.
Didn't see how many miles are on it though.

 

[ovrszd]

After reading the ad you posted...

That is likely what we call an early '99, judging by the v8 emblems on the fender not the powerstroke emblem on the door, which was the '98 model trucks just titled 1999.

No mileage listed... price is high, for that money it better have NO RUST, and less than 200k miles.

Greg, I was stumped by the V8 emblem. Also isn't there some difference in the front axle assemblies?? For some reason that sticks in my head??

 

[dieselcrawler]

The early '99's (1998 production trucks) differ from the late '99-2003 trucks in several ways... none of which are bad, just different.

Front Brake rotors, wheel bearings, leaf spring, ubolts, track bar. Rear brake caliper on the front of the axle on one side, which make both sides use the same caliper. Motor has AB code injectors (slightly smaller CC rating), turbo and 15° high pressure oil pump. No passenger air bag.

I'm sure there's more...

 

[HHR]

If you are just buying a truck for truck stuff, I would recommend you get something with an 8 foot bed.

 

[s219]

If you are just buying a truck for truck stuff, I would recommend you get something with an 8 foot bed.

That is an excellent point. To me, a short bed truck is mainly for towing. For everything else you're missing a lot of capability.

 

[4570Man]

I wanted a long bed regular cab truck with a steel flat bed. I wanted a diesel, but they are terribly expensive. I ended up getting a 1/2 ton extended cab, but I'm still looking for the described truck.