Expected Life?

   / Expected Life? #1  

ctgoldwing

Platinum Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
555
Location
Central Connecticut
Tractor
L3800HST
I just bought an 1997 F350 7.1 diesel (dually 4wd) 10' flat bed with an electric liftgate from the company I work for. It has ~170K miles on it. I know we maintained it well but quite frankly I've never owned such a high mileage vehicle. Now I'm wondering if I made a good decision. . . If I do light plowing with it and use it to occasionally move my L3400 on a trailer what can I expect is left in her?
 
   / Expected Life? #2  
I just bought an 1997 F350 7.1 diesel (dually 4wd) 10' flat bed with an electric liftgate from the company I work for. It has ~170K miles on it. I know we maintained it well but quite frankly I've never owned such a high mileage vehicle. Now I'm wondering if I made a good decision. . . If I do light plowing with it and use it to occasionally move my L3400 on a trailer what can I expect is left in her?

Lots.

The GOOD news is that it is not a low mileage '97 diesel.
In OTR driving it would be maybe 1/3 the way to an engine overhaul, but you probably aren't doing 600 mile days (-:

B'leeve me, it isn't the engine that will cause this truck's retirement, just about everything else will wear out or drop off first.
You'll get tired of all the little stuff, just keep your water separator drained and a spare fuel filter with you at all times - plus the tools to change it at roadside if needed.
One day it WILL BE needed, this is a skill worth practicing on a dry well lit driveway, then pack whatever tools you used and carry them with you at all times.
A strap wrench can be very good to have, just know that you can change that filter on a dark and rainy night (-:

Take very good care of the trans too, they DO blow those.
Trans fluid and filter change every 20 to 25 thousand is MY suggestion, but I tow mostly and quite heavily.
 
   / Expected Life? #3  
Its a 7.3 but we know what you mean. These are tough trucks and will last for ever. Biggest issue is the auto tranny if equipped. Keep the fluid changed and if plowing get the largest tranny cooler for it.

Chris
 
   / Expected Life? #4  
I have a '97 gasser with 160K. Runs strong but starting to rust and such. Powertrain should keep on going but be prepared for the nickle/dime stuff and get used to teaching the parts counter guys about your model/year. Sometimes it's easier saying it's a '96 as '97 was the transition year between the old and new. Mine is a 250 and the LD 250was the new body while my HD 250 is the old body. 350 should be more clear but again, be prepared...
 
   / Expected Life? #5  
I would start by adding a fuel additive to every tank full. Assuming the company has used dino motor oil, maybe find out what brand and either stick with it or step up to Rotella, or similar.

Lots of good websites for Ford diesel info.
 
   / Expected Life?
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thanks for all the info & suggestions. I've decided to keep it and start looking for a trailer to move the tractor with.
 
   / Expected Life? #7  
Boy Oh Boy,...you sure got some good advice on that request!! I really cannot add anything to it, except to say I have bought a lot of high milers over the years. I try to learn its history and after looking it over, if it feels like a candidate, then I take it for a drive,...and go strictly by the "feel".

If it feels good and by that I mean "not abused", the oil looks clean, it seems to have been looked after and its history did NOT include teenagers,....(I must make my apologies to "all" teenagers,.... but for the record, at one time many moons ago,.. I was one!!) sorry,.. then I buy if the price is right. I have had some great deals on high milers and the ones I've had have treated me well,...(because I treat them well).

To be honest, I've had more grief and headaches from the very few "new" ones as compared with my high-milers. I don't necessarily "look" for a high-miler, but I never let the mileage deter me from considering it. It's history is important!

At least you have access to your truck's "history",... did basically the same driver operate it or was it there for various drivers? If you have the experience and can "feel" a vehicle, you may have to depend on that? From the sound of the above posters, it seems like you will get some good service from it.

If you listen to the guys before me and treat it "nicely". I think the MOST important thing from now on is for "YOU" to be its "ONLY",...operator!!!! Good luck with it!

CHEERS!
. . tug
 
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   / Expected Life? #8  
I have a 93 F250 Super Cab with a 7.3 Normally aspirated (non- turbo) and it has 230,000 miles and it runs great. The truck will fall down around the engine. It does not have the power that the turbos have but it pulls reasonably well.
 
   / Expected Life? #9  
I sold my 97 F250 w/7.3L with 278,000 miles on it. It is to date the best truck I have ever owned. It still ran awesome and the Blackstone oil analysis reports came back just like when the truck had 50,000 miles. The engine is excellent.

Body condition is the big thing here in the northeast. Watch for rust and address it sooner rather than latter.

If the truck has the original air filter, order a Tymar style filter and install it. Never look back. The original filter boxes leak dirt into the engine and will significantly shorten turbo and engine life.

I agree with the other posters on the transmissions. Add the tranny cooler. I had two on mine. I also did a tranny flush and filter every 25,000 miles. You will notice how much better it shifts when you do this.

Oil change interval with Rotella T 15W40 should be between 3500 and 4500 miles. Rotella T Synthetic 5W40 you can push to 6000 miles with no negative impact. Just like the tranny fluid changes, when you change your oil, the truck will run noticably better.

Keep a watchful eye on the front drive belt assembly and especially the vacuum pump for the brakes. The belt idler pully useful life is about 200,000 miles and then the bearing will start to self-destruct. Cheap repair though. Vacuum pumps are an odd beast. My truck ate 4 of them. Two of my friends had identical trucks with over 300,000 miles and no vacuum pump problems.

Finally, ball joints. Replace them when they wear out with MOOG and that problem is fixed forever.
 
   / Expected Life?
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Thanks again !

An update: Yesterday I registered it and drove it a bit. I also looked into the truck's service history (better late. . .). The tranny was replaced about 25K miles ago (at 150K). The truck really runs well - pulls strong, smooth shifting, 4wd works, 6 new tires, etc. It is even comfortable riding. The GVW is 11K. Our company never put more than a 2000 lb load in it and the warehouse manager assured me that it had superb maintenance. All our trucks are 'overbuilt' for our loads.

The lift gate does have some rust and a small hole that I either have to have a plate welded in or find another gate. The side racks look rusty and need wire brushing & painting. The seat has a tear. My wifey is on me already to make it look pretty :)

All in all a good deal at $1500 :p
 

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