FF250 gets donated, need 1/2 ton replacement

[56FordGuy]

I listed the first of about 57,000 issues. Lets see, steering wheel plastic smastic thing for horn, cruise control is about $175 not installed. I thought it would cost about $1.75. That's only the start. AC pump, needs replacement, new tailgate, ABS brakes useless, battery cables corroding, new glow plug harness, front differential leaks badly, seats worn out, dash looks like a kid used it for a wipe out course, HVAC knobs all need replacing, it goes on and on.PS, what year of truck do you have? This one replaced a 1963 GMC which I rebuilt twice. You have to know when you are being nickeled and dimed to death.

Oh yeah, did I mention the turning radius exceeds that of the Titanic? In my case I would not have scraped the iceberg, I would have T boned it given the same degree of warning.

That fact may also be influencing my decision. :laughing:

I actually just bought an '01 F-350 with 192,000 miles. My previous daily driver for the last two years has been a 1956 F-350. The '01 is my 3rd 7.3 diesel, the first was a '94 that had 300,000 miles on it when I gave it to my sister who is still driving it. :thumbsup:

If you want a new truck, there's nothing wrong with that. Obviously I can't specifically nail down what's wrong with your truck without seeing it, but I'd guess wheel bearings, and a clock spring for the steering wheel (for the horn and cruise). If your truck has a glow plug module (big silver box looking thing) instead of a glow plug relay that may be expensive, but I believe only the Excursions and California equipped trucks came with modules. A relay is only about $30.00. The other stuff sounds cosmetic, I'd keep an eye out for a wrecked truck and try to buy the interior parts from it if they were in decent shape.

Then again, I really like the 7.3 PowerStroke trucks and my tolerance for repairs is pretty high. Since I bought my truck in August, I've replaced the drag link, ball joints, all the front axle seals, both batteries, a door lock actuator, and a few other things. I bought the truck knowing about most of the issues though, because I wanted a truck set up specifically like this one is. If you want a new truck, then find one you want and enjoy it.

 

[_RaT_]

Mine is a 7.3 IDI non turbo, the later 93's had a turbo. It is weak and anemic and smokes pretty bad starting at 4000 feet and can just barely make Mt Rose summit at just under 9000 feet. I rarely take it over that pass anymore. Glow plug module is $300, new wiring harness, never priced it. Its not wheel bearings, its the steering wheel assembly, the part you hold in your hands to drive. Rebuild seats would easily be a $500 charge. The front end needs a complete overhaul, springs and differential. I don't want a new truck, I just want a truck that won't be nickel & diming me every week. Of course, I would also like one that is much more agile. The 3/4 ton 4 WD Fords were horrible up to I think its 95. I'd sell this one to you cheap if you want. I'll drop it to $2500. I did put in a rebuilt transmission about 20,000 miles ago, both door lock actuators and both window motors, epoxied the clutch release mechanism on both as they like to eat those things up. Oh yeah, it has a CD player thats not stock, but the speakers are. Its best to rotate the tires every 2500 miles because the front sags so bad due to the worn out leaf springs.

I actually just bought an '01 F-350 with 192,000 miles. My previous daily driver for the last two years has been a 1956 F-350. The '01 is my 3rd 7.3 diesel, the first was a '94 that had 300,000 miles on it when I gave it to my sister who is still driving it. :thumbsup:

If you want a new truck, there's nothing wrong with that. Obviously I can't specifically nail down what's wrong with your truck without seeing it, but I'd guess wheel bearings, and a clock spring for the steering wheel (for the horn and cruise). If your truck has a glow plug module (big silver box looking thing) instead of a glow plug relay that may be expensive, but I believe only the Excursions and California equipped trucks came with modules. A relay is only about $30.00. The other stuff sounds cosmetic, I'd keep an eye out for a wrecked truck and try to buy the interior parts from it if they were in decent shape.

Then again, I really like the 7.3 PowerStroke trucks and my tolerance for repairs is pretty high. Since I bought my truck in August, I've replaced the drag link, ball joints, all the front axle seals, both batteries, a door lock actuator, and a few other things. I bought the truck knowing about most of the issues though, because I wanted a truck set up specifically like this one is. If you want a new truck, then find one you want and enjoy it.

 

[Blackplague]

Sold, you can have this brand new (where your from) Ford F250 extended cab for $3000. :thumbsup: Oh yeah, its "as is". I have never loaded beyond 11,650 lbs gross weight.

Sure dude. maybe 150.00 delivered..
That seems pretty rude really. ( where your from) Honestly im sorry i even posted up after that comment.
We were just trying to give you some thoughts but i can tell your not interested in my or anyones thoughts on the matter.


Good luck what ever you do.
This is my last reply.

 

[56FordGuy]

Mine is a 7.3 IDI non turbo, the later 93's had a turbo.

Ah, my mistake. I figured it was a PowerStroke, most likely a 99+.

I'd completely agree with selling/ donating the IDI and moving to a newer truck. Heck, a modern half ton may actually have a higher GVWR!

 

[_RaT_]

Yeah, the old IDI's are really hard to want with so many nice diesels out there. I guess BlackPlague was a little miffed at my sense of humor, no harm intended, it was really all joke. As I mentioned, I really would not want to put the issues on others so donating was my serious choice. I was really looking for info on Chevy's in particular as I am more familiar with Ford and to a lesser extent Dodge. I did get some good info from this thread. Thanks to all who helped including Mr BlackPlague.

Ah, my mistake. I figured it was a PowerStroke, most likely a 99+.

I'd completely agree with selling/ donating the IDI and moving to a newer truck. Heck, a modern half ton may actually have a higher GVWR!

 

[bdeboer]

As for GM trucks brakes you are not correct. Many of the lower end models and 2 wheel drive models still have drum brakes on the rear as of 2010. Not sure about the 2011 models. Weak brakes have always been a complaint I have heard on GM trucks but like I said before I have not owned one in a long time, 2005. Mine had rear disc brakes and I had no issues but only had it 9 months and traded it.

Chris

From what I understand GM went back to the drums on the 1/2 tons as part of a Bosch system in 2005. Part of this decision was the complaints about the mushy feel of the '99 to 2004 1/2 ton truck brakes. Having owned both I prefer the 2005 brakes. On both my '99 and the '05 the brakes lasted around 60,000 miles.

 

[dodge man]

I just bought a 2002 GMC, 1/2 ton regular cab 4x4. It has the 5.3 and 3.73 gears. My previous truck was a Quad Cab Dodge 1/2 ton with the hemi. I was expecting the 5.3 to seem like a dog, but it does O.K. I was towing my car trailer with a water tank on it last Friday. I had maybe 5000 pounds total behind it and it did pretty good. Mine has about 102,000 miles on it and it needs a couple of things like shocks and cruise control fixed, but nothing that needs fixed right away. Being a long time Dodge guy, I'm pretty happy with the GMC.