Need Advice about this Truck...

[miramadar]

I've decided to pass on this truck for now. The utility bed is just going to be a hassle to replace, and I wouldn't have a need for it. I'm seriously considering two other vehicles...

1993 F350 Ford Diesel 4x4 Faltbed

95 F-250 7.3 4x4 diesel extra cab for sale or trade.

Being the same price, I'm heavily leaning towards the F350. But that one is about 7 hours away. The F250 is about 3 hours away.

 

[Diamondpilot]

That 95 has a lot of miles. How many on the 93? Looks like a good old truck from the pics.

Chris

 

[Lt CHEG]

I think the original truck with the utility bed would be a much better truck than the 95 that you showed us. Depending on the number of miles the 93 could be a decent truck too, but I think the original with the utility was even nicer. I know a lot of people have warned of the utility body and they have some excellent points but based upon what you stated that you want to tow I still think you'd have plenty of axle load available to tow your tractor unless you had the utility body fully loaded. I can certainly understand if you just don't like the look of a utility body and don't want to buy it because of that. However it seems like you're not looking to really load up the utility body, and the 7,000 pounds or likely less of tractor and trailer that you need to tow could still be very capably handled by that truck. No matter what you decide good luck.

 

[miramadar]

That 95 has a lot of miles. How many on the 93? Looks like a good old truck from the pics.

The '93 has about 250k miles. A lot of miles, but (according to the owner, who seems like a pretty straight-up fellow) still runs great. Has a newly rebuilt manual tranny, new paint, 4 year-old steel bed, and newly covered seats on the inside. I've made arrangements to buy it this weekend if it doesn't sell beforehand.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I've learned quite a bit from this post.

 

[Dmace]

The '93 has about 250k miles. A lot of miles, but (according to the owner, who seems like a pretty straight-up fellow) still runs great. Has a newly rebuilt manual tranny, new paint, 4 year-old steel bed, and newly covered seats on the inside. I've made arrangements to buy it this weekend if it doesn't sell beforehand.

If your looking at that era Ford truck, I would definitely stick with the manual transmission especially for towing. I had a 94 F-350 non-turbo 7.3l IDI diesel and while it was no powerhouse, it had good power for hauling but the E4OD 4-speed auto was horrible. It up-shifted too soon, held the taller gear until you almost stall out before downshifting, had a constant leak from the oil pan which was replaced twice, and every now and then the O/D light on the shifter would start blinking sending the tranny into limp mode and making the shifts so hard it would shake the truck. I sold it when the frame was so rotted it wouldn't pass inspection and the transmission stopped shifting into 4th gear. My truck was rated at 11k GVWR and weighed 7200 lbs empty with the dump bed and plow head gear.

The engine was pretty bullet proof but needed a new fuel filter/water separator ($50) every oil change (5k miles) and REALLY didn't like starting in the cold without being plugged in over night. Also, brakes on the 4x4 trucks are a nightmare as well since the rotor and hub bearing are all one piece and replacing a rotor consist of removing the entire hub assembly one ring at a time. :mur:

 

[miramadar]

Update...

I ended up buying the F350 flatbed. Drove from Eastern KY plumb to Nashville to get it. But overall, I'm happy with it. Engine runs good, manual tranny is smooth. It does smoke A LOT when cold...white/blue-ish smoke. Once warm, no smoke. Any ideas out there about the cause/fix?

Once we got it home, I did notice that the fan was "loose". Seems to be the water pump. I'll have to replace it soon.

Pics coming soon...

 

[JB4310]

Update...

I ended up buying the F350 flatbed. Drove from Eastern KY plumb to Nashville to get it. But overall, I'm happy with it. Engine runs good, manual tranny is smooth. It does smoke A LOT when cold...white/blue-ish smoke. Once warm, no smoke. Any ideas out there about the cause/fix?

Once we got it home, I did notice that the fan was "loose". Seems to be the water pump. I'll have to replace it soon.

Pics coming soon...

You'll have to fill us in cause that ad expired, besides the 250,000 miles I don't know anything else about the truck. The high miles would of kept me away from it but I know you had a budget and couldn't just choose what ever you wanted.

White blue smoke doesn't sound like normal cold diesel, and would not be good if it was gas?

JB.

 

[Dmace]

It does smoke A LOT when cold...white/blue-ish smoke. Once warm, no smoke. Any ideas out there about the cause/fix?

Mine smoked a little at first on a cold start unless I had it plugged in then it wouldn't smoke at all. A little smoke is normal for an old diesel cold start but if it doesn't go away within a few minutes then start looking for a failed glow plug or dirty injector.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am with the guys here. Old truck, especially diesel, giving a little smoke on start up is no big deal. Keep a eye on the oil level. If it goes up or down then there could be issue. Going up is worse because you have fuel contaminating the oil.

Chris

 

[KB9UDE]

I had a 1996 Ford F250 7.3L 4x4 EXT cab. It had the 5 speed manual tranny. I really liked it. Never should have sold it. It towed my Deere 4500 and implements on a 20ft 14K trailer with no issues at all.