Need Advice about this Truck...

[miramadar]

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.

On a cold start, it smokes quite a bit for about 10 minutes. But once it warms up, no smoke at all.

One thing I do not like about this particular truck is the gearing. I believe it has 3.55:1 gear ratio. When you let out the clutch in 1st gear, it really takes off. I really would have preferred a higher ratio (like 4.11:1). But, as it is, it gets really good fuel mileage (about 20mpg).

One thing I really do like about this truck is the handling. For a big truck with slightly oversized tired, it's quite nimble and smooth. It does bounce quite a bit on bumpy roads, but I suppose that's to be expected given the suspension (?).

Thanks again for the input. I will post pics...I promise.

 

[Diamondpilot]

New shocks will go a long way to help that ride.

On the door pillar there will be a axle code. Sometimes its 2 numbers and sometimes its a letter and a number. Usually the 2 numbers are a open diff and the ones with a number and a letter are a limited slip. Get that code and post here and we can tell you what gear it has in it.


Chris

 

[jayste]

Ok. Now we need pics of the whole rig loaded and ready to haul!:thumbsup:

 

[JB4310]

On a cold start, it smokes quite a bit for about 10 minutes. But once it warms up, no smoke at all.

One thing I do not like about this particular truck is the gearing. I believe it has 3.55:1 gear ratio. When you let out the clutch in 1st gear, it really takes off. I really would have preferred a higher ratio (like 4.11:1). But, as it is, it gets really good fuel mileage (about 20mpg).

One thing I really do like about this truck is the handling. For a big truck with slightly oversized tired, it's quite nimble and smooth. It does bounce quite a bit on bumpy roads, but I suppose that's to be expected given the suspension (?).

Thanks again for the input. I will post pics...I promise.

Sounds like a slightly tired engine, not full compression/ full fuel burn till it warms up, 10 minutes is pretty long. How cold is it now where you are?

As far as the bumpy ride goes, besides good shocks you need some weight in the bed, HD trucks are rough when running empty.

As far as gearing goes, you must have highway gears cause with low gears even starting in 2nd the truck would not "take off"

Lets see some pictures

JB.

 

[miramadar]

Pics, as promised...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Those old F-series trucks are tough to kill. Keep up on the maintiance and it will last you a long time. My uncle has one just like it but regular cab that has been a farm truck all its life. He neglects the maintenance, his has a 460, but he can not kill it.

What front suspension does that have? Solid axle or twin I-Beam?


Chris

 

[Dmace]

Looks in good shape. :thumbsup:
I swear my old Ford had the exact same crack in the passenger side dash.

 

[JB4310]

Yeah, looks better than I thought, no rust on the doors, cab or fenders.

Flat bed looks very solid as well.

Good luck with it, JB

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yeah, looks better than I thought, no rust on the doors, cab or fenders.

Flat bed looks very solid as well.

Good luck with it, JB

Thats what you get with a southern truck. I can not tell you how many of my friends and family go to KY and TN to get trucks. The gal that cuts my hair told me today her husband was on his way home from Knoxville with a F-250 plow truck. He already has 7 and we have snow on its way tonight so just in time to get another guy on the road. 7" to 10" of wet heavy snow in the forecast at a 1" per hour.

Chris

 

[miramadar]

Yeah, I avoided the northern states when looking for this truck. Too much salt and rust. There's not a spec of rust on this truck...anywhere. The previous owner, who lives between Nashville and Memphis, bought the truck from a company in Mississippi. So, this vehicle hasn't seen a lot of salt in its day. And its good to buy a truck from a state where inspections are mandatory (they're not in KY). That way the owner must keep the vehicle in good shape to pass inspection.

It's a 4x4, so solid axle on the front.

Sounds like a slightly tired engine, not full compression/ full fuel burn till it warms up, 10 minutes is pretty long. How cold is it now where you are?

Here in Eastern KY, it hasn't been all that cold lately. Maybe low to mid 40's. Here's a pic when I started it up this morning: