Opinions on a Ford 7.3 turbo diesel

[BJN644]

Walk away at a brisk pace and buy a rust free southern truck.

If you're in love with the plow & sander, offer hime $1,500 for them and tell him to sell the rust bucket to someone else.

I won't buy anything but brand new or close to new equipment from the northeast. Too much road salt, too much plowing, too much traffic. Trucks wear out faster up here.

I just bought a 9 yr old New Holland backhoe from S. California that looks better than my 2 yr old CASE backhoe. The reason is the climate.



My '92 IH came from central Florida and looks like a 5 yr old truck.

Look south my man. You'll be much happier. Trucks are cheaper down south, too.

Know any good web sites other than ebay for southern truck shopping?

 

[Builder]

Know any good web sites other than ebay for southern truck shopping?

Try trucktrader.com

You can get it shipped with Uship.com.

Just had my NH backhoe shipped all the way across the country. Not as expensive as I thought.

You could get a clean rust free southern truck shipped to you for under $800, if I had to guess. Or you could fly down and drive it home yourself.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I agree with builder, my f350 came from texas and it was a 1995 and looked better than my 02 did in 2005 when I purchased. Southern trucks look much better and easier to work on. I am currently looking for a bigger truck like a 4300 or 650 from the south, seem like there are alot of deals out there.

 

[BJN644]

I'm starting to lean away from this truck, but I did take a couple pictures I almost forgot to post.

 

[Duffster]

I'm starting to lean away from this truck, but I did take a couple pictures I almost forgot to post.

That is alot of truck for $2500

It would just depend on how big of deal the nonstarting issue is

 

[Builder]

I'm starting to lean away from this truck, but I did take a couple pictures I almost forgot to post.

I thought by your verbal desription we were talking MAJOR rust & neglect. Mechanical problems aside, from the pictures, I think that truck could rust quite a bit more before it becomes unuseable, unless the frame is rusted. How are the floors?

Was any idea given as to why it wouldn't run? Have you looked at the frame, bed, etc. for rust?

I guess knowing what your needs, expectations & budget are would be helpfull at this point.

If all you had was $2,500, then I'd consider buying it- knowing you'll be the shadetree mechanic for the summer.

If your budget was $10,000, then I'd suggest looking elsewhere.

 

[BJN644]

The major rust issue is what you can see on the front fenders, both sides look the same. The floor boards are solid, the bed of the dump body has a few holes. The brake lines will all need to be replaced, Maine has very strict vehicle inspection laws, any rust scale on brake lines and they must be replaced. The frame is a little scaly but no rust holes.

The owner said he would have his diesel mechanic get it running so I can hear it run. It has been parked for months and was running when parked.The owner is a contractor I know that does work for my company and I don't think he would be deceptive about the truck.

My plan is to buy a new truck in about 3 years, my thought was to get something cheap to get me by for my part time business/hobby.

 

[Builder]

The major rust issue is what you can see on the front fenders, both sides look the same. The floor boards are solid, the bed of the dump body has a few holes. The brake lines will all need to be replaced, Maine has very strict vehicle inspection laws, any rust scale on brake lines and they must be replaced. The frame is a little scaly but no rust holes.

The owner said he would have his diesel mechanic get it running so I can hear it run. It has been parked for months and was running when parked.The owner is a contractor I know that does work for my company and I don't think he would be deceptive about the truck.

My plan is to buy a new truck in about 3 years, my thought was to get something cheap to get me by for my part time business/hobby.

It's not good to have a diesel engine sit that long. It may have lost its' prime, might have water in the fuel system, dead batteries, etc.

I'd say that truck could have 3 yrs left once it's running, but no gaurantee that a major component won't grenade right away. After all, it's a 16 yr old truck that lived its' life in the northeast.

 

[newbury]

It's not good to have a diesel engine sit that long. It may have lost its' prime, might have water in the fuel system, dead batteries, etc. <snip>

Other than potential dead batteries is there a problem with leaving a diesel truck with a FULL fuel tank sit for months?
I've been doing it routinely for 5 years or so with my Ford. I only use it for major hauling once or twice a year and one or two vacation trips.

 

[Builder]

Other than potential dead batteries is there a problem with leaving a diesel truck with a FULL fuel tank sit for months?
I've been doing it routinely for 5 years or so with my Ford. I only use it for major hauling once or twice a year and one or two vacation trips.

I guess with a really full tank and some fuel stabilizer/additive it's better than a non-full tank. I was never a big fan of letting any piece of diesel powered equipment sit idle for months. Plus if it sits outside over damp ground, it will speed up the rusting process.