(off topic) 1997 7.3L 228k miles

[dolinick]

Sorry about this but I wanted your opinions about this truck. What kind of maintenance issues to look for and what kind of expenses can be expected coming up on a truck this age with this kind of miles on it? I mainly just want to use it to drive 50 miles to work and haul the family around in most of the time.

oops, I forgot the link: http://www.a2aautosales.com/1997-Ford-F ... 12/4910751
I got that diesel crew cab itch again.

Thanks,

Daniel

p.s. I'm still driving the Ranger everyday to work. I may be able to drive the Nova if I replace the water pump and radiator.

[iwhodat]

That's an awesome truck. I had a 96 F150 with a 302 in it. It will always be one of my favorite trucks. I drove that truck from New Orleans to Las Vegas and never had any trouble with it at all. It was the most comfortable vehicle ive ever owned. With that 7.3 liter, it could be a gas hog, though.

[hazelnut]

I've got a 2000 F350 12' service body truck w/ 379k on it and get 18mpg at 10,000# empty. I've had 5 tons of sand on it and cruised at 55 with no strain on the motor. Changing the fluids and filters is the life blood of a diesel, If the PO didn't keep up on them then it could cost some money to get it back into shape. The biggest thing with a 7.3 is to keep the RPMs below 2000 or 70 mph because that seems to be the mark where the mileage will drop off.

As anything with age on it seals and O-rings will dry up and have to be replaced but other than that 7.3s are one of the best diesels out there. But like any used truck how it was treated before being sold will tell how much it will cost if you buy it. 250k is not a lot of miles for a 7.3, I know people with 500k on them and still going strong everyday.

[dolinick]

Well, I guess I'm just looking. Not ready to buy just yet. I looked at that '97. It sounds great. Looks like an old farm truck. Red clay dirt/dust everywhere. It has a gooseneck hitch in the bed and a few horseshoes laying in there as well. The underside is not dripping with oil anywhere. It's missing one aluminum wheel. And appears to have the spare tire on the left front. If I had the cash I could probably get s pretty good deal and perhaps a lot less than the $5500 asking price.

however this longbed looks intriguing with 242k miles. I'm hoping to find a 2 wheel drive, lwb with a five speed. The manual windows and bench seat are also a plus!

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ctd/4439510452.html

[dolinick]

I took the 2001 F350 for a test drive and inspection. It looks and runs pretty good. Needs a power steering pump, and ball joints, serpentine belt and probably a couple of fresh batteries. Its got some dings here and there. It is a work truck.

I took this photo:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dolinick/ ... 98/sizes/l

[1972hiboy]

the 7.3l itself is relatively low maintenance. but around 250k a few things become vunerable. fuel injectors typically last around 200k with good maintenance. under valve cover wiring harness, glow plugs. so what im saying is you would just need to take it as it comes with something with that many miles and age on it. But overall a good dependable setup. Ive got a fleet of 7.3ls in paratransit buses. Ive got 20yr old 7.3ls with 400k going out daily still.