192,000 miles too many?

[wannabemowing]

Yep another post from me:) I was looking around for a 3/4 ton truck and I found a 97 F-250 regular cab long box with the 7.3 PSD with 192,000 miles. Now I know that is a lot of miles, the guy is asking $6500 OBO for it, would anybody consider buying this truck or would the miles make you nervous and not want to buy? Haven't been able to go look at it or drive it but it looks to be in very good shape.

Here is the link to it...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=246361771&dealer_id=62782913&car_year=1997&model=F250&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1995&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=75&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=0&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=55373&advanced=&end_year=2001&doors=&transmission=&max_price=10000&cardist=20

[TXNSLighting]

Drive it, take it to a mechanic. See what they say. Looks like a very nice truck. The miles wouldnt scare me one bit. Id probly give him 5k..

[nosparkplugs]

Thats a clean truck, I am assuming it's non-turbo, and if it's turbo'ed not intercooler yet on that year? If you got the cash, no payment, and a non emission burdened diesel is always a good choice. A new long block 7.3L PS will run you about what the truck is worth. Folks are gobbling up these older generation diesels it's a winner

[LindblomRJ]

Thats a clean truck, I am assuming it's non-turbo, and if it's turbo'ed not intercooler yet on that year? If you got the cash, no payment, and a non emission burdened diesel is always a good choice. A new long block 7.3L PS will run you about what the truck is worth. Folks are gobbling up these older generation diesels it's a winner

You have assumed wrong. From 94 on the 7.3 was turbo charged.

7.3 Powerstroke is about as good as it gets in older diesels.

[mchildress]

Like said above have it checked out. My 95 has 180,000 on it,just put a clutch in last month.The clutch was still good the dual mass fly wheel was worn out. We have a 97 too with 200,000 both trucks are Powerstrokes they still look good and run strong.

[Gravel Rat]

The 95 to 97 PSDs didin't have a intercooler so the hp was 215. I converted the miles to kilometers and it is a high kilometerage truck. For that price of 6500 it the max anybody would pay for it.

The truck looks okay.

[stroker51]

The miles wouldn't scare me, I have a 96 with 212,000, no worries yet. My uncle has 265,000, and a buddy has over 300,000 miles on his. I'd give in the $5000-$6000 range if it checks out. Looks like a solid old truck.

[k911lowe]

i have bought many fords over the years with the same or more mileage than that.as long as you change the oil,keep the lubricated and drive responsibly,you will get a lot of use out of it.do a carfax on the VIN.its worth the 20 bucks.most dealers will do it free.

[mag360]

Those were good years for the truck itself. We have a late '92 f250 with over 280,000 now and the chassis is as solid as any of our trucks.

[TXNSLighting]

Thats a clean truck, I am assuming it's non-turbo, and if it's turbo'ed not intercooler yet on that year? If you got the cash, no payment, and a non emission burdened diesel is always a good choice. A new long block 7.3L PS will run you about what the truck is worth. Folks are gobbling up these older generation diesels it's a winner

here i thought you were a diesel guy. all powerstrokes have turbos, thats 94.5+. no intercooler. O and i have a 96 with almost 230k with no problems what so ever.

[TXNSLighting]

i have bought many fords over the years with the same or more mileage than that.as long as you change the oil,keep the lubricated and drive responsibly,you will get a lot of use out of it.do a carfax on the VIN.its worth the 20 bucks.most dealers will do it free.

i wish you would use your space button after punctuation.

[mag360]

i wish you would use your space button after punctuation.

Crazy how little things can drive someone insane. I hate reading the wrong forms of your, you're, there, their, they're, etc.

[wannabemowing]

Ok well here is a dumb question for everybody, it was mentioned that I take it to a mechanic to have it looked over, how the heck do I do this. Just tell the guy I'm going ot take his truck for awhile to go have a mechanic look it over?? And then do I just take it to any mechnic's shop and tell them I just want them to look it over, how much does that usually cost?? Thanks for all the great advice so far, I am really likin this truck and hoping to go look at it this week sometime.

[TXNSLighting]

Crazy how little things can drive someone insane. I hate reading the wrong forms of your, you're, there, their, they're, etc.

ha! yep! It shouldnt bother me but it does, its just hard to read.

[TXNSLighting]

Ok well here is a dumb question for everybody, it was mentioned that I take it to a mechanic to have it looked over, how the heck do I do this. Just tell the guy I'm going ot take his truck for awhile to go have a mechanic look it over?? And then do I just take it to any mechnic's shop and tell them I just want them to look it over, how much does that usually cost?? Thanks for all the great advice so far, I am really likin this truck and hoping to go look at it this week sometime.

well majority of people have a mechanic friend, so thats usually the route we go. Do you not know any mechanics?? If not try just walking into a ford dealer, ( in the service shop) and ask a tech working on a diesel. thats a good way, and youll make a new friend. Or ask a local small shop if they will just take a quick look at it.

[wannabemowing]

Thanks TLL350, I might have someone who can come with to look at it. If not I will figure something out.

[stroker51]

If you were closer I'd come and look at it with you, I've bought and sold several of those old body style, (OBS) trucks. Some of the things you will want to look for off the top is obviously leaks, oil from the high pressure oil pump, dip stick port, any other parts on the bottom of the block. Fuel leaks around the fuel filter bowl, lines, sensor. There are four plugs on going into the valve cover gaskets, two on each side, unplug them and look at the outside two ports, sometimes they will melt and therefore not allow that glow plug to fire. Since that's an F250 it will probably have the twin I-beam front end unless it's been replaced with a Dana 60, so take a look at the tires, see if the outside fronts, especially on the right side, are worn more. This sounds like a lot of stuff, but it's normal stuff for these trucks with that kind of miles. I honestly think the OBS trucks with the powerstroke were built a little better than other Ford rigs, a little more solid, just my opinion, but the ones i'm around sure seem that way.

[wannabemowing]

Man I wish you were closer too!! It sure sounds like you know what you are talking about:) Hopefully I can find someone as knowlegeable as you. So what I'm getting at is that if the truck is in good shape and everything mentioned above checks out then I shouldn't be too worried about the miles?

[TXNSLighting]

Man I wish you were closer too!! It sure sounds like you know what you are talking about:) Hopefully I can find someone as knowlegeable as you. So what I'm getting at is that if the truck is in good shape and everything mentioned above checks out then I shouldn't be too worried about the miles?

definately not. If those are good, jump on it.

[wannabemowing]

Stroker, You mentioned something about if the right front tire is more worn then the rest, what does that mean, if this is true then is this a truck to stay away from or how is that fixable? I ask because when I look at the picture of the truck from the front the right front tires does look worn, maybe I am just seeing things or it could just be the picture.

[Mowingman]

Nice truck, but priced about $1500.00 too high, even if it is a 4x4. I buy, use, then resell, high milage Powerstroke Ford pickups. The miles are not bad, if it has had good maintenance. All that I buy, have over 225,000 when I get them and many now have over 300,000 miles on them. I recently sold a real clean, 2001, F250, diesel, extended cab for $5900.00. Try to get them down on the price.

[wannabemowing]

I would definately try to get him to come down on the price, I wouldn't give him more then $6000 and if I could get lower that would be even better.

[mowermankevin]

Before you plunk your hard earned money down, ask yourself a few questions. Have I ever owned or driven a diesel before (this 06'-6.0 is the most complicated machine to date I have ever owned or worked on). Do I need a diesel cause I burned up a gas engine towing, or do I just want a (4.69 a gallon diesel). Buy a copy of Diesel Power Magazine and put it on the throne, so every day you can study it. Go to some of the Powerstroke Websites, Blue Oval.com whatever... study don't get in a hurry to buy, there are lots of Powerstrokes you drive by and fuel up next to, ask the owners their experience,miles,performance,etc... So far our PS6.0 with 32K on it has had two batteries, an alternator, PCV replaced and the little feature that sets the check engine light, (and dumps more $4.69 raw fuel) diesel soot evaporator that I found out about from reading the last issue of Diesel Power mag, but this is a pullin',comfortable beast if you can afford to feed it, I wouldn't trade for nothin' ..... Power Stroke Power Stroke Happy Hunting

[stroker51]

All the 3/4 ton Fords before the Super Duty's that i have owned eventually start to sag in the front end, this is common as I mentioned before. In my experience the right front tire wears worse, and I don't know if this is true or not but the side of the split axle on the passenger's side is longer, so therefore it sags worse/wears out ball joints?? This is just from what I've heard, not sure how true it is, but the tire wear is real. Maybe somebody else has a better explanation as to exactly why the right front wears worse. My 96 (with 213K, always got a trailer on) was wearing funny when I bought it 3 years and 60+K miles ago, I haven't had my front end rebuilt yet, I know on a Super Duty it's $800-1300 or so to have the ball joints and what not up front replaced. If you can get it for $6000 or less I think it would be a good deal, them are some solid old trucks.