Opinions on this 2001 F550 Landscape Dump

[Snyderserv5060]

I am trying to make a decision and get a few opinions on this 2001 F550 with landscape dump. I am not asking for a war over different manufacturers or diesel engines so please lets leave that out. I already own a 01 F350 (Powerstroke 7.3) and love the truck/engine. This post is more to see others who have bought a dump truck and whether they have any regrets...

This truck I am considering:

2001 F550 XLT (all power options, rare for a work truck)
Just rolled 100k
7.3 powerstroke
6 speed manual
4x4
Full aluminum landscape dump

Im am at a point where my trailer being tied up with mulch (or other materials) really impedes my mowing schedule. While I could get another trailer I am really tired of shoveling stuff out of the trailer especially at the recycling center disposing yard waste. I do leaf clean-up in the fall as well as a pretty constant flow of landscaping through the spring and summer.
The owner of this truck is getting out of the contracting/construction company and really needs to sell this truck. Its going to go for under $15K and im hoping to get him down closer the 10K area. The only real problem is that its out of state... It can be driven to me for a small fee or I could fly in and drive home.

The carfax is clean, just shows the 2 owners

The Oasis report (fords system) only shows 3 small warranty repairs over the years... seatbelt, master cylinder...and something else.

One problems are: dented up front bumper but no damage underneath, needs a new headlight (but id upgrade them to the 02-04), a power steering leak (he said less than a refill a month but that needs to be fixed), and he said if he quick shifts 3rd to 4th gear it has, while rare, popped out of gear. I figured I could get a bunch of money off for these problems. The transmission should be fine, I wont drive my dump truck like a race car and in the really unfortunate case if had problems its a manual so I can buy some time and pull it in the off season and have it rebuilt. I spoke to others with the ZF6 (manual trans in these trucks) and they confirmed that this is nothing uncommon with these units and not to be overly concerned.

Just wanted to see what you all thought and if you had any second thoughts about buying a dump truck. Im just on the fence here as to whether I should, or wait it out...

Thanks all

[J. Peterson Grading]

Do it. Wait. How about you tell me where it is so I can go take a look at it in person and give you a better awnser.

lol

What type of price are they looking for. I picked up an 01 F350 4x4 dump for $11800. Has 80000 on it. So far its been a good truck.

J.

[Itsgottobegreen]

So where is it located?

[Snyderserv5060]

Its currently in Florida

[Marek]

Which fuel tank does it have ? If its the 40 g behind the rear axle it will need to be replaced, they delaminate. If the truck has been up north in the salt the motor will need to be pulled to replace the oil pan. The older fords were known for the sincronizers going out in the trans, but if your going to pull it you might as well do a clutch and pressure plate. In MD it will fail inspection if the power steering is leaking. If the fuel tank has started to delaminate you will also need a fuel pump and maybe new injectors.

[KrayzKajun]

do it!!!!!!

[Snyderserv5060]

I am well aware of the oil pan rusting issue... Being a FL truck and a FL truck for all its life the pan should be fine. I cant say what tank it has and whether its a problem or not... if it is that can be taken care of.

As far as the PS leak, yea MD is very picky so I will need to probe into this further and find out where exactly its leaking. I can fix any or all of the problems its just a matter of seeing if I can get them all fixed before an inspection.

I do not think its syncros because its not grinding on the shift or rejecting the shift...but again I am not a transmission mechanic so I cant say what it is.

Are all the OEM fuel tanks (for the behind rear axle design) a problem or just some? Tank is not a problem but injectors are costly!

[J&R Landscaping]

The ps leak maybe a pitman arm seal which is not that bad. Its a good combo with the 6 speed as oppoed to the 4r100 auto. I'd snatch it up if I were you. Has it been a florida truck its whole life? It may pay to check the ball joints... in the pick-ups they seam to be a bit weak but it don't seem as if the truck ever plowed...

[Marek]

As far as I know its mainly the 40 gallon steel tank that is behind the rear axle. Ford had my 02 for 74 days this spring trying to figure it out. To replace the rear tank and fuel pump and flush the incection system it was 2 k at the dealer. They wouldnt warranty the tank. Drive the truck, if it seem like its lacking for power then the tank could be the culprit. Pull the fuel filter , if there is rust present then plan on putting some time and money into the truck. Ford claims that the tank is rated to a B 5 rating, so anymore than 5 percent biofuel in the truck will cause the tank to delaminate. In MD the stations dont have to label the pumps untill they get to a 50 percent blend. Itseems that some stations are blending it in since its 30 cents cheaper per gallon. What part of MD are you in? As far as the front end , I have trucks with over 140 k that are still tight, seems to be a hit or miss problem.

[Snyderserv5060]

Im in Owings Mills MD myself... Ive had my 01 F350 Power Stroke for a few years so I know these trucks pretty well and do all my own work.

This truck is in Florida and has been since its original purchase. Its never plowed or even had a plow mounted up to it. Its hauled construction trash to the dump and materials to the job site. 1st owner had it to 70k and sold it to the guy I am talking to, both are friends tho. He drove it 30k or so and wants out of the business and needs a light duty truck for small jobs/work. Basically said just wants to get out of what he owes and move on. He trusts the truck and literally told me for a small fee he drive it to MD... However for a $79 ticket to FL I could fly down and drive home so either way that can be dealt with...but he again is confident enough in it to drive it himself to MD.

Yes it could need ball joints but in the event it does I can take care of that... hopefully it does not need them but if it does I can spend a day doing that. Ive read about the fuel tank delaminating issues but was not aware specifically what year/trucks were affected.

I am glad it has the ZF6 manual over the 4R100, my 01 has the auto and was already replaced literally the 1st week I bought it...fortunately under warranty. Just figure this truck has a lot of potential for the business and with a full aluminum dump bed its not going to have rusting issues, 4x4 so I wont (hopefully) have to pull it out of a job site and all power (while not needed nice to have).
Thanks for your input