High Mileage Diesel_Buying Used-200M too much?

[Sav'h Steve]

I am considering buying a used '99-'2001 Ford F250 Diesel
And I have been reading the 3/4 ton articles with interest.

Please tell me your opinions please: Pros - Cons

A known 1999 F 250 Crewcab 2X4, with 7.3 diesel with 200,000 miles. Trans redone at 120,000. Vehicle well maintained with lot of preventive maintenance on drive components. Owned by local auto repair shop owner who I trust.
Main concern is 200,000 miles.

Or......

A less known 2000-01 F250 Crewcab 2X4 or 4X4, with 7.3 diesel with 120-140,000 miles. Presumably more maintenance to be done and less preventive maintenance (assume oil changes have been done regularly)

[Let's say price is the NADA book for each]

At What point does one say "That's just TOO Many Miles!"??

Steve

[flyfisher]

Steve -

With proper maintenance and care those 7.3L's should be good for 1/2 million miles IMO.

I just sold my 2000 PSD with 110,000 miles on it and it ran as good as the day it was new. Two ball joints and a water pump were the only things I ever had to replace, other than routine maintenance items.

John

[Fyrzowt]

Maybe the Ford folks will have a different opinion....

Are you getting a price to go with the miles?
Are you prepared for the "little things" such as alternator/starter/radiator, etc that will begin to need replacement? Figure that in your price calcs.
The trans being done already will help.
What is the overall condition otherwise?
Given the scenario, the miles don't concern me - make it a negotiating point.
Buying from someone you trust helps.

Dave

[Alumatube]

I agree that higher-mileage diesels can be very good buys. I always have heard 350k miles is just getting the engine broken in on diesels.

The one thing about higher-mileage vehicles is the wear and tear on other parts, like ball joints and tie rods, shocks/struts, etc. I still wouldn't worry about it, since those things are usually just a small percentage off the overall savings you get on the higher-mileage vehicle.

Susan

Susan

[overlander63]

One thing I would hesitate over, is the higher mileage 4x4. There are a lot more moving parts in a 4x4 that you won't need 90+% of the time, but it will add a lot to repair and upkeep. As an example, I had a Ford pickup with a manual transmission, 4x4, and an almost identical truck with a 4x2. The transmission replacement was twice the price in the 4x4, plus they ride rougher, are harder on tires, the extra weight of all the 4wd components subtracts from towing and payload capacity. If you are going to get a higher mileage unit, keep it simple, if it ain't there, it can't break.
That said, I would look more closely at the 200K truck, the lower-mileage truck will need the transmission replaced sooner rather than later, and it's been done on the '99.

[Sav'h Steve]

Truck looks good. When he bought it he was impressed with first owners upkeep.

Yes, the price on the vehicle is $15,000. Think I'll offer $14. He does all my work on my vehicles and gives me a break.. He's looking at a Hemi.

The front end work has just been done, ball joints, etc. I can't remember all he said now, but it was about $3,000 (retail) worth work his best mechanic did.

He does brag that *his* diesel is much 'quieter' than his buddies 7.3's. Mentioned new idler and some other work.

It is the Loooong Bed. Some say it's a bear to maneuver in tighter places. Others praise the 8 feet of space.

I asked the Ford dealer and he said "it's a toss-up on those two...".

If I sold it at 275,000 miles (or more), would I have a VERY hard time unloading it?
7.3's seem to be in demand....

[Sav'h Steve]

Terry,

Thanks for your comments about the 2X4 vs the 4X4. It's a 2x4.
And I am definitely in your camp about the extra costs of the 4x4 at repair time.

I currently have a 4x4 Suburban 2500 7.4 gas, and I have NEVER used the 4x4 option. (I do get a sinking feeling driving it w/o trailer as the gas gauge moves fast to the big 'E' at 10 to 11mpg. )

Thanks for your responses. Anything else really important?
Steve

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Sav'h Steve

Thanks for your responses. Anything else really important?
Steve

If you can find an XLT, it has carpet, as well as more sound deadening materials throughout the cab. Quieter is better with a diesel, up to a point. I remember if a diesel engine was unduly quiet, it usually meant it was worn out, and had low compresion.

[2airishuman]

yea i've also been told, 'quiet' isn't good finding on a 7.3

both trucks have the same 7.3 drivetrain, and along bed is GREAT...

only IF you need it.

what are you towing?

i'd be inclined to go with the newer one,

because of all those other issues like TURBO, ac, water pump, suspension, bearings, steering and so on that will wear out.

imo opinion the newer one will have better resale value IF you sell it...

otoh who's gonna SERVICE the truck (the mechanic you don't buy from?)

how much towing have they already done and how do YOU intend to use the truck?

have you driven them both yet?

what's the butt-o-meter say?

also color might be a factor

cheers
2air'

[Sav'h Steve]

Terry & 2air,

I am new to diesels and had not heard about 'quiet can mean low compression - worn out'. Then a compression test would be in order!!

I am pulling a '90 25 Excella. (Possibly later a 29ft 93 Excella) These as you know are in the 6000lb area.

The friend's 99 F250 is white, which is fine for me. Don't want some colors.

I'd have to look and see if it's an XLT for the sound deadening -which I'd like!

"what's the butt-o-meter say?" Well I guess I need to train mine. I know gas vehicles OK but I don't know what to listen for in a diesel......

Thanks for all your advise. I DO appreciate it!!

Steve

[2airishuman]

hi steve

i like the white ones too!

compression testing is a great idea.

an 'oil analysis' is a nifty/inexpensive test too...

google oil analysis and find lots of info,

i've used blackstone labs for mine.

cheers
2air'

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, in most cases, but not always, newer and lower mileage is usually better. On the other hand, age and mileage doesn't matter if the price is right. As for resale of an old, high mileage truck, I would drive it until it drops and junk it. Not worth a whole lot when you buy it; And worth a lot less when you are done with it. [my opinion]

[Davis]

Hi Steve,
You have been given some good advice for the oil analysis but also check with the owners about coolant maintenance. On 2001 and older Ford diesels you have to maintain a SCA level in the coolant to prevent cylinder liner pitting which would lead to catastrophic engine failure . Ask the owners if they have ever added a Ford or Fleetguard coolant additive and checked the coolant priodically with test strips.
Also on the long bed vs short bed the long bed will have a larger fuel tank .Good Luck

[Fyrzowt]

I think on this truck I would opt for the truck that I had some confidence in the maintenance. The tranny has been replaced, the other stuff has likely been kept up with, I wouldn't worry too much about the 200K.
Take it to another shop for a second opinion.
Dave

[Coastalview]

Steve, I'd go with the 99 model. If you can agree on a fair market price, I would assume you can continue to have the current owner service it for you?
Maintenance is everything with any vehicle, and diesel powered of this variety need a little more attention to the coolant and oil changes which have already been expressed. The creature comforts of an XLT make it all the better. You will be fine without 4WD, wish mine was 2WD for a better ride.
Keep us posted, Jeff

[Midamrail]

We had a couple F-250s with the 7.3 and found the transmission to be the weak link, so a newer transmission might be meaningful. The motors were great, though - 200K well-maintained miles is just getting broken in.

A few years ago we towed our 31' Sovereign from St. Louis to Colorado and back with our 2001 7.3L F-250 with 60,000 well-maintained miles at the time. Literally one mile from our house, a tiny spring broke inside the transmission and took the whole transmission down with it. At least the truck had the courtesy to wait until we got home to break down!

[Sav'h Steve]

2ndAir',
I always appreciate your advice. It's just amazing the breadth of your knowledge!!

Davis, that is also interesting to learn about the coolant maintenance. Curious how that would lead to cylinder pitting. Not heard of it.

And I would keep maintenance with the shop owner- seller, he's a good friend.

Many thanks for your replies. I'm always learning -- particularly on the diesel...

Steve

[2airishuman]

steve

here is a great site for info on the powerstrokes, especially the 7.3...

dieselmann's Page

charles ledger the ford master mechanic who owns this site,

also answers questions on a yahoo user group for the powerstrokes...

PowerStroke : '99+6.0/6.4/7.3 Diesel S-Duty,Van &Excsn

his answers are brief, to the point and amazingly correct.

he's covered the antifreeze/scoring issue on the above site (first link) and many other important issues on the powerstrokes.

he keeps a complete list of the tsb and service issues and other goodies up there.

i've learned lots from his stuff and he's correctly diagnosed my rig multiple times, online and for free.

check it out!

2air'

[Sav'h Steve]

2air'

Thanks for the links. I have gone there and joined the Yahoo grp.

There is always a bunch to learn when you go pokin' 'round.

Steve

[Davis]

Hi Steve,
You can also go to thedieselstop.com which is a Ford diesel website and if you want to learn more about the coolant additive do a search for coolant additive or cavitation and you will be suprised . This is something that is overlooked by many owners and may or may not know about it.Good Luck. Davis