Jvanhook
Jacksonville Fl
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I'll start of by saying I am a Chevy guy, So I really don't know too much about a Ford, But i need on if i'm going to tow alot, so here i go, I am looking at a 1999 F250 7.3 4X4, it has 167,000 miles, trans was rebuilt about a year ago, The truck is in Perfect condition as far as looks go, I will take it for a test drive this weekend, The problem is, I don't know what to look for in a Ford, i know to look for the standard stuff, Does is ride smooth, does it shift okay, what upgrades did he install, So someone please help on what to look out for, What other questions do I ask, what else do I look for, what is the common faults with a 7.3 or even the 4 wheel drive?
Camping year around in FL is fun
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samsontdog
Oregon, Wash Coast summer, Yuma Az winter
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I was at a consignment lot an hour ago and there was a 99 F250 with the 7.3 eng
, really clean, one owner etc. I dont even need another TV but I thought it was a good price at $14,500 with 123K miles. I did not start it up or any thing.
samsontdog 
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me2
Wherever
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I'm driving that vintage of truck. You might want to read my "When does it pay to get a new tow vehicle ?" thread. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24295876.cfm
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Artum Snowbird
Campbell River, B.C., Canada
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read this
Mike and Carole
2007 Snowbird 9'6" Super Slide
2005 16.6 Double Eagle
2000 F350 7.3 SC 4X4
previously 8'10" Snowbird Camper
2006 Triple E Regency 27 foot SXL SOLD!
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Jvanhook
Jacksonville Fl
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He wants $9800 for it, I really don't think I can pass up this deal, I just don't know what issues the 7.3 motor has, I need some advice from some Ford guys to help me out,
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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I have a 99 & 02 F250 4X4 with the 7.3. You would have to pay me to trade them on a newer 6.0 Ford. The weak link is the auto tranny (mine are the 6sp manual) so a rebuilt tranny is normal. The other problem area is the front king pins that only go about 100K miles before needing replaced. A 99 is probably only 235HP and responds well to having a chip to add more HP. My 02 is stock at 275 and I have a programmer that I have never installed as it has plenty of power, even grossing 26K lbs. Probably has the 3.73 axles which is my choice in a 4x4 as if you need grunting power you can use low range. The manual transfer (lever on the hump) gives very little problems and is a better choice than the auto (switch on the dash). I'd check to see if it has an extra rear spring and rear sway bar (camper paqckage) as this turns it into a F350. Glow plugs/controller give some problems, but not expensive to fix and in Jax not going to be a big problem.
*Well, I thought it was a good price if it's not a scam.
At that price I do not see how you can go wrong as there are a lot of 7.3s out there with 300K+ miles and the engine has never been touched. For less than $150 you can turn the cold weather butterfly in the turbo into an exhaust brake that works surprisingly well. It it has maintance records and no blowby at the oil filler (means the miles are probably correct) it's a lot of truck for the money.
If you are going to pull a 5er then it's easy to lower the rear by taking out the axle spacer and cutting 2" long spacers out of 1/2" pile so you can reuse the U bolts. Once you have the 8 spacers it takes less than 30 minutes with a air wrench and a floor jack to lower it so it fits better under a 5er.
* This post was
edited 09/05/10 03:58pm by Ivylog *
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
04 Monaco Dynasty 42' quad slide
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How I tow.
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me2
Wherever
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If the body is in good shape, I'd go for it. These trucks haven't changed much over the years and its real easy to upgrade them. Generally they are tough as nails, especially with a 7.3.
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Ball joints on the Dana 60 front axle worn out, auto 4wd hubs both functioning, front axle tracking arm bushings worn, and tie rod ends worn are the areas I would inspect first in the chassis.
The only axle ratio available in a '99 F250/350SRW diesel 4wd was 3.73. The 4.10 was optional on the F350DRW diesel.
05E350 6.0PSD
97F350DRW 7.3PSD 4x4 4.10 11' flatbed
98Ranger
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler
Callen Camper
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
B&W TurnoverBall, Curt Magnum V
HD Springs Bilsteins,
285/75-16E BFG AT on 16x8 Stocktons
4.56's & LockRite rear
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Dave H M
IL
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If the ball joints have not been replaced they surely are shot. There are tutorials on like on how to change them.
I have driven an F 250 psd since new and it now has 148K on it.
I think it will take me to the end of my camping years.
i can't tell you what to look for since Mine never has had any problems.
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whjco
Lexington, KY
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Jvanhook wrote:He wants $9800 for it, I really don't think I can pass up this deal, I just don't know what issues the 7.3 motor has, I need some advice from some Ford guys to help me out,
I have a 2000 E350 that I ordered new and a 2000 Excursion that I got in 2006 both with a 7.3. The only "issue" with both has been a recall to replace the cam position sensor (CPS) which is a minor 10 minute fix.
They're basically the same commercial fleet diesel as a Navistar T444E and they're got a proven track record of dependability and low maintenance. Both of my trucks have over 100k on them and I've not had any transmission problems. I've very pleased with both trucks and plan on keeping them for a long time.
I think you'll really be happy with the 7.3. Here's some links that you may want to check out:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum31/
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f24/
Bill J., Lexington, KY
2006 Starcraft 2500RKS 25' Travel Trailer
2000 Excursion Ltd. 7.3 PSD
2000 Ford E350 7.3 PSD
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