buying a used pickup truck-concerns?

rfuerst911sc · 04-04-2009, 04:52 AM

I posted a few weeks ago a question about car trailers and it was clear to me that I need a different tow vehicle before I go purchase a trailer. So I have been cruising local Craigslist ads for used trucks. I already have a daily driver Toyota RAV4 and my 911SC. I will be adding this year the 914GT clone so I'm looking for a cheap pickup. To me cheap is in the range of $4,000.00 - 5,000.00. This vehicle will probably be driven once or twice a week if I use it like I think I'm going to. However in the future I might want to add a slide in truck camper to the mix. So I know I'm now into 3/4 ton or 1 ton territory. I know very little about diesels and I'm tentative to look at diesels that fall into my price category for fear of major repairs. I know there are no guarantees that a gas version will be any better but the availibility of gas trucks in this price range are abundent here in Florida. The other day I went and looked at a 1994 Ford F350 dually. It has 100,988 miles,single cab with XLT package. Motor is a 7.5 EFI gas engine. Receipts for a rebuilt motor and transmission in 2007 at 94,000 miles along with it running very well have me leaning towards this truck. I know it will be thirsty but for my purposes what do you guys think of this truck? Body was good with no major damage, it has bedliner,rail caps,running boards,dual fuel tanks,brush guard and of course all the towing stuff in place like a class IV/V hitch and 7 pin wiring. Price is $5,000.00 but I've talked it down to $4500.00 over the phone.
Today I'm going to go look at a GMC 1998 3/4 ton extended cab. It has 109,000 miles and a 7.4 litre for $4500.00. That's all I know about that truck any thoughts on this one? Thanks guys.

DasBoot · 04-04-2009, 05:48 AM

I have an 85 F350 diesel crew dually I'll give you cheap ($2700). It has the International 7.3l IDI motor (pre-PowerChoke). Needs a PS pump and an AC bracket. Still driveable, but you'll need arms like Hulk Hogan to turn it. I used it for dump runs/Home Depot. I'm in SoFLA. Come and get it.

rfuerst911sc · 04-04-2009, 07:21 AM

PM sent.

Rick V · 04-04-2009, 08:51 AM

Holy Fricking Cow. Someone needs to jump all over that truck for that price. Where were you last year when I was in the market.

DasBoot · 04-04-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick V

Holy Fricking Cow. Someone needs to jump all over that truck for that price. Where were you last year when I was in the market.

Well...it looks a lot better in the pics. Pretty rough, but runs perfect. Good truck for Home Depot, dump runs and local trailer towing. Good for driving in traffic too, as everyone moves out of your way...like Moses parting the Red Sea. Would be a good project to convert to bio-diesel, but I'm hip-deep in projects.

m21sniper · 04-04-2009, 09:53 AM

Whatever you get just look it over really good before you give up your money.

If you cannot, take it to someone that can. And make sure you drive it. It always stuns me how many cars my dad sells without people even bothering to take a test drive first.

Daytona · Daytona's Garage

Are you sure that truck is a 1985 dasboot? Looks more like a 1992 -1997.

DasBoot · 04-04-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daytona

Are you sure that truck is a 1985 dasboot? Looks more like a 1992 -1997.

'93 grille "update" installed by previous owner.

VincentVega · 04-04-2009, 12:40 PM

Not a bad deal at all on the diesel. You wont know the trailer is behind you at all.

If you up your budget a little you can pickup a late 90's or early 2000's gas Chev 2500. Trucks with the 6l have good power and they ride a lot better than the older trucks. The older big blocks you mention get horrid mpg, if that matters to you.

rfuerst911sc · 04-04-2009, 04:55 PM

Well about an hour ago I pulled the trigger and made a deal for this truck http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/1106099736.html I went and drove it and good god what a torque monster

It's a 7.3 litre diesel with 5 speed manual with only 97,868 miles. It has some dings to pound out and two small rust holes to weld up and some fiberglass work needed on the dually fenders but it's in great running shape. The owner told me at 70 mph on the highway he easily gets 18-19 mpg !!! I imagine this will pull a car trailer and not even know it's back there. So now I have a project truck to go along with my project 914.................does it ever end

Now I have to learn about diesel routine maint. and any other items to look out for. Thanks guys.

kaisen · 04-04-2009, 06:15 PM

Yikes

rfuerst911sc · 04-04-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

Yikes

Can you expand on " yikes " ?

onewhippedpuppy · 04-04-2009, 06:59 PM

Is that green velvet? I dig.

Rick V · 04-05-2009, 03:45 AM

well that will serve the need. Hell you could ditch the bed and make a rollback outa that, and not deal with a trailer at all.

DasBoot · 04-05-2009, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Can you expand on " yikes " ?

It's not a Ferrari that he can blather on about, hence "yikes" = nothing constructive to add.

Looks like you got a great deal. If there are more deals out there like that, I'll have to lower the price of my truck...

kaisen · 04-05-2009, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DasBoot

It's not a Ferrari that he can blather on about, hence "yikes" = nothing constructive to add.

Looks like you got a great deal. If there are more deals out there like that, I'll have to lower the price of my truck...

Das Douche-

I'm trying not to say anything negative about a truck that the OP just purchased and is excited about.

'Yikes' simply refers to purchasing an eighteen year old diesel truck after making this statement:

Quote:

I know very little about diesels and I'm tentative to look at diesels that fall into my price category for fear of major repairs.

Since odometer statements aren't required on vehicles of that vintage, and anyone with a drill can spin the odo back on a Ford truck of that year, paying a premium for 'low miles' is dubious. Of course, there are lots of things to look for to authenticate the mileage and condition, which the OP admitted he did not know much about.

Around here, $4000 will buy a very high-mile '99-00 F350 Powerstroke or an average mile '95-97. The 7.3 direct-injection Powerstroke makes 50 more horsepower and 135 more lb/ft torque than the '91 non-turbo IDI.

I hope the truck works out great. Welcome to the slippery slope of vintage diesel ownership!

rfuerst911sc · 04-05-2009, 07:05 AM

Kaisen you make valid points regarding the mileage and my lack of knowledge of diesels. Regarding the mileage the guy selling it said it was his grandfathers truck. The grandfather passed away and they have to get rid of it. The guy looked me in the eye and said his grandfather didn't drive it alot as he was retired. I took the guy at his word. Visually the truck may or may not have 98,000 miles but it fills my needs. For the little bit of research I did I think the non turbo mechanically injected is the way to go for me. I think this is a simpler truck to maintain, if I'm wrong oh well. I didn't know much about Porsches either before getting into them and I think I'm pretty knowledgeable about them now. Thank you for your feedback.

rfuerst911sc · 04-05-2009, 07:07 AM

And I didn't pay $4,000.00

DasBoot · 04-05-2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

Das Douche-

DasBoot · 04-05-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

Around here, $4000 will buy a very high-mile '99-00 F350 Powerstroke or an average mile '95-97. The 7.3 direct-injection Powerstroke makes 50 more horsepower and 135 more lb/ft torque than the '91 non-turbo IDI.

The first-generation Powerstrokes are not as hearty/reliable as our 7.3 International IDI's...mine has proven indestructible. Maintenance cost in the last 3 years? ZERO.

What's a matter...you don't have a coffee-table book on Ford diesels?