Okay, so I'm not really new to the diesel world, per se. My dad has had his Cummins since it came off the line in 1991, and we've done literally every bit of maintenance it has ever needed (but he kept it bone stock). I also had my own Cummins that I ran, modified, and eventually sold. I've also rebuilt all sorts of gas engines, but that's not really important.
Right now, I've got a 1987 Ford F-150 with a 20k 302 and a 4-speed in it.
- New 302 (5.0L) EFI, less than 20k miles
- 188k on the truck
- 4-speed granny (Borg-Warner T-18)
- 4x4, manual hubs
- Good 32-inch tires
- Shortbox
- brackets and tubing for natural gas (no tanks or injectors)
- XLT Lariat
- Power windows, power locks, A/C
- Kenwood aftermarket stereo (no amp)
So, now I'm talking to a guy who is willing to trade my truck for his 1989 7.3l F-250 diesel. It has:
- relatively low mileage
- 4x4, manual hubs
- 5-speed standard
- 3.5-inch straight-piped exhaust (No emissions and no sound restrictions where I live)
- standard cab
- long box.
According to him, it needs a regulator, but that's about it. It has lower gears (I'm assuming 3.74's or the like?), but he doesn't seem to actually know much about the specifics.
What am I looking at when it comes to big failings? I know very little about Ford diesels. Obviously, the standard checks for new cars apply:
- Coolant in oil
- Oil in Coolant
- Runs, drives, shifts smooth
- 4x4 high and low
- doesn't leave a stain
- tires are passable
I haven't actually seen the truck in person yet, so I haven't had a chance to check anything. All I've got are pictures. Mine's the blue one.
Right now, I've got a 1987 Ford F-150 with a 20k 302 and a 4-speed in it.
- New 302 (5.0L) EFI, less than 20k miles
- 188k on the truck
- 4-speed granny (Borg-Warner T-18)
- 4x4, manual hubs
- Good 32-inch tires
- Shortbox
- brackets and tubing for natural gas (no tanks or injectors)
- XLT Lariat
- Power windows, power locks, A/C
- Kenwood aftermarket stereo (no amp)
So, now I'm talking to a guy who is willing to trade my truck for his 1989 7.3l F-250 diesel. It has:
- relatively low mileage
- 4x4, manual hubs
- 5-speed standard
- 3.5-inch straight-piped exhaust (No emissions and no sound restrictions where I live)
- standard cab
- long box.
According to him, it needs a regulator, but that's about it. It has lower gears (I'm assuming 3.74's or the like?), but he doesn't seem to actually know much about the specifics.
What am I looking at when it comes to big failings? I know very little about Ford diesels. Obviously, the standard checks for new cars apply:
- Coolant in oil
- Oil in Coolant
- Runs, drives, shifts smooth
- 4x4 high and low
- doesn't leave a stain
- tires are passable
I haven't actually seen the truck in person yet, so I haven't had a chance to check anything. All I've got are pictures. Mine's the blue one.