What type of IDI should I buy?

[Jake2345]

Howdy all
First off my name is Jacob, I'm a new guy when it comes to diesels, some of you may know me from Powerstroke nation, but I've come over to here to learn more about idi's
Always loved them, now I want one!
Now first off I'm looking for a basic work truck, nothing cool, just something that will work for me, what are good years of the 6.9s and 7.3s?
Or better yet, what would be the best choice for a first diesel?
Cheers and once again thanks

 

[TWeatherford]

Some like the 6.9 because it has thicker cylinder walls. The early ones had a few more problems, one notable problem is use of the block heater can crack the block. Others like the 7.3 because of slightly bigger head bolts, slightly more displacement, some of them came with a factory turbo, the glowplug control system is better.

I suggest a manual transmission. I personally like them, and people have more trouble with the automatics. You see very few people switching from manual to auto, but a lot going the other way. For me, 4x4 was a must, at least to get me unstuck when I get stuck in 2wd. I also really like my crew cab, though an extended cab would have been just fine as well. I like to carry more stuff with me than a regular cab would allow.

There really isn't a bad or good year for them like there are with some other cars. They were all pretty decent. They don't make near the power that the new ones do but they'll get the job done. I would also argue that they aren't as long lived as some of the newer engines but most here will disagree with me.

 

[Dieselcrawler]

best years in my opinion is 86 or 87. 86 was last year for 6.9, but it had the good glow plug system. 87 was first year for the 7.3, but also first for the 5 speed.\

but hell. they are ALL good.

 

[Diesel_brad]

best years in my opinion is 86 or 87. 86 was last year for 6.9, but it had the good glow plug system. 87 was first year for the 7.3, but also first for the 5 speed.\

but hell. they are ALL good.

Corey, you could of gotten the 6.9 in 87
A friend of mine has a 87 f350 4x4 6.9 5spd, and yes he is the original owner

 

[Dieselcrawler]

thats right. i forgot they went up into the ugly years.

 

[Diesel_brad]

to the ugly years.

Is that like the wonder years?

 

[Dieselcrawler]

nah, 87-91 - ugly. hate them. i got both sides of it now. lol

 

[Diesel_brad]

nah, 87-91 - ugly. hate them. i got both sides of it now. lol

yeah. me too. HATE the brick nose

 

[icanfixall]

Welcome to a great fourum....
Choosing a year or engine is completely up to you. Something to remember about these engines is all the internal parts are the same in the 6.9 and 7.3 blocks. Sames gears, crank, rods oil pump, cam and all the bearings. About the only thing thats differant is the turbo rods and the pistons from 6.9 to 7.3. A turbo rod will fit the 6.9 but I have never found a turbo piston for the 6.9. The rod differance is the pin size. 28mm amd 32mm is the size. All the blocks and heads are drilled and taped the same between the 6.9 and 7.3 engines. So either engine size will fit in any configuration. Reading the block serial numbers is the quickest way to determine what year and engine you are looking at. The serial number is located on the drivers side top of the block next to the injection pump. It will say 6.9 or 7.3.. The non turbo 7.3 engine block started at 500,079 and went up to 1,116,330. Then it was a turbo block from 1,116,331 and up. Only new 7.3 heads are made these days and thats to bad for the 6.9 blocks but. I find no reason a 7.3 head wont fit a 6.9 block. The very early engines and heads have a tendency to crack but those blocks and heads are mostly gone these days. These are the dooms day rigs. All we need is 7 volts to open the fuel shutoff valve and a bump start and we be runnin down the road. Any newer electronicically controlled diesel will dead on the side of the road after the first nuclear blast. Not so with our rigs. A standard tran and a short hill and were running.... We also can burn anything thats flamable too. Kerocene, jet fuel,,, Vegi oil or used engine oil... If it burns were running.

 

[Rot Box]

Welcome Jacob Honestly the only turn off for me on the IDI's besides neglect and poor condition is the 4 speed auto (E4OD). Some might like them, and I'm sure that they can be beefed up to no end with a fair amount of cash but for my budget I don't like the idea of repair/replacement costs with these. The ZF5 (five speed manual) the T19 (4 speed manual--very stout) and the C6 automatic three speed are what I would stick with when shopping for an IDI, but that's just my opinion so take that with a grain of salt.

Other than that I would look for one with a turbo charger of any make/model if you plan to tow a decent amount of weight and if you need a 4wd truck look for an F350 85.5 and newer. The solid beam Dana 60 front axle rids you of headaches with a higher mileage truck. Both are not deal breakers by any means, but if you have the opportunity to get a truck with these options I'd go that route. If you end up with one post up we'd love to see it Don't forget to check out the tech section for tips on breathing new life into an old rig.

Andrew

nah, 87-91 - ugly. hate them. i got both sides of it now. lol

yeah. me too. HATE the brick nose

.........................Geeez guy's take it easy And all this time I thought they were dead ****! Those big plastic lenses are so--um BIG! Anyway at least they're not as ugly as the 92-97's

 

[SparkandFire]

Rotbox hit the nail on the head with the point on the E4OD. Trouble is that many an unsuspecting "new to the idi'er" has found their wonderful truck that they've saved and saved for and shoped for for a long time has a bum transmission a couple weeks after being brought to it's new home (in your driveway.) By then your wallet is fairly drained from purchasing the truck, paying registration and taxes and insuring it.

And there really is no affordable way to get the tranny rebuilt on a budget.

Injection pumps are relatively affordable, injectors, front end parts... all those things wear out as much on these older trucks as any other vehicle that's been on the road for 20+ years. Don't expect things to be absolutely perfect, or - if you want perfection you're going to really have to shop around for it and find someone who's taken care of the truck... and the price will reflect that accordingly.

Sad truth is that many, many of the trucks for sale out there have been neglected, it's actually a bit of a curse to the fact that they run so damn long. Some folks tend to forget that stuff like front ends and u-joints and bearings still need maintenance and replacement when worn out.

I'm really not trying to scare you off, just want to make sure you keep your head on straight when shopping around... I like to buy vehicles from people I know and trust, my current truck was bought from a dealer who guaranteed me that everything was top notch (which it wasn't...) BUT I knew ahead of time that I could deal with the stuff that came up. Good luck and welcome!

 

[Diesel_brad]

my current truck was bought from a dealer who guaranteed me that everything was top notch (which it wasn't...)

A car dealer lied? Say it aint so

 

[Jake2345]

I know a few of the guys one here might have seen me post this on powerstroke nation. com, but I thought I might as well ask you guys for your imput as well
http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/1984-Ford-F250-Diesel_14548193
I haven't emailed or phoned the owner, but I'm looking at something like that
What would you guys do if this was your first diesel?

 

[Dieselcrawler]

doesnt look to bad. tumber is an easy fix. and good price too.

 

[biggin92]

decent sounding truck but it is probably going to need a hole column if he has screwed that one up to bad