Should I buy this truck?

[OldPhart]

Found an '86 F250 with a pretty decent body and almost no rust. 6.9 with a Banks turbo and 4 sp manual. Does not run, owner is a young guy who evidently bought it off a widow and decided it was not for him.

Says he checked compression on all cylinders, they ranged from something over 200 to 320. He did get it running at some point but it had no power. Both batteries are dated mid-2025. Tires are toast. Engine bay pretty grimy, interior maybe a 3 out of 10. No tailgate, nice straight chrome rear bumper. Has hole cut in bed for stacks-they are on the ground beside it.
No broken fins on turbo wheel, very little side play (not that I know how much is acceptable...)

I was pressed for time and did not so much as look at the dipstick but had the impression the kid was being straight with me.

Asking $1500.

How wrong could I be at, say, $1200?

 

[u2slow]

Diesel with a manual trans and turbo... $1200 wouldnt bother me at all. Even at $1500

 

[Clb]

Good start...
I can't tow something home for 2k

 

[DirtyWood]

Well, if you're bored I guess it could be fun but it sure sounds like a lot of work if the body is the only good part. The lower compression numbers are a bummer.

 

[Clb]

True
But as it has sat for a while, I would fill the cylinders with secret sauce and ley em sit.
I always advocate for loading one down and finding some big grades , and get it hot and sweaty for an hour.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

My vote is yes. Just be aware that you may be looking at an engine rebuild or finding another engine.

 

[u2slow]

If you're not familiar with older IDI diesels, they do seem underpowered. Its even worse with an auto trans though.

 

[Jesus Freak]

Is it a regular cab or extended cab? Regular cab gets $800....... extended cab gets $1200....... crew cab gets $1500...... theres my $3...... but yeah, ultimately, its do you even want it?

 

[onetonjohn]

The price seems reasonable if not a good deal to me, but I'm in expensive California. I'd second what Jesus Freak and DirtyWood say. Is that the truck you want (body style wise), and that it could turn out to be a lot of work (thus - is that what you really want). I love the 86, 4WD. They have the old school chevy square body look and the Dana 60 Axle. So I got two (one auto, one manual). That said, I need to finish/redo wheel bearing job (forgot to putt he rotor on - doh), I have a water pump, and a head gasket lined up that I know off, and I need tires. God knows what's after that. Spend a lot of time working on the trucks, but I love them and I don't want to pay for a new one. My friends think I"m crazy. Probably cheaper to spend 5K, get one that's running good with good tires. I think that's like 1500 - 2000 just for tires - 5 (currently no spare).