Ventured up from the "basement". Got a question.

[apextrans]

I'm looking at an 2003 F-250 with 145000 on the clock. It's in the lonestar state (where all the good trucks are) so I can't lay my hands on it just yet to check it out. The seller is very helpful & I think he even knows a thing or two 'bout diesels, so what should I be asking him about a 7.3PSD with that kind of mileage? I know another guy that bought from the same dealer I'm talking to & was more than pleased with the truck & he never saw it until he picked it up either. All of what I know about diesels is 7.3IDI or Cat C-15 based. Any suggestions would be helpful. I love my IDI but business & family requirements are going to force a purchase in the near future.

Here's a pic or a few if I did this right:
http://photos.ebizautos.com/5313/1288644_4.jpg
http://photos.ebizautos.com/5313/1288644_9.jpg

 

[towcat]

here's your new avi.
quick word of caution...in TX they do work the snot out of their trucks. It's almost like buying a rental car. If the roof isn't pock marked from hail damage and the bed isn't blown out, you might have a well cared for one on your hands.

 

[apextrans]

here's your new avi.
quick word of caution...in TX they do work the snot out of their trucks. It's almost like buying a rental car. If the roof isn't pock marked from hail damage and the bed isn't blown out, you might have a well cared for one on your hands.

Well &*%#, that didn't take long. Did you freakin' follow me upstairs????? It's not a sure thing yet but it looks that way. I ain't skeerd of the Dark Side. There are other pics but not of the roof. It's a one owner vehicle, I pulled history by VIN @ work.

 

[jharvey]

I'd be asking about oil change intervals, coolant changes and addition of coolant additive. Also hows the tranny, what kind of towing and service on it as well.

See if the seller will take some pics of the undercariage and under the hood specifically around the turbo area.

John

 

[apextrans]

This dealer bought it from an auto auction in Texas. He has no info of that type. All he could tell me was the oil on the dipstick was clean & didn't smell burned. Same for the tranny. He said there is a tow hitch on the back but didn't look used. No paint chips from saftey chains or the like on the receiver. It has never had a 5'er mount in the bed. All of this doesn't really mean anything other than it was serviced prior to running in the auction. He knows about coolant additives but has not dipped it himself. He said the truck will be serviced, aligned, & detailed should I decide to take it. I asked him about sending it to a diesel specialist to look it over & said he would look for one in the area but it would be at my expense. He also told me he owns an '02 with a mild chip & exhaust. He said "this truck is still very stong in stock form". Doesn't know if it was ever chipped for sure but doesn't think so. It will go to his local ford dealer for the final delivery inspection before I come get it & replace whatever needs to be replaced within reason. If they find something major, he said he won't sell the truck, just re-auction it off. It has had a "thorough going over" after he bought it but he goes though it top to bottom once he has received a deposit on a vehicle. My buddy verified that too. Found a loose glow plug on his truck before he went to get it.

 

[jharvey]

Scott, sounds like a good dealer. Go For It

 

[pafixitman]

IIRC, that is the last year of the 7.3 so that should be a plus. I would see if you can get an OASIS (I think that is what they are called) run on it. See if 160k87F250 or Tbird could run it. You would at least have the factory service history. Might also tell you if any repairs were denied for chips.

 

[rubberfish]

An early '03 with a 7.3
That may become as desirable as a '98 12V
Nice looking truck. Personaly, I'm a little reluctant
to buy **** "sight unseen". Get him to send you
a gazillion pictures I guess, because it does look good.

 

[dieseldummy]

My grandfather has an '03 w/7.3. He has under 100K, but hasn't had a lick of trouble with it. It runs better than any other 7.3 I've been in and is very quite inside. I'd make a deal with the dealer that if it isn't what he represented to you when you go to get it he has to keep it.

 

[apextrans]

IIRC, that is the last year of the 7.3 so that should be a plus. I would see if you can get an OASIS (I think that is what they are called) run on it. See if 160k87F250 or Tbird could run it. You would at least have the factory service history. Might also tell you if any repairs were denied for chips.

I ran autocheck on it & it came back clean. Of course that wouldn't include the history you're talking about I guess.

Rubberfish, I got about 25 pictures of it & waiting for more of the turbo area & underside but so far it looks real good.

Diesel, I told him I need to be picked up @ Dallas/Fort Worth Int. & it would be great if he could bring the truck to pick me up so I could look it over there. If it sucks, I hop a plane home pronto. He said he was cool with that & I wouldn't be disappointed. We'll see. I sent him a refundable deposit to get thinks moving. Might be in a PSD Dec.1

 

[h2odrx]

that is cool! i found me one a 2000 with 34k on it 2 owners and the one now just pulls his house around with it and might be giving that up and selling the truck? i'll see if i can get pics??

I say go for it as long as you keep the idi... when the PSD breaks down!!

 

[pafixitman]

I think I am correct in saying the IDI ain't going anywhere. That is one of the reasons I am not giving him any $hit about getting the PSD!

 

[hugeredford]

with a 145000 on the clock you should't have any problems. we have a 99' with 342000 and my sisters boyfriends 99' has 490000 !!!! they last a long time

 

[apextrans]

IIRC, that is the last year of the 7.3 so that should be a plus. I would see if you can get an OASIS (I think that is what they are called) run on it. See if 160k87F250 or Tbird could run it. You would at least have the factory service history. Might also tell you if any repairs were denied for chips.

Tbird is running the oasis for me today. It's a done deal if that's clean. Told the dealer in Texas the same thing a few minutes ago.

 

[apextrans]

Well, I'm gonna take it. The Oasis report only shows to 45,000 miles & the worst thing on there was an alt. & throttle sensor. Seems like the PO was pretty good with timely servicing. I am a little curious why there's nothing after the 50,000 mile service though. Is that the end of the warrenty back then? In any case, flying to Dallas Friday.