Anyone want to help a newbie?

[Sandalwood]

I'm planning on driving from Chattanooga to Flowery Branch, GA tomorrow (just a bit NE of Atlanta by Lake Lanier) to look at a 1996 extended cab F-250 4x4 longbed PSD. I know very little about these trucks, and I have never driven a 7.3 before and I have no idea what one "should" feel like. My only diesel truck experience has been with a Dodge 2500.

The truck has 285k on it with $2000 worth of work done on the E40D at around 180k miles. The problem is that the guy has no receipts from this tranny work and can't remember what was done.

Here's my question: Would anyone living in that area be willing to meet me to take a quick test drive? I do this fairly often for people in my car club who are looking for an "expert" opinion, but this is my first time to light up the bat signal. Anyone out there live in Atlanta?

Thanks, and I've really enjoyed the buyer's guide to the 7.3 in the tech section. That's some very good info.

[jamstoyz]

short notice but im sure someone on here can help. welcome to the org bud.

[Sandalwood]

Thanks! Yes, short notice for sure, but I thought I'd cross my fingers. I called a buddy with a 2000 model PSD and he gave me good info on things to look for, but good info only goes so far and then good experience takes over on the test drive.

[TexasR.N.]

Howdy and welcome to the .ORG. Obviously I can't help you with the test drive but get it on the highway and see if it stutters, shifts hard, etc..... Around town do the same, listen / feel how it shifts.

Pull the dipstick, look at and smell the tranny fluid. Is it red or brown? Does it smell burnt?

As long as it wasn't constantly abused you should be ok. I say this as I have a daily driver with 341K on the odometer. I wouldn't think twice about taking it on a road trip.

I would get a spare CPS (Cam position sensor), it is a weak spot on these trucks. It is located on the front of the engine on the passenger side down low kind of by the crank. IIRC correctly you'll need a 10mm socket to change it out.

Otherwise enjoy your truck and I hope you get miles of usage and enjoyment out of it.

Craig

[Sandalwood]

Thanks, Craig! I will do so. I appreciate the encouragement as well. The current owner pulled a 26' toy hauler behind it with a 5th wheel setup, but it doesn't sound like he got horribly rough with it.

I'll be sure to do that with the CPS. I'm going to take a really careful look at the front suspension as well as I suspect there may be some worn ball joints (based on the tire wear patterns in the pictures). I've asked the seller for better pictures of the front tires and if he knows of anything unusual before I drive 2.5 hours to see it. It could just be the shadows in the pictures he sent so far.

[Nick]

If you are still in Atlanta take the truck Bill Hewitts, Look at his web site on powerstrokehelp.com He should be able to help you out to figure out if its a good deal and problems with the truck.

[Sandalwood]

Thanks! I gave him a call, but he's appointment only on the weekends. Let's hope I can meet up with him.