1997 F350 Purchase advice

[glovemeister]

Hey guys I need some help on a trade deal. A guy has a 97 Ford PSD, crew cab f350 with a 5spd trans. He has stated that he never has done injectors or hpop lpop etc, just changed oil, air filter etc. Anyway it has all the goodies power, cruise etc. Rubber flooring and the seats have had seat covers for ever. It has a fancy winch type bumper with lights in it. He purchased it from a buddy and the buddy had a flatbed on it. He pulled the flatbed and put a white bed on it, the truck is green. The guy stated there exists a bit of white smoke on start up but otherwise no issues. It has 237k miles. He wants $5150 but we are hammering out a deal. He states that is has a clank noise when he engages the 4x4. He asserts that a new front drive line is needed. The seats etc. are in great condition having been covered by a seat cover.

He wants $2500 cash and some items for trade.

I proposed $2,500 cash, my 1995 dodge ram 1500 with 96k (good runner, 4x2, v6, 5spd paint is ****. which I value at $1000-$1,500.) plus $1k in firearms trade value.
Would accept less cash probably about $1k, and I can send the rest over when I get it. In terms of the bed that works out perfect I've got a 84 ford with a nice new flatbed on it that I can't move so I'm gonna pull the flatbed and throw it on the new ford. The paint isn't an issue as I said because I'm pulling the bed and that cab appears ok, but either way I got a new idea for the paint anyway.

We are going to meet in the middle on driving which is about 4 hours for both parties.

My question is does this sound like a good deal, or a nightmare waiting to happen?

[screamin7.3]

Trade it. Your dodge could peter out at any time.

[Bend6.0]

OBS, Stick, CrewCab, 7.3 & 4x4 w/a good interior.....Get it. There will be plenty of items that may need replacing depending on how many things it has had already done. Just be prepared to put some money into it at some point for repair parts due to the miles. That is a sweet truck and $5k is a pretty good especially if the body is straight.

[glovemeister]

Roger that I will go ahead and make the deal. Appreciate the help. Will continue to monitor the thread for any information updated.

[Bend6.0]

Newer alternator And it's been intercooled!

[glovemeister]

I actually wondered about that and thought I saw both of those items also. I really wish I had some exterior pics but the original owner pulled his add after I told him I wanted it. So hopefully may join the group here soon

[madpogue]

Sweeeet deal at five large. That's what most gettin-rusty 3/4-tons go for in these parts. IC and 5-speed make it even sweeter.

Trade deal depends on the firearms involved. If they're ones you think might be hard to find down the road, and you'd regret parting with them, then I'd go for $3500 cash plus the Dodge.

[glovemeister]

Yeah it would demolish my firearms collection. Its nothing fancy mostly just a group of $300 or so firearms. I think that this deal is dang good so the guns must go because I very rarely shoot, and haven't hunted since 08.

The truck has a clanking noise when engaging 4x4, unsure if a single clank or repetitve but the owner says the front driveline needs replaced. He isn't a mechanic though just used what his mechanic friend says. 4x4 works great though.


He had no receipts or knowledge of injectors etc. being replaced.

The guy said he would drive the entire way to my house which would be like 5 hours if I pay for gas so I may even take that option. If the truck makes 5 hours over some of the biggest passes in the west I figure it must be in good condition.

[Maverick1701]

I vote go for the deal.
But as they said above there will be repairs needed and things that need to be fixed as with buying any used vehicle.

[glovemeister]

Deal will be completed tomorrow.