Newb requesting advice

[Prospect62]

Hey ya'll. I'm new here and have been lurking for awhile. Great forums you guys have here, much better than the other Ford forums out there...

Anyway I'll get right to it. I'm looking at buying a 1999 F250 Super Duty with the 7.3 Powerstroke. It has 106,000 miles on it. It's an automatic 4x4 crew cab. It looks like it's lived the life of a contractor for awhile but I'm in love with it.

Basically I was hoping you all could shed some light on the issue for me. I've got concerns about the following:

- Buying a 10 year old truck with 103,000 miles
- Truck was used for towing in its past life...how do the AUTO trannys hold up?
- What main issues can be expected from this truck?

I'm pretty mechanically inclined. This would be my first diesel but my brother and I are gearheads and he has a 2007 Duramax GMC. General maintenance will not be an issue. I have no problem buying the truck that's this old with this many miles, but I want to know if I'm getting into a ticking time bomb.

From everything I've read here, these things are just getting broken in at 100,000 miles. I guess I'm more worried about everything besides the motor. I've read and studied the "What to look for when buying" thread...but any other input you all could provide would be just awesome.

Thanks!

[Hank]

Welcome to the org. !

That's low miles for a 1999! They were made for towing so I wouldn't worry about that other than the tranny is the weak link. I would expect that you will need to have it re-built soon. Many of us have. Just don't go the FORD remanfactured tranny route. Not worth your time and certainly not your money. Find a good shop that has some hard core customers like sled pullers and drag racers. Talk with them about building you one to suit your needs.

There are some pretty good threads on here about "buying a truck" and what to look for.

Is it an early or late '99? Will make some difference when you are adding mods, etc.

Good luck!

[SAR Pirate]

Welcome aboard.

From what I've read here, the motor in your truck is a workhorse.

I agree with the above. Go ahead and plan on having the tranny rebuilt sooner rather than later, before It leaves you stranded somewhere.

I'd have it done immediately and avoid the inevitable.

What part of the country are you in?

If your in the Tampa Florida area, I can recommend an GREAT trans guy, with the quals the above mentioned. He's done work for me and I've never had a problem.

He stands behind his work and even follows up with you for a year or so afterward, making sure everything is still ok

Good luck with the purchase and enjoy!

[Prospect62]

Thanks for the responses so far guys. I live in upstate New York, but the truck is from Pennsylvania.

Bad news about the tranny, but I appreciate the honesty. I'm really not going to be able to afford a rebuild. Anyway...

I think it's a later 99 because the "Powerstroke" logo is on the door. I've heard that that signifies the later 99's...could be wrong. I've been unable to locate a build date for it yet. I was looking at it this morning and forgot to check the sticker in the door.

Thanks again, keep the info rollin!

[SAR Pirate]

Check the VIN

[Prospect62]

Originally Posted by SAR Pirate

Check the VIN

I did...it tells me the model year but not the build date...

[Prospect62]

By the way, they're asking $9450...fair?

[Hank]

Originally Posted by Prospect62

I did...it tells me the model year but not the build date...

Should be a month and year on the sticker?

I'm not in the truck buying or selling biz, but that seems a little high for a '99 especially if it was a work truck and is beat up. Get online and search for that model and see if you can determine an average price for a similar truck.

[Prospect62]

Nah I didn't remember to check the door tag this morning when I was looking at the truck.

According to KBB and NADA the price is pretty much right on...

[85_305]

Originally Posted by Prospect62

Thanks for the responses so far guys. I live in upstate New York, but the truck is from Pennsylvania.

Where upstate? I'm from buffalo and moving back there in about a month. I also bought a contractors special (see sig), but in about 2 mos I'm completely redoing everything. It's going to be pretty nice.

Originally Posted by Prospect62

Nah I didn't remember to check the door tag this morning when I was looking at the truck.

According to KBB and NADA the price is pretty much right on...

Yes that price is actually a bit cheap sounding to me