Potential New Truck...

[RPurdy]

Alright guys Ive been looking around for a new truck. I want a 03 7.3. Im in no hurry and it hit me one day, I have a buddy who has one. It was a 03 with the 7.3. C/C LB 4x4. Lariat. Full power blah blah. Hes the original owner. Bought it new in 03. Truck has like 6X,XXX miles on it.

Heres the problem. The truck threw out its tranny. I dont know the exact reasoning of why or how but I know its gone. I also know for some reason or another its needs an ECU. Im not sure if that's related to the tranny. I do know the truck is bone stock. He didnt do any mods. Because it isn't drivable, it has sat for the last year or so. I know he starts it up and lets it run so it doesn't ruin anything. It has very little rust.

So my questions for you guys:

-How much is the truck worth as-is state. Not the KBB but what would you guys pay for it or at least think is a reasonable price?

-What would I be looking at for a tranny and ECU for it?

-Even though he starts it, because it has been sitting should I be looking for anything that would have been affected on it?

Sorry about all the questions. Ive owned OBS up to this point and really just don't know much about SD. Not even how well the hold their value.

[usnavyad]

ok i know the 4r100 in the weak points on our trucks but at 60k for a strock truck that dont sound right also y do u want a 03 u know bout the pmr rods and all that right is it a 5 spd or an auto

[RPurdy]

No I dont know about the PMR rods. And It was the last year they did the 7.3. Someone told me if you could buy it that year. Was that wrong? And Auto. Sorry

[Austin G]

02 & 03s have PMRs, only good up to around 400hp. So if you want to make serious HP buy a early model 7.3.

Just typical 4r100 problems, can't avoid them with any 7.3.

[usnavyad]

99 to 01 i think has forge connecting rods late 01 to 03 has pmrs wich is like the partical board of metal its not as strong as the forged con rods just somethign to think abought im not saying they are terrible but forged is def better when it comes to he newer 7.3l for an auto trans somethign had to fail maybe the sliding clutches in there with 60k was the fluid changed id say maybe a metal partical or somethign thats not normal

[RPurdy]

Yeah Ive heard about the tranny problems. What would you say would be best? Going out and getting a new tranny or just upgrading to a better one? And your talking about the connecting rods right?

Edit: Yeah I dont really care why it failed as long as its not a problem coming from somewhere else. If that makes sense? And that makes sense on the connecting rods. I dont really plan on doing super mods to it. Really just some tunes and air intake. Normal mods, nothing extreme. Would that be ok for those rods?

[usnavyad]

its no reason not to buy a bnewer 7.3l just somethign to think bought for longgevity and all that

[RPurdy]

Originally Posted by usnavyad

its no reason not to buy a bnewer 7.3l just somethign to think bought for longgevity and all that

Ok well I learned something there. Did a little backround research. SO does anyone have anything on the other stuff I mentioned?

[HMM]

I'd say the real question is, if you buy it and it turns out to be one problem after another will it ruin your friendship???

I'd think it's a pretty good deal if you could get it for a good deal. In good shape they are still around 20k on autotrader. Trans is around $2000-$2500 stock I think. If I could get it for 10-12 I think it would be a sweet deal. But I would go into it knowing that it could have way more issues and not hold that against my buddy.

Note that is taking into account that your "buddy" shoots you straight and you can trust him.

One more thought, if it turns out to be something simple is he going to hold it against you for getting it at a great price. But that goes back to my first statement...

[RPurdy]

Originally Posted by HMM

I'd say the real question is, if you buy it and it turns out to be one problem after another will it ruin your friendship???

I'd think it's a pretty good deal if you could get it for a good deal. In good shape they are still around 20k on autotrader. Trans is around $2000-$2500 stock I think. If I could get it for 10-12 I think it would be a sweet deal. But I would go into it knowing that it could have way more issues and not hold that against my buddy.

Note that is taking into account that your "buddy" shoots you straight and you can trust him.

One more thought, if it turns out to be something simple is he going to hold it against you for getting it at a great price. But that goes back to my first statement...

Honestly I think it would work out well. Hes a pretty straight forward guy. I would talk to him about it in detail. And he knows its the tranny and ECU. It might have a little more behind it but its only sitting there because he went thru a divorce and just has no money for a tranny.

So 10-12 would be good for it? I was thinking a little lower at 8 but like I said, Im new to SD and just don't know how well they hold their value.