advice needed on 1999/2000 F350 PSD...

[DragRacer]

I have been "keeping my eyes open" for a nice used PSD for quite a while now... I currently have a F150 Super Crew that I am going to be soon selling.

The only time the truck will really be used is for towing an enclosed trailer and race car.

After reading about the many problems with the automatics in the diesels I really prefer a truck with a manual transmission.

Recently I came across two trucks for sale in my area. Both have ~120,000 miles and appear to be in decent shape. Both are equipped with fifth wheels. One was used for pulling a horse trailer and the other appears to have been used for pulling construction equipment. Both are equipped with the 6-speed manual transmissions...

I hope to go take a look at both trucks this weekend. Can you all give me some advice on what to look for when checking out these trucks? Any and all suggestions will be appreciated as I am not familiar with diesel trucks...

Also, what type of fuel mileage can one expect from the manual transmission equipped trucks? The trailer I will be pulling is a 30ft enclosed and I would imagine will weight ~10-12k.

Thanks in advance...

[Dusty's Diesel]

I know a few guys that get 17-18ish w/ the manual tranny runnin empty, but I don't know about loaded. maybe 13 dunno. Check the ball joints see if the seem wore out, ussaully they are, Also ask them if they have any service records. I wouldn't be afraid of any 7.3 w/ 120k that had good service. I sold one w/ 200k that is still runnin like a champ.

[thesmokinstroke02]

when you drive em make sure the trannys good. mines got 118k on it, but its a auto. and its goin already

[DragRacer]

Thanks guys!!!

Are the ball joints a major concern?

I would kind of expect the front ends to be worn. I know my F150 went through a set of ball joints, uppers and lowers, at around 120,000...

I am mostly concerned with what to look out for regarding the engine and drivetrain...

[Dirk]

I'll take my auto over a hand shaker any day.


....I'll put it up against any hand shaker any day also.

[szyd]

Who drove the truck. the guy that towed horses probably took good care because he owend it. The construction truck was probably run hard with very little care the driver most likely didnt own it. I remember the stuff I did with bosses truck. Just somthing to think about.

[DAYTONA392005]

Take the top of the airfilter box off and wipe the inside of the intake tube with a paper towell or white shop rag. If any grit or dirt comes out on the rag.....RUN AWAY

[superduty4x4]

Somewhere there's a buyers checklist, but the major things are: check turbo for dusting (pull the intake off if you can and inspect the compressor wheel), check for fuel in coolant (cracked injector cups), look for oil leaks (around the HPOP at the front of the motor and under the turbo), ball joints, test the 4x4 especially if its ESOF (electronic shift on the fly- no 4x4 and climate control defaults to defrost = vacuum leak), check for rust on the oil pan (if let go they can rust through), and that's about all I can think of right now. If I were shopping I'd lean toward the 2000 unless you know the 99 is a late model... the early birds have a lot of differences that can be a giant PIA.

[NCHornet]

I would run a Blackstone report on any diesel I was looking at buying. Even if you have to leave a deposit for it to come back. It can tell you a lot that you can't see in a visual inspection. BJ's are probably shot if they haven't been replaced already.

NCH

[DragRacer]

Ok guys... Here is what happened today... I went to look at both trucks and was able to drive both trucks. The rides, performance, etc... seemed the same. The one thing the really impressed me was how "tight" both trucks were, no rattles, shakes, etc... really different from my F150.

Anyway, I popped the air top cleaner and on both trucks there seemed to be some dust under the air filter. Not much but some...

To make a long story short I ended up leaving a deposit with the fella from the construction company. The state inspection expires in October and the interior, while in good shape, was somewhat dirty. He is taking the truck on Tuesday to get a fresh state inspection and have it detailed. The fella said the only problem he has ever had with the truck were the batteries. The two batteries in the truck now are less than a year old. The truck only has 109,000 miles and I was able to pick it up for $9,400.