looking to buy ....any pointers

[cd-g]

I am looking at 99-03 ext cab long box 250 or 350, w/ the standard anything I should know to watch out for. Is the 7.3 the best.. anything will help

[2005F250]

When you say standard do you mean manual tranny?

[97 golden stroker]

this is going to a long thead with that last question but good luck with the look.

[2005F250]

7.3 is the overall best for everything. Towing, economy, and reliability.

[Stroked]

look for rust on the bottoms of the doors and tailgate, see if you cant take off the intake tube enough to see that compressor wheel, and all the obvious stuff, like oil leaks, signs of old leaks, and if theres any issues with a rotten oil pan, or leaky remember that the engine has to be removed for repair, and just the basics of buying used vehicles,

[cd-g]

the engine has to be removed to do the oil pan?..and yes i meen the 5spd or is it a 6spd manual, everything helps guys

[Stroked]

yes. ive heard of people hacking up the crossmember and doing it, and welding it back, but thats still a no no, and thats another thing im almost certain an early 99 has a 5 speed manual, and a late 99+ has the 6 speed manual, thats another thing to look for, unless for some reason you decide that you want an early 99,

[John_DeereGreen]

Originally Posted by powerstrokin250

yes. ive heard of people hacking up the crossmember and doing it, and welding it back, but thats still a no no, and thats another thing im almost certain an early 99 has a 5 speed manual, and a late 99+ has the 6 speed manual, thats another thing to look for, unless for some reason you decide that you want an early 99,

All Super Duties have the ZF 6 transmission...6 speed. The ZF 5 was in the OBS trucks. The only thing I would watch out for on the 6 speeds: they can be mean shifting bastards...gears are wayy too close together for my liking, but I'm used to big trucks and my ZF 5. Other than that, just the usual used car shopping would be okay...maintenance records are always a big plus!!

[Stroked]

ive driven several early 99's witha 5 speed.

[cd-g]

how about front ends...and are the autos just as reliable as the standrds