Test Drove 1997 F250 PSD!! (5 or so pics)

[Grnpwrsmoke]

I just Got back from test driving a pickup that i posted pictures of last night. 1997 5speed 4x4 279Kmiles
Here are some interior and engine pictures that I took a few hours ago. Now I have some questions about the test drive and problems that may arise out of purchasing this pickup. I don't have much extra $$ to spend after I purchase her, I just need something reliable and safe.

First off: It started up well and immediatly started purring! But it seemed like she ran a little rough almost, maybe its just an older truck noise. I don't know, I thought at first she was missing, but after driving and pushing her pretty hard and seeing no signs of white, blue or black smoke or even lack in power I ruled that out. Shifts well and drove fairly well.

Issues:::
-Breaks needed to be pumped in order to make them respond properly...
-Tires are going to be needing replacement sometime before summers over with if I had to guesstimate...
-Veers to the right a lil at lower speeds but quite a bit at 70. (alignment??)
-Substantial humming at high speeds (older truck just not seal as well in the cab??)
-Back right window roles down, not up.
-Steering wheel torn quite a bit.
-Cruise control fails to work


-More Substantial Issues-
-A dieselly smell can be smelt when the hood is popped and when its running, perhaps this is normal?
-Shocks have never been replaced and the bushings are completely gone from the shocks on the back.
-When the truck is put into gear and begins to role forward, a loud rubbing/gridding noise can be heard. It does not sound lik the transmission but something else underneath the hood. I have no clue what it might be, but I really want to have some ideas. You can even feel the vibrations in the steering column.


Those are basically all the issues I can think of top hand.
Guy is asking 4000, said he will go to 3800. AM I GETTING A GOOD DEAL?
-How much do those repairs run, and How much money will I feasibly be spending on this truck if I purchase her.

????????????

Thanks Guys!
Sorry for the long post!

[Grnpwrsmoke]

Sorry....I put a picture of my puppy in there

[95dieselsmoke]

did you check for any leaks? Pull any dipsticks to see if he kept up on his fluids?

[CHUCK]

279k....3800...not bad. That many miles, any truck will have some issues. The diesel smell under the hood, did you crawl up and look into the valley of the engine? Any fuel or oil will tend to puddle there.

[Grnpwrsmoke]

Yes I did pull the oil dipstick...it was a thick opaque dark gray almost going black, he says he changes it every 4-5K miles. I did look up under the engine didn't see any puddles of anything.

Thanks guys Keep em Coming!

[Grnpwrsmoke]

Any more help guys?? this is really scary for me, I just want to make sure I'm making a good judgement call!

-Whit

[Grnpwrsmoke]

Oh forgot to post these last photos!

[js250]

tell him you will give him three

[Hardline]

The stock air box lid was not updated. First thing I would do is pull the intake and look at the tube in there. If there are signs of dirt then the chances are turbo and possibly the engine is dusted. JJ