[IDriveAFord6232]

Hey guys, hoping you can give me some input on my current possible purchase.

I found a 2000 F-250 XLT LB 7.3 Red with a ZF-6.... 300k. Original owner, all receipts available. Oil was done every 3k and fuel filters every fall. It was used for driving back and forth to work 150+ miles a day. Only towed a 24' camper a few times a year. Never been chipped. All stock. The truck is red, but the paint is fading? (looks like spray paint to me) and it has the usual cab corner and wheel well rust. Looking to use it as a plow truck/work truck... Any advantage over the ZF-6 vs auto for towing? Anything I should be seriously concerned about at 300K?

The second truck that just made my day even harder to make a decision comes in... 2002 F-250 XLT SB 7.3 Wedgewood blue/silver... younger guy (20's) owned. 2nd owner. 4" turbo back exhaust, superchips programmer 3 levels, stock auto tranny, stock everything with 250K... He just hit a deer on the drivers side front, needs a fender, headlight, and mirror. Light scratches on the front door, light bubbling on the cab corners but thats it. ... clean interior. Has a brake controller, so it's probably been towing... asking $4000. He's taking the insurance money, paying off the loan, and deciding to sell it because he wants a small truck now...

They are both in my eyes deals of a lifetime in ways... at a mechanical stand point anyway. 7.3 with 4wd in the 4k range is pretty much unheard of around here.


What do you guys think? What way would you lean on these two trucks. Keep in mind, towing and plowing.

 

[rascal]

Personally I would go with the 2000. I like trucks that have never been chipped and the fact it was really well maintained goes a long way. Not much mileage difference between them.

I like manuals too...

Good luck!

 

[01Crewcab7.3]

6 speeds are the best.


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[IDriveAFord6232]

Heres a picture of both.

Red is the 2000


Blue is the 2002

 

[White7.3stroker]

I like the red one plus im a long bed fan and you can put more stuff in it if its a work/ plow truck! And i would think the 6spd would tow better..and you would have the enjoyment of doing the exhaust and chip yourself if you do!

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[Lifted02]

Holy rust Batman on the red ones bed :beatup:

 

[IDriveAFord6232]

Haha I know what you mean :look:


The guy said he'd take $3800 for the 2002 with 250k on it. But then I'll put $300 into headlight, turnsignal, tail-lights (I like stock tail lights and these are the clear stupid ones)... not including a new tow mirror and scratches and dent from the deer (all on the driver side).

The red one has "paint fade" over the entire truck... def. looks like spray paint to me...

 

[Six0~Stroker]

The bed is a killer for the red one... I like the look of the blue but the tranny!!!!


6 speed baby!!

 

[Lifted02]

any pix of the bad side?

 

[IDriveAFord6232]

Hahaha I'm tore between worlds... clean paint no rust auto... or "paint fade" rust, and manual with more miles!

 

[Zaairman]

The blue one looks like it was taken better care of than the red one. I have a red 2000, and while the bed rusted out (new bed fixed that problem) and my cab corners are currently gone, the paint looks a million times better than that.

 

[MARKCORE]

When was the clutch replaced on the red one? A new bed and a paint job, but then you're putting $2500-3k into a truck with 300k miles. Blue one looks "nicer" but will it last as long as the red one...

I guess it comes down to what are you going to use it for? DD or work truck.

My opinion:
Work truck - Red
DD - blue

 

[mxfever090]

Snow plowing with a manual trans? Better jump on the eliptical and start contidioning your left leg. Be sure to do squats and leg extensions with your right leg only so both legs will stay close to the same size.

Joking but I would be cautious of the 20yr old truck. Not stereotyping, well maybe but i know if I was 20 and owned a diesel, it would be beat on.

 

[codyryan07]

I've got 2003 with 296k on the stock 4r100 and i'm the second owner of it. It was originally a pipeline truck, so that's where the miles came from. But all that aside, i would think plowing with a zf6 would be a bi***.. like currently stated, it would be a lot of clutch work.

Im a bit biased myself but id go with the blue one. Less rust, less miles.. And would be a perfect candidate for a 05-07 front end :thumb:

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[rascal]

I'm changing my answer...go with the blue one.

Good luck!

 

[[email protected]]

Check for blow by before you buy it and make sure the 4x4 works.

 

[thechknhwk]

Total irony here. I came to the forum looking for info on what to look for before buying a 7.3 because I found that blue one on CL and found this thread. I hope you got it because I tried to call the guy 2x today and no answer and he didn't return my VM either. I refreshed the ad that I had up on my screen and it was deleted by the poster, so I have to assume the truck sold. If he would have answered I was headed there this afternoon with cash.

 

[IDriveAFord6232]

Total irony here. I came to the forum looking for info on what to look for before buying a 7.3 because I found that blue one on CL and found this thread. I hope you got it because I tried to call the guy 2x today and no answer and he didn't return my VM either. I refreshed the ad that I had up on my screen and it was deleted by the poster, so I have to assume the truck sold. If he would have answered I was headed there this afternoon with cash.

Thats hilarious... I honestly think he had a change of heart. He told me I was the first to contact him about it, then there was another guy very interested... He wouldn't respond to my texts or calls yesterday and I left him a bit of a "mean" message... So I was the first, you were the second... I don't have it... he must have had second thoughts. Bummer, nice truck too. He got really quiet when I said "AS LONG AS THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SLIP" Hmmm .... :taze:

I'm going to go look at the red one today though. I don't think I'm going to buy it.