Buying a new truck, need advice.

[Kaneman]

I'm looking to pick up a big truck in the next two months or so. I've been looking at F250's on Craigslist and they seem to be in the right range. I want to cap my limit at $10,000, and trucks in that price range seem to have 100,000 - 120,000 miles on them.

So, what are some things I need to look for or test out when I got to check out the trucks? Certain noises I should listen for or things to check out under the truck. I'm not a total idiot when it comes to autos...but I'm not a mechanic either so I'm just lookin for some solid truck buying advice.

Thanks dudes.

[shmike]

What years are you looking at?

Gas or Diesel?

Assuming you are going diesel, everything I have heard says it is better to go a little older and get the 7.3 over the 6.0.

Hopefully thirdgenlxi will chime in with his experiences.

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by shmike

What years are you looking at?

Gas or Diesel?

Assuming you are going diesel, everything I have heard says it is better to go a little older and get the 7.3 over the 6.0.

Hopefully thirdgenlxi will chime in with his experiences.

I don't have anything set in stone, I'd go gas or diesel. Kinda want to hear what other truck owners have to say first. Also don't care about the year, just want it to be decent looking and in good shape mechanically.

I don't even really have to have a Ford, I just like the idea of driving the brand that didn't take the bailout.

Is the 7.3 diesel and the 6.0 turbo diesel?

[Particle Man]

Frame, frame, frame.

If it's a truck from up in these parts, salt will eff things up royally if it wasn't taken care of (or even if it was in some cases) but you're splitting the difference if you want 4WD - at least up here, the 4WD will be used while it may not have been somewhere down there (and the first time you engage it things shred... trust me, I know this from experience).

Tons of trucks today have solid power plants... it's just the rest of things that go tits up if the vehicle wasn't taken care of.

[Rider]

What are you towing?

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by Rider

What are you towing?

My wife.

[shmike]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

I don't have anything set in stone, I'd go gas or diesel. Kinda want to hear what other truck owners have to say first. Also don't care about the year, just want it to be decent looking and in good shape mechanically.

I don't even really have to have a Ford, I just like the idea of driving the brand that didn't take the bailout.

Is the 7.3 diesel and the 6.0 turbo diesel?

The 7.3 was a turbo also.

Here is pretty cool reference page:

http://www.internationalpowerstroke.com/

Originally Posted by Kaneman

My wife.

In that case, I'd DEFINITELY go diesel.

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by Rider

What are you towing?

Originally Posted by Kaneman

My wife.

Goddammit Josh, don't DO that.

Now I have to clean coffee off my keyboard.

Bastard.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

My wife.

Then why a 3/4 ton? A half ton is plenty for general hauling.

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by Rider

Then why a 3/4 ton? A half ton is plenty for general hauling.

Because the bigger the truck, the better I look in my Stetson.