2002 SuperDuty DRW 4x4 7.3 (advice)??

[David_VT]

The old Green Monster (99CTD RAM) is about done for with Vermont Rust. I have to find a replacement sturdy winter rig... .



I came across a clean high mileage (218K) Ford 7. 3TD SD dually that moved here from the midwest(still has plate). Body is clean (unlike local rigs). The price is straight out of NADA and seems a bit high for here and mileage but again it is very clean for this area of New England.



I know nothing about Fords except to hear advice to avoid the newer engines.



Anyone offer constructive thoughts on what I should look for when giving it a physical exam? What features to avoid?



I am looking for a low usage reliable (not effected by ethanol) winter rig for use when I can't get the Crown Vic out of the driveway. Otherwise for towing the tractor around etc. It will never run far but I want something rust free I can rely on. (Yes I know DRW is not the best thing for snow)



I volunteer with an overweight ambulance that is about the same rig F350DRW/7. 3 and we have had no issues with the drivetrain.



I figured my Dodge friends would give it to be straight... .



Thoughts?

 

[Wingate]

they are generally considered to be one of Fords better offerings... Defininitely have a better track record than the replacement 6. 0L...

as for the engine, typical things I would look at is whether the fuel heater is disconnected, if the IDm has been recently replaced, and cold starting, (may indicate a glowplug issue)...

Oh, and look closely for fuel leaking in the "V"... . the hoses under the filter housing are prone to leaking. .

All these things can be fixed, but should help with bargaining power...

 

[David_VT]

Thank you, I will check the 'V'

 

[David_VT]

meeting the owner tomorrow.

crew cab 4x4 Lariat trim level

• Black and Red "Edge" sticker on the tailgate
  
• Exhaust looks larger than stock
  
• Interior looks perfect except Ceiling center console missing
  
• Automatic
  
• Body really clean
  
• Gooseneck ball, rails for 5th wheel, standard rear receiver
  

Ranch stickers on the tailgate



My wife is not on board but if the deal is right...

 

[Wingate]

I would ask about the edge sticker... how long its been on. . ?? exxactly what edge product it is...

The exhaust may have been changed due to the factory downpipe being cracked. They were prone to this. the factory downpipe and exhaust is typically more expensive that an aftermarket turbo back system... not sure if its the case, but could be...

If you get it, post some pics. .

 

[JUeckert]

The price for a fairly clean 7. 3 super duty is generally high. . They were good overall trucks, but the engines that replaced the 7. 3 were problematic, driveing the $$ tag even more. . Chk for what was previously mentioned, and try and learn as much about any after market power enhancers. . 01' up 7. 3 engines had powdered metal rods, instead of forged. . This is fine for any service life [sunday driver or full time workhorse] up to about the 350/400hp. Anything more and they often experience rod failure when under a constant beating. . I have owned/own 3 of these over the years, and work them pretty steady/hard. . A lot of miles with few or no issues has been my experience with them. . Been around many in medium duty trucks with over 300k on them, no problem. . Like the common rail cummins, they were fincky about their fuel, but also look for maint history also. . Due to the type of fuel system, oil changes were important as well. .

 

[David_VT]

Thanks all, with the help of sites like powerstrokehelp.com and input from others like yourselves, I went to see the truck today.

1. Body is nice and rust free. Linex in the Bed.
2. Underside shows some hint of surface rust but nothing like a normal VT rig of the same age.
3. Exhaust manifold I could see is raw, pitted but seems to have all the original bolts.
4. The 'edge box' was removed and the father did not know exactly what model it was. (**)
5. I asked if it worked hard and he said yes, his daughter and husband used it as a farm truck hauling horses across the country. They always used the gooseneck hitch.
6. The engine was cold (warm day) when I started it (turbo ambient temp) and I saw zero color or cloud from the exhaust. The wait to start cycled as I expected.
7. All dash idiot lights were functional with key on and none stayed on after starting.
8. The ceiling information console is damaged and not operational. The cover is off and the LED panel never lit up at all. (**)
9. The tires are fairly new with one cross country trip on them. Alignment records may be available, they will look... .
10. Underside I see no obvious signs of oil leaks, no obvious changed hardware except for broken mud flap brackets and perhaps some missing hardware at the bottom of the front fenders(**).
11. All the paint seems to match, no sign of overspray, body joints seem to match and look right.
12. I see no signs of fluid in the V but found my arms were pretty dirty when I climbed down from the grill. No obvious red flags there.
    
13. The automatic seems to engage quickly (cycled D>N>R a few times)
14. The truck held the road with no real pull.
15. Under hard braking it seems to go straight with no unexpected noises.
16. It seems to drive and shift like the ambulance I drive with the same drive train.
17. It feels like less power than my RAM but the RAM has large injectors, an EDGE box, and a smarty stacked on it... and the RAM is a 3/4ton
    

** concerns

• The EdgeBox and what it may have done. He said it was bought for extra fuel mileage and power but they never saw any economy improvement.
• The front fender hardware missing. I will check the VIN history later today.
• Ceiling information console INOP. ?? What is significance? not sure... .
• Both dually fenders have some minor damage with one light missing.
• Interior was recently cleaned but the deep cracks show grunge.
• My wife thinks the leather interior will not stand up to my abuse (wrenches in pocket kind of thing)

They are asking 2K under KBB. I will try to go 5K under KBB.
I like the clean body ,4 doors, and 7. 3TD. But with the duals is more truck than I need. Clean trucks are hard to find here, that is what is drawing me to the rig.....

Carfax advises $40 under book value, AutoCheck says 88 out of a possible 89: Neither sound problematic to this novice. Both services made money on me... . Carfax listed a "Texas accident" in 2007 but no details, AutoCheck did not see it?? Both showed 3 owners: one corporate for 18 mon, one commercial for about 11 mon and then the bulk to the current owner.

Rickson Wheel Manufacturing has an interesting conversion to SRW for these trucks. For the right price on this 2002, it might be worth it... .

 

[MCharlebois]

i see ur in vt,there is a 96 in good shape by the shop where i work ... ... ctd one ton duelly 5 speed 226k reg cab 8 ffoot box banks git kit on it 2 wheel drive 8k i could get u the number if u want its in essex vt



marcel

 

[AMink]

My friend has an '02 250. It's a nice truck. Check and make sure the starter is tight. Apparently it is not uncommon for them to become loose and then the gears strip. Also, he had the leak in the "v" but it was oil. I can't remember what it was from but it was a pretty easy fix. Nice riding truck, pretty quiet, enough oomph to pull his 28' TT all over Nevada. Last of the good Powerstrokes.

 

[JUeckert]

With 3 owners and 200+ on the odo, who knows. Take it for an extended test drive, and ask as much as you can fine about the maint history. Even if you have to wait a few days for the answers. . Chk the coolant color also, if it's gold, thats what the factory put in it. . If it's green, someone has changed it, and went the cheaper route . . The green is ok to use, but requires more frequnt changes, or a dca additive every so often. . Has it ever been changed? Chk excess press on the rad when cool, chk the oil also. If it's very black,or bubbly, then it's likely way over due. .

 

[David_VT]

Yes, this ford is a nice truck but I have to get past the emotion and make sure it is the right truck for my needs and budget. The crew cab is great, but the long bed and duals would be wasted on me and I suspect make snow driving less than ideal... thoughts on that anyone?

I will check the coolant, thank you!

I would love to find a clean cab for my 99 CTD and the time to swap it. The rusty beast runs well but... ... . (should have linex'd the whole thing!!)