Buying soon and need some experienced advice

[SCOTT_KODIAK]

Hey guys, I am thinking of purchasing an F350 crew cab dually 4x4 PSD Auto pretty soon.

My questions are these: (and all advice will be taken seriously, I'm very new to these trucks) I believe I would prefer a 6.0 over the 7.3, I am looking in the '03-'04 range.
1. Is this a mistake?
2. Is there a year or month of production I need to stay away from?
3. What do I need to look for when looking over one of these trucks with intent to purchase?
4. How many miles is "too much?"
5. What can you tell me about your first hand experience? Any problems or praise?
6. This truck will be hooked to a 7x14 (tag) dump trailer 99% of the time, but it will rarely be pulled on the highway loaded... most times only 2-3 pallets of sod, any potential problems I should be aware of?

I think that is all for now, Im sure I will have some more questions after a few responses...

Thanks for all your help,
Scott

[ketchum]

Wow,have you been reading this forum any length of time? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

[CaptSkup]

I will have to agree with Ketchum. Take an afternoon and do some reading on this forum and maybe also RV.Net., tow vehicle section. Don't get too discouraged by what you may start to believe that all the trucks are bad apples, you have to take in account that lots of people seek out this forum to discuss problems they are having with their trucks(and many of those individuals have added power enhancing devices that have proved a bad idea). I think 95% of the trucks produced have had no problems. '03s had their share of growing pains, 04s have been very good(my Oct03 build truck has been terrific), the 05s just keep getting better. There have been recalls, what vehicle has not had a recall? My advice is, when you think you have found the perfect truck, take the VIN# to Ford to see what has been done to the truck, its history. 30k miles a year is not unusual for a diesel truck.

[PSD2004]

Had an 03 bought back, and replaced by an 04. The 04 is running great, just protect yourself, buy any/all warranties available that will extend Fords responsibility to repair any issues that arise. My advice stick with the 04s, there were significant systems modification to correct the 03 problems.

[rock_doctor]

My advice is to buy a Dodge. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] No just kidding…

If you are going to go for a 03 try to get a 03 with the 7.3 PSD, it is the older engine but there were much less trouble. Absolutely stay away from a 03 with a 6.0, some have had no problems with this combination but that was a small percentage. So if you are dead stuck on a 6.0 try to get a 04 or even shop around and get a 05. With a little work, you should be able to get a 05 for invoice and whatever rebates they are running (check the order forum). No matter what year you get try to get one that was build at the end of each year (job 2 trucks, job 1 is build at the beginning of the year). When looking at the truck check all of the fluids paying attention to a very clean engine (like it was just cleaned) you are looking for white caulk spots any place in the engine compartment especially in the drivers side area. Make sure there are no aftermarket items on the truck, especially chips or programmers (if so RUN away). Check the tires, drive the truck and make sure it runs and drives nice with no delay in any of the shifts. Make sure it has had the transmission recall done if it is a 04 (you must take the vin to your local dealer and have them run it. They can tell you how often it has been serviced and if there are any recalls). Try to get it with the lest miles as possible but now a days 12 to 15k is normal mileage per year. Towing the trailer you intend to is not too much weight, I do not know how much three pallets of sod weigh but check you tong weights but the overall weight should not be a problem, figuring that would weight 3 or 4 tons. The next thing you need to do is read; skim though this forum, the order forum and the towing forum. A couple days of reading and you will be an expert. Good luck and welcome to the group. As one of my professors use to say, "Take your coat off and say a while..." [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

mark

[OMCUSNR]

My best advice is to get the VIN & have a dealer or 6literpowerstroke.com run it for an Oasis report. Another thing, that I have been doing, thinking of future resale, is keeping track of EVERYTHING I do with the truck. I can account to a prospective buyer every dime I've spent on the truck & what its for, service intervals, reciepts, etc. Not everyone is doing that, but if buying from a private party, I think you'll have a better chance of a good rig, if they have kept records. It kind of shows what they think of their truck & how well they took care of it. Ask if the owner has been doing Oil analysis on a regular basis. Maybe ask if you can take a sample & have Blackstone or Oilguard or other do an OA prior to purchase, if not. In looking at your post one other thing I'd consider immediatly is shocks. If they have Bilstiens or the high quality adjustable ranchos, your in pretty good shape, if not, 1st thing I'd replace. Chech & make sure the ESOF has no problems. rotate the hubs in & out of lock manually a few time, and get it where you can engage 4wd & see how it responds.

Also, make sure you do what a previous post said, and DO NOT GET ONE THAT HAS BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY (other than tank harpoon). Gauges are OK, and a good idea, but don't pay for someone elses mistakes, even if its just exhaust (which is about the only thing I'd consider), a Ford rep might take exception if you had to do anything with the remainder of the 5/100,000 engine warenty. Also MAKE SURE IT HAS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. If it doesn't, you do not have a legal truck. These trucks pull just fine w/out tuners, programers, or cold air intakes. The OEM Donaldson is one of the best stock air sytems on the planet, & is relitivly cost effective too.

As far as milage, with an 03 if you can find one at about 50-60k you probablly have a good truck, on an 04 I'd look for about 25-30k.

I love my manual transmission. I do allot of highway driving, and so I don't have traffic shifting issues, I do have a wife that can't drive the truck though. At this point, I'd have a hard time selling my truck. I love it. It has great power for my 6.5k TT & fuel econonmy unloaded is in the 17-19 range.

Good luck, there are good ones out there, but you may find it hard for the current owner to let go of it.

[Wobblin-Goblin]

If you want an '03, there is NO choice other than getting a 7.3L PSD.

I got one in under the wire before they were all gone (bought new in 02/03) and I'm glad I did. Virtually NO problems whatsoever in over two years and 27K miles.

[superf350]

Yep and I've got an 03 with over 31,000 miles with no troubles and I know it will run circles around your 7.3! So there is no choice get the 6.0! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

[bedwards]

[ QUOTE ]
Yep and I've got an 03 with over 31,000 miles with no troubles and I know it will run circles around your 7.3! So there is no choice get the 6.0! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]


What he said.

BE 30000 miles [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[teamroper60]

Early 03 6.0 here. 39,000+ on the odometer and you couldn't trade me a 7.3 and a bucket full of cash for it. Best truck I have ever owned (and there have been many).

[SCOTT_KODIAK]

Hey guys, thanks for all of your help. I have been reading this forum for a while and have read about all the problems with this or that, but I also realize most "happy" people just enjoy their trucks and dont come here to complain or look for advice on a fix. I appriciate all of your responses and advice and appriciate your time. I have done many searches and will continue to do more.

Thanks,
Scott