How rare is this? Thinkin bout adding one to the fleet

[rossman]

At the Case IH dealer where i work, setting in the back doing nothing is a 88-91(dont know what year) F-350 dually, Reg. cab, factory 4x4, 5 speed, XL with tilt & cruise but no A/C. Got about 240 on the clock, stacks and a Featherlite aluminum flatbed. Thats the good, the bad is the front end needs a total rebuild(it will drive but everything is shot), and the tranny bellhousing is cracked on the top(can anyone tell me what causes this and what the significance of it is, or what will happen if it's left that way?). So basically needs a front rebuild and a different tranny, the engine is good...runs like a champ(i got there about half hour early one mornin and checked it out while nobody else was around). Everybody else there thinks its a P.O.S., but i think its neat and i see potential in it....good project truck....maybe 92-97 front clip, dash, interior.....you know. The guy that owns it says hes gotta have $2500 for it, im thinkin about it pretty hard. What do ya'll think? But this actually is a pretty rare bird aint it?

[Kaliburz]

Well, I'm not familiar w/ those options, but it sounds like a "normal" farm truck to me. Yes, most 1 tons end up being extended cabs usually. I've seen 1 ton reg. cab dualies. The bed is a not an issue...could remove the factory and put a flat bed (many here do it).

The tranny, is the bell housing a separate deal, or is it "part" of the transmission case- as in some automatics? Next question is, how is it cracked? Is it going from the block to the tranny and completely split or is it near a mounting bolt?

If the entire front axle is shot, a used axle might be cheaper then rebuilding it. Bushings and leaf springs could be bought online or pulled of a junker truck.

The price of $2500, I bet the owner is thinking that if he parter it out, he'd make that much. A running engine and aluminum bed would fetch a nice price. Then the rear axle and body parts (doors).

If you know what's wrong with it, look around. Try to price a bell housing (if it can be replaced) and a tranny (if not). Then price a used front axle and springs. If you can do the work yourself, might be worth it.

[B-rad]

Kinda rare to find the duel rear wheels with 4WD

[Phillipmc1268]

Originally Posted by rossman

The guy that owns it says hes gotta have $2500 for it, im thinkin about it pretty hard. What do ya'll think? But this actually is a pretty rare bird aint it?

I could enjoy watching it right where it is for a long time before I coughed up $1000, much less $2500 for a worn out work truck. I only buy things if the seller is motivated and obviously this guy doesn't care so no deal for me.

Think about what rare means. It means they weren't popular when new. Add up the costs of what it would take to get this truck to where you want it and see if you can find one already in that condition for the same price.

Things that crack the bell housing:

1) Shoving in reverse while having forward motion
2) Bell housing bolts loose.
3) Dowel pins missing. The pins take the torque of the motor, the bolts just hold the two together.

Now days, a cracked bell housing isn't trash. A welding shop can fix you right up.

[Cjhstang]

I would say thats a bit pricey considering the work it needs. The bell housings are not replaceable. weird you mention a crack like that. the trans i bought my truck with had a crack that started at the top bolt and ran down through the starter housing.
Mine was fine for about a year that i had it but then all hell broke loose. The TC was banging around the flywheel was smacking into the bell housing. ugly situation. needed a new trans.
I do have an extra auto 4x4 trans for that style truck. Brand new never installed. Has all the updates. I bought it at $2K.