Used F550 buying tips - Diesel Forum

Garbage_Mechanic · 11-07-2007, 10:34 PM

I'm currently looking at 2000 to 2005 F550 Service trucks. I am familiar with the 7.3, no peoblem there, but should I avoid 2003 6.0's? Anything to look for specific to F550's? I am not new to buying used trucks, just looking for specific items to this model. Thaks for your help!

HighwayPrisoner · 11-08-2007, 12:06 PM

I think a good used 7.3 would be the best choice for motor, easier, and cheaper to maintain, and you are familiar with them. The 05 has a better turning radius.

SVTKYLE · 11-08-2007, 10:14 PM

avoid a 6.0 like u would aids thats all i have to say

Markford14 · 11-09-2007, 12:02 AM

You at toss up. 7.3 550 service trucks will most likely have high mileage on them. The 6.0 it may take a while for you find one that doesnt have issue but there is many out there that are great. The problem you may face with already being a service truck is it probably already had a rough life. Unless you buy from someone private. Other a company's truck most likely doesnt get driven by the same person every day so it will beat to hell. In my area i have seen many service truck for sale and the either have high mileage or beat up and some times even both.

I wish you luck finding one the work out.

Jimbo95 · 11-10-2007, 11:13 AM

I recently acquired an '02 F550 4X2 after looking for about a year to find a clean low mile truck.
What you are looking for will have a major bearing in what you settle for.
Do you want auto tranny? Easy to find, high miles.
Regular cab, super cab or crew cab? Super cab hardest to find, but usually lowest miles.
Lenght of frame behind cab? What kind of bed are you going to install?
I found from my search that the most popular 550's are crewcabs with auto trannies--RV'ers.
If it will work for you, a supercab with a manual tranny will be the hardest to find, but most likely the lowest miles because a) it wasn't a work truck, and b) it was probably an RV'er and got traded in favor of a crewcab.

Also,I found the majority of acceptable trucks to be on the east coast; I found mine in Florida ( more retired RV'ers?)

Hope this helps.

Jimbo

Dagwood_73 · 11-10-2007, 09:25 PM

I just traded in an '05 550 with 75K miles on it. No issues on it at all. They (the dealer) gave me $16,000 for it trade in. I would say, if you had bought it for that, it would of been a pretty good deal.....

Garbage_Mechanic · 11-12-2007, 05:10 PM

I'm looking at 40 to 55k for an 01 to 05 F550 with a service body and crane. Thnaks for all your replies, much apreciated!

MonkeyWrench · 11-13-2007, 02:42 AM

Nothing reall special about the 550. And with low miles, it shouldn't need ball joints yet. I'd pick the 7.3

86GLHS · 11-16-2007, 09:04 PM

I'd say a 7.3.

Tampa550 · 11-17-2007, 10:03 PM

I like 7.3 myself, also.

And I think the 4.88 rear end is overkill!
Look for 4.56 0r 4.30