[6.9IDIfan]

I saw a ad on craigslist for a 1983 f250 6.9 4 speed standard with 127xxx. the guy wants $2300. and I was wondering if it is worth the money? https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5575340103.html

 

[madpogue]

I'd say that's high for a 2WD with cab rust. Esp. a 1983; first year, there were some issues that were shaken out later years. As a comparison, we got an '85 4x4 4-speed, some cab/bedside rust but a rock solid frame, reman engine with 50,000 miles, for $1700.

That cab corner rust looks typical of a truck from up here, not from down there.

 

[LMJD]

And there's no way to prove the 127XXX, sounds ridiculously low for an '83. That comes out to only about 4,000 miles per year.

 

[RonKZ650]

Yea, the 127,000 is real suspect, more likely 227,000 but no way to know. Could easily be ?????. Best invention ever was in 1992 for Ford when they added the 100,000 digit to keep the liars a little more truthful.

 

[chuckster57]

Oops hit the submit instead of cancel.

 

[chuckster57]

Okay second try:
It is possible but I agree not to likely. I bought my '86 F250 brand new. When I donated it in 2008, it only had 125,XXX miles on it for an average of about 5K a year.

Current truck was bought in 2008 with 52,XXX miles on it. Current reading is 73,XXX for an average of about 3K a year.

 

[LMJD]

Current reading is 73,XXX for an average of about 3K a year.

I'm even doing less than that nowadays, I just use mine for pulling my horse trailer within a 50 mile radius--about 300 miles a year. And even less than that pulling my flatbed. Bought a new loaded QUIET 1/2 ton in 2007 that gets 20 MPG highway and it spoiled me real quick for a daily driver.

 

[Bill1013]

I know that Texas trucks go kinda high, but that rust bucket is only worth about $750 to $1000.

The 1st Gen 6.9 had issues with cracking around the block heater and the front behind the water pump.

After IIRC, serial # 6.9u2u017000, the block was extensively strengthened. Serial # is stamped on a pad drivers side front.

 

[bobleny]

It is more than possible for a 33 year old vehicle to have 128k miles. It is highly unlikely this vehicle has 128k miles (The amount of wear is just too much). I would guess 328k miles.

I would also agree this truck isn't worth $2,300, but I haven't heard it run or seen under the hood. Who knows, maybe it has a gold plated engine? I purchased my truck two or three years ago for $3k and it was in far better shape. It is an '85 fully loaded XLT with an extended cab and I would say it was a fair price.

I would say Bills price estimate for a truck in that kind of shape in the rust belt is probably pretty spot on, but I think that is mainly because it is a 2 wheel drive. I don't image there being as much of a need (or perceived need) for a 4 wheel drive truck in Texas. So, it might be worth another $200 over Bills estimate?

Unless you are in a hurry, I would keep looking...

 

[6.9IDIfan]

Thanks for the replies I'll keep looking I don't get my license till august so I still have some time

 

[Bill1013]

I would suggest you read in the 7.3L IDI forum about the problems associated with these trucks. There is very little difference between 6.9 and 7.3 trucks. As a young fellow, I assume you are from your drivers license eligibility, if your not able to do most of any repair yourself, it can become quite costly.
If your not familiar with diesel's, educate yourself on them. As you did before, before buying any in the future, post on here for an opinion. Always drive and cold start it what your looking at, hot starting can hide a lot of problems. Good Luck.

 

[LMJD]

Yep, unless they're buying one for what they were built for---towing, I don't get the sudden influx of young guys who are buying these old beat up money-pits. Maybe watching too many truck/tractor pulls? When I was a kid all I could think of was something of the street rod variety, Impala with the 409, Ford with a 427, etc.