[bdoss123]

New to the forums, and am looking for a used F250 1993-1997 and came across a 1994 IDI w/ 4:11 Gears and 35" Tires. I wasn't looking for a lifted vehicle because I didn't want to sacrifice mileage since most of my use will be for work rather than play.

How bad will the gas mileage be at speeds under 60? What about on the freeway?

The truck has a Banks Turbo, ~160k, New trans at 140k, New Glowplugs, Injectors, U's, and more. They are asking 8K for it, which is at the top of my price range.

I've also been looking at some powerstrokes, but was weary of maintenence costs. Any ideas on that?

Thanks,
BD

 

[icanfixall]

All the trucks you are talking about have some issues but nothing that can't be overcome and repaired. First off the 94 idi will be cheaper to repair and maintain. The lift kit can be removed and sold here. Just ask if someone wants to trade... Maybe do the work and some money thrown in?? The Banks turbo will bot be factory original but is a very good upgrade. The turbo motor serial numbers on the block started at 1,116,331 and up from there. Anything lower is just a non turbo block but still a great block. The turbo motors are the same as the non turbos but the rods have a bigger piston pin of 33mm instead of the 28mm pins. Still you can run a non turbo piston set without any problems usually. Check out the block serial numbers and post them here. I or we can tell you what year the block is. The 7.3 motors have a problem with cavitation. Thats when the cylinder liners are eaten thru from the coolant side. Thats repairable by sleeving the block. We do not bore these 7.3 motors because the liners are so thin. Now the powerstrokes have some issues to. Mostly they are all electronically controlled. This means everything to do with the fuel system is controlled by electrical switches. Even the throttle is a reostat that tells the fuel system what to do. They also run much higher fuel pressures of from about 20,000 lbs and up to around 34,000 lbs for a stocker. All the injectors are under the valve covers and they are expensive. The idi injectors are about $35.00 each and they are on top of the heads easy to get at. The psd motor will make more hp easier than the id turbo will but again they psd costs much more to maintain especially when it breaks down. There is some of the pluses and minuses for you to look over. Reading both the psd and idi forums is a great way to see whats going on with what you may buy. Welcome aboard too...

 

[xtremefreerider]

This may sound weird but my freeway milage increased to about 16-17 when I went to 35s. The Banks turbo works well on those motors. Computer problems can be a nightmare with the PSDs. $8k is most likely a reasonable price if the body, interior etc are in good shape.
Is it auto or manual. If manual and you plan to tow in the hills alot you might consider dropping to 33s. If its an auto check to see if it has an aftermarket transmition controller. Banks TransCommand works great.

The only maintenance costs that you may run into (outside of oil changes, fuel filters etc.) are the Injector Pump and Head Gaskets. IPs are known to go between 100k-200k and head gaskets begin their demise around 200k. I don't know if PSDs have those issues but you can bet that the parts and labor on a PSD woud be a bit more pricey.

 

[bdoss123]

Thanks for the info guys. I have been reading these forums for about a month now trying to gain as much knowledge as possible. The main reason I have been looking at the IDI is due to the repair costs on the powerstroke.

I have found several powerstrokes that are well within my pricerange, that all have 125-180k on them. Unlike the 1994, they all have the original trans, injectors, and suspension components. I'd hate to drop added money on the PSD and then have to drop even more as the original components fail.

I can deal with slightly less power from the Turbo IDI as either truck is powerfull enough for the type of work that I do.

I guess my priorities are:

1) Reliability
2)Cost of ownership (price + maintenence)
3) MPG
4) Power/TQ

One last random question: I was initially only considering Supercab's, but ran into a Crew Cab in excellent condition. How much bed space is lost with the Crew Cab?

Thanks again guys,
BD

 

[skimballc]

You don't lose any bed space but it's almost like trying to park a school bus.

 

[cdnsarguy]

None if it has the long bed..........just make sure you have a walmart parking lot to turn around in..... My F250 S/C is 20' add about 18 inches for a crew cab

 

[bdoss123]

Haha, thanks.

I am leaning towards the IDI, but waiting on the Motor Serial and VIN from the guy.

If I'm not concerned with the added power of a PSD, is there any other reason to consider one over an IDI?

Regarding cavitation, this guy isn't the first owner. I am guessing if I get serious about the truck I will need to have it tested? He wasn't familliar with the problem, so I don't think he has used an SCA's since he got it.

- BD

 

[Mr_Roboto]

Look at it this way, you could replace an IDI engine for what it would cost to repair a PSD.

Don't get me wrong, the PSD's are GREAT but I wouldn't want to have to rebuild one.

 

[bdoss123]

Of the three IDI's that I'm looking at, one has a factory turbo and two have the banks. Is there any way to tell from the VIN if the motor was originally a turbo or not? I know that it's the eigth digit in the VIN but wasn't sure if it indicates turbo or non.

What items on these trucks decide to give out at this age? ~150k.

Lastly, has anyone had a mecahnic perform a test for cavitation before? If so, how much money are we talking? Two of the vehicles are at least 100 miles away, but I'd like to be able to take them to a mechanic/dealer to find out.

Thanks,
BD

 

[mfsco001]

mid 93 to mid 94 are the only factory turbo IDI trucks my father bought his new in late 93 for the 94 model year

 

[icanfixall]

A factory turbo block number will be starting at 1,116,331 and goes up from there. Anything below that is a non turbo block. Even if its a turbo number block that means nothing till you pull the rods and check the piston pin size. The non turbo motors have 28mm pins and the turbo motors have a 33mm pin. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif