Truck Opinion

Been looking for a truck to replace the ol' 1978 Ford F250 Camper Special. It needs to have 3000# in the bed (Slide in Camper) and tow 5000#. Since the '78's trade-in value is low, we are looking for a used vehicle to replace it. We came across an F550 Diesel with 120K. Drove it today, and it's pretty tight.

It's a Crew cab with long bed and 6.0 L Powerstroke. Also has the Link - UltraRide Air suspension. The Powerstroke weaknesses have been mostly addressed - new injectors, new FICM, EGR deleted, new head gasket and bolts. I think it needs a new oil cooler and coolant filter added.

So - what do you think the F250 is worth in good condition.... and what do you think the F550 is worth in very good condition. Tough to find market appropriate values for a truck that old and a commercial chassis with a pickup bed.

Ha, You know how it is - they all look good in pictures!
The F250 has 126,000 miles. We have had it for 20 years (2nd owner) ..... It's done well for us over the years.

I like getting into this upgrade for under $20,000..... but I am unsure about 120K upward mileage on a 6.0L Powerstroke. Does anyone have experience with diesel trucks of this "age"...?

TRBenj wrote: Steve, I'm not in the market for a pickup yet, but if I were, a classic in good shape like your F250 would be really tempting! I'd love to see more pics. Post some up of the F550 too... It sounds like overkill for what you plan to do with it, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

That's the issue - It's overkill; but overkill is safer (much bigger brakes, more stable and easier pull).... Is ongoing maintenance of a F550 significantly different from a F350? I need TowBossSupreme to comment (Keith, you out there?)

Pretty good lookin Ferd there Steve. I think the only thing that will probably cost you more maintenance wise on the 550 vs. the 350 would be brakes and hubs, and 19.5" tires vs. standard truck issue tire sizes.

If a 6.0 is fixed properly it is a good engine but I still hate the fact that they use high pressure oil to fire the injectors?! Seems like international did things the hard way just to be different.

We had a 6.0 an old man traded in on a new diesel pusher. It appeared to be bone stock but I leaned into that thing and it would smoke the tires if you matted it anywhere below 30mph. It was a fun rig haha. Drive it before you buy it. The 6.0 in stock form is pretty poochy for around town driving or entering the highway fully loaded.

I am sure Reid can weigh in on all of this.

Tim, buy the old one! Jon in the body shop is restoring his 78 F250 4x4 regular cab in the same color scheme as your truck Steve!

Oh, 120k isn't anything even for a 6.0. Just typical things will go bad (gaskets, hoses, belts, sensors, etc. you know the drill) A friend of ours had an issue with his oil cooler. Something with the ECM was cooking the oil (think it was thermostatically controlled but I could be wrong) and popping the oil cooler. 3 oil coolers later on a road trip a Ford dealer finally figured out the issue and fixed it. It ran way better too.

Our old 12 valve had 400k on it by the time we sold it. I would venture to guess it would have ran normally well past 650k.

Exactly haha. Joe will be running that Rig to Green Lake 2015. Maybe Sjrr too.

Yeah I think if I had a 20k budget and that camper special lying around I would be looking to swap in a reasonably low mile cummins, and then throw the rest of the money in tank for some traveling.

The 6.0 is a choked up diesel. If you live in a state that isn't emissions crazy you can free up that motor and then it makes tons of power with good MPG. Some had turbo issues too. 550 may require DOT nonsense because of the high GVW and insurance may consider it a big rig. Check that stuff out! Othewise it looks good and it's a Ford..... you already know what to expect!

Really wasn't looking for something that stout. It is for sale by a mechanic I know who we have bought vehicles from before. He does a good job "freshening" older engines, it's REALLY clean and I thought it was a good price...... but no one is coming up with any price range for the new one.... so I don't know if it's a good price.

Steve,

Call Reid P. he has had several of the Ford Diesel Trucks in his Cell Phone Tower business. I remember his speaking about the 6.0 and some of the issues they have. He has experienced some of it.

Just keep waiting for the affordable Truck Act to come out soon. That new one will be free.

Donald

Hey Reid -

Sorry I missed your call. Just toying around with the REALLY, REALLY big truck idea. I stumbled across it, and it was impressive. He wants 17-18K for it...but it has a lot of miles. It is clean and beautiful, but the diesel worries me. Your experience mirrors what I have heard and read.

I don't think it's enough of a deal to take the plunge (plus, it's 23 ft long - so tight corners and maneuvering around the lake wouldn't be easy - and I don't think I can get it in the garage!!!)

Id be interested to know what that older truck is worth there, if its rust free and up here it could sell for double . I have been watching atlanta craigs list every day I want to buy a southern truck in the spring and would love to set up a finder person down there to start locating a few choice vehicles for me to get up here. the shipping costs are the biggest factor . I am amazed at the amount of 63 to 66 g.m trucks and 67 to 72 still being driven there in need of a freshen up

davidg wrote: I thought I would test the waters last spring to see what my '68 F250 Camper Special (390/C6) was worth. I put in on ebay with a "buy it now" price of $6900. Bidding got up to $3500 in three days before I came to my senses and ended the auction, and thank god nobody hit the buy it now option. I was really just trying to get a feel for the value of the truck. I think it would have sold for $6500 pretty easily if I would have let it continue. I took it up to Volo Car Museum in the Chicago area. They sell a lot of muscles cars, and classics in the area on consignment. One of their folks told me that it should go for $5K-$6K pretty easily, and to the right person that just couldn't live another day without that exact model, $7K should be toward the top of the range.

In restored condition? If not, I think I have an original "barn find"......

I had no idea..... it has very little if any rust, interior wear and some bumper chrome loss. It was repainted in 95.... Hmm, interesting....

Steve.

You could claim that it was the official Boat Trailer Tow Truck of Sea World and Cypress Gardens and command and additional $10 K for the old truck.

I know of a guy that is doing it with his 80 SN. Shameless is it not?

Donald