Pull that air filter off and check and see how much dirt and dust is on the other side of it. If it looks the same as the filter looks run away.

 

My thoughts exactly. The thing runs, that much is for sure. Not a single hint of smoke anywhere, idles nice n smooth. Under the hood is filthy but it was primarily used in a rural area with lots of dirt and dust. The inside is the same way, covered in a fine layer of dust from years of being used as a work truck. As stated earlier, I can grab an air filter, fuel filters, oil filter, tranny fluid, oil, and anything else immediately needed and get to work on it the day I buy it (IF). It doesn't need to go into commission just yet as I have a '97 AstroVan that I work out of currently.

I'm in the auto industry by profession so access to parts, knowledge, and maybe a little labor isn't hard to come by.

Don't worry it will be checked out. The filter is really not THAT bad. It's slightly "smooshed" but i believe that has a lot more to do with design than actual neglect. If you'll notice the whole filter is that way all around. I believe it's just so filthy from its work environment. But a little TLC will change all that.

I really appreciate everyone's input on the topic. You guys are really helping me out and slowing my impulse on the subject. Either way I go I believe I will have made the right decision with your advice and the knowledge found on these boards. Keep the thoughts and ideas coming in, maybe there's a couple more of you out there that see the potential for a hell of a deal like I do.

 

Just try to get a lower price, cause if the seller was handy, he would have fix it up a bit & sold it for more $$$

 

I wanted a 2nd Gen cummins too but got a killer deal on the PSD that I recently got...just couldnt pass it up, and dont have to put much in it at all so it was a no brainer. I live up here in OHio, so to me the body on that truck might be a bit dinged up, but we are used to ROT and RUST, plus dings, so you got a head start on the fact that solid metal is in your favor to sink a few bucks in it and drive it for a number of years. As many have said, if they have stared at it for 6 plus months now, 2500 might not be their lowest number, especially if you walk in there after a test drive and give them the "grocery list" that it needs, and of course exagerate it so it sounds like you are "willing" to take on the "nightmare" you just drove! If you are gonna do the work on it yourself, then its in your favor if your gonna keep the truck for a while, which it not having body or frame rot on it, can work for you in the south..up here in the north, with rust, that is still a 2500 dollar truck or better as it sits in current condition and miles.

 

The seller is a small, local lender. The lady at the counter is friends with the man who owned the truck. She told me about the situation of him having to file bankruptcy. As part of that he had to "voluntarily" give the car back to the owner of it (finance company). He worked out a deal with them to come back and buy the car back once things settled a bit but unfortunately they just got worse for him. Now the lending company has probably $4-5k, maybe even more counting interest and late penalties fro no telling how long, tied up in a dilapidated ol' dually sitting out in their parking lot. They know the $4-5k is forfeit and at this stage in the game they're just looking for something to ease the debt and get that thing off their hands. I will absolutely offer them less, and judging by the info received here, if $2500 is the lowest they'll go, I'll have to pass.


Thank you, sir, for that common sense approach to the situation. What you said is basically exactly what I'm thinking. Once I have the cash in hand I'm going to head up there and see what needs to be done to drive it (if the tire will hold air or if I need to invest in a cheap pull off or if the spare is still on the truck). I'm going to take it the ~1/8mi. down to the local Ford store and have a tech give it a quick look over checking all those common issue type things. From there I'll have a good general sense of what the cost of parts will be and labor if necessary. Once I have that I can give it a good test drive and report back. I'm gonna low ball 'em and see what happens, worst they can say is no, but we may be able to find some middle ground negotiating room and work this out.

Once again, I appreciate all feedback received, and if you think of something else - let me know! Thanks everyone.

 

First of all think how much work it will take to get it the way you need it to be, tires,drivable problems if any, and the interior seat covers and other improvements.
2nd the engine who ever puy that air cleaner on should have thier checked shows poor maintance skills and make me wounder what other areas did thy short cutthe care of this truck, Trany cost a 1000.00 plus used good luck finding one.
I would not give over a 1000.00 for it if that Ilove the old 7.3 for power and realibity but and working but this is trash and the owner knows it. It's up to you but for me run away while you can. By the way I have a 25mm shell casing for my shifter does it all value to my 97 450?

 

The 'owner' is a finance company. But whatever the case I believe it has already sold so no more wondering. Leading up to attempting top buy I was really excited, but now that it's not an option I'm also sighing some relief at the fact that it wasn't quite what I wanted (want pw, pdl, at, 4wd, keyless entry would be nice...). Oh well, wasn't meant to be then. I must admit, though, through the month or so I've been trolling the OBS PSD sites I have grown quite fond of them. I will DEFINITELY end up with an OBS 250 o 350SRW CCLB as a fun toy truck some day.

Hell ya that adds value! That's awesome