I got an offer on my truck and I'm more than likely not going to turn it down because I'd like to get into a newer truck. I've been searching on craigslist and KSL(salt lakes news classifieds) and haven't found any PSDs cheap enough unfortunately, but I did find an 88 F-250 with a 7.3, 5 speed, with 103,000 miles on it. Looks ok, haven't called on it yet but the ad said brand new IP and brand new 8 injectors. Anything I should be worried about? Doesn't say whether it has 4 wheel drive, but if it does then I'll consider it even though its not quite what I'm looking for but its better than what I got now. I've attached a few pics of the truck. Pics are from the ad so they're not real great.

I also found a few f-250 gassers that I could do a Cummins swap with that I might check out too.

 

check how the oil and fludis look. Also check for wear and tear, if anything is hacked together or ****** jimmy. Start it up listen to knocks rattles or pings. Test the brakes check the tires, look at the truck throughly. Don't hop in it and see how loud the radio can get and how much smoke she poors out. Also talk to the owner carefully does he seem like a nice guy is he clean or dirty the owner of a truck to me tells about 20% if the truck is well taken care of. Owners who are clean and pretty smart will tell you if the truck is well worth it just my .02 though. To me the truck look 2x4 just how the front end sags. It could have the IFS44 up front and could sag though. never know till you look. Best of luck to you and the body looks straight

 

also if the guy has a garage and you two go into it look how clean or dirty what oil and parts are laying around if any. i've sold stuff just because of my garage before.

 

sure it is only 103000? could be 203000.

7.3's are known for cavitation. ask the PO about coolant aditives and if they have ever been put in it. also about coolant flushes.

look at pedals. that will determine little bit on mileage. lots of wear, more miles.

 

Ad only says 103K.

1988 Ford F-250 7.3 Diesel IDI

 

ad might say that. but is he the orignal owner? i was told mine has 208000 miles on it. well, they are way off unless i got magical injectors that lasted 208000 miles. they still have gray paint on them from the factory.

 

I'm kinda holding off on calling on anything just yet because I'd like to hear back form the guy that's interested in my truck first. I just want to make sure that this guy is serious. Meanwhile, I've been searching everywhere I could and found a couple decent gassers and a PSD but it happens to be just a bit too far from me unfortunately.

 

If you are thinking of doing a cummins swap, then I would do it with an IDI ford. It will save you a lot of time and money to start with a diesel truck. That way you dont have to worry about replacing fuel tanks, instrument clusters and sorting through miles of wire you will never need to run a diesel motor.

 

That makes sense and if I could, I'd go that route but the only IDI I've found so far is the 88 in my original post. I'd like to get into a 92-97 truck though. If there's any way possible, and if its a good deal, I'm going to try for the PSD I found. I'd like to stay with a diesel, but then again I miss the power of my big block, haha. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what this guy does and what I can find. Thanks for the tip though.

 

so get the 88, and swap the front clip to the newer style.