Buying an old Ford Square Body

[mtnhunter22]

Currently driving a 21’ f350 with 61k miles

I tow about 3 times a year which would warrant having a diesel. Rest of the time is a small commute or just around town.

Has anyone here gone from a newer truck to an older diesel? Thinking about selling the 21 f350 and going to a 90s 7.3.

Partly money related as I don’t have a huge need for a diesel and want to get out from under the payment. I’m not upside down in it, but feels like a waste for as much as I use the truck how it should be used. Could also turn one vehicle into two (and pocket some cash), an the older 7.3 plus a commuter which would fit our needs a little better.

if you have experience I’d love to hear thoughts.

 

[Ruff 364]

I have a bought new '07 F250 6.0 without DEF and I bulletproofed it when the EGR cooler leaked. Currently at 145K.
Going to drive it till it dies then rebuild the snot out of it.

No payments, cheap insurance and $70 tags for two years.

 

[Modoc]

Don’t knock the late 90’s to ‘03 7.3s or the 6.0. The only issues besides the “known” ones are they don’t produce the “power” that the new vehicles do.

I’m running an ‘06 6.0 that has been studded and an egr cooler upgrade with nothing else. It has 230k on it. My second vehicle is a ‘93 Bronco that is a bit of a toy, but my DD too.

If you are going with Ford, check out Ford Truck Enthusiast's forum, but like here take the info with a grain of salt. (Or a Salt Block)

 

[joe777]

Sounds like you should go 6.2 or 7.3 gas. They make the same power as the 7.3 diesel and same mpg. I love the old diesels but you're not gonna get one super cheap that's not gonna need like 10k in upkeep.

 

[Big Phish]

If you not going to do any heavy towing and want something to get around well then find one with straight six 3.0L as they good on gas and easy to maintain

 

[thejeep]

My neighbor owns a diesel mechanic shop and his daily is a 90s f250 with a na 7.3. he says slow as shit butt will run for ever. He also said if you aren't towing a lot then stay away from new diesels. To much bs. So I went 6.2 gas.
With that being said I prefer my car for around town.

 

[BCP]

Are you good with wrenches? The fixes on old ones can be infuriating. People always talk about big shit like engines but it's often wiring grounds or some little heater hose fitting or the factory anti-theft going bad.

the 6.0.

There was a bear pit thread about a guy fixing up his 6.0 and it was hilarious. Every few days or week he'd update with a new broken part.

 

[joe777]

Are you good with wrenches? The fixes on old ones can be infuriating. People always talk about big shit like engines but it's often wiring grounds or some little heater hose fitting or the factory anti-theft going bad.



There was a bear pit thread about a guy fixing up his 6.0 and it was hilarious. Every few days or week he'd update with a new broken part.

100%.

Brakes, brake lines, wheel bearings, ball joints, tie rods, u joints, vacuum pump, water pump, thermostat, injection pump, injectors, radiator leaks, hoses, crank sensors, injection electrical modules, tranny cooler lines, tranny cooler, old transmission, torque converter, t case, ac pump, ac lines, abs sensors, heater core, speed sensor, power steering pump, hydroboost, 4wd actuator, steering linkage, fan clutch, etc

That said I still love the OBS and they can be DAMN tough and reliable

 

[Modoc]

I should have led with these questions.
1. What are you towing, type and weight?
2. How far?
3. Over what terrain?
4. How often ( you said 2-3 trips/year)?

I do agree with the how mechanical you are comments, I’m moderately mechanical and have a GOOD/Trustworthy mechanic too.

 

[B y r o n]

With the price of diesel being higher than gas now a days, I'd say find a gas motor with good torque and buy it and stay away from diesel. If you were towing and needed high torque daily then I'd say stick with diesel.

 

[The D]

You’ll probably still end up saving money, especially if you can do some of the maintenance/repairs yourself but maybe not as much as you think, especially in the first year-ish of ownership. If you absolutely need it to be a reliable tow vehicle you had better do a ton of work on anything that’s even remotely close to worn out. After you’ve essentially given it a complete restoration then it can be a cheap vehicle to own.

 

[loboman7x57]

I don't know what part of the country your in but I looked for over 6 months here in Michigan for a 7.3. I found plenty, but also plenty of rust. I finally ended up with a 01 from Florida that was 99% rust free but was a 5.4 gasser. I rarely tow so really didn't need the diesel anyway. It's been a great truck.

 

[supercorndogs]

Just like Ford to steal the square body moniker from chevy. Shamefull..

 

[Modoc]

Just like Ford to steal the square body moniker from chevy. Shamefull..

I’m still not sure if the OP is referring to the Bricknose, Bullnose, or OBS. I don’t think that the is referring to a dent side or flare side.

 

[BCP]

Another thing to consider is that a lot of people selling older vehicles will put it up for sale when it has something wrong with it. Like it needs an expensive timing belt or transmission service, the tires are bald, fuel pump on the way out. I've been looking at 4x4s locally here in Arizona and there are a lot of shitbirds trying to pawn off deathtraps.

 

[mtnhunter22]

I should have led with these questions.
1. What are you towing, type and weight?
2. How far?
3. Over what terrain?
4. How often ( you said 2-3 trips/year)?

I do agree with the how mechanical you are comments, I’m moderately mechanical and have a GOOD/Trustworthy mechanic too.

1) horse trailers (4-5 horses), mini ex, skid
2) usually 2-4 hr trips
3) highway and off road (in Utah so out west terrain)
4) yes. Mainly summer and fall hunting trips. Mini and skid not often but like I said. Couple times a year

Decently mechanic. But mostly small engine stuff. So I’m sure a whole new ball game. But I have most of the tools and the space to do all the work. Would just be a matter of learning it all I suppose.

I’m still not sure if the OP is referring to the Bricknose, Bullnose, or OBS. I don’t think that the is referring to a dent side or flare side.

OBS sorry. I call it a square body and I’m sure that’s wrong lol.

 

[mtnhunter22]

Sounds like you should go 6.2 or 7.3 gas. They make the same power as the 7.3 diesel and same mpg. I love the old diesels but you're not gonna get one super cheap that's not gonna need like 10k in upkeep.

This is maybe a better option. Get the best of both worlds. Damn things are as much as a diesel though so wouldn’t save me on a payment but maybe wouldn’t feel the need to get two separate vehicles?

The upkeep and maintenance also has me thinking gasser and just compromise on not having a diesel.

 

[TexPatriot]

Don’t knock the late 90’s to ‘03 7.3s or the 6.0. The only issues besides the “known” ones are they don’t produce the “power” that the new vehicles do.

I’m running an ‘06 6.0 that has been studded and an egr cooler upgrade with nothing else. It has 230k on it. My second vehicle is a ‘93 Bronco that is a bit of a toy, but my DD too.

If you are going with Ford, check out Ford Truck Enthusiast's forum, but like here take the info with a grain of salt. (Or a Salt Block)

My 01' F-350 7.3 turned over 500K a few months ago.

I odered it in 00' and still consider it my 'new truck.'

eta- The 7.3's PSD was produced by International and is still considered one of the best engines ever made.
As far as power, I never chipped or programmed it but swapped the enclosed box air filter for a NAPA big canister type filter and changed the exhaust to a 4" straight exhaust with muffler delete. That alone allowed it to breath better which was like putting a chip in it. Plus, it sounds badass. I still like to open the back window when I'm next to a concrete barrier and romp on it.

 

[BCP]

1) horse trailers (4-5 horses), mini ex, skid
2) usually 2-4 hr trips
3) highway and off road (in Utah so out west terrain)
4) yes. Mainly summer and fall hunting trips. Mini and skid not often but like I said. Couple times a year

Probably do that with a 1/2 ton 5.7 tundra. A 3/4 ton like F250 with 6.2 similar power but stiffer springs in the rear less movement and a little more stable.

 

[mtnhunter22]

Probably do that with a 1/2 ton 5.7 tundra. A 3/4 ton like F250 with 6.2 similar power but stiffer springs in the rear less movement and a little more stable.

Funny you say that. That’s what I had been driving for the past 4 years. Sold it once I got the ford.

Loved the truck and it was my dream truck for a long time. But started to not love it towards the end for a few reasons.

 

[Makinchips208]

Get a highboy with the 300 inline six.

 

[Deathrowdave]

Highboy Cummins powered or a 1st gen Cummins and Ford sheet metal . That 1st gen Cummins is about as tough of a pickup as has been built todate .

 

[Trevor300wsm]

I don’t know how long you’ve owned/driven a diesel, but most people regret ever going back to a gas motor. They usually end of getting rid of it and getting another diesel. I’ve driven diesels well over 20yrs now and I tried the whole “get a gas motor and save money” thing one time. I won’t ever do that again. Also, as someone who pulls horse/cattle trailers and big goosenecks for hay and equipment, there is no way in hell I’d do it with a fucking Tundra. Just because you “can” doesn’t mean you should. Pulling a trailer isn’t near as important as having enough truck in front of it to stop it when a bad situation is about to happen.

Older diesel trucks are ridiculously priced these days. A nice reliable one with clean body and interior can be $40k-$50k….and that’s usually with 150k- 200K miles on it (or more) for a 10-20 year old vehicle.

I understand needing a second vehicle. I have an old 2004 F-150 that I can drive around back and forth to work and beat around in when I don’t want to drive my new Dually.

 

[XP1K]

My list of superdutys of the years past.
02 F250 7.3 4x4 auto
05 F350 6.0 4x4 6spd
00 F250 7.3 2wd 6spd
16 F350 6.7 4x4 6spd auto (towed awesome) I hear the 10 speeds are ba.
06 F250 6.0 4x4 auto (rather have the manual)

And my current ride, 99 F350 7.3 6spd, mbrp 5", riffraff fuel lines, fuel rail crossover, regulated return, hydra tuner. New valair clutch is on my bench waiting to be installed. I plan on pushing it up to around the 400hp mark in the future. A 400hp 7.3 will make a little better than 800 lb-ft of torque. That'll do all I want anymore. Right now it needs some paint work on top of the cab.

Out of all of them the 05 was my favorite. After I had it built it never gave me any problems. Other than the ones I caused with my right foot. I put 180k on it making 650hp to the ground. I was convinced I had to have a 2016 so foolishly I traded it. I've regretted it ever since. I miss that truck.

Like the OP I was shelling out that payment every month thinking about all the things I could do with $1000 a month vs paying for a truck I seldom used for it's intended purpose anymore. After two years I sold the 16 and bought another 6.0 with the cash I got from selling the 16. Built the motor myself, replaced all the cab bushings, fought some demons in the hpop system, and some wiring harness issues initially, caused by the shops the previous owner took it to. Replaced a front wheel bearing, carrier bearing on the driveshaft and other crap that comes with an almost 20 year old truck. All new a/c system. Yeah.

And after all that, I happen across the 99. 46k original miles with a 6spd, I couldn't pass it up. So bye bye to another fully built 6.0 that I had intended on keeping forever.

I feel your pain op and I won't discourage you from buying another older truck. Be prepared though, mentally, physically, and financially for what comes with it. There are things you will miss. The old trucks are noisy, don't ride as good, don't pull as good. But I still prefer them.

I do lust over a nice obs when I see one. The clean ones are getting rare, and if you do find one, 20-30k isn't out of the question. You can run across deals if you hunt them constantly but you've gotta be ready to go with cash in hand. They've come down a little here recently but not much. 12 valves, 2nd gen Cummins, obs, they're all bringing a premium now.

 

[BJames]

I’m in the same boat OP. Considering selling my ‘17 F250 off, just found a pristine ‘01 F350 with a 7.3 and manual 6spd. It’s really tempting…