I am considering a purchase of an 86 F250 4x4. It has a western plow on the front. Virtually everything on the vehicle has been replaced. Exhaust,manifolds,tranny,lifters,alternator,starter...ect. The only thing I can find wrong is a gas leak located at the front of the tank or actually it is dripping near the front of the skid plate. It may need shocks as they look a little greasy. The vehicle has been repainted and shows little signs of rust on the body. The bench seat inside may need replacing, it has a cover on it right now. Are there things I should look into a little closer? Like specifics?
There are alot of things to look for first the gas tank needs to be replaced if it is leaking it is gone figure a couple of hundred for that depending on if you do it or more if you have it done. When was it painted I would climb underit and look closely at the floor boards on the cab also how are the cab mounts they will most likley need replacing as well. Wheel bearings, U Joints, change all the fluids in the front and rear differentials. I use a Fisher plow on my ford so I am not up on western plow set ups. Best bet find a garage that you trust and have them go over it they will let you know if it is good or not. How much do they want for it?
It has a new trans with less than 500, documentation on all work. Waterpump, cam, lifters, rollers. Exhaust, 351 V8, Timing chain. The underside was undercoated(some time ago) new sheetmetal, rear quarterpanels interior is immaculate, the floorboard is new the entire bed is new. The frame shows rust obviously. Warn hubs,paint is good...no scratches the paint is new, painted by the owner using pro spray gun. Door seals replaced, exhaust manifold. Passed emissions recently(would have to visit for a current test run)
one word JUNK.you could buy an old chevy or a dodge. but the old ford will give you nothing but problems i wont even be a good back up truck. i've been there done that. good luck.
Im not saying its junk,but look at all the new parts its had thrown at it,it sounds like its been a money pit,and the owner is trying to cut his losses at this point.It surely must have been a less than reliable truck,recently to have had all that stuff replaced,Id be a little concerned,just dont pay a lot for it,since you to may be throwing a lot of parts at it,and it may be down more than its running,it may be a great truck too,if you buy it,I hope it serves you well,
Kellys blue book lists that truck as a trade in with the plow at $1625.00 I would not be going higher then that if I was going to be buying it. The truck may serve you fine or it may not I guess the bottom line is what are you going to ask it to do and then go from there. The point is that it is your money so spend it wisely

I have a 88' f350 with a 460 that recently will start sputtering with zero power or die and not fire back up. but will after a little bit. It has all new fuel system. it is spuratic and will run fine sometimes. could the coil be bad even though it has spark?
im open to suggestions.
My suggestion would be to get rid of it and get yourself a new truck before the upcoming plow season.
Sounds like a bad coil to me.
More info: Is it fuel injection? - Duel tank? - Got spark and fuel pressure? - When does it die? - Not idle? - How long till it starts again? - Rough idle / sputtering? - How old is the distributer cap / Wires / Plugs?

hey guys.....just wondering what the normal replacement time is for shocks. do you go by age or mileage? i have an '03 F-350 with 57,000 miles on it. it is a work truck (construction) during the hardscape season, and it's going on it's third season of plowing. it seems to ride fine, but you know how it is when you drive a truck day in and day out. you seem to get use to less than perfect handling without even noticing. if i do replace them......any recommendations?
I replace mine every 2 years that seams to be about as long as they last on my superduty. I have run procomps on my last 2 sets and rancos before that. I liked both. Bilsteins are a great shock also. Little pricey but worth it. All the company trucks that my buddy has run bilsteins. All ford superdutys and they ride well and seam to hold up well to.
they will usually last about 40-45 thousand miles standard driving . or when they leak or the performance goe's away i like the monroe reflex gas shock's
I have a set of stock shocks off my 2004 F350 that had 9000 ( really on 9K ) miles on it before we put a lift on, if your interested, make me an offer for them and their yours, good replacements.
I have never bought a shock in my life. I don't think a 3/4 or one ton truck needs them.,

new meyers plow, 685 ibs..... i am ordering timbers , and i havent tried the ballest in the back yet....
do you think the timbers will be enough to make it right, or should i look at another solution...
Thanks
Dave
I am pretty sure those have torsion bars similar to the Chevy's set up. You can crank them up a couple turns, and throw the timbrens in. That should help alot. It wouldnt hurt to toss a few hundred pounds behind the rear wheels to help counter act the plow. Dont get too crazy with loading down an F150, as your braking and handling will be affected.
the f150 has coil spring's if it's not a real light grt gawr timbrens will be fine ,or your choice of air bag's air lift 80590 ,heaver coil spring's moog cc824 .
Heavier coils springs and heavy duty shocks will definatly do the job. Or find a way to put leaf springs in the front from an F350wesport
the f150 has coil spring's if it's not a real light grt gawr timbrens will be fine ,or your choice of air bag's air lift 80590 ,heaver coil spring's moog cc824 . but no luck know where i can get them from ...
The heavier springs can probably be gotten from Napa or a GOOD auto parts store that carries Moog parts. Air bags, check out the CPW link above, they may have something for you.
I run a 93 F150 with a 7 1/2 western I also had a lot of front end drop even with weight in the back. I picked up a new set of medium duty coil springs from Auto Zone for $70, that pretty much leveled me right out. There will always be some front drop but its easy to correct without overloading the truck.
I run a 93 F150 with a 7 1/2 western I also had a lot of front end drop even with weight in the back. I picked up a new set of medium duty coil springs from Auto Zone for $70, that pretty much leveled me right out. There will always be some front drop but its easy to correct without overloading the truck. i have ordered the timbrens, and i think i will do what you did also, just to be sure, that is a good price and the instillation of the coil springs isnt too bad...
Dave:)
airliftcompany.com/ try their dealer locater a ton of people sell them
Cargo Coils(heavy duty) from Advance Auto Parts. Start spraying the hold down nut on the springs with PB Blaster, WD40 etc. Don't get any on the rotors or brake pads. Try to do it daily for a little while before you do the job. The hold downs on the springs will come off a lot easier. You may need a big wrench for the job,I can't remember what size the nuts are.
If it has the rubber seats for the springs make sure they are not all chewed up. Replace them if they are. If you can afford it, replace the shocks with heavy duty Monroes. Look at the back ones too. If they are leaking or look real old I would replace them too.
i think that sounds like good advise, while its all apart, might as well really beef it up....safe then sorry......i really should replace the shocks, too since they will be half off for the new coil springs....
and yes to pb blaster.... stuff is awsome....:)
With the vintage of the truck it's just a good idea to replace stuff so you know it's up to snuff. You can pretty much bet the springs are original equipment.
f250or 350 2wd coil springs will work (we have them in all our f150 and broncos) but the ride will be a little stiffer.
wow what a difference.... i havent put the plow back on yet, too late... but just the ride hight of the front end really came up....try the plow tomarrow, i think im still going to change the springs and shocks, just because of the age of the parts, thanks for all the help guys....
Check your u-joints in the front axle too. If one self destructs while plowing your now a 2 wheel drive truck. Plowing with a truck will stress parts to the point of breaking so make sure all the parts are good.
way better....