Need some advice

[TaNK_Em]

Hello, I have some questions about the F series. Currently I drive a 1993 Chevy Silverado ½ ton with a 5.7 V8 350. The truck in general in my view and most others is a piece of shit. They main bearings shot so who knows how much longer it will continue to run and the gas mileage is above horrible. I have found a 1999 ford F-250 with a V8 triton regular cab long bed with a plow on it for 5000 dollars. What am I looking at here as far as gas mileage go and is this a good price it has about 110,000 miles on it.

- Kevin

[eti engineer]

I had a 1999 F-250 (company truck) which I drove for 116,000 miles and did nothing to it. Not even a battery or spark plug change. I now have a 2002 f-150, Triton 4.6, and the company has spent about 100 dollars per 1000 miles in maintenance on this truck I am scheduled to get a new F-250 this week (2007) I hope my luck with this 250 is as good as the 1999 250 I had. I say go for it. But I am a Chevy fan. I own an beefed up 97 S-10 and I wouldn't trade it for all the Fords on earth. Surprised you are having trouble with your Chevy.

Later..


eti engineer

[Believer45]

I have had a couple of Chevy K series trucks and four F-series Fords, my current one being the best. 71 F100 heavy duty 4x4 with manual transmission with creeper gear (low range on the transfer, low gear top speed about 1.5 mph). Beast of a truck. 83 F150 I-6 auto underpowered on the interstate, had road gears and an auto overdrive transmission. 85 F150 302 V-8 did OK but not really any better than the 83. I owned the 85 for 2 weeks (traded on the 83) and had the 83 for a couple years.

Current is a 95 F250 Diesel long bed 5 speed extended cab and you would be hard pressed to get it out of my driveway for twice the price of the one you are looking at. 236,000 miles and I would not hesitate to take it up the Al-Can highway to Alaska from here in Cincinnati.

In my opinion Ford trucks are the best overall. Each brand has strong and weak points. At 110,000 miles condition and maintenance are going to play a more important role than brand and options.

To your question, I cannot speak to gas mileage from experience for your truck. If it is the 351 you will have more power than the smaller V-8 but mileage will suffer somewhat. Technology has advanced in gas engines to the point they are not much worse than diesels until you put a big load on (or behind) them.

$5000 for a 99 4x4 truck seems a decent price, depending on options and condition. Break down the miles run and it comes to under 14,000 miles a year (figuring 99 as a full year of use). I don't know about you but I do that in nine months. If it is a dinged up stripped down work truck price is so-so. If it is an XLT with a few nice options and looking good I would go for it. Maintenance is key, especially if it has been worked hard as a plow truck. I would see if you can get maintenance records for it to look them over.

You would not get my 1995 out of my drive for anywhere near $5000 but then I am partial to the older body style and am not looking to sell unless going to a four door single rear wheel F350 4x4.

Dave / Believer45