I'm getting all set to purchase a new/used 2008, F-350, 6.4L diesel pickup. It has a little over 10,000 miles on it. I am doing a checklist of items to look over and inspect before the purchase is made. I've already done a carfax report. For those of you that already own a pickup like this, do you have any suggestions of items to inspect or issues to watch for. I've already got a long list of items to check, but I sure would respect any of your opinions as well. Thanks a bunch for you help.
First thing I would have to find out is, why was it returned/traded with only 10K on the clock? Is this a factory buy back or was it a repo, or did the original purchaser discover the sad fact that he could pass everything except a gas station? Without a FULL disclosure br the dealer/manufacturer as to exactly why it is on the lot I would not touch it.
Look for a date sticker on the engine coolant radiator, November 2007 or later is best. Earlier built radiators had seem leak issues. Have an OASIS run on the truck, available from the dealer. Carfax is only good for giving you a warm feeling. Only honest dealers/shops report information that may be found on a Carfax report. Chopshops/crooks don't report info on flooding, rebuilds. Take a spray bottle of water and a hair blow dryer, squirt the carpet to get it wet, use the blow dryer to heat the water as hot as you can get it. Use your nose, sniff for muddy water smell. Telltale sign of flooding. Run your hand up under the dash(careful not to cut it on sharp metal stampings), feel for dirt, caked dirt. Look under the seats for signs of early stage rust on seat frames, another way to detect flood damage. I also like to remove the fill plug from the differentials and stick my finger in the hole. You should be greeted with clear amber gear oil, that does not have a burnt smell. If it looks milky or burnt, move on to another truck. I do the same for the transmission and transfer cases, a truck this new, the fluid should be clear and bright, no burnt smell.
Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USN Ret.
Wonderful Wife, 3 beautiful Daughters
"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"
If you are getting it from a Ford dealer, ask for an Oasis Report. The sales dept may look at you funny, but send them to the service dept to get it. An Oasis Report a list of all warrenty work performed by a dealer - with on 10k on the clock, anything that had been done would be on that report.
If you are not getting it from a Ford dealer - get the vin and take to a one and see if they will give you the report.
Mark & Tammy
'01 Excursion Limited, 4x4, V10, RoadMaster Active Suspension
'01 Prowler 31G
Equal-i-zer Hitch - Prodigy Brake Controller
Thanks for all your good responses. I really appreciateed them.
Donn: Her husband passed away. They only took a two month trip to California and back home. All highway miles. Original owners. She sold the 5th wheel, now just trying to sell the pickup. She has all maintenance records. Thanks!
Capt Skup: Good advise on the water bottle and nose. I'll pull that differ plug and check the fluid. It's on my checklist now. Thanks again.
Mark and Tammy: I'll be close to a Ford dealer next Monday when we close the deal. Will check to see if I can get that Oasis Report before I close the deal. Thanks for your input!
Sounds like you may have found a good used truck. One owner, buying from the original owner. I will tell you, I still think the SuperDuty with the 6.4PSD is the best combination of heavy duty pickup on the market. While shopping for a minivan to haul the pups around, I took time to take one of the other new current diesel pickups for a spin. All I will say is that it made me appreciate my truck even more. Due to high diesel fuel prices, I mainly drive my truck on weekends, running to the landfill, the home improvement stores and of course spending couple of hours washing and waxing it. Well it is almost th weekend and I am looking forward to spending some time with my terrific truck.
I was looking at some pictures a neighbor took of the floods in Cedar Rapids Iowa earlier this summer. The thing I noticed was the number of cars and trucks that were left flooded. When asked about it the commit was it was a way to get rid of a gas guzzler.
I realize that all three 07 diesels, Powerstroke, Duramax, and Cummins all took a hit on fuel mileage with all the new smog equipment, but wasn't the Powerstroke/Ford diesel the thirstiest by far of the three diesels?
Might that be a factor unless the poster is getting an incredible deal on the low mileage 6.4 diesel?
There was a comparison test posted on the forum about a year ago, and the Powerstroke as well as the other two diesels from Dodge and GM were "dyno'd", and the Ford 6.4 was very much down on H.P./Torque from the Cummins and Duramax, and also very much higher with fuel consumption than the Cummins and Duramax. I heard that Ford ordered some "flashes" to help with fuel mileage, but might this be a factor to consider unless this truck is a real bargain?
Yes, I know I own an 05 Cummins and not a Powerstroke.
Regards, Eightballsidepocket
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT 4x2 Quad Cab, Cummins, 48RE Tranny, Lg Bed, Line-X Spray-on Bed Liner.
06 T25BS Komfort Trailblazer TT
"If you can't say it in person, it isn't worth saying while hiding behind an anonymous P.C.!"
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