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10-04-2006, 07:45 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Olahoma City
Posts: 1,219
M.O.C. #6054
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1997 Ford F-350 Power Stroke
Hey Gang,
I am thinking about purchasing a 1997 Ford F-350 Power Stroke Diesel from someone just to tow the trailer with. Does anyone have an older Ford like this they use to pull their trailer with? If so any compliments or complaints about the towing vehicle? It has 100,000 miles but with a diesel engine I know it has a long way to go yet. I am not talking about a fancy truck...rather a flat bed 1-ton pickup with a big engine which would only be used to pull my mountaineer with to the farm and to the lake about 7 times per year.
Thanks in advance!
Okie Phil
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10-04-2006, 09:07 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leona
Posts: 6,382
M.O.C. #2059
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The truck you describe for the purposes you indicate should be sufficient to do the job. The 7.3 L Diesel is a reliable engine, well established prior to the change by Ford.
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10-05-2006, 02:34 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Texico
Posts: 1,917
M.O.C. #6150
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Hey Okie, I had a '96 PSD before the '03. When I quit driving her she had 234,000 miles on her, and still running strong. Pulled lots of HEAVY loads.
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10-05-2006, 02:42 AM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 398
M.O.C. #3846
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Phil,
I can only share my own experience. I have a 1997 Ford F250 with 223,000 miles and I put most of those on myself. We pulled a 36 foot Montana to Alaska with it this year and had no serious trouble with the truck. Assuming the previous owner changed the fluids regularly, the PSD you are looking at should do a fine job. I recently retired the F250 from towing duties but not because it wasn't worthy of more miles, I got a little bigger truck because I wanted something different to play with.
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10-05-2006, 03:59 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,568
M.O.C. #4890
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I had a 95 PSD. Great engine and good for many trouble free miles. I also had a 2000 PSD. another great trouble free engine. I had an 04 6.0 for 10 pitiful months and now I know how it feels to buy a lemon. Pretty awful. The 6.0 has many fans. Myself, you could not give me another one and reliability is much more important to me than extra power so I went for the V10 gas on my 05 and both my wife and I love the thing.
I do get around and in all my travels I have talked to many disgrunted 6.0 PSD past owners and many of them now drive Cummins or Duramaxs, both great engines IMO
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10-05-2006, 04:57 AM
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#6
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Rainier
Posts: 19
M.O.C. #5916
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Okie,
I sold my 1997 Ford F350 power stroke when it had 145,000 miles on it. It was a great truck and I still kick myself for getting rid of it. I believe it was one of Ford's best years for pick-ups. If the truck you are looking at has been properly maintained, it has a lot of miles left.
Jim
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10-05-2006, 05:20 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: La Pine
Posts: 2,654
M.O.C. #2018
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We towed our 3255RL with a '96 F250 PSD and it did a great job. We went to a 2006 F350 PSD this year because hubby was impressed with the integrated brake system and we needed a "family car" so got a crew cab.
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10-05-2006, 08:50 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Spring Hill
Posts: 2,725
M.O.C. #59
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I have about 125000 and plan to keep mine for many years to come. I keep my fluids and filters changed so I have had no significant problems with it. I bought it used and have never regretted it.
Before buying I would recommend getting a carfax report so you will have the history and drive it to a garage and have the computer codes read out so you can see if it has problems. If it has problems the codes should tell you.
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10-05-2006, 08:55 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Haven
Posts: 170
M.O.C. #6271
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We have a 99 F350 CC diesel...has 152,000 miles on it. We pretty much just use it to tow with and as a spare when another vehicle is down or in for service. Hubby loves it and will never get rid of it. It has a manual transmission, which he loves. So few problems with it...ball joints which is very typical and "normal" for these trucks, have all been replaced, an alternator and a rear seal. Oh yes, we just replaced a radiator hose this weekend. Other than that, no problems at all.
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10-05-2006, 09:01 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lone Tree
Posts: 5,615
M.O.C. #6109
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Should make a great towmotor, and that was one of my favorite body styles.
Are you retiring out your Chevy?
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10-05-2006, 09:02 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lone Tree
Posts: 5,615
M.O.C. #6109
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Should make a great towmotor, and that was one of my favorite body styles.
Are you retiring out your Chevy?
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10-05-2006, 01:44 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ottawa Lake
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #321
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I am towing with one and have 148,000 on it and it still has plenty of life left in it. if the price is good grab it, good luck. Roman
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10-05-2006, 02:10 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,700
M.O.C. #5751
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That's a good set up, assuming it's been well maintained, it'll do the job.
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