1996 F250 Powerstroke Supercab 2WD

Sadly, the time has come to sell my Too Fiddy. As much as I love this truck (and I do), it just rides too rough to really do what we need it to, which is be a comfortable long distance family vehicle towing a 2000lb boat. I bought it because we were planning to buy a MUCH bigger boat, but it's far more truck than I need and it makes SWMBO seasick on the interstate. 

1996 F250 Supercab XLT 2WD longbed, 7.3L Powerstroke diesel. 245,000 miles.  Mechanically, this truck is 9.5/10. It's never been tuned, hot rodded or berked around with. Still has the factory engine cover and the original exhaust system if that tells you anything. I've had it a little less than 2 years and I was building it for reliability. With enough dramamine and ibuprofen I would drive this truck to California tomorrow towing a house. Perfect for a fly and drive, but we are about 2 hours from the Atlanta airport.

New parts in last 2 years:  Entire front end rebuilt with Moog parts - ball joints and entire steering rack, Entire front brake system replaced, including MC and main hard line, Rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders, Monroe shocks all around, Rear axle seals replaced, vacuum pump, alternator, Serpentine belt, headlight housings, block heater plug and wire, added HD tie downs in bed, spring assist on tailgate, Motorcraft cam position sensor. The glow plugs and relays were changed just before I bought it. Watertight soft tonneau cover so you have an 8' trunk for luggage. Jensen headunit with bluetooth, handsfree calling, USB Ipod input, Satellite radio (with antenna installed) Pandora, and I Heart Radio capable, new front speakers.

The good: 

Everything works on this truck - power windows, door locks, cruise control, front and rear fuel tanks, AC, heat, HVAC selector, even the inflatable lumbar on the driver's seat. The truck was owned by a guy who drove semi dump trucks so he knew how to take care of a diesel.  There is ALMOST NO RUST. There are a few quarter sized spots of surface rust where something rubbed the paint years ago. The cab corners, bed, and wheel arches are 100% rust free. This is a Georgia truck since new and the underside is nearly as clean as the top. It has really cool Centerline aluminum wheels and a bitchin' chrome brush bar. The rear end is an open 3.55 unit, so highway cruising is no problem. I average 17+ mpg around town and I have seen high 20s running empty at 55mph on backroads.

The bad: 

It needs a steering box. There's a good bit of play on center but I've been happily driving it for 2 years with no problems, both around town as a DD and towing 3 hours to the coast. It's not really that bad, but after replacing the entire steering system, the box is the only thing keeping it from driving like a brand new truck. The box you want is $250 plus $100 core.Tires are about 45%. I was planning on new tires later this year. Oh, and the pinion seal leaks a little.

The other:

This truck is well patina'd. The PO used it like a truck. It's covered with fine rubs and scratches, water spots, you name it. I test buffed one section and 90% of the stuff will buff out, and the paint looks great afterward. There are small dents here and there. The interior has some stains and one small tear in the driver's seat (cheap seatcovers in the pics are about shot.) The remains of the PO's company name "Dirty Larry's Sand and Rock" are etched in the paint on the driver's door. The driver's door has some dents around the mirror as well and one of the interior welds is broken - it looks like the mirror got folded over forcibly in the past. Personally, I don't see any of this as a negative. I use trucks as trucks and not being too pretty keeps people from screwing with it.

GRM Price: $5000 firm.  If none of you guys want it I'll buff the paint and maybe put the steering box in and list it at $6000. 

I had an old 86 two fitty with a 460.  Indeed, it rode every bit as a nice as a Conestoga wagon.   But it would pull anything you could hook to it.  11 mpg empty, 6-8 mpg loaded.

GLWS        

That's a nice truck.

Thanks. Part of me really hates to sell it. It's my favorite body style and in my favorite color, which is a rare one. If I was just driving it around town and doing homeowner truck stuff I'd keep it. But ....

I guess I should say I'm open to trades on comfortable SUV or truck type things that will tow 6k lbs of equal value, ideally 4WD or good LSD rear in a 2wd.

In reply to ultraclyde :

Nice truck. I just spent ~1000 miles driving Ovid_and_Flem's 96 to the Challenge & back. If I had a frequent need for a truck like this I'd be on my way to GA. 

Sending this to my wife. We have talked truck a bit.

In reply to Jaynen :

Glad you found the listing. I couldn't for the life of me remember your screen name.

Identical to my white one.  Towed Pekte's car to challenge without a whimper....plus we got free showers at truck stops with each fillup.

I was offered $10k for mine but my dad bought it new and pampered it.  Dad died last year so I really can't let it go.

Hella truck...also known as the mule. Unladden it will beat you to death.  Pretty comfy fully loaded.

ultraclyde said:

In reply to Jaynen :

Glad you found the listing. I couldn't for the life of me remember your screen name.

That was meant to be I talked it with my wife :P I dont think we have

In reply to Jaynen :

Oh, my bad. There was a thread a while back where someone was actively looking for a truck likle this and we talked about availability in central GA, but i can't remeber his screen name. I just assumed it was you!

I looked at a few SUVs on small lots last night. Good Lord, if those were the acceptable condition for $7000 trucks these days, I'm asking too little!! LOL

man, i'm looking for a truck right now. Any interest in a 1990 range rover classic.  Same as the photo in my profile.  

In reply to grover :

YOU'RE the one I was thinking of! I'm only slightly terrified of Range Rover reliability... but they are cool trucks. PM me some photos and info. Who knows?

In reply to ultraclyde :

will do man! 

I think I sent you a message. Let me know if you didn't get it. 

I did get it. The truck looks really cool, but I just don't think I'm willing to lean on a Range Rover as a no-fuss tow pig. Which is a shame because it IS COOL!

In reply to ultraclyde :

Probably not the right truck for that.  I'm still interested.  What town are you in? 

Sold to Grover. Thanks man, hope she's doing well for you!

In reply to ultraclyde :

Pffft- this thing will be in my ownership forever. She’s got new tires, shiny rims and has already done a few hundred miles. Best thing about it is the fact that my 7 year old daughter insists on sitting on the front middle seat right beside me. 

In reply to grover :

Awesome. That helps salve the pain of selling it.

Oh, one more bit if advice I forgot - buy a motorcraft crank position sensor to keep in the glove box. I put one on right after I got it, but that's the one thing that will suddenly break and leave you stranded. When it fails its like you turned the ignition key off. Luckily they're cheap and take about 5 min to change, so it's good to carry a spare. But like most sensors on the truck, only buy Motorcraft. 

ultraclyde said:

In reply to grover :

Awesome. That helps salve the pain of selling it.

 

Oh, one more bit if advice I forgot - buy a motorcraft crank position sensor to keep in the glove box. I put one on right after I got it, but that's the one thing that will suddenly break and leave you stranded. When it fails its like you turned the ignition key off. Luckily they're cheap and take about 5 min to change, so it's good to carry a spare. But like most sensors on the truck, only buy Motorcraft. 

Solid advice. Any idea where the clearance lights fuse might be? They’re super cool- but not working. I’m stumped. 

In reply to ultraclyde :

~$20 range from the dealer.