F250 buying second hand

Hi Carl

A number of them come up on the Bushtracker forum from time to time when people update to a Silverado. Sometimes advertised as a unit with a Bushtracker, but often the F250 is harder to quit than the caravans. Nothing recent there at the moment. Of course asking price and what they get may be very different.

http://www.bushtrackerownersgroup.asn.au/Forum/Default.asp?MO=6

As the last models imported were around 2004 or 2005, they can be getting up in kilometres. We had to pay more second hand that we would have new, but we were not ready to buy new when they were still being imported.

We eventually added rear airbags. When we got ours, although it had only done 16,000 kms (we were lucky in finding it), the springs needed attention for towing, so we took it to a workshop to have added leaves. When we picked it up, they had put the extra leaf in the the front springs but said the back ones were fine. I don't think they realised how heavy our caravan is. We later chose airbags over spring strengthening, as we can adjust for a softer ride when not towing. The extra front leaf stopped the 'roll' feeling that many of them have when driving.

I don't see the point of getting anything less than the 7.3 litre td. They don't have the finish of the Landcruisers and Patrol, but do give a very comfy ride. A tray back would be easier to fit out for camping, and a number of people have dispensed with the tub and added a tray back.

I think there is a place in Melbourne that specialises in them, and there was and still may be one Queensland.

Motherhen

Hi Carl. Not sure what state you are in. Perhaps this may help. http://www.f250sales.com.au/ Bob.

The F250's are great for towing but not carring weight, in fact some models have a lower load capacity than a Ford Courier! Because of that the suspension will need upgrading. Our work vehicles have additional leaves but if you are varying the load a set of air bags would be the go.
Look for oil leaks on top of the engine, a history of electrical issues which lead to the engine simply stopping & abnormal tyre wear. (Ours handles like a dog)
Likely cost $65,000+ for anything with reasonable KM's. Resale is very high since they stopped importing them.
Cheers Craig...............

We had 2 for work, still have one of them. They both had drama's keeping the steering system drivable.
Driving straight was near impossible, the vehicles would wander all over the place, and according to the mechanic, the ball joints were suspect.
Other than that, they were great trucks except for the piddly little wheels and manoeuvrability.
Both were used for towing 28' boats, and had no trouble with a few tonne behind them, and no air bag suspension required. Both were the 7 litre turbo auto's
One was traded for a new Rangie and after paying $78000 in 2004, returned $45000 trade in, even though used ones similar kilo's and age were advertised from $60k upwards.
Cheers

Thanks everyone for that info. I will get researching. Carl

I bought my XLT supercab new in January 06 one of the very last of them paid 75K. with 48,000k's now its probably worth high $50's about the best depreciation I've ever had out of 30 or so new cars.

Driving wise I couldn't be happier, with a programmable superchip and 295 tyres it drives well. With a 500kg approx camper on the back it still scares Toyotas. Fuel economy is quite good all things considered

Great in sand, suspension (OME+Rear Airbags) really soaks up the corrugations in fact it's the best ride on corrugations I can remember in any car

Front end took a bit of sorting out seems it's in the caster, truck place here in Cairns did the job. It's OK now but no Ferrari.

Like motherhen said part are much cheaper from US plus there's heaps of info on US forums.

It's still a bit like it was when these were new, there's not much around that's comparable.

Oh I nearly forgot it does not have an involuntary acceleration problem (could't resist)

One on fleabay right now;

F250

No association, just opened in another page and coincidentally it had this on the opening page.

Buy a new 2011 from Canada or the US.http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/02/ford-announces-2011-super-duty-engine-power-towing-and-hauling-numbers.html
It has the new 6.7L V8 diesel, 291kw/995Nm and the 6 speed auto. Supposed to get much better fuel economy than the older models too, with it's SCR/Urea system.
Vehicle Development Company in Melbourne www.vdc.com.au can convert it and meet full ADR regulations. Since old 7.3L F250s are still going for $70k+ - I would go the import route.