F250 buying second hand

Submitted: Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 19:19
ThreadID: 76333 Views:5982 Replies:8 FollowUps:11
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I'm looking at getting a F250 second hand. The Brazil V8 diesel model most likely.

Has anyone experience in what to look for.
Towing capacity?
Suspension airbag upgrade for the rear needed for towing?.
Where to look.
Likely costs.
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Reply By: Motherhen - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 19:44

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 19:44
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


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Follow Up By: Member - Carl- Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 09:02

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 09:02
Hi Motherhen,

Thanks for that. The silver F250 and Bushtracker I passed last week, that I thought was you is in Melbourne. We ended up parked next to each other in the Big 4. This gave me the chance to have a chat. We had chatted before about 3 years ago in Queensland it turned out. His name is Peter if you see him on the road. I also cover many of the same question I have asked here with him.

The Great Ocean Rd was a real work out for the 200 Cruiser. The problem is that, most of the travel will be in the outback. I wanted a vehicle with 4WD abilities in sand and mud, a repair support network, and towing abilities for a big van. This is certainly asking alot.

I feel a search project coming on. Carl





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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 13:46

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 13:46
Hi Carl

What weight is your van when loaded? Ours was 3 tonne when on the vehicle as we left for our trip last year, and we were 7.5 tonne all up. Too many tools in the tray - but you never know what you are going to need.

With the auto 3 litre Patrol, we were reluctant to go anywhere we might meet loose sand. It did well, as we toured Tasmania with it.

Last year we met loose sand which we had not anticipated on the track from Epenarra Station to Old Policeman's Waterhole in the Davenport Ranges, and were very pleased we had the power and weight of the F250.

Spares have not been a problem to us. When we got the F250 we ordered spares from USA (much cheaper) for regular things to carry which we have not needed. Parts can be obtained through any Ford dealer; just costly. We needed a bolt for the spring hanger last year, and the bolt alone was something like $80. There was no regular bolt that would substitute.

The Brazilian F250 was there to satisfy a market where heavy tow vehicles were hard to get, and alternatives were generally imported from USA and converted at great cost. Silverado seems to be the substitute people are choosing at present.

Mh
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Follow Up By: Member - Carl- Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 16:06

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 16:06
Hi Mh,

I am too scared to get it weighed. Totally empty and with just 200 litres of water it stands at 3300kg. I suspect about 4 ton.

We are having a break in Gundagai for a coffee and it has rolled up the Hume at 100 without a worry. The outback however will have bumpy windy roads and it is when this happens, it becomes "a wilful child".

My feeling is that a F250, Silverardo, F350 will be more of a big stick in controling the van.

Spoke to a guy this morning in apark that has a Canadian F250, dual cab that he bought at Christmas for $60.000. He said it has an International 7.2 litre engine. Does that mean an "American" F250?

After spending $85.000 on a 200 series and another $15.000 on accessories to make it a good tow vehicle for theoutback, I'm pushing it asking for more money from the "commander". So I'm really trying to get my facts right.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 16:32

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 16:32
Hi Carl

Ours is 2.22 tonne on the licence, and with adding 320 litres of water and our gear i thought it would come towards 3 tonne, so 3 tonne on the vehicle was a surprise. We didn't disconnect and weigh, because we were using the grain receival depot weigh bridge. We don't carry a huge load in the van, but we were packed up for a long trip, although one water tank was not full.

Importing seems expensive, allowing for the conversion. People we met in the Kimberley got their American F250 second hand from Canada, but i can't remember where they got it converted to right hand drive. We have seen some nice big GMC tow vehicles. A few years ago, some people we using Suburbans, but they looked too low slung for the outback.

I agree with the weight controlling the van. If the van starts to sway, it is nice to be holding the steering wheel at the heavier end. That as well as additional power were reasons for us choosing the F250 over a cruiser. The Patrol did the job well, but with a 2.5 tonne limit for the gearbox, it was not a vehicle to use for a big trip.

Mh

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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 17:25

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 17:25
There are also a couple of (imported) Dodge RAMs pulling big BTs. You can also go to light trucks such as Canter ans Isuzu, but not a comfortable ride like the F250.

Mh

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Follow Up By: _gmd_pps - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 02:52

Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 02:52
"Importing seems expensive, allowing for the conversion."

Not really. We imported a GMC 3500 Dually Crew Cab Long Bed 6.6 Duramax
and including freight and conversion it was much less than a top of the range Toyota. And it was brand new with all the bells and whistles, Since we run it through the business we got the GST back and depreciation brings the cost down further. It is a much much better vehicle to drive and tow than any Landcruiser, Patrol or any other Jap 4x4. The F250s have only a short bed and the 350s never came with crew cab or decent trim in Australia. The prices are low in the US, the $ is much better than 2006 when I purchased the vehicle.
Since it is a truck the maximum vehicle value for depreciation does not apply.
With a wagon you will have trouble with the taxman.

The prices for the Toyotas are a joke compared to these US trucks. You also get autolockers in the rear and limited slip diff in the front which makes it go anywhere without modifications. We left it as a truck (GVM over 4.5) because we need the payload for our truck camper.

Off the shelf purchase of such a truck is well over 130K and you pay for the convenience of not organising it yourself. Our total cost was below 90K and that included the GST and everything to get it on the road plus the add ons which I purchased straight with it and shipped it to OZ at the same time including a truck camper and a boat.

good luck
gmd


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Follow Up By: get outmore - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 03:21

Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 03:21
dont know what you mean by crew cab but the 350s certainly did have a duel cab version
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Follow Up By: _gmd_pps - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 05:47

Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 05:47
the 350 had only an extended cab not a crew cab.
extended cab has half doors, crew cab has full doors and decent leg space
which turns into good storage :)) ..
have fun
gmd
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Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 19:56

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 19:56
Hi Carl. Not sure what state you are in. Perhaps this may help. http://www.f250sales.com.au/ Bob.

AnswerID: 406001

Reply By: Crackles - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 20:31

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 20:31
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...............
AnswerID: 406012

Reply By: brushmarx - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 22:52

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 22:52
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
I'll get there someday, or die wanting to.

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Follow Up By: Ray - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 01:42

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 01:42
The Brazillian F Series have had a mixed reception. Most owners love them and some seem to have endless problems with suspension and transmissions. When Ford started building them in Brazil in RHD for the Oz market the engine and suspension was already superseded in the States.So we got the left over technology although the 7.3 engine was one of the best engines around and certainly better then the 6.0 litre that replaced it.
There are second hand American built trucks around and if you want, new vehicles imported and converted by http://www.americanperformance.com.au/ I have bought two vehicles from them and had good treatment from them.
Another thing to consider is buying the F350. Same price and a much better towing and load carrying spec and has lower geared axles better suited to towing.They can be bought in single rear wheel or dual.
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Reply By: Member - Carl- Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 09:03

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 09:03
Thanks everyone for that info. I will get researching. Carl
AnswerID: 406103

Reply By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 18:15

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 18:15
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)


AnswerID: 406188

Follow Up By: Ray - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 00:37

Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 00:37
I've had good experiances with resale of mine. My first F250 was a rough 79 model. Paid 4800 in 83 and got 4500 back in 91.I paid 38500 for my 91 F350 and got 34500 for it in 97. Just sold my 97 F350,paid 79000 and got back 53000. I can't complain!
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Reply By: Off-track - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 10:57

Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 10:57
One on fleabay right now;

F250

No association, just opened in another page and coincidentally it had this on the opening page.
AnswerID: 406308

Follow Up By: Member - Carl- Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 11:23

Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 11:23
Had a look a that one and will give then a call. We are heading to "beauitful one day p......................................." in a couple of weeks. Very nice looking truck.

Thanks for that.
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Reply By: chevypower - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 18:17

Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 18:17
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.
AnswerID: 406369

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