What year F250 in the 80s was the best? Considering axles, trannies, engines, etc. What year is the most sought after?

none. They were all about the same. After 88 things started going fuel injection.

What do you mean exactly by fuel injection? I've got a '93, it's a 7.3L, last year of the IDI (In-Direct Injection). 83-87 were 6.9's, and the 88-93's were the 7.3L. 94-97 (square truck style) had the 7.3L Powerstroke in them. As far as I can tell mainly, the older IDI 6.9's and 7.3's were pretty much the same, down to the injector hard lines.

Take a look at the individual injector lines. There are certain spots that there is supposed to be a rubber damper clamp on the lines to prevent vibration. If not, they will crack, the lines going from the injector pump to the injectors. Also had my main feed line to the injector pump crack from the fuel filter...so inspect those. Maybe jump on ebay or some forums classifieds and see if you can buy up a spare set.

Ask the previous owner what kind of "cavitation prevention" he used, or ask him what his procedure was when changing the coolant. If he doesn't reply that he used DCA4 from Fleetguard or something similar to make sure the cylinder walls don't erode from the inside-out. Search up on "cavitation". I would take some test strips with you too (Most any truck shop should have 'em), and test the coolant.

The battery cables on these can be problematic, check to see what kind of shape they are in. There are websites that sell "kits" so to speak to replace the battery cabling (Not as easy to make as it sounds since it's a dual-battery setup), for around $100. People who have upgraded say it makes a huge difference.

If it cranks slow and the batteries are known to be good, it's probably due for a starter. I thought mine was OK until I bought a new starter, and the difference was amazing. Make sure you get the Mitsubishi gear-reduction starter.

The glow plugs can be tricky if someone replaced them at an earlier date with a cheapo brand that tends to expand, and then snap off when you try to remove them. Make sure to get the Beru/Motorcraft plugs (Autozone has them), stay away from the Autolite plugs.

Another common problem is the Tach Sensor, and the Vehicle Speed Sensor in the pumpkin. IIRC, the Tach Sensor goes for about $30-$40, and the Speed Sensor is around $15. If the O/D light is flashing on the column, those are the 2 main culprits, start there first.

Want to make sure also that the FIPL (Fuel Injection Pump Lever), or TPS as it's also called, is set correctly. Improper adjustment can throw off the shifting of the E4OD, and result in sluggish shifting and reduced tranny life.


Check out:
www.thedieselstop.com
http://www.members.shaw.ca/k2pilot/

That's all I can really think of for now!

Check this out too: http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/9497faq/faq/buyingadvice.php3



*Side Note: This is my '93 that I'm putting up for sale soon*
http://paradox.shacknet.nu/dave88lx/F-250/summer05-2.jpg

none. They were all about the same. After 88 things started going fuel injection.

Huh :confused: All diesels are fuel injected :shaking:

The original poster may want to check out www.thedieselstop.com. Lots of great info on that site.

What do you mean exactly by fuel injection? I've got a '93, it's a 7.3L, last year of the IDI (In-Direct Injection). 83-87 were 6.9's, and the 88-93's were the 7.3L. 94-97 (square truck style) had the 7.3L Powerstroke in them. As far as I can tell mainly, the older IDI 6.9's and 7.3's were pretty much the same, down to the injector hard lines.


AFAIK, the 7.3 IDI's were also PowerStrokes. They got the Turbo and DI injection in late 94.

What year F250 in the 80s was the best? Considering axles, trannies, engines, etc. What year is the most sought after?

Check out some sites on diesels for all you ever wanted to know.

www.thedieselgarage.com
www.oilburners.net
and *sigh*
www.thedieselstop.com

AFAIK, the 7.3 IDI's were also PowerStrokes. They got the Turbo and DI injection in late 94.

No, the IDIs (turbo or not) are not powerstrokers.

Adrianspeeder

If you're going to get a 4x4, IMO, step up to a solid-axle from the beginning. (85.5+ F350)

OD std trans optional from '87. OD auto trans optional from '89.
Replacing a DMF & clutch is a costly affair... so is the E4OD auto trans.

7.3L IDI started in '88.

Rear axle changed from Dana to Ford from 85-87.

Pricing on the 80-97 F-series is out to lunch now. I wanted/needed a crewcab solid-axle diesel pickup this spring... I bought the cheapest I could find... a '95 :rasta:

I missed the part about this thread being about diesel F250's... sorry guys :D