What should I check on this truck? (88 F-250)

[RampageFSJ]

I'm looking for a tow rig and I found an 88 F-250 in the junkyard I'm working at. It's a 4x4 extended cab with a 7.3 IDI, ZF 5 speed, and from the carfax that I did on it I'm guessing it has 160,000 miles on it. It has no body damage and it's only missing the tires and wheels (I have a set that can go on it), rear shaft (I think it's in the warehouse), and the transfer case has been pulled (I'm sure I saw it in the warehouse too).

I'd like to try to start it to see if it is able to be saved. It runs 2 batteries and the shop truck can't jump it enough to crank over much. What can I do to get it to crank aside from buying new batteries? The ones in it have probably been sitting for 2 years with the truck, could it be possible to throw those two on chargers, or do you think they are too far gone? I can find something in the yard if those can't work.

After I get it to crank, what do you think I need to check aside from the oil to get it to start? If it can start and run, what should I start replacing to make it reliable? The main thing I'm worried about is cavitation, which could be the reason it was sold to the yard in the first place. But it did crank a little when I hooked the shop truck up to it, so I'm betting it's not hydralocked.

I know you're probably wondering why I should even bother with it, but I'm willing to at least give it a shot at starting, since I've heard that the 7.3 IDI is good for many more miles and the ZF 5 speed is damn near bullet proof. Thanks for any help given, and for sticking through this long read if you did.:cool2:

[johny5]

peice of junk . buy a complete running truck off of cragslist before peicing that thing back together

[gilraine]

if you can get it started and it runs good, run with it...charge the batteries, worse case 200 bucks gets you 2 brand new ones.... thats a 3500-4000 dollar truck around here, once you put it back together...

[Nor Cal Wheelin]

Yeah, just start going through it... Check out the fluids and filters. Drain the shit deisel out of it and swipe some batteries. If its been sitting that long pull the glow plugs and at least clean up the ends. It might turn out to be a great truck for you. Ignore the DUMB SHIT the responed first. Why in the hell do you want to pay top dollar for someone elses problem. They wouldnt be selling it if it was worth a shit. What the hell can it hurt. You work at the yard right, you could probably replace anything that is past repair with yard parts.

*** If that doest turn out to be the case with it, pull the tranny and ship it to me. I will give you a 1000 plus pay for the freight.....:grinpimp:


Good luck man

[RampageFSJ]

Yeah, just start going through it... Check out the fluids and filters. Drain the shit deisel out of it and swipe some batteries. If its been sitting that long pull the glow plugs and at least clean up the ends. It might turn out to be a great truck for you. Ignore the DUMB SHIT the responed first. Why in the hell do you want to pay top dollar for someone elses problem. They wouldnt be selling it if it was worth a shit. What the hell can it hurt. You work at the yard right, you could probably replace anything that is past repair with yard parts.

*** If that doest turn out to be the case with it, pull the tranny and ship it to me. I will give you a 1000 plus pay for the freight.....:grinpimp:


Good luck man

That's what I was thinking. What could it hurt to try to start it? The head mechanic told me that he doesn't know what's wrong with it and he'll take $1,000 for it just because the tranny is worth $800 to him alone. This may sound crazy, but the truck just keeps drawing me back to it, which is making me willing to try it. Though I can't give it a shot untill I get back to Pratt after the winter break.

[STOCKF250]

i would go for it.

[94stepsideford]

You've got nothing to lose. Shit you could part it out for the 1000.