I bought my first diesel truck last December. 96 F250 4x4 off road 153,000 original miles. Extra cab. With matching topper. I am the second owner. The original owner was a buddies uncle. He had a lot of health issues and did not get to drive much. His wife 4’5” did not like to drive it. Always garaged. I was able to pick it up upon his passing for $10,000 cash. They never pulled the plastic off the back seat. I love this thing. Pulls my 31” bumper pull rv like it is not even there. And still get 14-15 while pulling. 17 normally. Even in these Colorado Rockies.
NICE! i have a 1995 Chevy K2500 Ext/LongBox with the 6.5L Detroit Turbo Diesel. truck is next to immaculate and gets 18-19 MPG religiously. had it a long time and my 1989 Chev C1500 even longer. the 4th Gen GMT-400 trucks are still seen EVERYWHERE in Alberta regularly and most are in good shape. sadly the Fords and Rams of the same vintage aren't seen nearly as often. 30-35 years later we can clearly see what the best truck made is.
@@yourfriend9048they are all down here 7.3s are everywhere. I wouldn’t trade my 7.3 for 10 6.5s I had one 6.5 and it wouldn’t pull the hide off of a grape done a hx40 turbo upgrade and nv4500 trans and my uncles f150 hauled a load better than it ever did. Sold it at 196k on its second motor and trans tore up. Have had 5 7.3s all over 300k other than my current daily. My first was a 96 I still have it with 652k one set of injectors a fuel pump and a water pump. Only thing the 6.2 or 6.5 has over a 7.3 PSD is simplicity and they ride better but that comes at the cost of weaker frame and suspension. It’s hard to argue with true honest facts
I bought and still have a/in 1994 Ford F-350 with the very first DIT diesel Power Stroke. Going on almost 30 years now. The only thing I have done to it besides regular maintenance is put fuel injectors in it. Now the clutch is beginning to act up so I guess it’s time for a new clutch.Not bad for 29 years.
This was extremely close to the best truck of all time, which is the 99-03 7.3. They took everything that was great about the OBS and perfected it. Stiffer frame, better ride quality, payload, more power, better interior, safer and tows much better. All with the same reliability and without the hassle of new truck emissions bs. In the same breath as a former owner of an OBS and current Super Duty 7.3 owner I still would love to have another OBS, for the only thing that its better at. It is an amazing looking classic and almost the perfect truck.
01-03 7.3 are subpar to the 94.5-97 and 99-00 trucks. Reason being the 01-03 trucks lost the forged connecting rods for powder metal rods to cut cost. They’re not as strong and ford also later did the cost cutting with the reintroduction of the GT500 after the terminator. The terminator had full forged internals just like the obs and early SD 7.3 trucks but swapped to PMR rods in the 01-03 like the GT500. Both instances resulted in bottom end failure when you start building and sort of power. The 7.3 PMR engine might get 450hp while a forged engine can hold 600hp all day long
@BrandonLeech it’s actually more relevant then you think. If you decide you need to replace your injectors and would like to go one step over stock stage 1 180cc will get you close to 325hp and stage 1.5 which is 180cc/30% will get you closer to 375-400hp so ya its pretty relevant
@@AncientRe I own 3 of these trucks and yes it’s pretty dang relevant. As much as 7.3 trucks are selling for in today’s market personally I would rather pay the steep market price for a 7.3 that has stronger factory internals which will last longer then a 7.3 with cheaper factory parts.
The superduty7.3s up until 2003 were amazing trucks as well I have the exact 97 obs as in this video and my brother has a 2001 7.3 both are bulletproof and have never let us down
These are the best trucks. We have a white 1996 F-350 4x4 crew cab w 460 V-8. It’s our ranch truck and has been bulletproof. My parents are the original owners. We pull a steel 4 horse gooseneck with it and throw 20+ bales of hay in the bed regularly. The power stroke is the superior motor for sure, but that old 7.5 has been super reliable. Love driving it. Solid monobeam front axle is awesome.
To me it's crazy thinking of the 90s trucks like this and the smaller toyotas before the tacoma were just everyday vehicles that weren't necessarily admired at the time and were the normal offerings but in current times we realize how good these vehicles were and how much in demand they are now. I never thought these would be sought after back then as there wasn't anything special but now that these are becoming sorta classics im feeling old 😂
A lot of that is always looking rearward through rose tinted glasses. Yes the 6.0 and 6.4 were trash but the 6.7 2nd generation on have been very good, very reliable. The 1st Gen 6.7 had some teething pains, but the 2nd gen and subsequent Gen are very good. Power? 440 hp and 925-1,200 pounds of torque in the current HO engines are mind bending.
I've owned the same 97 Powerstroke for 16 years. I recently became a full time RVer and bought a new 35' 5th wheel. I looked at buying s later model truck or upgrading the OBS Powerstroke. No contest, as I had never had to put anything into the truck other than maintenance and newer trucks cost a fortune. Now a year later the truck has a Banks exhaust, a Banks intercooler, a Gear Vendor overdrive, a TS 6 Position Performance chip, a KC Turbo, a BD Diesel Built E4OD transmission-and leather sear covers. It's a beast towing that 12,500 pound 5th wheel. It always has been and always will be the best truck I've ever owned.
I’ve had some experience with this engine. Very, very solid engine. My only advice for it is to keep a crank sensor handy in the glove box, as they have a tendency to go out randomly. If it ever shuts off by itself, or you go out to it and it won’t start, these guys are usually culprit number 1. Gorgeous truck, fellas!
If you have the e4od automatic Trans I recommend going ahead and buying a solenoid block and a filter. Also go ahead and do a fuel heater delete if you don't live in a area where gets below 30. Also go ahead and pull door wiring harness for auto windows locks and mirrors and go ahead and splice in and extra 3 inches of wire they are known to break due to being wired to tight and when the door pops open all the way it stretches and breaks them. Other than solid truck and motor I have a 97 350 with well over 400k on the odo. Bought my buddies dad's 350 4door 4wd with over 600k still runs amazingly its a standard though
I just replaced my cam sensor recently for the same reason. I have 163K on my F350 crew cab full size bed 4x4. It will probably be the last truck I owned. I still can't believe how much these trucks have held and increased their value here in Texas. I can't take it out without someone wanting to buy it, LOL These series of trucks were the last "real" trucks that Ford made before they turned them into "King Ranch" fru fru soccer mom trucks.
Going to pick up a 1997 F250 XLT manual 4x4 short bed with 157K miles - ONE OWNER in two days. Yes, it has some cosmetic interior things to replace that are rubbed or missing or broken, but mechanically no dents, rust or leaks. I will be binge watching your channel and others to restore it and enjoy pulling my boat.
Love the truck! The only downside to the F-250 of that generation is it came with that crappy TTB 4 wheel drive front axle instead of the dana 60 found on the 1 tons. I have a ‘99 F-350 with the 7.3L and an automatic and absolutely LOVE it. I’ll never get rid of it.
@@bldontmatter5319, that’s why so many people just swap in the dana 60 axle and be done with it. Even better if it’s the kingpin dana 60 from the 1980s trucks.
Dream truck. My Dad had an 88 f150 with the straight 6 and a manual. Love the body style of that era. That first gear was a straight up towing gear, basically never used it. Learned to drive a stick on that truck, had automatics since. Then I married a girl that only drives manuals, none of her cars/jeeps have ever been as easy to drive as that old ford. I want one so much.
I am older now, but I have been a Ford guy since the 60's. I have owned 5 1995-1997 OBS 7.3's. I have kept one and it is a 1996 F-350 4x4 dually long bed. turbo 7,3 (46K original miles) ZF5-47 manual tranny. GREAT TRUCK !!! I still have 2 more engines / 1 tranny - transfer case / 3 turbo's and tons of new / used parts in storage so this beast will have anything it needs for the next 70 years should the government allow these trucks to run in the future.
as big of a gm guy that i am, this is definitely my dream truck. auto or manual. the obs styling is just perfect. sucks people in the midwest think their 300k mile rust box is worth 20k so the nice ones are way out of my price range
I grew up in a 1995 Powerstroke. It was a very reliable truck. Rarely was there ever a problem with it. I wish I could buy a new late 90’s Powerstroke. I don’t need nor care for all the fancy things new trucks come with. I like my truck to be a truck.
If you can get your hands on a retired ambulance or fire department truck, many of those have relatively low mileage 7.3’s. We’re talking less than 150K miles, which are really baby miles for that engine.
Around 20 years ago a guy I worked with had nearly the identical truck. The only trouble he had was with the ring gear in the differential needing replacement. I tested it out once and loved how analog it was. It felt so solid and well made in how it drove. I regret not buying one of these when they were dirt cheap once the super duty line was released and no one wanted the old ones.
By far, the 7.3 was the best engine. I've owned 3 of them. Sad they couldn't keep it going due to the EPA standards. Then the Sick-0 (6.0) was a desperate move and added boost for more power, head bolt problems, oil cooler problems. Then Ford came up with the idea to build their own... 6.4 P.O.S.! Thank God that was short lived. Now the 6.7 and it's a solid engine. Great video again! Thanks!
7.3 was the best, ford was obligated to buy the 6.0 and 6.4 from Navistar those were not a ford built engine or design infact neither was the 7.3.... Now we're at the 6.7 which is a ford design and built motor
Love the obs power stroke trucks! I wound up getting a 1995 Chevy k3500 with the Detroit 6.5 liter turbo diesel instead because it was in my price range, but would have definitely preferred the ford if I had the extra money. Great video.
I agree totally ! I bought a 97 PS in January of 98 to tow my RV 5th wheel. Too old now to do that, however I still have the HD 250 here with 120K miles and it's been the best vehicle I've ever had. Just do your scheduled maintenance yearly. It will last forever. I also have the 96 F-150 (same body) 5.8 gas job with 225K miles. This OBS is still running through the desert all the time. I finally did the whole front end suspension as at 225K as it was getting a bit worn. Goona keep them for my kids.
I have a 96 and love it!!! Just replaced the CPS and ICP sensor. DO NOT BUY CHEAP PARTS OFF EBAY....you will go insane when you put a defective part on your motor and assume it must be a different problem because it's still broken. ICP on ebay $30.. takes a week to arrive, truck still not starting... $150 from dealer, same day and actually fixed the problem. My truck deserves OEM and ebay item packaged to look OEM but wasn't.
I rebuilt/refurbished a 1997 F250 4x4 long bed with a stock cab. I put a 351 40 over remanufactured factory engine in it and replaced everything under the hood. I had steel planetaries and a low stall torque converter in the locally rebuilt transmission. I did all the suspension and brakes myself. Everything is new except the body and frame. It is a farm truck and it pulls my equipment trailer. 5 years since the rebuild and it is all the truck I will ever need. I have a 67 F600 on the farm too but it is rarely needed.
May just be the current market but $18k is steep. The downside of the OBS is TTB on the F250 and non intercooled. I have an early 99 F250, built May 98. Super duty F250 went dana 50 solid axle front and my single tank is 39 gallons on the crew cab long bed. They also went from ZF5 to ZF6, on the ZF6 its labeled Low, 1-4 and OD. Unless on steep hill, i always start in 1st (aka 2nd). Unloaded, the granny low gear will creep up a hill with foot off throttle. I find it much easier to drive than a small cars manual as the amount of torque makes it easier to get going with less throttle input. Back in 2018, i paid around $13k which was high at a dealer.
Currently have 2 obs powerstrokes and a obs idi and honestly both are great engines. The obs 7.3 can take one hell of a beating and keep going. One of mine is close to the 500hp range still runs phenomenal and even still work/tow with it
I used to work for a moving company that almost exclusively used the 7.3 ford trucks. They weren’t as quick as the few newer Cummins and Duramaxs they had but man I’ll tell you every single one had well over 300k+ and still ran like a champ. They also got the best mileage while fully loaded if I remember correctly.
I bought my '97 F250 PSD in 2007 for $5,000 to haul motorcycles around, I later discovered it had an LSD as part of the factory tow package. 16 years on I still have it and I love it. It's now worth a darn sight more than I paid for it.
It’s awesome to see an OBS on one of my favorite channels on RUclips and yes this trucks are absolutely the best trucks of all time!! I am also totally biased haha
Have a 1997, 4.6 f150 step side. 5 years ago the odometer stopped working at 323k. My 80 y/o friend still drives it every day. No issues with transportation or engine.
I was always a Chevy guy growing up in a Mopar home. I was in in my 30’s when I bought a used 99 f350 off road 7.3 diesel. I will absolutely and honestly tell the world that I am convinced that the Ford trucks are superior than the competition! I now have 6.7 Powerstroke, a 1995 f150 5.0, and a 97’ F250 heavy duty 5.8l. Of those my favorite is the 97 with the 351 Windsor!
I have a 97’ f350 5spd crew cab , Iam the second owner and paid $14,900 CDN 15 years ago ! It had 261,000 original km on it and it just turned at 358,00 . It’s completely stock and a head turner and I can’t count how many times people ask me if it’s for sale! Just love the obs 97 7.3 turbo
7:00 first is likely intended to be used while towing or hauling heavy loads. Unladen, the torque of the engine is more than adequate to get the truck moving in second.
I love my OBS 7.3 I got for a steal at 5,000 it didn’t have too bad of a leak. But she needs some love now, it’s leaking oil real bad now. I’m probably going to have to pull the engine and just reseal the whole thing but it is what it is. Plus I put an electric fuel pump in it and that really gave it some pow pow with a fuel bowl delete as well and a brand new edge tuner. I love it but I do have to reseal the whole engine.
This is my favorite body style of the diesel fords. Unfortunately we had lots of problems with these first gen powerstrokes. Ford got the engine right in 99. Still nice trucks!!!
My uncle had one of these when i was young and it neverrrrrrrr died. It was a hardcore rancher truck beat to hell, needed ether to start but damn was it good. Ill never forget it.
Middle seat with a manual shifter was more than a little awkward in a full-size with a floor shifter (but no problem with a three on the tree!). One generally had to squish their legs together and point them to toward the passenger foot well. But if you think that was awkward, imagine how bad it was in a Ranger/S10/Toyota of the era, with their tiny little cabins.
Especially back when it was common for the girlfriend to "snuggle over" to the middle seat with the boyfriend driving. A few guys got slapped when innocently shifting the manual transmission and the gal thought that he was "getting fresh." Third-to-fourth shift on a 4 speed manual transmission was common for that. Speaking from experience. Ah, the good ol' days of ranch country dating in a pickup truck.
The weak spot on 7.3 Powerstroke was not the engine, it was the automatic transmission. Arguably, in that era, the only good automatic transmission in a 3/4 ton to 1 ton diesel pickup was the Allison transmission in the 6.6 GM Duramax trucks. The big problem with the Twin Traction Beam trucks (all of them from Ranger on up) was alignment vs. spring rates. When the truck was sprung softly enough to ride well, the wheels were out of alignment any time the suspension was compressed at all--which, of course, was most of the time. Installing heavier duty springs would keep the wheels in alignment better, but eliminated almost all flex in the front suspension, making the truck ride rough as a cob. I owned 2 TTB Fords, and I sacrificed ride quality to stiffen the front suspension--it did eliminate most alignment issues. Aside from those issues, the 7.3 Powerstroke Fords were a very decent, long-lived truck. I've seen many with over 350K miles without any major engine work needed. And, yes, I remember quite well when those trucks were new.
Beautiful truck, definitely at the top of best trucks of all time. I have a 1995 short box F150 XLT 4x4, same color, 5 speed, I love it. Bought it used in October 1995 from a coworker. Every time I drive it I get hit up by someone asking if it is for sale or offering me money for it.
This video is really nice. I been working on my 95 obs and I like the way they sound. I can tell by the way you shift you are a good driver. Thank you for this video!. Super cool to hear that 7.3 sing its song!❤
I’ve got a 1990 F-250 7.3 IDI 4x4 extended cab and I gotta say, I love it more than any power stroke. It won’t haul as fast as a power stroke, but it hauls everything I own. I appreciate the lack of electronics and the CHEAP maintenance. Bricknose for life!
Great video, I have owned a couple OBS ford trucks with the ZF-S5 42 and ZF-S 47 manual transmission. They are great and reliable but their weakness seems to be the synchronization rings for the gears. Seems like every 150,000 miles they get worn and that leads to having to rev Mach down shifts and not rushing your shifts. I found running Royal purple Syncromax fluid does improve it but until the synchronizers are replaced it’s just a quirk of these transmission.
I guess no one told my 97 5 speed with 276 k that it was supposed to have bad synchros. Trans has never been apart. I have owned it 14 years. Probably has a lot to do with driving style.
Have a 97 f250 and a 2002 f350 and even though you can’t beat the obs nostalgia and looks I think the build quality and comfortability of the nbs is a lot better plus they got a few upgrades like the intercooler, zf6 and better frame, that all add up to a better truck. Still the obs is one of the best trucks and the better looking of the two.
Everybody forgets the 1997 F250 Light duty (new body style)for good reason. I had to be careful ordering part for my F250 heavy-duty and read the description a couple of times to make sure.
@diesel6916 At least with that one, the 1500 HD had a different frame (albeit a bad one) and was the only way you could get a crew cab in a 1/2 ton for a while
Glad you said that about the shifting haha. I have a 6 spd manual car and I shift fast and try to do that with my 96 7.3 and she doesn’t like that at all. Now I know why
I'm the original owner of a 1997 F-250, 7.3 diesel, crew cab, short bed, 4x4... Yes, it is a great truck. Bought it Oct 1997, so it's almost 27 years old. 305,000 miles. Very, very minor rust. Original paint, light blue. Runs like the Champ it is. I've had very few issues. I'll run it as long as possible. I take very good care of it, so I think it should get another 300,000 easy.
Drive a diesel pickup like a semi, clutch to start and stop only, use rpm and run it like a non synchro, find the sweet spot and they’ll pop in every time
First off, these are beautiful trucks. I'm a dodge guy however so I lean towards the cummins for a diesel engine. I would say the best comparison to an intercooled 7.3 is a second gen 24 vavle cummins. I am trying to get a fabrication business off the ground and would like a cummins truck to be a company tow rig. Holy freaking prices. For a good looking, lowish mile manual truck they are anywhere from 20k-over 40k! Wow!
Heavy duties were around for alot longer than just '96 and '97, easy to tell because light duty F-250s prior to '97 are semi float 8 lug, and HDs are full float, and then '97 had the 7 lug semi-float light duty F-250.
I managed to snag a 1997 F350 2wd manual 410 dually with working AC/Heat with 164k miles for 6k cash. I have a flatbed I will be fitting it with at the beginning of the year, and intend to convert to 4 wheel drive with a ZF6. These trucks are solid, looks great next to the 2001 F150 and the 2002 F250 in the driveway too! Great video, you remind me of how I acted showing this to my wife when I brought my OBS home, all giddy haha
That 20-22 year old Kicker Comp sub is worth something in the for-sale sections of car audio forums that are still active. Probably a 4 or 8 ohm single voice coil, back when Kicker designed more well rounded subs outside of the solos.
The 7.3l Powerstroke is a great solid engine. Personally, I will stick with my 6.9l IDI which is simpler and definitely absolutely bulletproof in N/A configuration. Having a 7psi max turbo for one would do everything anyone would likely ever need for a pick-up. The thing I wouldn't want with your truck specifically is the OBDII GARBAGE. I actually have an Aeronose truck like that but a '94. I have a similar '90 F250 460/5 speed 4x4 and 3 "Bullnose" F250's all are 4x4 and manual transmissions.
I don't know if my truck is a factory manual or not, but my OBS f250 has 355 gears and a five-speed and it pulls very well pulled close to 10,000 lb this summer without skipping a beat.
Just love that truck I had one just like that boy I miss that truck got for towing a camper kept it till 2004 then got the new f150 4 door came out. Kept that one for 225,000 all interstate miles. Going around 4 states and home. Do I had no problems with both of them. You’re making me want to find a 97F 250 diesel.
I think the shifting slow is because it’s a truck transmission, rather than because it’s a diesel. Some of those transmissions have a low 1st gear meant to only be used with a heavy load and the gears are farther apart than in a car.
I remember the days when many people hated the 7.3. They looked at the 6.0 as a major step forward. I personally go back to the first 6.9 trucks. Good power for the time.
My dad’s F-250 must have had a similar transmission, we called it bulldog gear but we rarely pulled out in first gear. I would only use first gear when pulling out on a steep graveled road for example. His was a 95 but it had the 351 V8 gas engine. It would have been nice if it had been a 7.3
Try to take your hand off the shifter when you're not shifting on these manual trucks. You can wear out the shift forks leaving your hand on the shifter all the time.
The real hidden GEM of a truck is a 87-91 F250 7.3 idi with a few power mods, D60 front axle swap with the F350 springs. My 88 I have completely restored. Gearvendors OD behind a C6 auto gives me a 6 speed automatic, 4.10 gears, 4wd, D60 swap happening now, and a factory 93-94 Garret turbo system also going in. The best thing about the idi is full mechanical injection. Less to go wrong. EMP/CME proof. No computers running it. Personally, I like the body style of the Bullnose 6.9 and Bricknose 7.3 better than the 92+ "OBS" trucks.
What makes these great is they are not only quite reliable, they are also in my opinion the beginning of modern luxury trucks, which makes them a decent buy for today cause you can get one with an impressive amount of creature comforts. They drive decent, stop decent and rarely suffer from gremlins. What’s bad about these trucks is they rust! Especially the F150s and Broncos. Rear Wheel wells, cab corners and front fenders behind the wheel wells. The TTB front ends in the f250 and f150 get sloppy on the bushings and wear the tires like nothing else. And finally, power steering pumps which you can hear from miles away (unless you’ve got the 7.3, which you can’t hear anything over), but it’s basically the same pump they used on the rangers on up. Overall great trucks! I’ve owned 12 myself and still have a 96 F150 and 97 F250. Just wish they weren’t getting so popular, the price is taking the fun out of them.
Don’t have much knowledge about these but i drove one borrowed from my father in law and i loved, if he didn’t want to keep it id buy from him. Had that leak that seems common under the engine. I loved the feel and sound
I love this generation though I maintain that the F-250 of this era and 10th gen are some of the most confused and poorly thought out trucks of their day. If you could get this truck today with a aftermarket upgraded engine, modern transmission auto or manual, upgraded axles, and a modern head unit you could sell this as a work trim truck and it would sell.
I have a 97 F-250 Turbo Diesel Super Duty Super cab. Have a manual tranny that I love. I like having control of Big Red with shifting. I love my truck. I only have 117,000 miles on it. Some tell me I haven't even got it broke in yet. It looks good body wise. I have a few things screw up on me and take it to my trusted mechanic. They were just little things that went wrong with it. I normally do routine maintenances on it myself. Some tell me when I buy the farm I will be buried in Big Red (F250). I am female and love trucks. I even used to drive the big rigs. My dad raised me so some will say well no wonder she likes machinery. I am rather proud of what I can do with vehicles as there are some women that take little interest and haven't a clue how to work on their vehicles themselves. Gets expensive if you have to use a mechanic all the time so women need to buck up and learn vehicle maintenance and not rely on mechanics all the time. I like doing maintenance myself so that I know it is done right. I am not the type to shop in stores all the time and spend money on clothes, jewelry, etc. No, you will see me out working on Big Red or just cruising around town. Suzy retired nurse
Back in college I had a 5 speed reg cab S-10. Once had a friend and her brother in the truck with me. I just had to skip 2nd and 4th to save us both the embarrassment ☺️
Trucks should be base vehicles designed mostly for work. Every neighbor around me has a big truck, yet only one actually uses it to pull a camper maybe once every 1-2 months.
If it’s not the best diesel trucks, it may be last of the best diesel trucks. Called me up in the country in Texas. I saw a lot of those back in the day. And they have loud horns.
I bought my first diesel truck last December. 96 F250 4x4 off road 153,000 original miles. Extra cab. With matching topper. I am the second owner. The original owner was a buddies uncle. He had a lot of health issues and did not get to drive much. His wife 4’5” did not like to drive it. Always garaged. I was able to pick it up upon his passing for $10,000 cash. They never pulled the plastic off the back seat. I love this thing. Pulls my 31” bumper pull rv like it is not even there. And still get 14-15 while pulling. 17 normally. Even in these Colorado Rockies.
NICE! i have a 1995 Chevy K2500 Ext/LongBox with the 6.5L Detroit Turbo Diesel. truck is next to immaculate and gets 18-19 MPG religiously. had it a long time and my 1989 Chev C1500 even longer. the 4th Gen GMT-400 trucks are still seen EVERYWHERE in Alberta regularly and most are in good shape. sadly the Fords and Rams of the same vintage aren't seen nearly as often. 30-35 years later we can clearly see what the best truck made is.
@@yourfriend9048depends on the region which truck sold the most there
@@yourfriend9048they are all down here 7.3s are everywhere. I wouldn’t trade my 7.3 for 10 6.5s I had one 6.5 and it wouldn’t pull the hide off of a grape done a hx40 turbo upgrade and nv4500 trans and my uncles f150 hauled a load better than it ever did. Sold it at 196k on its second motor and trans tore up. Have had 5 7.3s all over 300k other than my current daily. My first was a 96 I still have it with 652k one set of injectors a fuel pump and a water pump. Only thing the 6.2 or 6.5 has over a 7.3 PSD is simplicity and they ride better but that comes at the cost of weaker frame and suspension. It’s hard to argue with true honest facts
I bought and still have a/in 1994 Ford F-350 with the very first DIT diesel Power Stroke. Going on almost 30 years now. The only thing I have done to it besides regular maintenance is put fuel injectors in it. Now the clutch is beginning to act up so I guess it’s time for a new clutch.Not bad for 29 years.
Want to sell it?
This was extremely close to the best truck of all time, which is the 99-03 7.3. They took everything that was great about the OBS and perfected it. Stiffer frame, better ride quality, payload, more power, better interior, safer and tows much better. All with the same reliability and without the hassle of new truck emissions bs. In the same breath as a former owner of an OBS and current Super Duty 7.3 owner I still would love to have another OBS, for the only thing that its better at. It is an amazing looking classic and almost the perfect truck.
Honestly, a 99-03 7.3 with 05+ axles and front suspension is the best truck. It takes a bit of surgery, but it's worth it.
01-03 7.3 are subpar to the 94.5-97 and 99-00 trucks. Reason being the 01-03 trucks lost the forged connecting rods for powder metal rods to cut cost. They’re not as strong and ford also later did the cost cutting with the reintroduction of the GT500 after the terminator. The terminator had full forged internals just like the obs and early SD 7.3 trucks but swapped to PMR rods in the 01-03 like the GT500. Both instances resulted in bottom end failure when you start building and sort of power. The 7.3 PMR engine might get 450hp while a forged engine can hold 600hp all day long
@BrandonLeech it’s actually more relevant then you think. If you decide you need to replace your injectors and would like to go one step over stock stage 1 180cc will get you close to 325hp and stage 1.5 which is 180cc/30% will get you closer to 375-400hp so ya its pretty relevant
@@AncientRe I own 3 of these trucks and yes it’s pretty dang relevant. As much as 7.3 trucks are selling for in today’s market personally I would rather pay the steep market price for a 7.3 that has stronger factory internals which will last longer then a 7.3 with cheaper factory parts.
Looks like a piece of soap.
Personally I think 1997 was the Pinnacle for Ford and Chevy, after that things went down
After that, Chevy and Ford released many lemon motors and horrible design choices that ultimately destroyed their reputation.
The superduty7.3s up until 2003 were amazing trucks as well I have the exact 97 obs as in this video and my brother has a 2001 7.3 both are bulletproof and have never let us down
And then the Dodge/Ram with a continuous flatline
Agreed
huh? things got way better for chevy. does the LB7 and LBZ not exist or was that just my imagination?
These are the best trucks. We have a white 1996 F-350 4x4 crew cab w 460 V-8. It’s our ranch truck and has been bulletproof. My parents are the original owners. We pull a steel 4 horse gooseneck with it and throw 20+ bales of hay in the bed regularly. The power stroke is the superior motor for sure, but that old 7.5 has been super reliable. Love driving it. Solid monobeam front axle is awesome.
The 460 has more overall grunt than the diesels of the era. It certainly beats the IDI 7.3
To me it's crazy thinking of the 90s trucks like this and the smaller toyotas before the tacoma were just everyday vehicles that weren't necessarily admired at the time and were the normal offerings but in current times we realize how good these vehicles were and how much in demand they are now.
I never thought these would be sought after back then as there wasn't anything special but now that these are becoming sorta classics im feeling old 😂
Curious what trucks you did think were cool back then.
A lot of that is always looking rearward through rose tinted glasses. Yes the 6.0 and 6.4 were trash but the 6.7 2nd generation on have been very good, very reliable. The 1st Gen 6.7 had some teething pains, but the 2nd gen and subsequent Gen are very good. Power? 440 hp and 925-1,200 pounds of torque in the current HO engines are mind bending.
I've owned the same 97 Powerstroke for 16 years. I recently became a full time RVer and bought a new 35' 5th wheel. I looked at buying s later model truck or upgrading the OBS Powerstroke. No contest, as I had never had to put anything into the truck other than maintenance and newer trucks cost a fortune. Now a year later the truck has a Banks exhaust, a Banks intercooler, a Gear Vendor overdrive, a TS 6 Position Performance chip, a KC Turbo, a BD Diesel Built E4OD transmission-and leather sear covers. It's a beast towing that 12,500 pound 5th wheel. It always has been and always will be the best truck I've ever owned.
Literally have 2 in my glove box😂
I’ve had some experience with this engine. Very, very solid engine. My only advice for it is to keep a crank sensor handy in the glove box, as they have a tendency to go out randomly. If it ever shuts off by itself, or you go out to it and it won’t start, these guys are usually culprit number 1.
Gorgeous truck, fellas!
If you have the e4od automatic Trans I recommend going ahead and buying a solenoid block and a filter. Also go ahead and do a fuel heater delete if you don't live in a area where gets below 30. Also go ahead and pull door wiring harness for auto windows locks and mirrors and go ahead and splice in and extra 3 inches of wire they are known to break due to being wired to tight and when the door pops open all the way it stretches and breaks them. Other than solid truck and motor I have a 97 350 with well over 400k on the odo. Bought my buddies dad's 350 4door 4wd with over 600k still runs amazingly its a standard though
I just replaced my cam sensor recently for the same reason. I have 163K on my F350 crew cab full size bed 4x4. It will probably be the last truck I owned. I still can't believe how much these trucks have held and increased their value here in Texas. I can't take it out without someone wanting to buy it, LOL These series of trucks were the last "real" trucks that Ford made before they turned them into "King Ranch" fru fru soccer mom trucks.
Going to pick up a 1997 F250 XLT manual 4x4 short bed with 157K miles - ONE OWNER in two days. Yes, it has some cosmetic interior things to replace that are rubbed or missing or broken, but mechanically no dents, rust or leaks.
I will be binge watching your channel and others to restore it and enjoy pulling my boat.
Love the truck! The only downside to the F-250 of that generation is it came with that crappy TTB 4 wheel drive front axle instead of the dana 60 found on the 1 tons. I have a ‘99 F-350 with the 7.3L and an automatic and absolutely LOVE it. I’ll never get rid of it.
The ttb is indeed really weird and hard to maintain. I'm fighting bad alignment on mine right now
@@bldontmatter5319, that’s why so many people just swap in the dana 60 axle and be done with it. Even better if it’s the kingpin dana 60 from the 1980s trucks.
How is that impressive? We have several GAS V8 over 500k miles. Less maintenance than our diesels
@@seattleprowash5464, the 7.3L is a million mile+ motor if properly maintained. Plus they just sound so cool.
Ttb is litterally my favorite thing about those trucks. You clearly have never heard of desolate or solo motorsports.
Dream truck. My Dad had an 88 f150 with the straight 6 and a manual. Love the body style of that era. That first gear was a straight up towing gear, basically never used it. Learned to drive a stick on that truck, had automatics since. Then I married a girl that only drives manuals, none of her cars/jeeps have ever been as easy to drive as that old ford. I want one so much.
I am older now, but I have been a Ford guy since the 60's. I have owned 5 1995-1997 OBS 7.3's. I have kept one and it is a 1996 F-350 4x4 dually long bed. turbo 7,3 (46K original miles) ZF5-47 manual tranny. GREAT TRUCK !!! I still have 2 more engines / 1 tranny - transfer case / 3 turbo's and tons of new / used parts in storage so this beast will have anything it needs for the next 70 years should the government allow these trucks to run in the future.
My '97 F-350 4x4 crew cab has the 460 with the S5-47 wide ratio.
I love the front end. Simple design but pleasing to the eye.
as big of a gm guy that i am, this is definitely my dream truck. auto or manual. the obs styling is just perfect. sucks people in the midwest think their 300k mile rust box is worth 20k so the nice ones are way out of my price range
Fly and drive ✈️
I grew up in a 1995 Powerstroke. It was a very reliable truck. Rarely was there ever a problem with it. I wish I could buy a new late 90’s Powerstroke. I don’t need nor care for all the fancy things new trucks come with. I like my truck to be a truck.
Powerstroke was 96, 95 would have had the IDI unless it was swapped
If you can get your hands on a retired ambulance or fire department truck, many of those have relatively low mileage 7.3’s. We’re talking less than 150K miles, which are really baby miles for that engine.
Around 20 years ago a guy I worked with had nearly the identical truck. The only trouble he had was with the ring gear in the differential needing replacement. I tested it out once and loved how analog it was. It felt so solid and well made in how it drove. I regret not buying one of these when they were dirt cheap once the super duty line was released and no one wanted the old ones.
By far, the 7.3 was the best engine. I've owned 3 of them. Sad they couldn't keep it going due to the EPA standards. Then the Sick-0 (6.0) was a desperate move and added boost for more power, head bolt problems, oil cooler problems. Then Ford came up with the idea to build their own... 6.4 P.O.S.! Thank God that was short lived. Now the 6.7 and it's a solid engine. Great video again! Thanks!
6.4 L twin turbo powerstroke was still a Navistar motor.
Yes the 6.4 isn’t a Ford engine. Ford designed an built the 6.7.
@@richfarfugnuven6308Navistar engine
7.3 was the best, ford was obligated to buy the 6.0 and 6.4 from Navistar those were not a ford built engine or design infact neither was the 7.3.... Now we're at the 6.7 which is a ford design and built motor
Love the obs power stroke trucks! I wound up getting a 1995 Chevy k3500 with the Detroit 6.5 liter turbo diesel instead because it was in my price range, but would have definitely preferred the ford if I had the extra money. Great video.
I just bought a 1997 7.3 I love it in great condition runs beautiful..
I agree totally ! I bought a 97 PS in January of 98 to tow my RV 5th wheel. Too old now to do that, however I still have the HD 250 here with 120K miles and it's been the best vehicle I've ever had. Just do your scheduled maintenance yearly. It will last forever. I also have the 96 F-150 (same body) 5.8 gas job with 225K miles. This OBS is still running through the desert all the time. I finally did the whole front end suspension as at 225K as it was getting a bit worn. Goona keep them for my kids.
I have a 96 and love it!!! Just replaced the CPS and ICP sensor. DO NOT BUY CHEAP PARTS OFF EBAY....you will go insane when you put a defective part on your motor and assume it must be a different problem because it's still broken. ICP on ebay $30.. takes a week to arrive, truck still not starting... $150 from dealer, same day and actually fixed the problem. My truck deserves OEM and ebay item packaged to look OEM but wasn't.
I rebuilt/refurbished a 1997 F250 4x4 long bed with a stock cab. I put a 351 40 over remanufactured factory engine in it and replaced everything under the hood. I had steel planetaries and a low stall torque converter in the locally rebuilt transmission. I did all the suspension and brakes myself. Everything is new except the body and frame. It is a farm truck and it pulls my equipment trailer. 5 years since the rebuild and it is all the truck I will ever need. I have a 67 F600 on the farm too but it is rarely needed.
May just be the current market but $18k is steep. The downside of the OBS is TTB on the F250 and non intercooled. I have an early 99 F250, built May 98. Super duty F250 went dana 50 solid axle front and my single tank is 39 gallons on the crew cab long bed. They also went from ZF5 to ZF6, on the ZF6 its labeled Low, 1-4 and OD. Unless on steep hill, i always start in 1st (aka 2nd). Unloaded, the granny low gear will creep up a hill with foot off throttle. I find it much easier to drive than a small cars manual as the amount of torque makes it easier to get going with less throttle input. Back in 2018, i paid around $13k which was high at a dealer.
Ikr. Paying more than what they sold for new is just ridiculous. Even accounting for inflation.
Found one for 2k. Jumped all over it.
I mean, I think the Holy Grail of trucks is and will always be the 12v Cummins. But I always liked the 97 Powerstroke.
The real holy Grail is a OBS ford with a Cummins. Aka FUMMINS
Well the engine was good in the Dodge, but the rest of the vehicle was awful.
@@OBS4ever16 👊🏽 that’s right I will never pay the ridiculous premium for a dodge Cummins . Cummins 4bt in a Toyota or 6bt ina ford all day
12v in the obs ford is the way to go
Currently have 2 obs powerstrokes and a obs idi and honestly both are great engines. The obs 7.3 can take one hell of a beating and keep going. One of mine is close to the 500hp range still runs phenomenal and even still work/tow with it
I used to work for a moving company that almost exclusively used the 7.3 ford trucks. They weren’t as quick as the few newer Cummins and Duramaxs they had but man I’ll tell you every single one had well over 300k+ and still ran like a champ. They also got the best mileage while fully loaded if I remember correctly.
I bought my '97 F250 PSD in 2007 for $5,000 to haul motorcycles around, I later discovered it had an LSD as part of the factory tow package. 16 years on I still have it and I love it. It's now worth a darn sight more than I paid for it.
Probably the best thumbnail on the internet. Beard + Truck = Majestic!
It’s awesome to see an OBS on one of my favorite channels on RUclips and yes this trucks are absolutely the best trucks of all time!! I am also totally biased haha
Have a 1997, 4.6 f150 step side. 5 years ago the odometer stopped working at 323k. My 80 y/o friend still drives it every day. No issues with transportation or engine.
I was always a Chevy guy growing up in a Mopar home. I was in in my 30’s when I bought a used 99 f350 off road 7.3 diesel. I will absolutely and honestly tell the world that I am convinced that the Ford trucks are superior than the competition! I now have 6.7 Powerstroke, a 1995 f150 5.0, and a 97’ F250 heavy duty 5.8l. Of those my favorite is the 97 with the 351 Windsor!
I'm on my 12th truck since 1979, my favorite of the bunch was also an OBS F250 with the 5.8. Mine had the factory captains seats...I still miss those!
I have a 97’ f350 5spd crew cab , Iam the second owner and paid $14,900 CDN 15 years ago ! It had 261,000 original km on it and it just turned at 358,00 . It’s completely stock and a head turner and I can’t count how many times people ask me if it’s for sale! Just love the obs 97 7.3 turbo
Still rollin my 96 f250 crewcab. Modified my rear tank with a 38gallon mod, now I make it from LA to Medford Oregon for refueling.
7:00 first is likely intended to be used while towing or hauling heavy loads. Unladen, the torque of the engine is more than adequate to get the truck moving in second.
I love my OBS 7.3 I got for a steal at 5,000 it didn’t have too bad of a leak. But she needs some love now, it’s leaking oil real bad now. I’m probably going to have to pull the engine and just reseal the whole thing but it is what it is. Plus I put an electric fuel pump in it and that really gave it some pow pow with a fuel bowl delete as well and a brand new edge tuner. I love it but I do have to reseal the whole engine.
Deffenintly best truck ever.
My 1997 heavy duty is a fn machine.
Had 540000 miles still going strong
I have the next 2000's 7.3 . It feels like a heavy duty truck, but drives like an big old car. Easy driving. Turning radius is great.
This is my favorite body style of the diesel fords. Unfortunately we had lots of problems with these first gen powerstrokes. Ford got the engine right in 99. Still nice trucks!!!
We have the 96 F350, 2000 F250, 2002 Excursion all 7.3 Powerstroke diesels. All amazing!
My uncle had one of these when i was young and it neverrrrrrrr died. It was a hardcore rancher truck beat to hell, needed ether to start but damn was it good. Ill never forget it.
It’s pretty dope. I have a first gen Superduty with a 7.3. But i like the old body style, the wing windows and the manual
Middle seat with a manual shifter was more than a little awkward in a full-size with a floor shifter (but no problem with a three on the tree!). One generally had to squish their legs together and point them to toward the passenger foot well. But if you think that was awkward, imagine how bad it was in a Ranger/S10/Toyota of the era, with their tiny little cabins.
Especially back when it was common for the girlfriend to "snuggle over" to the middle seat with the boyfriend driving. A few guys got slapped when innocently shifting the manual transmission and the gal thought that he was "getting fresh." Third-to-fourth shift on a 4 speed manual transmission was common for that. Speaking from experience. Ah, the good ol' days of ranch country dating in a pickup truck.
I have almost the exact truck extended cab, long bed white 73 with a five speed, but mine is a 1 ton non-Dooley Toe is my gooseneck trailer every week
The weak spot on 7.3 Powerstroke was not the engine, it was the automatic transmission. Arguably, in that era, the only good automatic transmission in a 3/4 ton to 1 ton diesel pickup was the Allison transmission in the 6.6 GM Duramax trucks. The big problem with the Twin Traction Beam trucks (all of them from Ranger on up) was alignment vs. spring rates. When the truck was sprung softly enough to ride well, the wheels were out of alignment any time the suspension was compressed at all--which, of course, was most of the time. Installing heavier duty springs would keep the wheels in alignment better, but eliminated almost all flex in the front suspension, making the truck ride rough as a cob. I owned 2 TTB Fords, and I sacrificed ride quality to stiffen the front suspension--it did eliminate most alignment issues. Aside from those issues, the 7.3 Powerstroke Fords were a very decent, long-lived truck. I've seen many with over 350K miles without any major engine work needed. And, yes, I remember quite well when those trucks were new.
Beautiful truck, definitely at the top of best trucks of all time. I have a 1995 short box F150 XLT 4x4, same color, 5 speed, I love it. Bought it used in October 1995 from a coworker. Every time I drive it I get hit up by someone asking if it is for sale or offering me money for it.
This video is really nice. I been working on my 95 obs and I like the way they sound. I can tell by the way you shift you are a good driver. Thank you for this video!. Super cool to hear that 7.3 sing its song!❤
I’ve got a 1990 F-250 7.3 IDI 4x4 extended cab and I gotta say, I love it more than any power stroke. It won’t haul as fast as a power stroke, but it hauls everything I own. I appreciate the lack of electronics and the CHEAP maintenance. Bricknose for life!
Great video, I have owned a couple OBS ford trucks with the ZF-S5 42 and ZF-S 47 manual transmission. They are great and reliable but their weakness seems to be the synchronization rings for the gears. Seems like every 150,000 miles they get worn and that leads to having to rev Mach down shifts and not rushing your shifts. I found running Royal purple Syncromax fluid does improve it but until the synchronizers are replaced it’s just a quirk of these transmission.
I guess no one told my 97 5 speed with 276 k that it was supposed to have bad synchros. Trans has never been apart. I have owned it 14 years. Probably has a lot to do with driving style.
Yes, that is for sure about the synchronizers
Have a 97 f250 and a 2002 f350 and even though you can’t beat the obs nostalgia and looks I think the build quality and comfortability of the nbs is a lot better plus they got a few upgrades like the intercooler, zf6 and better frame, that all add up to a better truck. Still the obs is one of the best trucks and the better looking of the two.
As an owner of a 97, F250, 7.3, 5 speed, 4X4 with a short bed. I agree! Best truck ever made.
I love my 96 f350 duly 7.3 she classic you got it all right from the awesome small windows to the slow shifting of the trans
Everybody forgets the 1997 F250 Light duty (new body style)for good reason. I had to be careful ordering part for my F250 heavy-duty and read the description a couple of times to make sure.
Came here to say this. For whatever reason they wanted to have two different F-250's for 2 or 3 years with two different drivelines.
@@kokocostanza2036 basically a half 1/2 ton just like Chevy used to
@diesel6916 At least with that one, the 1500 HD had a different frame (albeit a bad one) and was the only way you could get a crew cab in a 1/2 ton for a while
Glad you said that about the shifting haha. I have a 6 spd manual car and I shift fast and try to do that with my 96 7.3 and she doesn’t like that at all. Now I know why
I'm the original owner of a 1997 F-250, 7.3 diesel, crew cab, short bed, 4x4... Yes, it is a great truck. Bought it Oct 1997, so it's almost 27 years old. 305,000 miles. Very, very minor rust. Original paint, light blue. Runs like the Champ it is. I've had very few issues. I'll run it as long as possible. I take very good care of it, so I think it should get another 300,000 easy.
Drive a diesel pickup like a semi, clutch to start and stop only, use rpm and run it like a non synchro, find the sweet spot and they’ll pop in every time
those are the stick shift behaviors i learned how to drive on, and still to this day, i shift the newer cars that slow haha! i can't break the habit.
It’s definitely a classic. I prefer the early Super Duties over the OBS though.
First off, these are beautiful trucks. I'm a dodge guy however so I lean towards the cummins for a diesel engine. I would say the best comparison to an intercooled 7.3 is a second gen 24 vavle cummins. I am trying to get a fabrication business off the ground and would like a cummins truck to be a company tow rig. Holy freaking prices. For a good looking, lowish mile manual truck they are anywhere from 20k-over 40k! Wow!
Heavy duties were around for alot longer than just '96 and '97, easy to tell because light duty F-250s prior to '97 are semi float 8 lug, and HDs are full float, and then '97 had the 7 lug semi-float light duty F-250.
I managed to snag a 1997 F350 2wd manual 410 dually with working AC/Heat with 164k miles for 6k cash. I have a flatbed I will be fitting it with at the beginning of the year, and intend to convert to 4 wheel drive with a ZF6. These trucks are solid, looks great next to the 2001 F150 and the 2002 F250 in the driveway too!
Great video, you remind me of how I acted showing this to my wife when I brought my OBS home, all giddy haha
I like the basic analog /dial dashes a lot better than screens.
That is indeed an awesome truck...especially with the 5-speed.
That 20-22 year old Kicker Comp sub is worth something in the for-sale sections of car audio forums that are still active. Probably a 4 or 8 ohm single voice coil, back when Kicker designed more well rounded subs outside of the solos.
i have the early 99 and it has been my best truck ever for work
The 7.3l Powerstroke is a great solid engine. Personally, I will stick with my 6.9l IDI which is simpler and definitely absolutely bulletproof in N/A configuration. Having a 7psi max turbo for one would do everything anyone would likely ever need for a pick-up. The thing I wouldn't want with your truck specifically is the OBDII GARBAGE. I actually have an Aeronose truck like that but a '94. I have a similar '90 F250 460/5 speed 4x4 and 3 "Bullnose" F250's all are 4x4 and manual transmissions.
I don't know if my truck is a factory manual or not, but my OBS f250 has 355 gears and a five-speed and it pulls very well pulled close to 10,000 lb this summer without skipping a beat.
Just love that truck I had one just like that boy I miss that truck got for towing a camper kept it till 2004 then got the new f150 4 door came out. Kept that one for 225,000 all interstate miles. Going around 4 states and home. Do I had no problems with both of them. You’re making me want to find a 97F 250 diesel.
Found a 7.3 on FB marketplace $3500 with 318k miles.Runs like a dream.Tows even better
I think the shifting slow is because it’s a truck transmission, rather than because it’s a diesel. Some of those transmissions have a low 1st gear meant to only be used with a heavy load and the gears are farther apart than in a car.
I have a 302 V8 F-150. and 225 hp would be quick compared to my 185. And 450 lb-ft of torque is insane. Someday I'll have to get one of those.
I remember the days when many people hated the 7.3. They looked at the 6.0 as a major step forward. I personally go back to the first 6.9 trucks. Good power for the time.
I loved my 6.9 I ever eventually threw on the banks sidewinder turbo on it same with the 7.3 idi I had I miss those 2 old trucks 😢
My dad’s F-250 must have had a similar transmission, we called it bulldog gear but we rarely pulled out in first gear. I would only use first gear when pulling out on a steep graveled road for example. His was a 95 but it had the 351 V8 gas engine. It would have been nice if it had been a 7.3
My 2000 F-450 has an engine manufacture date of 11/99 which is the true pinnacle of the Super Duty serries.
Try to take your hand off the shifter when you're not shifting on these manual trucks. You can wear out the shift forks leaving your hand on the shifter all the time.
this is def one of the best and my favorites i go between the 2000 tahoe z71 1999 silverado or gmc pick up or the 97 f2-350
The real hidden GEM of a truck is a 87-91 F250 7.3 idi with a few power mods, D60 front axle swap with the F350 springs. My 88 I have completely restored. Gearvendors OD behind a C6 auto gives me a 6 speed automatic, 4.10 gears, 4wd, D60 swap happening now, and a factory 93-94 Garret turbo system also going in. The best thing about the idi is full mechanical injection. Less to go wrong. EMP/CME proof. No computers running it. Personally, I like the body style of the Bullnose 6.9 and Bricknose 7.3 better than the 92+ "OBS" trucks.
They are solid trucks. The Super Duty 7.3s made a little more power and rode a little better, but the OBS trucks are iconic.
I daily a 97 f250 ccsb 4x4 it's ruff riding very reliable I travel for work in it
13k!!! We bought a 97 f350 in good shape and needed not much work for 2250$
Some I ternet mfers are asking $25k plus!!!! Turn lead into gold!
I love old Ford trucks
Agreed. I miss my old truck
I have a 96 model year and the best thing about it is that it is completely exempt from emissions
What makes these great is they are not only quite reliable, they are also in my opinion the beginning of modern luxury trucks, which makes them a decent buy for today cause you can get one with an impressive amount of creature comforts. They drive decent, stop decent and rarely suffer from gremlins.
What’s bad about these trucks is they rust! Especially the F150s and Broncos. Rear Wheel wells, cab corners and front fenders behind the wheel wells. The TTB front ends in the f250 and f150 get sloppy on the bushings and wear the tires like nothing else. And finally, power steering pumps which you can hear from miles away (unless you’ve got the 7.3, which you can’t hear anything over), but it’s basically the same pump they used on the rangers on up.
Overall great trucks! I’ve owned 12 myself and still have a 96 F150 and 97 F250. Just wish they weren’t getting so popular, the price is taking the fun out of them.
Don’t have much knowledge about these but i drove one borrowed from my father in law and i loved, if he didn’t want to keep it id buy from him. Had that leak that seems common under the engine. I loved the feel and sound
Probably just the oil cooler gasket leaking.
David must be head over heels in love with this truck
Definitely the best of all time
I love this generation though I maintain that the F-250 of this era and 10th gen are some of the most confused and poorly thought out trucks of their day. If you could get this truck today with a aftermarket upgraded engine, modern transmission auto or manual, upgraded axles, and a modern head unit you could sell this as a work trim truck and it would sell.
I have a 97 f250 like you were driving and a 22 f350 6.7. In 40 years I’ll definitely still have the 7.3, but the 6.7, who knows
I have a 97 F-250 Turbo Diesel Super Duty Super cab. Have a manual tranny that I love. I like having control of Big Red with shifting. I love my truck. I only have 117,000 miles on it. Some tell me I haven't even got it broke in yet. It looks good body wise. I have a few things screw up on me and take it to my trusted mechanic. They were just little things that went wrong with it. I normally do routine maintenances on it myself.
Some tell me when I buy the farm I will be buried in Big Red (F250).
I am female and love trucks. I even used to drive the big rigs. My dad raised me so some will say well no wonder she likes machinery. I am rather proud of what I can do with vehicles as there are some women that take little interest and haven't a clue how to work on their vehicles themselves. Gets expensive if you have to use a mechanic all the time so women need to buck up and learn vehicle maintenance and not rely on mechanics all the time. I like doing maintenance myself so that I know it is done right. I am not the type to shop in stores all the time and spend money on clothes, jewelry, etc. No, you will see me out working on Big Red or just cruising around town.
Suzy
retired nurse
Thanks, very straightforward!
96 xlt 250. As I get older I’m glad I got the automatic.
Do a coil spring swap in the front and it will ride so much better. Then it’s perfect 🎉
Back in college I had a 5 speed reg cab S-10. Once had a friend and her brother in the truck with me. I just had to skip 2nd and 4th to save us both the embarrassment ☺️
s10s were garbage ......but the older Ford Rangers were excellent trucks
I have owned and driven every truck built...... Ford Builds the best trucks
Best sounding diesel ever. Keep it loud and proud.
Agreed, best truck ever. I own one with 185K miles. Been in the family since 98.
Trucks should be base vehicles designed mostly for work. Every neighbor around me has a big truck, yet only one actually uses it to pull a camper maybe once every 1-2 months.
3:42 My uncle called them “elephant windows” (not sure why) so that’s what I always called them.
I'm a MOPAR man so I'm a fan of the 12v Cummins, but this is my favorite body style of Ford.
arnt you embarrased to admit that? Chryslers are the laughing stock of automobiles
If it’s not the best diesel trucks, it may be last of the best diesel trucks. Called me up in the country in Texas. I saw a lot of those back in the day. And they have loud horns.