Duke Javelin
SDD Junior Member
Hello all!
I am trying to get my 2000 7.3 250 SD back on it's job of pulling my 5th wheel next spring. I had my older son drive it (less the camper) last weekend and there was some black ice and....the left side got cozy with a telephone pole. No one was hurt but the white beast itself.
On initial inspections it needs a new front bumper, front left headlight assembly, complete left driver door (with glass and towing mirror), suicide rear left door for sure. There is slight damage to the hood and the left front fender, could use body work to be perfect, left as is or replaced. It dented in the cab corner easily as you could see the rust was about to pop through anyways.
This is a 7.3 Powerstroke with a brand new Moroso oil pan (only repair I needed so far, no surprise to anyone here I suspect), Spectra air cleaner, tuner, and big exhaust (I had these installed fairly quickly upon purchase...it was stock before). 220k miles on the truck. This is my first Ford truck and first diesel,...it might smell and sound like a semi but it has been a great truck for us and has actually endured itself to me as a vehicle....to the point that I am now convinced when I buy a new truck it will be a FORD for sure. I can't believe a well maintained 2000 can be in this nice of shape and feel as good pulling 11k lbs. (This is the first truck for a new 5th wheel; before this it was 4000 lbs. with either a Ram or Suburban).
Obviously this is an older truck but without this accident it was a very good truck esp. for what I paid ($8000) 2 yrs. ago. My initial thought was sell or scrap it and either buy a new diesel Ford (the cash is there but I'm trying to semi retire) or even just get another similar truck. But then it hit me....if I just buy another white SD truck (lots of those out there...cheaper gas one would be fine for this) and strip what I need I could put this back on the road for a lot less than the alternatives. Then I can determine if I take to a body shop for the trimmings (two tone silver bottom, cab corner rust on left side). I figure if I put $3k in it it's better than starting over with an unknown used one or dropping $50-60k into a new one.
Does anyone have any warnings about, for example, buying a 2002 white extended 5.4L 250 SD for this purpose? Differences in 2000 non SD or non 250? Obviously this is all about proper fit of body components, nothing else is needed. Also if I buy something that's a step up from bone stock should I expect a bit more for what's left? (EG- working 4x4, diesel engine, etc. ).
I am trying to get my 2000 7.3 250 SD back on it's job of pulling my 5th wheel next spring. I had my older son drive it (less the camper) last weekend and there was some black ice and....the left side got cozy with a telephone pole. No one was hurt but the white beast itself.
On initial inspections it needs a new front bumper, front left headlight assembly, complete left driver door (with glass and towing mirror), suicide rear left door for sure. There is slight damage to the hood and the left front fender, could use body work to be perfect, left as is or replaced. It dented in the cab corner easily as you could see the rust was about to pop through anyways.
This is a 7.3 Powerstroke with a brand new Moroso oil pan (only repair I needed so far, no surprise to anyone here I suspect), Spectra air cleaner, tuner, and big exhaust (I had these installed fairly quickly upon purchase...it was stock before). 220k miles on the truck. This is my first Ford truck and first diesel,...it might smell and sound like a semi but it has been a great truck for us and has actually endured itself to me as a vehicle....to the point that I am now convinced when I buy a new truck it will be a FORD for sure. I can't believe a well maintained 2000 can be in this nice of shape and feel as good pulling 11k lbs. (This is the first truck for a new 5th wheel; before this it was 4000 lbs. with either a Ram or Suburban).
Obviously this is an older truck but without this accident it was a very good truck esp. for what I paid ($8000) 2 yrs. ago. My initial thought was sell or scrap it and either buy a new diesel Ford (the cash is there but I'm trying to semi retire) or even just get another similar truck. But then it hit me....if I just buy another white SD truck (lots of those out there...cheaper gas one would be fine for this) and strip what I need I could put this back on the road for a lot less than the alternatives. Then I can determine if I take to a body shop for the trimmings (two tone silver bottom, cab corner rust on left side). I figure if I put $3k in it it's better than starting over with an unknown used one or dropping $50-60k into a new one.
Does anyone have any warnings about, for example, buying a 2002 white extended 5.4L 250 SD for this purpose? Differences in 2000 non SD or non 250? Obviously this is all about proper fit of body components, nothing else is needed. Also if I buy something that's a step up from bone stock should I expect a bit more for what's left? (EG- working 4x4, diesel engine, etc. ).