...
Joe,
I bought a 2000 crewcab and paid quite a bit more than $6500. For my extra money, I got a factory intercooler which is just a radiator that the turbo compressed air goes thru to cool the heat-of-compression before it goes in the engine.
Your '98 7.3L, with about 215 hp, is only 20 less than mine, and I don't suppose that makes a lot of difference really. The torque jumped from 425 foot pounds in 1998 to 500 in 1999 tho. The beauty of these older 444 cubic inch engines is lack of a lot of pollution controls and reasonable fuel economy, besting the gas versions, both 460 and V-10. Compared to the new high HP diesels, they are not a racehorse, but more of a workhorse, if a man has patience.
Usually, on Interstate type hills, these 7.3L engines tend to hold their speed because they are
already running right in the torque band (1500-2000 rpm) at normal highway speeds, so there is no need to shift down often. Newer, smaller gassers need to frequently jump to about 4000+ rpm to hold speed in their high rpm torque band.
If the 7.3L engine has had good care,
and is still stock, it is probably ok. Look out for slick aftermarket "free-breathing" air filters that let sand through on dusty roads. They also need regular oil changes (the intricate injector pump uses engine oil) and a little anti-cavitation chemical added to the coolant once in a while. Without the additive, the cavitating (vibrating) coolant can eat a hole through the cylinders if worked hard.
These transmissions call for fluid changes every 30k miles, especially when towing, but it may not make a difference here, if the tranny has never been replaced, as it will usually be overdue and running on prayers at 200k (Unless it was never used for much towing). They are a tough tranny otherwise, as far as that goes. Lack of numerous shifts from a lot of easy cruising road miles is a good thing, but that doesn't happen often on a work truck.
The heavy engine tends to wear out front balljoints. If they have zirks, it is likely they have been already replaced. Mine were, but the inept shop overtightened them, so I have a lot of wander to fix now (loosen and reset). They don't wander from looseness so much, as the sticky steering does not return to center rest, causing constant correction to drive straight. There is a lot of people pulled their hair out trying to find this problem already, most assuming something is loose.
Good luck with the truck. There is only a few of us on this forum getting by with the lower cost of these hi-mile "pre-owned classics". We are a brotherhood.
Couple links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Power_Stroke_enginehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navistar_T444E_engineWes
...
