Hi, I'm currently looking for my first truck, I have my mind set on buying a good ol' 7.3 IDI. The reason I'm set on getting an IDI is because parts (Like injectors) are cheaper than the newer more powerful diesels (think its $75 compared to $250+ per injector), the cost of ownership is cheaper and they are much, much easier to work on due to less electronics. And why a diesel? No ignition system to maintain and FUEL MILEAGE is my big thing. Don't want to pay stupid fuel prices then get only 13-14 MPG on say a 302W ford. Where I live, In Ontario those old IDIs are hard to come by, especially the ones that aren't rusted right out but parts are easy to come by for that reason (motor for $700 and transmission for $800). Anyways, I found a 1993 f250, extended cab long box truck on kijiji for $5500, it has 360,000kms, has some rust in the non important spots, has the typical cracked dash but all around seems alright. The only problem with it is the windshield is cracked (how much would to cost for a new one?), one window wont go down which I can fix but the big kicker is that its in limp mode. There is no codes or check engine lights BUT its an automatic with the E4OD transmission I believe so the issue is that it will barely move unless you manually shift it into gear. The owner claims it just needs a new tachometer sensor as the tach doesn't work and I guess the transmission needs the tach sensor to work, is this true? just don't want to buy this thing thinking the transmission sensor will fix it and come to find it needs a new transmission altogether. I haven't gone to look at this thing yet, and its a good sistance away so I just want some answers before I take the guys word for it and possibly make a mistake.

Thanks in advance!

 

you need a tach sensor for the transmission to shift properly. but if it just barely moves, there is more wrong with the transmission than just that sensor. especially if he drove it like that for any time.
windshield is around $350 American.
at 350,000 km it is gonna be due for an injector pump and injectors soon. that will be around $1000 American.
and with the garbage they are passing off as diesel fuel, do not expect to get better than around 13mpg with that rig in city driving.
i would pass on that rig, or offer him $2500 to give yourself $3000 to put a new transmission injector pump, and injectors in it.