hello everyone. first post here and have a question. I am looking to purchase a 897 f-250 ext. cab 4x2 with 89,000 miles. It is in amazing shape and will be my 2nd vehicle next to my GTO and winter vehicle. i live in Pittsburgh so the winter weather is not in the winter? I wanted 4x4 but considering the shape of the truck and the low mileage, i dont think i should pass this up. Will it get stuck? Will i have any problems? Or should I just settle for a used f150 4x4 or ranger 4x4? Thanks for all of your input!

 

I think that the asking price and selling price are the deciding factors in this scenario

 

if you buy it i would deffinatly get a studed snow tire. my 98 f250 LD gets stuck all the time in the ice mostly due to 2 things 1. it is also a 4x2 2. no weight in the back. which also during the winter time if you have some laying around i would but concrete blocks or something in the back so the studs will dig into the ice and snow. but if its in good condition i wouldn't pass it up. and as far as problems like i said i have a 98 f250 LD with the 4.6L i have had it for close to 8 months now and the only problem i have had with it is that the hose came off the heater core and i had to drain the radiator. cheap less than $40 to fix it. but as far as mechanical it is solid. ford is always good choice.

 

well the truck is priced at $4995 and i have already talked him down to $3995. That is below kbb for this truck. Its the older design, so i guess in 97 the LD f250 was that of the design that was just replaced while they kept the design of the old model (the early 90's design) for the HD.

My neighbor has a new 1500 silverado and he says that he never uses 4wheel unless he is hunting. So it makes me a little more at ease for buying a 4x2....

 

really for winter driving it helps alot with 4 wheel drive but a good part of not getting stuck is driving and traction. if you have a good set of tires and drive carefully and avoid dangerous situations you can usually make it with out 4 wheel drive though it is still possible you could get stuck its just unavoidable even with 4 wheel drive. just keep a good set of chains to if you want to play it safe. i got my truck stuck in our drive way in the winter because i for 1 had the junkiest set of radial tires you could buy and 2 i backed up right into with out thinking. i eventually got it out by just going forwards hitting the clutch and letting it roll back, just going back in forth then giving it hell once you get a good little path made. what kind of engine does it have by the way?

 

Im pretty sure its the 5.8 liter. That was the most common engine. What should I look for if i do in fact go for this truck? Like what problems have occured with this model that I may need to be concerned with?

 

i don't know of any problems with it, i have had my truck for close to 8 months and the only problem i have had with it is one of the heater core hose's popped loose and i just had to put 40 bucks in coolant in it after putting the hose back on. i think that the triton engines are some of the most reliable engines you can buy personally.