Faults:

We acquired the truck with the intent of pulling our 2003 Keystone Cougar 30' fifth wheel. It ran rough when we obtained it, so for $352, we had a full tune up performed on it. Still ran rough, but we were told than two of the cylinders lacked compression. So we obtained a preowned 7.5L engine from a mini motorhome, with only 39,000 miles. And had that installed.

The truck is not the newest, nor does it have all the bells and whistles, so we'll be adding a few.

We never expected it to have the same fuel economy as the Prius, and we were not disappointed. One of the two tanks recently required refilling and that came to $41. But nothing less than expected.

General Comments:

We love the truck, its classic design, towing and load capacity. And it seems to be built like a tank.

Faults:

Exhaust manifold threads on head rusted off, had to replace heads and manifolds.

Rear brakes did not work at all when bought (known issue, got the truck cheap).

Replaced all brake lines.

General Comments:

I needed a work/plow truck that was not nice looking, so I didn't feel bad if I dented or scratched it. This truck was very cheap ($1500), and has met my needs very well.

However the former owner did not care for it, and it has needed some attention.

Wear and tear is normal for the abuse I give it. I plow driveways, pull fallen trees out of the woods, haul heavy items.

The power of the 7.5 is great, but boy does it love gas. I average about 10 miles per gallon, I do not use this as my daily driver or I would be broke.

Faults:

Transmission input bearing and seal were worn when I bought the truck replaced for free from dealer.

Power Window motor burnt out.

Kept blowing the Tachometer fuse, I traced the problem to a shorting wire on the firewall.

Replaced one bad Glow Plug.

Coolant sensor gone bad (Used to activate the glow plugs) I have it unplugged now so the glow plugs always cycle fully, but I have no throttle advance.

General Comments:

I bought this truck for the Simple fact that I needed something cheaper on Insurance (or in other words older) And I have ALWAYS wanted a Diesel.

The truck has AMAZING pulling power and has NO trouble holding speed or even accelerating with a load. Maintenance is cheap and easy on this engine as it is FULLY mechanical with NO computer controls. It has NO trouble starting even in -20ºC weather and even colder if you plug it in.

The transmission shifts are soft and smooth for regular driving, but when the hammer is down it shifts HARD.

The truck itself is as tough as nails on the outside and still offers the best creature comforts inside. It has developed a few squeaks and rattles, but this is expected with a heavy truck like this of this age.

After driving it now for almost a full year I have grown VERY fond of the truck and can never see myself selling it. It is not the greatest in the snow, but gets me from point a-b nonetheless and even manages better Fuel mileage than some v6 trucks. My average Fuel mileage for mixed driving is 16.5mpg with my best being 17.5mpg.

All in all it may not be the fanciest truck with the MOST power, but it has proven that its got all it needs and is a reliable efficient comfortable WORKHORSE that does not fear a little fun on the side.

Faults:

Needed a new Clutch and Flywheel.

New glow plugs, starter and front U-joints.

All things you would expect to replace after 250,000 miles.

General Comments:

Except for Driver's seat the interior great. This truck is a beast, great off-road with rear posi-trac. Truck doesn't burn any oil and still runs great. The 250,000 miles on the truck are not just road miles, they are usually pulling a fifth wheel trailer with a tractor and mower on it. I will definitely own another Ford in the future.