2003 F-350 Diesel opportunity

[Jeff73Mach1]

I have been contacted with an opportunity to buy a F-350 long bed.

The Diesel engine has been upgraded to improve power and durability. I don't currently have all of the details.

The truck is in Georgia and was involved in a collision that did cosmetic damage to the doors, and the bed sides and did mechanical damage to the rear axle.

The rear axle was replaced, but the State of Georgia has made the vehicle a salvage title

The owner has been told that all cosmetic damage must be repaired properly in order to get a title for use on the road.

So does anyone here know the salvage title rules in Georgia and or Tennessee to point me in the right direction to know if I'll ever be able to title the truck?

The price is likely to be low enough ($3500.00) that parting it out would make me money if I can't get the title issue resolved. I think I can replace both doors and a bed for under 2K, if I can't reskin everything.

I've been needing a truck to do some work from time to time and this one might fit the bill.


Here is a link to some pictures

https://app.box.com/s/oex0a3w22z6y5eodkvwgg10jlcbrpj4a


Here is a link to some pictures

https://app.box.com/s/oex0a3w22z6y5eodkvwgg10jlcbrpj4a

 

[Don C]

Some more details about the accident would be helpful. My concern is if the crash caused enough damage to require replacement of the rear end is that the frame may be tweaked. I looked at a couple of the pictures and the cosmetic damage didn't seem that bad. Hopefully Tennessee won't be so picky about cosmetics.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

sideswiped and trailer came around and smacked the rear axle and side of the vehicle. Impact on wheel apparently was the cause of rear end replacement

Vehicle has a little over 200K miles on it. but friend has used it from time to time and says it drives great-it belongs to his boss.

It is really much more vehicle than I need, but I can't help but thinking it would do whatever I needed for a very long time as it would likely be driven no more than a few thousand miles a year.

 

[MotoArts]

I wouldn't worry about GA, it's the TN guv'mint folks I'd be concerned with.

I'm sure every state is different. Here in PA, if it safety checks out OK, it's good to go. Could be 17 different colors and dents galore, but as long as it passes PA inspection it's a go for the salvage certificate to be converted to a title.

Some of us have been known to duct tape and/or superglue parts on so the required photographs can be sent in for a head start with the reconstruction paperwork... before the real replacement parts arrive.

Or so I hear. :whistling:

As Don mentioned, I'd be concerned with potential secondary damage to the springs, U-bolts, spring hangers and/or frame itself. A trip to an alignment shop would make me feel better on that matter. And even if it checks out to be square, how did the axle hit affect the driveshaft? Did the yoke get jammed into the trans?

Just hanging an axle on the thing may get it mobile around the parking lot (and making look like an "easy fix"), but what about long term?

Price a bed ($1500-2K + around these parts) and doors ($300-800 each, depending). If it needs hinge work, B and/or C-pillars or doorjambs pulled, you're looking at work waaaay beyond the typical driveway repairs.

Be cautious of the seemingly "can't lose" initial cost.

Been there.

Do your homework before biting the hook.

Be careful on this one.......

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

I agree-that's why I posted the details here. I think a fender, two door skins and one bedside skin might cover most of the cosmetic damage. I can inspect it in detail and have it taken to a frame shop before I buy.

 

[Totalled]

Just say no, to a 6.0...

 

[Don65Stang]

I have a 6.0 and it's done great once the upgrades were complete. Mine has so much power now that the 10,000 pound excursion it propels feels like a mustang gt. At speed the needle sweeps from 70 to 100+ mph in very few seconds and does so without downshifting.

I would have no hesitation in getting another 6.0 if the upgrades have been done.

One downside to your plan is the few thousand miles a year. You will kill a 6.0 turbo from lot rot. It needs to be driven hard every so often because it is a variable pitch vane turbo. You need to exercise the turbo through the full range of motion to keep the surface from rusting. once it rusts the vanes are prone to sticking open and will screw up your power. it's an easy solution. Drive it hard occasionally. I do some WOT starts once a week or so. The problem with that is even at 10,000 lbs the rear end still breaks lose.

PS. the 6.0 sounds great straight piped sans muffler. Not loud at all until you romp on it. then it's like opening up electronic cutouts, then it sounds like a NASCAR truck.

 

[Mexican]

I have a 6.0 and it's done great once the upgrades were complete. Mine has so much power now that the 10,000 pound excursion it propels feels like a mustang gt. At speed the needle sweeps from 70 to 100+ mph in very few seconds and does so without downshifting.

I would have no hesitation in getting another 6.0 if the upgrades have been done.

One downside to your plan is the few thousand miles a year. You will kill a 6.0 turbo from lot rot. It needs to be driven hard every so often because it is a variable pitch vane turbo. You need to exercise the turbo through the full range of motion to keep the surface from rusting. once it rusts the vanes are prone to sticking open and will screw up your power. it's an easy solution. Drive it hard occasionally. I do some WOT starts once a week or so. The problem with that is even at 10,000 lbs the rear end still breaks lose.

PS. the 6.0 sounds great straight piped sans muffler. Not loud at all until you romp on it. then it's like opening up electronic cutouts, then it sounds like a NASCAR truck.

My 04 6.0


Having trouble uploading pics

 

[MeZapU]

Ya, they are selling it for a reason. Unless the engine had had a substantial amount of bulletproofing done and a you are assured a tuner has never been used. Then maaaaybe. Diesels are a whole new realm of expensive when things go wrong.

 

[Mexican]

Having trouble uploading pics, here is my 6,0, if i can upload it

 

[Don65Stang]

Nice looking monster truck.

Not my X but looks and sounds just like mine...

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig8cxo-J-uk

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Some moron told the owner he wouldn't take less than 7K for it as is, if it was his. Now he thinks it's worth that. . . . lol. I wouldn't pay 4 for it needing all the work.