Anyone own a 94-97 power stroke?

[silverstang84]

Hey guys. I'm looking at getting an older pickup to replace my worn out dodge ram. I'd really like to find a clean 95-97 f250/350 4x4 with a 7.3 . I'm familiar with the 99 and up powerstrokes but I haven't heard much about the mid 90s turbo diesels. Please tell me how you liked the truck and the pros and cons. I will be using the truck to tow my boat and for work around the house. This will not be a daily driver. Thanks

 

[offroadkarter]

Keep in mind that a clean OBS powerstroke will fetch some $$$. Find one with a ZF5 5spd if you can.


Either way, go for it!

 

[SID297]

Keep in mind that a clean OBS powerstroke will fetch some $$$. Find one with a ZF5 5spd if you can.


Either way, go for it!

This. A clean later year OBS brings serious money, especially if it's a manual. They are simple, solid, reliable truck. You need to make sure it has the updated CPS but of than that they don't really have any major problems. They are also non-intercooled, so you'll have to add one if you want to crank up the power much.

 

[silverstang84]

This. A clean later year OBS brings serious money, especially if it's a manual. They are simple, solid, reliable truck. You need to make sure it has the updated CPS but of than that they don't really have any major problems. They are also non-intercooled, so you'll have to add one if you want to crank up the power much.

you guys lost me with the OBS/CPS stuff. i dont know what that means. I do however, see what you guys are talking about. The late 90's powerstrokes seem to hold their value. any special reason for that?

 

[YJSONLY]

Because everyone loves the 7.3 obs. (Old body style). The 94.5-98 has less electronics and junk to go bad. The CPS is a $30 part. It's the (Cam position Sensor or something like that. It take 30 mins to change not a big deal. I own a 96 2 wheel drive crew cab dually with 72,000 original miles that I bought from my grandad who was the original owner. The inside is clean as a new car. The bed well its had a fifth wheel bottom out on it one or ten times. But other than that its clean.

 

[YJSONLY]

Also anything 1994 or before I believe is a non turbo.

 

[silverstang84]

thanks

 

[ford fanatic]

I love the OBS diesels, but couldn't bring myself to put out the crazy money they want for a clean one. Start reading here in the 94-98 forums section Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum

 

[lOOKnGO]

Here is my $1000 OBS 97 7.3 service truck. A member here on SVTP hooked me up with the truck not running for a $1000 and another two members got it running for less then $400. It has 270,000 miles and runs strong.

.

 

[silverstang84]

^ wow! i need a deal like that!

 

[offroadkarter]

Keep in mind not every turbo diesel is a powerstroke, the first half of 94 was a turbo IDI IIRC.

 

[coposrv]

If you want a diesel a clean OBS powerstroke is probably more expensive than a 99-03 7.3. I wanted a RCLB OBS bad but the ones worth buying sellers were asking 10-12k.

 

[offroadkarter]

Now, if you REALLY want to get something awesome, find yourself a powerstroke C250 or C350 centurion bronco. My ideal tow rig would be a 96 7.3 C350 :rockon:

Its literally a bronco and a crew cab F series put together, on a 3/4 or 1 ton frame. (or a 1/2 ton if its a C150)

 

[Teal Terminator]

Now, if you REALLY want to get something awesome, find yourself a powerstroke C250 or C350 centurion bronco. My ideal tow rig would be a 96 7.3 C350 :rockon:

Its literally a bronco and a crew cab F series put together, on a 3/4 or 1 ton frame. (or a 1/2 ton if its a C150)

Those are just awesome!

 

[adcausey]

Picked up a 96 4x4 CCSB on tha cheap.....it had right at 300k and needed a fuel leak fixed and some ball joints. All fixed and still rollin strong here.

 

[tcstang17]

They hold their value so well because they are simple and run forever. You don't have to pull the entire cab off to work on them like you would if you bought a Super Duty. Mods that are good for the truck are Gauges, Tony Wildman 6 position chip, Intercooler, E-fuel (taking the fuel pump from a Super Duty), 3.5" downpipe to 4 inch exhaust. Check out powerstroke nation, powerstroke army, and powerstroke.org for an infinite amount of info. I would love to have a 97 F350 Crew Cab Long Bed but they are so high on price for a decent one that I just couldn't do it. Also, the F250's came with a Twin Traction Beam front axle. It's not that big of a deal but you'll chew through tires like crazy if you don't keep the suspension maintained in the front. The F350s have the dana straight axle. The manual transmission trucks are prone to the flywheel losing its weights (its called a dual mass flywheel) this will be something that will need replacing if it hasn't been already.

EDIT: I should also add that converting to E-fuel eliminates fuel bowl problems. This isn't really a big deal but it seems that everyone on the forums complains about it. I've done a lot of reading on this stuff because I have looked into buying a Powerstroke multiple times but have never pulled the trigger. You can PM me if you want some more info.

 

[PaladinMan187]

Now, if you REALLY want to get something awesome, find yourself a powerstroke C250 or C350 centurion bronco. My ideal tow rig would be a 96 7.3 C350 :rockon:

Its literally a bronco and a crew cab F series put together, on a 3/4 or 1 ton frame. (or a 1/2 ton if its a C150)

I've never seen or heard of a Diesel Centurion or a 250/350 Centurion. That would be a sweet ride tho.

 

[silverstang84]

Thanks for all the great info guys. I like the diesel broncos but I do need a pickup

 

[offroadkarter]

I've never seen or heard of a Diesel Centurion or a 250/350 Centurion. That would be a sweet ride tho.

I think its rare amongst the rare.

Thanks for all the great info guys. I like the diesel broncos but I do need a pickup

Thats why you take the roof off, then you have a crew cab short bed pickup :lol1:

 

[coposrv]

I have never seen the diesel broncos. Must be pretty rare