Is 350k miles too much for a 97 F350?

I found a 1997 F350 XL with 350k miles. The body and interior are super clean, no rust (it’s been in the desert). The owner says it runs great, except the fuel gauge doesn’t work. If it does run well, do you think it’s worth $8-10k?

I’d almost pay $10k for a rust-free OBS with a blown motor, lol. But I’m in Alberta, and everything here is rusted to hell.

It’s a 7.3, so mileage doesn’t matter much as long as it’s been taken care of. Whether it’s worth $8-10k depends on its overall condition—hard to say without seeing it.

If the cylinders have good compression and it’s been maintained, you could get another 350k out of it with proper care.

I’ve got a 95 with 275k, and it still runs strong. Use your best judgment and try to negotiate the price down if you can.

That seems insane to me. A couple of years ago, I bought a 2000 E450 Ambulance with 92k miles and full maintenance records for $10,400.

92k on any engine isn’t much of a gamble.

Exactly. That’s why I think $10k for a 350k OBS is nuts. Trucks cost more, though—that’s why I went with an ambulance instead of a truck and camper.

First, verify the mileage. The digital odometers on OBS trucks reset from 399k back to 300k.

Second, the price seems high. I paid $2k for a rust-free 95 XLT with 130k miles.

Don’t just focus on the engine. The rest of the truck won’t last as long. I’ve got 326k on mine, and it’s been expensive. Every repair I can’t do myself costs $800 or more. The transmission alone was $4,300, and parts were hard to find. That said, I love my truck and wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I ran my 7.3 to 240k miles. Maintenance costs eventually pushed me to sell it—glow plugs, cam sensors, fuel lines, and leaks in the valley were constant. It was a great truck, but it was time to move on.

Can you do your own repairs, or are you ready to pay a mechanic to keep a 30-year-old truck running?

I’d do the repairs myself.

A 7.3 with 350k isn’t necessarily bad if it’s been well-maintained and had major parts replaced. Look for service records—they tell you a lot about how it was cared for. I bought my first diesel with 303k miles, but it came with a folder full of receipts. Now it’s at 384k, and I’ve replaced a lot of parts but still love it.

The B50 life of a 7.3 is 350k miles, meaning half the engines last that long, but many go further. Just know you might need to replace things like turbos, injectors, or transmissions soon. If it’s a regular cab, $7-8k would be more reasonable. Check for maintenance records.

My 99 has 350k miles and runs perfectly, except for some smoke when starting in cold weather.

I’d drop $10k for a clean truck like that. Finding one that isn’t trashed is tough. These can hit a million miles with care, but don’t expect perfection from a 30-year-old truck.

That’s a fair price for a 97 OBS in good shape. Just remember that OBS odometers reset after 399k, so the mileage could be higher. OBS 7.3 trucks have a premium over gas models, and 97 is the best year. Even if the engine goes, you’d still have a rust-free chassis. Try to lowball them, though.

If you’re not attached to the OBS style, you might get more value from an early Super Duty.

$10k for an old truck with that many miles seems crazy. Unless you’re set on the OBS style, you might be better off saving for a newer one.

I bought a 93 with 396k, and it’s been nothing but problems. Looked great at the sale, but now it’s just a $6,000 lawn ornament.