Thinking of buying a chopped-frame 7.3 Power Stroke as my first truck… good idea?

Advice Needed
1

Hey everyone, I’m 20 years old, making just over $1,000 a week. My work involves a lot of driving and hauling, mostly building materials and large shellfish loads like crabs and oysters. I’m looking into buying a 2000 Ford F350 7.3 Power Stroke, and I wanted to get some advice on what to look out for or be cautious about. Here’s the seller’s description:

OPEN TO ANY REASONABLE OFFER

2000 Ford F350 4x4 fully functional 7.3 with a 4R100 automatic. Engine has 180k miles; body has 350k miles. No blow-by. It has 180/30 injectors, a bigger Garrett turbo, Hydra tuner, and brand-new O-rings and gaskets for the oil cooler (no oil leaks now). It was shortened professionally. Comes with 20 white rock lights, 18x10 Fuel wheels, dually rear, and ladder bars. AC works great and blows into the 30s. Fuel gauge reads backward due to a tank and sending unit swap from an Excursion. Asking $6.5k OBO—open to offers, just trying to clear my driveway.

I like the truck’s look, but I’m concerned about reliability. Is there anything else I should be checking or thinking about before making a decision?

2

Short-bed regular-cab 7.3s weren’t made by Ford, so it’s a chopped frame. That can make inspections tricky depending on where you live. Also, using your personal truck for work can get expensive fast. Unless you’re making serious money, the wear and tear might not be worth it.

3

@Tamsin
I’m a fisherman, so hauling product is part of the job. I’d also use it for side gigs like towing, hauling, and estate cleanouts. The chopped frame was supposedly done professionally, but I’m still wondering if that’ll cause inspection issues.

4

@Dar
If you’re planning to haul a lot, a long bed would probably serve you better. This truck sounds more like a fun project than a serious workhorse.

5

You might want to look at an extended cab short bed. It’s a bit more practical for heavy hauling and might be easier to find one without all the mods.

6

Why go for a short bed if you’re planning to haul and tow? This truck seems to have a lot of modifications, and that’s not ideal if you’re looking for a reliable work vehicle.

7

Crosby said:
Why go for a short bed if you’re planning to haul and tow? This truck seems to have a lot of modifications, and that’s not ideal if you’re looking for a reliable work vehicle.

I’ve always liked the look of chopped-frame trucks. If it’s done professionally, I’ve heard it can be close to factory spec. Finding a low-mileage 7.3 around here is tough, and when I do, they’re $20k+. I’m aware the turbo and tuner could stress the engine, but I’m wondering how much of a concern that really is.

8

I’ve got a 2000 F250 7.3 Power Stroke with 204k miles. Paid $9k for it and have put nearly $15k into repairs: new transmission, batteries, shocks, brakes, O-rings, water pump, belts, starter, glow plugs, and more. It runs great but has some electrical gremlins that can be a headache. Unless you can write off maintenance expenses for a business, these older trucks can get expensive fast.

9

I picked up a 2000 7.3 regular cab long bed with 118k miles for $4,700. I’ve put about $3k into it for maintenance (shocks, fuel bowl gaskets, alternator, starter, coolant hoses, water pump, etc.) and probably need another $1.5k to make it perfect. It’s reliable but always needs something. Be prepared for ongoing costs—7.3s aren’t cheap to maintain.