Sold Sold Sold

1988 Ford F-250. 5.9 6BTA Cummins diesel, C6 automatic transmission, Gear Vendors overdrive, 2 wheel drive, supercab, long bed. Unknown mileage, best guess is just over 200k (5 digit odometer just rolled over).



The 5.9 Cummins in this truck was built in 1990. It is turbocharged and has a factory air to water intake cooler on it. It has the VE injection pump which has tamper evident paint marks on it showing that it has likely been rebuilt in the past. The previous owner claimed the engine and transmission were rebuilt professionally in the last 60k, but had no receipts or other documentation. I have no reason to believe its not true though – it starts right up, has no blowby, and 2000 miles into the oil change the oil is cleaner than I’ve ever seen in any diesel. It pulls hard and strong right up to the governor, which I believe is set at 2800 rpm.



The engine swap was very cleanly done. Everything works as it should, unlike many swaps. I looked it over carefully and it doesn’t look like the frame was cut anywhere, or anything welded to the frame. The engine mounts and transmission crossmember are very stout. All of the wiring looks cleanly done.

It is mated to a 3 speed auto C6 transmission, with a Gear Vendors overdrive on the back of that. The transmission shifts firmly at the right time. The Gear Vendors is a very nice addition, lowering cruising RPMs. It has a controller which allows it to be run in manual or auto mode. In manual, the driver selects whether it is engaged or not with a switch on the floorboard, in auto it engages on its own just like a factory overdrive transmission gear.

The bottom of the engine isn’t perfectly dry and oil free, however it doesn’t drip, and doesn’t need any added between changes. It doesn’t drip, leak, or burn any other fluids. Batteries are group 65 Interstates, with 850 CCA and 1000 at 32 F.

The truck drives straight and true down the road. The previous owner put new shocks on it, and replaced the steering gear box so it drives really nicely. The brakes appear recently re-done, I pulled the drums to have a look and all the parts inside look new with only a little brake dust on them. It stops great. It doesn’t rattle or squeak, and has very little wind noise inside – it’s the quietest truck of this vintage I’ve ridden in.

The previous owner had it repainted. The paint is not perfect, but it is very respectable and looks really nice from 10 feet. There is some overspray on the frame, inside the gas doors, and on the inside of the doors, but nothing real noticeable. The inside of the bed was not painted. I cannot tell where any rust was repaired before painting. I believe the truck has been in Arizona its whole life, and it shows. There is very minimal rust on the frame. There are a very few dents and dings, and some very light scratches on the hood (looks like a cat lost its balance). The tires are Multi Mile Wild Country Radial XRT, 10 ply load range E, LT235/85R16 with plenty of tread remaining. I measured the tread depths (inches): 0.25, 0.29, 0.325, 0.29. I repainted the wheels recently so they look very nice.

The interior is very nice. It was probably re-done at some point, or the previous owners just took great care of it. It has no odor of smoke inside, no rips, tears, or noticeable stains. The windows are nicely tinted; there are some light scratches in both windows that I tried to show in the pictures. It has cruise control and automatic windows and locks that work properly. Heat and AC both work great. All the factory gauges work properly, including speedometer, odometer, tachometer, volt, oil pressure, temperature, and fuel gauges, as does the fuel selector valves (for switching between the two factory tanks). It has an aftermarket Alpine radio/CD player. The dash is free of cracks. The right turn signal does not lock in the “on” position, you have to hold it (works fine that way). The left one works normally – locks on and then cancels after you make your turn. The ignition switch must have been replaced in the past – there is one key that opens the doors and another that works the ignition.

It has a brake controller, and a stout hitch under the bumper. There are holes in the bed that show that a 5th wheel hitch was once in there, and a plug for trailer wiring on the bumper and in the bed. The bed topper shows more wear than the truck, and has some dents and scratches. The tailgate operates, but is a bit sticky like most old Fords. There is a nice aftermarket chrome bumper on it - it has a slight dent on the left side and a spot of missing chrome about the size of a half dollar on the left corner.

Overall the truck is in really nice shape for its age. I have gotten just over 20 mpg with it. The Cummins is a sweet running powerplant. If this thing had a crew cab it would not be for sale. I have described everything that I know of that is wrong with it. It is a 25 year old truck, so it is sold AS IS with no warranty expressed or implied. Please ask me any questions you have and I’ll answer them honestly. It is located in Flagstaff, AZ, and I have the clear title in my name. I can be reached by phone or via pm. 92 eight-60six-898six.

I would consider trades for a nice 4x4 Toyota 4Runner with a 4 or 6 cylinder engine, or possibly a 4x4 Toyota Highlander or older 4x4 Landcruiser, or any 4x4 Mercedes diesel.

49 more photos are available at the link below. I plan to upload a video to this album in the next few days showing a walk around, cold startup, and drive.

1988 Ford For Sale Photos by tweatherford | Photobucket

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1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

A video is up on youtube, including a cold start, braking, accelerating, and a walk around:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_jDz6wCvAY

Its ends Monday night on ebay. If you're interested, don't wait, search "1988 F-250 Cummins" and bid. Trucks this nice with these features don't come around too often.

__________________
1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

Sold!

__________________
1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K