This 1997 Ford F-250 is quite an interesting and rare find with all the right options. To start with, it’s an XLT 4×4 and is equipped with the 7.3 liter Power Stroke Diesel V8. If that isn’t enough to get your attention, the fact that it’s the exceptionally rare Crew Cab short bed model should! While you typically could only get the F-250 with a long bed, in 1996 and 1997, you could option your F-250 with either an extended or crew cab and the short bed. This example might be high mileage, but it’s about as close to the holy grail of ninth-generation F-series Fords as you can get! It’s being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction and is located in Browns Valley, California. The seller of the F-150 that just recently sold is helping the owner list this one and has provided us with lots of great photos.
While it has covered an impressive 256k miles, the 7.3 liter Power Stroke Diesel engine is known for its incredible durability, with many going well over 400k miles. They aren’t terribly powerful by today’s standards, at 210 horsepower and 425 foot-pounds of torque, but it’s plenty for most people’s needs. It currently runs and drives as it should, with the seller noting that everything works nicely, inside and out.
The seller also notes that the exterior of the truck has a few dents and dings, but nothing unusual for a truck this age or mileage. A look inside reveals an interior that is in surprisingly good condition given that this is a nearly 30-year-old work truck! The cloth seats show wear and some damage, but nothing that would keep you from enjoying the truck as is. It appears that replacement upholstery is available to return it to mint condition if you are so inclined. It’s also going to need a good cleaning, as there are lots of dust from life on the farm. Before replacing anything, we would start by just giving everything a deep cleaning to see what can be reused and what would benefit from being replaced.
Overall, we are very impressed with how well this truck presents given the mileage. The paint still looks nice, with lots of shine, and there aren’t any signs of rust issues. Clearly, this was a well-cared-for vehicle! Sure, there are some scratches and dents, but not too many vehicles can cover this many miles and hold up this well. The seller admits it’s a struggle to let this one go, given the condition and just how rare it is.
Whether you are a Ford fan or not, this truck has a lot going for it. With minimal work, the cosmetic and interior issues could be fixed and you’d have a very nice example of a very rare truck. Or, you could just leave it as is and put it back to work. Given the rarity, we just hope the next owner will keep it on the road and enjoy it! If you’d like to be its next owner you can cast your high bid below.
- Location: Browns Valley, California
- Mileage: 256,097 Miles
- Engine: 7.3 Liter Power Stroke Diesel V8
- Transmission: Automatic
- VIN: 1FTHW26F0VEB38639
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
Fishdawg bid $16,000.00 2023-08-15 09:59:46
Sfd902 bid $10,600.00 2023-08-15 09:26:52- Fishdawg bid $10,500.00 2023-08-15 09:25:17
Etta’s bid $5,000.00 2023-08-12 17:48:16
Rfoldy56 bid $3,200.00 2023-08-09 14:21:45
YES1963 bid $2,700.00 2023-08-09 13:31:44
Hayden Bailey bid $2,200.00 2023-08-09 10:57:28
Emmanuel Costales bid $1,650.00 2023-08-09 10:26:11
lizarddog_actual bid $1,150.00 2023-08-09 09:05:28- Emmanuel Costales bid $650.00 2023-08-08 23:07:04
trucknut67 bid $150.00 2023-08-08 19:25:34
The last hold out on traditional pickup styling, the last of wing windows and drip rails, sadly a thing of past. I drive an 07 F250, and would gladly trade it for the 95 F250 I once had. Not a diesel guy, but those are merely break-in miles on the old 7.3, I’ve seen plenty with over a half million
Ford had come out with the redesign of the F150 in 97 IIRC so these brutes were the last of that generation of Ford pickups. My ex father in law was a logger in da U.P. and these trucks were his main timber cruisers. Only vehicle that started on a – 25F morning thanks to being plugged into the 110 on the garage (block heater?)
I’ve got a 95 extended cab with a 8foot bed. Two tone blue with a 460. My wife latched on to itabout a week after I bought it. Odometer reads 125000. She won’t let it go for love or money. I’ve had two since that one. Still the nicest looking of the bunch
Horrible front suspension design on the F250’s especially with the diesel. Good luck keeping tires on it.
Just keep it aligned, never have a problem
That’s the trouble, keeping them aligned.
Was it different than the F350? I ask because I had one of this eras F350s and a 250 and I seem to remember the F 350s were a better ride experience.
4×4 F350s were mono-beam front axles
The F250’s were I beam (moved independently). Smoother ride but you need to rotate the tires more to keep the wear more even. My F350’s rode like a lumber wagon but didn’t have the wear issues.
– Does HVAC work property in all settings – full fan speed range, air flow selector, full temp range (hot to ice cold)?
– Fuel tank switch works proper, all fuel pumps operational?
– Any fluid leaks (fuel, coolant, oil, trans fluid, diff, etc.)?
– All lighting functions proper? (Asking because headlights are aftermarket units, OBS trucks are finicky if something in the lighting is not functioning correctly.)
– Any documented service history?
– By the hitch in the middle of the bed it would appear this pulled a fifth wheel, was the transmission cooling upgraded?
– How does transmission shift and does the overdrive work?
Thanks.
Climate control works in all settings. Both fuel tanks work like they should. I haven’t noticed any leaks. All the lights work, aftermarket headlights are plug and play and didn’t require any splicing. No documented service history but the previous owners told me maintenance has been kept. Trans shifts great. No hard shifts and overdrive works. I know this pickup did tow a livestock trailer.
Thank you
– How is the alignment? Track straight, pull or wander?
– How is the tire condition? What are the date codes?
– There’s a bed tool box in some photos, is that included?
– Any immediate/urgent maintenance recommendations?
The alignment is is great. Drives straight down the road with no issues. Tires are good with a lot of tread and no dry-rot. 4716. The tool box is included if the buyer wants it. There are no mechanical issues and it drives like it’s new. I really enjoy driving this truck. The back window could use new weatherstripping and the pinstripe is starting to come off in a few places.
How are the engine or transmission for leaks? Is it the original turbo?
Thank you,
Mark
Kristin,
I just read you addressed fluid leak questions. Thanks. Nine one six, seven zero one, six two five one
Wow, nobody asks this many questions about a $60,000 classic car lol
I don’t know about anyone else, but my plan would be to put it to work, unlike my classics sitting….and sitting… in my garage. I have a 2000 F350 7.3 but it is a long bed crew cab that can be a little unwieldy and I like the body style of these better. I was excited to see this one come up and was ready to bid but it got just outside my comfort range. I know they can go 300k and this one is a lot cleaner than my 2000, but, again – I would plan to put it to good use as a truck.
Probably because more of us are familiar with the Ford OBS trucks. I’m on my 3rd one, currently a 1996 F250 Supercab 4×4 7.3 The powerstroke 7.3 is one of Ford’s most durable engines.