1985 Ford F250 XLT from North America - Comments

I'm looking at a 1985 F250 4x4 for about 2000, it has 120,000 miles on it. I was wondering if there are any certain problems that I should look for when checking out the truck. Any help would be great, thanks.

Hello there, I own a Ford pickup F250 1985 diesel.

I bought this car in 2007 from an American dealer who imported the car.

After first some trouble with the sparkplugs it´s now running fine.

The color was red/with, but I now changing it in red/black and it looks great!

By the way, I am a dutchman, living in Holland (Europe), sorry for the writing faults!

I wish all who also ride in an old Ford pickup truck as much driving fun as I have!

Greetings from Holland.

Lol, sparkplugs and diesel engine don't go together very well.

Yeah man, my 85 6.9 diesel ain't got any spark plugs, but mine don't run either. But what can I say is I got it for free. All it needs is 2 batteries, glow plugs, and to change the fluids. Other than that, she should run.

b.r.d.

All the guys asking for drawbacks on the 6.9/7.3 Litre diesels.

I've had 2 of these trucks, and family members have had another 5 or 6. With relentless routine maintenance you can easily expect 500,000 miles out of the engine (3000 miles changing oil, filter and air filter). Fuel filter twice a year. You can get an adaptor kit to use the standard John Deere fuel filter on the filter riser on the engine. I would highly recommend this as the John Deere filter is transparent and cheaper, while actually doing a better job filtering than a typical Fram. NOW, the problem is, when they're dead, they're dead. The engine block is what is termed nodular cast iron. In other words, they're porous. If you try to bore the engine .060 over, you'll find the compression will go all wacky and you'll have to sleeve several if not all the cylinders to get it to run right.

Other than that, the engine will outlast the starter, starter ring gear, water pump, transmission, rear end, probably the body, the brakes and in my case, the seat. I sold my last one 6 years ago because the seat was so mashed down I couldn't walk at the end of a long road trip. That was at 475,000. I sold it for $2000 and got word the other day it's still running strong.

One more word of advice. If the truck you're looking at has 16.5 tires, get rid of 'em. The tread will peal off of 'em and wreck your fenders. Used wheels and new tires will be cheaper than buying the new 16.5's anyway. COOP Dominator tires are absolutely the best tire for the money for these old trucks, and your two wheel drive will climb like a 4X4 with 'em.

Hi, I purchased my first diesel and am absolutely in love with it, but I'm having some problems. It is a 1985 XLT with a 6.9 and a banks turbo. I feel like I should be getting more power, and it blows white smoke after running very long. I want it blowing a lot of thick black smoke. How do I get it to?

And it's not been starting right up like it did at first. It's been taking longer and longer. And now won't start at all, it just cranks and cranks and cranks.

And my glow plug light doesn't even come on anymore. I think my glow plugs might be bad. I don't have any money, I live pay check to pay check. So if you have any advice, please email me at ethandhood@hotmail.com.