WTF: A Power Stroke Of Bad Luck

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Welcome back to Wrecked Truck Friday – WTF – as we continue to check out the recently deceased rigs out there in need of a rescue. This week, we’re looking at a 1997 Ford F-350 with some fouling on the front end.

Right away, we can tell this is one of the Old Body Style (OBS) Fords. These older trucks are in league with the second-generation Cummins trucks in terms of their 1990s nostalgia, as well as the ongoing rivalry of which one is better. It’s quickly becoming apparent that these 20-plus-year-old trucks are reaching a point of collectibility, and on that note, we think this particular Blue Oval deserves a second chance.

The truck could be in a lot better shape, but it does run and drive. Plus, it's a desirable combination, being a crew cab, 7.3-liter Power Stroke, old-body-style Ford truck.

Details on the F-350 are that it is currently in Sacramento, California, it runs and drives, and it has just under 195,000 miles on the clock. For a 20-year-old vehicle, that equates to under 10,000 miles a year, so it definitely wasn’t driven as far as the average diesel, which is good.

The damage, however, is undoubtedly bad. The estimated repair cost is about $18,000, well past the actual cash value of $12,685. Things that would need repairing include the hood, passenger front fender, headlight, and door, the front bumper, and possibly some of the engine bay, like the cooling components.

The interior doesn't look half-bad, either. A good ole interior detailing job would really do the trick.

On the flipside, once fully restored, the owner would have himself a beautiful crew cab OBS, complete with the most beloved of Power Stroke motors, the 7.3-liter V8. Would you be willing to save this pickup from the scrapyard? Let us know in the comments below.

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About the author

David Chick

David Chick comes to us ready for adventure. With passions that span clean and fast Corvettes all the way to down and dirty off-road vehicles (just ask him about his dream Jurassic Park Explorer), David's eclectic tastes lend well to his multiple automotive writing passions.
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