Looking At A Short Bus...any tips?

[BayStateOfMind]

Greetings from the Boston, Massachusetts area!

Here's what's happening:
So I'm looking at a short bus that's for sale right now in Smithtown, NY (on Long Island) at the best offer, but no specific price.

Either way, it's a 2003 Ford E450 Micro Bird (5 Window) with the 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel, and it seems to be in great shape, from what I saw in the pics, anyway.

My questions right now are how I would get the bus home without incident, and getting it registered and insured once in MA.

The link to the listing: https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/5687761052.html

Any helpful tips would be greatly appreciated.

- Sean aka "BayStateOfMind"

[bansil]

good morning, biggest issue would be rust or floor deterioration (soft fiberglass etc)


Also!! it is 13 years old with an average of 1500 miles a year or 28 miles per week

I would be worried with that, that is a lot of time for seals and such to dry out, not to mention not enough time to warm up and burn off condensation in the engine/trans and rear end oils; make sure to bring someone with you if you are not Ford Diesel savvy

I would definitely get the VIN, and visit local Ford stealership and ask them if all the recalls have been done and oil changes, if they are not busy they should help you (might shed light if miles are correct)

IM me vin and I may be able to help you

[roach711]

The 2003 may have the final production of the 7.3L (a good engine) or the first production of the 6.0L (avoid!). Main seals on the 7.3 rarely give problems but the rubber o-rings on the fuel filter bowl and, less often, the o-rings on the injectors can go bad.

It would be nice to see the maintenance log if it exists.

[BayStateOfMind]

Originally Posted by bansil

good morning, biggest issue would be rust or floor deterioration (soft fiberglass etc)


Also!! it is 13 years old with an average of 1500 miles a year or 28 miles per week

I would be worried with that, that is a lot of time for seals and such to dry out, not to mention not enough time to warm up and burn off condensation in the engine/trans and rear end oils; make sure to bring someone with you if you are not Ford Diesel savvy

I would definitely get the VIN, and visit local Ford stealership and ask them if all the recalls have been done and oil changes, if they are not busy they should help you (might shed light if miles are correct)

IM me vin and I may be able to help you

While I don't know whether or not 19k is the actual mileage (yet), I will be contacting the seller soon to clarify the miles and get the VIN. Thankfully, I am knowledgeable about the 7.3 PowerStroke vs the dreaded 6.0's

[bansil]

That is a plus for you

Good luck