T-100 shoping.

[csdpower]

My dad is looking for a 4wd T-100. We have already looked at 2 of them.

The first one had a torn cv boot which was completely dry and in turn a broken cv. It must have had a leak in every seal with the mess under it. I didn’t recommend it because of all this and I wondered if he was running a torn cv boot for so long whether he was even changing the oil.

The second one looked to be in good shape. I think it may have a leek in the front pinion seal but otherwise it was very clean underneath. The bed was bent into the cab from something rolling hard into it which my dad didn’t have a problem with. It looked like it had been in front and rear fender benders. They where asking $6,900 for it. We offered $6,000. We didn’t get it.

He is looking for a 4wd to get the low range. He’s was going burning up flywheels on his old 2wd T-100. He likes to dry camp in the middle of no ware with a heavy camper on the back. He isn’t a mechanic. I can fix small things but a professional will fix most repairs to the vehicle he will be buying.

My questions:
Is it common for the front pinion seal to leak and how much of a problem is it?
What can he expect to pay for a 4wd T-100?
Are there any specific things that I should watch out for that will tell me it has been abused?
What would be a deal breaker for you?
Is there any way to put a low range on a 2wd T-100?

[flipside_nv]

This is what I usually look for when buying a truck....Any leaks from anywhere.  Valve covers, rear main, oil pan, axle seals, 3rd, power steering pump etc.  Also check out the pcv valve to see if that is leaking and if it looks like it's ever been replaced.  Some people don't replace those when doing a standard tune up.  Play in the u-joints.  Excessive grease above the drive lines on the bottom of the body.  Listen for any unusual sounds and try to pin point them to find out what kind of work you may be in for.  Oil condition is what I look at the most.  Also, if the underbody and engine is a little cleaner than it should be, then they may have sprayed the whole thing down to eliminate any unsightly fluids and build up.  Does the clutch slip at all?  Sometimes I will even pull a plug or two and look at what may be going on in the cylinders.  There's a million things you can look at.  Just depends on how much time you want to spend.  Hope there are a few ideas in here.  Good luck!