....Might be getting an F-250

[3equines]

My fiancee's cousin lives in northern California and is an auto collector (he is in the auto body business). He just offered us a 1997 Ford F-250 with a gooseneck hitch; it would cost him $1800 to renew the registration in CA because he has to get the emissions certification done. The truck runs great (for a Ford;)) but he has 2 other trucks and he can't really sell it for what its worth due to the emissions certification thing.

Anyhow, my fiancee and I are pretty excited. My old '87 Toyota still runs but it is just not enough truck for me and it has 285K on the engine. The F-250 would be just right for pulling a 2-horse trailer around the local area here, and free is a good price, even if we need to put some maintenance money into it. The cool part is the gooseneck hitch, we can look at getting a trailer with LQ for those times when we just want to drive into a horse camp with 2 saddlehorses.

My fiancee has packed his cousin into elk camp and on other hunting trips many times over, so it's not like we're getting the truck as some random act of kindness! The two of them are pretty close as far as cousins go and they both help eachother out.

[dame_wolf]

Thats cool!!!

[vicklynn]

Cool!!

[Ranger44]

Sweet deal! Maybe he's just getting a jump on the wedding present. :)

[mare]

Very cool. Some of those Fords run more than 400K miles, at least the ones my friends and I have had do.

[3equines]

If the truck works out it would help me wait a few more years before getting another full-size truck. I could save money and pay off some other debts, and not feel 'stuck' with the old Toyota when I really want something to haul my own horses with!

My plan for getting a horse trailer is to train and sell another Haflinger mare I will be getting (papers and all) in exchange for the training I have put into Gibson and Shelly. That will put about $3500 in my pocket for a good, ready-to-haul used trailer.

[Buckpoco]

That will be a pleasure to tow with.

[FatSpottedAppy]

Wonderful! I had to pay 3k for my f150 with 135k on it! What an awesome deal!

[DarsMom]

Thats awesome!! I have an 89 extended cab F350 dually diesel, LUV MY TRUCK! lol My hubby doesnt like Fords, but hey, it works for me :P I just cant see spending an arm and a leg for a newer truck when this one is in great shape and NO payments :)

Congrats on your new truck!

[AUEquine]

Those 97's are a great year! They have the 7.3L engines and the dual fule tanks! They drive and pull great! My friend has 2 of them, and just went and bought another one that's a 4x4. Just remember to change your fule filter regularly, and add some fuel cleaner (not sure the type we use). You won't even know a 2 horse trailer is behind you! Get on the Ford site and make sure you check out all the recalls, there are a few for that year/model. And just take it to the dealership to get them all fixed, it should be free (I think).
And heck... even if you have to put in like a new fuel pump and injector pump (she did have to do that to one of hers). That's like $3000, and for a free truck... that's not bad at all!
Congrats!

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Sounds like a great thing! Which engine does it have?

[JackieB]

That's awesome. A few more years? A truck like that could go 20 more years if it's in good shape and has a strong motor. Nice!

[gabhainn]

I love mine.......Kevin

[Steelhorserider]

Very nice...congrats!

[3equines]

As they say... don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I'll know more about it when it is actually sitting in the driveway;) and when that will be is still speculative. I am pretty stoked.

I think I can still squeeze $1000 resale value on my old Toyota, it has the 22R engine and 4WD, still runs, and people collect them. Then I could use that $ for maintenance on the Ford.

[miatapony]

that is great ... i know some people that are looking for those Toyotas can you post pics of your truck ????

[dustys_girlly]

where is it at in N. CA? i know a bunch or the auto body places around me, i bring them all their parts.

[3equines]

I *Think* he is in the Redding, CA area. He specializes in motorcycles:cool: and the plan is he will drive the truck up here with a bike loaded in the back and ride back home. He just set up a new shop location last winter, my fiancee helped him with the setup and moving.

*When* this is going to happen is still not defined, but probably before elk season opens up because I think the cousin plans to go into elk camp with the horses this year. I'm not worried, my Toyota gets me where I need to go for now, but it is really cool to think that I will have a REAL truck pretty soon!

[dustys_girlly]

redding is about an hour south of me. hope it works out for you.