If you want a real truck and not a toy look for a 83-94.5 f250 or 350 with the 6.9 or 7.3 idi. Dead reliable cheap parts and super easy to work on and same or better mileage than a half ton.
I wouldn't do rebuilt. Get a new set of Delphi BB codes. There are a couple guys over at oilburners.net that sell tested and pressure matched injectors reasonably priced.
And use nothing but motorcraft glow plugs, Anything else will swell up and be next to impossible to remove.
I just picked up a 1985 F250 Ex cab 6.9 C6 Auto with 147,000 original miles. Simple, Reliable, Easy to work on, Extremely durable, Cheap parts, Fairly fuel efficient and slow as molasses.
Originally Posted By: Hootbro
As with most dodges of that era, transmissions were crummy. I would stay away from it for that very reason.
Yes avoid it if it's an automatic.