I'm not a truck owner but I've been doing research for my brother in-law who is looking to buy a new truck.

He recently went to a dealer to order a new F550 Diesel, with manual trans. When he found out the 7.3 was no longer available. We researched the 6.0 on this forum and he's decided not to take a chance with the 6.0 this year.

He wants an F550, 7.3l with a manual trans. There are loads of 2002's out there but there all automatics and manuals are almost impossible to find.

He's going to put an 11' aluminum landscape body on it and he pulls a trailer that is about 20,000lbs.

He has been hell bent against an automatic because of horror stories he has heard but is considering taking a look at them because thats all that's available.

I would appreciate any inputs, good or bad reguarding the 2002 7.3l/automatic combination for reliability and performance carrying and pulling medium to heavy loads.

Thanks
Pete

 

We have a '02 F-550 7.3 auto CC with a 9' steel dump body. Have used it plenty of times @ the max. GCWR of 26,000lbs. Runs great, plenty of power, no problems, but still has less than 10000 miles though.
Also have '99 F-450, 01' F-350, '02 F-350 with autos, more miles, and tow daily and all have seen the max. GCWR. No problems with any of the trans.
Also have a '00 F-450 ZF-6, great for low speed towing and just towing in general. But, with the 4.88 gears and the ratio of the ZF-6 it pushes high RPMs on the highway.



Hope this helps.

 

If he's set on a 7.3,manual trans.equipped vehicle he should find a dealer that he's comfortable with and willing to do a little leg work.They can do a search for a vehicle and usually get one from another dealer.

BTW,about 20 months ago I had a dealer travel over 350mi.one way to get a F-150,XL,4x4.They even did this without one dime from me and only having "met" and talked to me over the phone.