ok guys, i need some help here. im looking into diesels since my head gasket went on my f150. im looking into a 95-97 4x4 powerstroke ext cab 5 speed or a 99-03 7.3 ext cab 6 speed 4x4. ill have about 7000 to spend which is why im leaning toward the 95-97 and because i LOVE that body style, but im wondering how it compares to a 99-03? my dad has had 2 99-03's both auto and i want a standard. how do the 95-97's compare to a 99-03 as far as mpg, towing, etc. with a programmer, 4 in strait pipe, intake, etc? will i be able to keep up with all my buddies with 2000 and up 6 speed cummins and powerstroke 6 speeds as far as towing and smoking? thanks in advance.

 

i asked this same question a few or so ago. As far a power,ride, quality the newer 99-03 7.3 trucks are way better. The 97 and older 7.3 have no inter cooler, so they make less power can run hotter towing and struggle more at towing, BUT when they have straight pipes installed they sound so f$cking mean! Also the older 7.3 have a very crimped cross over pipes that kill power and they are always leaking making you loose boost, but their are fixes
OBS-E99 Bellowed Up-Pipes
I personally LOVE the 95-97 Heavy Duty body, my first truck was a 1997 reg cab F350 4x4 with a 460. I regret selling it ever day, but I'm looking for that hard to find 2003 F350 with 7.3 and 6speed. Over a year and i still cant find one....

 

Strictly Diesel Webstore
just go here, my dad buys his 2000 7.3 parts from them, so does my buddy with a 2001 7.3 dually

 

here you go
2003 Ford F350 TRUCKS, $13,700 - Cars.com

 

thanks but thats a 6.0, not the 7.3. Ford offered the 7.3 in the 2003 trucks but only for a short time

 

For 7k you'll be looking for awhile to find a nice lower mileage 4*4 diesel. They are holding their value really well around here, especially the obs 7.3.
I've seen a couple of 97's, one with 50k and one with 90k both 4*4, autos that sold for 14k & 12k. Super nice rigs but lots of $. Good luck looking, hopefully you find something.

 

The newer the better, I think the 99-03 powerstrokes are the best trucks out there!

 

buddys got me a 2002 crew cab fully loaded long bed 4x4 needs paint for 5500$ under 200k exhaust and 4 inch lift

 

Took me about 5 weeks to find my "new" 2000 F250 PSD 4x4 ext cab for $4600. And it was 15 miles away.
It has 300,000 miles on it, so I don't have to worry about breaking the engine in
Good luck to OP. How far are you willing to travel for right truck?

 

You must be a KID.
Loose the notion that bellowing smoke is cool, because it is NOT. All is does put a BAD LIGHT on diesel motortsports.

A OBS Powerstroke(94-97) is limited by a couple things. First are the 90cc injectors(unless it is a cali truck and 120cc injectors). Second is the lack of Intercooler. Things get hot real quick with more fuel. The HPOP is a limiting factor as well, along as the Mechanical Fuel pump

A SD Powerstroke has some draw backs as well. First is the weight of the truck. A OBS is almost 1000lbs lighter than a comparable SD. Second is the turbo lag(bigger wheel, more lag). 3rd is you have to pay attention to witch years SD 7.3 you are looking at.
The E99 had basically OBS engine but with a Intercooler.
In late 99 they put bigger injectors in and the larger turbo.
Then in 01 they started putting PMRs(powered metal rods) in . They are a weaker design than the previous Forged rods.

As for keeping up with the newer trucks, NOT GONNA HAPPEN, unless you spend serious money on mods

 

The turbos are having the same size wheels, just later 99 has higher compressor wheel pitch, what create power surges. Therefore most of the newer 7.3l owners swapped the compressor wheel to E99 wicked wheel.
Not trying to confuse OP with small details, but I own E99 and 2000 7.3liters. My E99 seems to be excellent engine that pulls 30,000lb sets on 6th gear even on visible grades. The 2000 power seems to be lower, although I would blame the automatic for the impression.
Bottom line -paper HP and real life engines are not always the same. Sometimes you just have to get lucky.

 

okay i found a 95 std cab 5 speed 4x4 with 200k miles for 4000$. im selling my f150 to buy it because ill have money left over for an exhaust and programmer. maybe a 4 inch lift kit. the 350 is strait axle, not the twin turd beam like the f250 right?

 

oh and diesel brad everyone has their own opinion about whats cool and what isnt.

 

I hope you blow the engine in the 1st week. THAT would be cool

 

This one's done.