As much as I love my 6.9/C6, it ended up springing problems and costing me more than I can afford on a teenage budget in terms of repairs. Not to mention I'm gonna need better highway mileage during the summer when traveling ~100 miles a day. So, I'm gonna sell it and upgrade to either a 7.3 IDI or 7.3 Powerstroke.

A lot of guys tell me they are both engines. I have friends that have the PS and love it. Not to mention just about every contractor in the area still has their original 7.3s. However, the IDIs are selling for cheaper around here, so I'll probaly end up with another one.

There are two identical 1994 turboed 7.3s for the same price within 20 minutes of me. What's the consensus on the final round of IDIs? The good, the bad, and the ugly?

 

If your on a tight budget, I'd suggest to stay away from the PSD if you really want a diesel. The PSD will cost a fortune if it needs anything.


Last year for the IDI was 1994. Easy way to tell if it's an IDI 1994, ask the seller if it's auto or standard. All 1994 automatic Diesels were IDI's (PSD's in '94 were only available with the 5 speed standard).

If it's standard, then you have a 50/50 chance of being a PSD. Best bet is to go see 'em.

 

I sold my CC/LB 1990 7.3 IDI and got my 95 CC/LB 5spd PSD about a year ago. I loved the simplicity of the IDI, but i LOVE my psd. The engines aren't as complicated as many make it sound. Its a great motor in a great truck. If the engine was well cared for, you'll have no problems other than you would with any old motor, occasional orings, stuff like that. However, if it does need repairs or large replacement parts like injectors, sensors, etc, they are more expensive than parts for the IDI. And you'll love the power

 

either truck is a winner.iv driven 94-97 psd's and loved them all.i would have bought one,but they were priced a bit too steep for my blood with 200k miles.it wasn't the price so much as what i had to do to a truck once i got one.it would had set me over budget by several grand compared to the low mile (under 50k!) idi truck.
it all depends on what you find.just make sure it sports the OD trans.
if your looking for a good truck but don't need the heavy duty,do your wallet a huge favor and just grab an f150 w/ E40D or 5 spd (i hate that mazda trans though) 300-6.you'll be $ ahead for just a basic DD.the ride is so much better too.much more practical and cheaper for 100 mile hwy commutes than a heavy duty diesel work truck imho.then again it sounds like a car is ideal for such tasks lol.as a teenager,you should stop and think how much more $ you'll have every week if driving a little car that gets 30-40 mpg vs a truck getting under 20.

 

If you get a car, get a Buick

Rated top 5 cars cheapest to insure, and they're decent size cars that can hit 30+ mpg if your easy on 'em!

 

I'm in property management doing everything from grounds maintenance to renovating and handyman stuff. My family owns two apartment complexes, a few houses, some commercial property, and a subdivision, so I do need a truck by career choice. An F-150 is a bit small to plow parking lots with, and a lot of guys I've asked about plowing told me to stick with a diesel. It sure pushes no problem.

John, I do drive a Buick when I don't need the truck It's my mom's old '98 Regal GS she let em have when she got her Escape. It'll be my brother's car in a few months, soo...I need to hook myself up with a new DD/work vehicle.

 

Our DD is a 1999 Century 3.1

Is your Regal Supercharged or just the regular N/A 3.8?



Whew.... talking about Buicks in the Ford forum

 

Keep the ford for the weekend and buy yourself an old honda or toyota, that gets over 30mpg, just to drive back and forth. The money you will save on fuel will pay for it in the long run. I bought one of the old mazda mini trucks one time and used it on a daily 120 mile round trip after i realized it got 33mpg wide open. Of course that still isn't fast in a truck that came stock with 85hp. The other truck I had at the time only got 16mpg and i had to stop every day and half to fill up.

 

Right? Gotta love it. It's Supercharged. It flies. Don't tell mommy I found that out

Come on guys, I didn't come to be told to get a car, it's just what I do for a living and I love it. It's the family business. Fuel is company covered, but I don't like being wasteful. Buying parts is all me though, so I mean, if the IDI is cheaper in that way, I'll probaly stick to IDI territory. I can't afford insurance on multiple vehicles anyway.

 

Depends on what your goals are... If you get a Turbo IDI, with only a few simple mods, you can have the power of a stock OBS PSD. If you are after power, then it doesnt matter, just buy the truck you like, because a dodge conversion is going to be the best route if you want real power anyway, $ for $ anyway. IDI's have become a cult engine, and while some of us are commited to getting real power out of them, and enjoy tinkering with them and sinking $$ into them, They will never be on the same level as a 5.9 cummins.

 

I know that. I love the Cummins, but I'm not mechanic enough yet to do a conversion. I don't want a Dodge because I don't want to wreck my first end in the first year I'm after reliability more than anything.