Maybe this has been asked but I wish to replace my 02 V10 truck with a newer lower mileaged truck. I want a diesel. I need a 4x4 and I would like a crew cab. I can spend around 27k but less would be better. I tow a horse trailer and would like to be able to tow around 11k lbs.

I can't find a nice 7.3 and I am afraid of the 6.0 and 6.4. I drove a 6.4 and loved it but...I am afraid of it.

What is recommended?

 

6.4 wasn't that bad was it? How often do you tow 11k? Get another gaser maybe?

 

6.0L = EGR and oil cooler failures, headgaskets, and FICM. 6.4L = HPFP, radiator. Don't be afraid of known issues, just build the likelihood of a failure happening into the purchase price based on maintenance records and bad luck. If it happens, fix it and move on, repeat failure rates are getting a lot better because both the engines have been wrung out pretty completely.

Find a 6.0L for 20k and put 5k into the engine, problems solved. Do all the maintenance and it'll last til 300k easily.

 

I agree with texastech about the 6.0L, the issues are well known and not impossible to preempt without spending a fortune. The 6.4L seems to have a better track record but repairs can be much more expensive when they come up. I would not suggest owning a 6.4L out of warranty unless you can afford a $10K repair bill should the high pressure fuel pump grenade.

 

You just scratched out all your choices, bud.

Are you saying you want more info on the 6.4L because that's what you're interested in? I'm a little dense and hints don't work too well with me.

 

I am ignorant on the issues of the 6.4 and wish to know if my fears about that engine have merit.

I did not know about the HPFP issue.

 

I only use my truck to tow with. I want to upgrade my horse trailer so I will tow 10k everytime I want to take a trail ride. I drive in the mountains and while my V10 is tolerable for short trips, the longer ones will be fatiguing.

 

Looks like you're on the right track then. Towing heavy loads up hills requires a diesel IMO. It's a shame you have to do so much to make the Ford diesels reliable. $5 k to make it "bulletproof"? I dont know how Ford can be even remotely happy with that track record. It's one of the reasons I got a gasser. I always say to get the newest truck you can afford, even if it has more miles than an older truck. Just one opinion. Good luck on your search.

 

It might take some time, but they are out there. There are 6 of these in pristine condition with 120,000 miles or less in the Seattle that are well within your budget. I'm not saying you want to go to Seattle to buy a truck, I'm just saying I found them out there by looking in a bigger circle from my home. Pensacola will have military people on the move and they have to "liquidate" from time to time... as an example. You might try closer to NASA where people are definitely liquidating their toys. Surf around your region on Craigslist and you'll find a few hits.

I found these close to you [LINK]