I am faced with buying another truck. I need another 250, CC, 4 x 4, long bed. I am limited in financing to about 20-25k. I have not heard great things about the newer diesels and I am not sure I could fix them. So should I go to a gas engine like the V10 or a 5.4? My 350 will still do the heavy towing, and the old 250 will be for local and a backup. But we need something newer for my partner.

 

I loved my V10 in my Excursion.

 

What do you want that your other three diesels can't do?

 

v10 towing get about 6.5-7 miles a gallon...

 

My 90 used to be a bus. We take it to a job and leave it there sometimes. It is not in great shape. The 350 is what I use for work. My partner uses the 250 for everything. And having relatives in Florida, Indiana and Mass it gets used a lot. About 350 k on it. It has been in a few accidents and has a bent frame. Things like injectors are original. I keep it running as best as I can. We will still use it for work, but we need something reliable for trips and a back up when one of the others is down. When the 250 finally does this will take over in place of it. I go to Daytona in March, and thinking of a few other trips. My exp. has done it's last trip. It is local only. So I guess we need a truck that will work and vacation too. Guts but not too terrible fuel mileage.

 

What kind of gas mileage did you get? Was it hard to work on?

 

Not great. How about not towing? Is a 5.4 any better?

 

Sounds like you already know what you want. Finding something "newer" in that price range could be tough but not impossible.That said, if your familiar with the 7.3 the years are limited to 2003 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Power_Stroke_engine
If your looking for something for your partner to make long road trips, why the 4X4? Just asking cause it's a bit of a drain on milage.

My rough estimate on my rig (see sig) is looking like 16. Mostly freeway driving empty with a conservative right foot but I eventually cruise at 70

 

For the dollar amount you mention, you should be able to find a 7.3 in good shape. I would also point out that a good 6.0 is possible in that range too. Especially if you get one cheap, have the head gaskets and studs replaced. EGR delete and open up the exhaust, and they are as reliable as any truck out there.

 

The newer 250 will eventually take over as the main work truck for my partner when the old one dies off. We work on construction sites and get stuck on a regular basis and have to use the 4 x 4 to get out.

I doubt there are any 7.3s with low miles on it. The newer diesels look like a nightmare to fix. That is why I was considering gas.

 

Somewhere on this's site I had a list of the problems with the 6.0, and it said they were all fixed at the factory by the end of 2006. Not sure if that date is right or not. They didn't look as bad as the newer ones to fix.

 

The 6.0's are different than the 7.3's, that's for sure. But doing the head studs, head gaskets, EGR delete, and open up the exhaust, most of the issues are taken care of. Using good oil in them is also a necessity. Cab removal is necessary to do major work on the motor, but that holds true with all later model diesels too. I was at a shop last week where a guy did head gaskets in an 8 hour day on a 6.0! That included removing the cab and re-installing it. He did have help in removing it, and putting it back on though. Repetition makes things go faster.

 

Another option is to look north of the border. The US greenback is worth at least 15% more right now.

 

While that sounds like a great plan there's a reason that Canadian trucks in the states almost always have low mileage. Thats because it's a $25 fine up there and a slap on the wrist last I knew anyways

 

don't be overly afraid of a 6.0 or 6.4 powered trucks Bob. once you fix the problems with them they are dependable engines.
while i really really like the new 6.7 powered trucks, i would have no problem picking up a well cared for 6.0 truck if the 02 got wrecked.