I am considering buying a used 2000 - 2014 diesel F250/F350. I hear lots about how the 7.3 is a great motor and the used trucks in my area easily have 200K on the motor and are priced a minimum of $15K or more. I am slightly hesitant only because I have been a gas engine guy all my life. I don't know anything about the diesel side of things.

What years tend to be the more troublesome? I know this Is a loaded question so sorry if I start anything asking this. I just want to make a sound investment which I am sure everyone can understand.

ive been a Ford owner since I was 16 so I truly bleed blue.

have a great easter weekend.

Travis

 

7.3 is definitely a great motor. Simple and strong, but will obviously come in an older truck. The older diesels avoid the emissions problems of the later years.

Like anything you buy with some age and miles it will vary case by case, so I would get a good diesel mechanic to look at anything before you buy.

Other than that, most problems (Tranny, rust, wobble, etc) that might emerge on a truck will already be obvious on an older truck.

 

get a 2008 or later V-10. wont break the bank and they are real nice fully functional trucks.

 

I bought a 2000 7.3 F-250 a while back and love it. This was my first diesel and I do not regret my decision in any way. It had 228,000 miles on it when I bought it for $9000 and was in great shape mechanically and appearance wise. Since buying this truck, I don't know how I ever lived without a diesel before.

Of course, with an older truck there will be things you will want to do right away. All fluids, check all mechanical parts, brakes, hoses, etc...

These trucks are beasts and if taken care of will run for a very long time and run strong. NYCruiser is right too, there is no DEF on the 7.3, everything is mechanical for the most part.

Here is a link to my truck. If you are looking for a 7.3, figure out exactly what it is you want (SB, LB, CC, XC, etc) and be patient. My wife found ours on Ebay from a private seller, but he was 600 miles away. Since it was a short bed, extended cab with the 6 speed manual, I was not going to hesitate. I called the guy on Thursday evening at around 4 PM and my wife and I were on our way to meet him the next day.

The deals are out there, you just have to have time and know exactly what you are looking for.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...uck-beast.html

 

I was in your same spot last year, my 2002 5.4 was to little for pulling the 8K plus pound horse trailer on 6+ hour trips through the mountains.
Here's the thought path I went down:
either 7.3 or 6.7 diesel I was not going to deal the maintenance and repairs on a 6.0 or 6.4,, I need a horse hauler not a project.


All the 7.3's I looked at were way over priced for a 12-14 year old truck. I could not afford a 6.7.


I ended up going to the GSA auctions and getting a LOW millage 2008 F-350 V10 Crew Cab Dually 4x4 for under $20K.
There is nothing that this V10 wont do for me that a diesel would,, consider a V10

 

I had a 2008 6.4L, and it was a great truck. Longbed Lariat, and there is still a lot I miss about that truck. I just didn't trust the 6.4L. I was able to get in to a 2011 with the 6.7L, and as good and powerful as the 6.4L was, the 6.7L does circles around it. Well, maybe not, but it is that much better. I had one DEF temp sensor replaced under warranty, but have had no other issues with the truck. It pulls my 5th wheel like a dream. I would recommend this one.

 

Really depends what you'll use it for. You'll get more towing out of a diesel. But I too have been a gas guy, and just picked up a new 2015 6.2.

I thought about diesel, but didn't need it or want to pay the extra. I love the old 7.2, like you can believe the premium they bring.

Either go with a 2011 or newer 6.2 or the '08 V10. I love what's in mine, and you'll probably find a lower mileage in the newer ones.

 

I think this is an opinion we have all had as gas owners until we went to the other side.
I've pulled trailers with 5.4's, 6.8's, and 6.0 PSD's.
There's no comparison when pulling with a 6.0 PSD vs a 6.8 V-10.
Nothing wrong with the 6.8 whatsoever. There is more maintenance and potential for repairs with a diesel and you have to decide accordingly.
You just have to know the differences that only driving can substantiate.
I can't imagine the stress of pulling our 5th wheel with gas.
Lots of opinions here.

 

so my wife all 5' of her would be driving this truck as a DD around 35 miles round trip. And of course it will be used to pull our 26' travel trailer. Gas Mileage is a concern as well. This is also where part of my dilemma is during the daily use of the truck. Pulling an RV i already understand mileage will be impacted. I have heard the 6.7 diesel gets pretty good mileage considering. I appreciate all of your opinions since you all own such trucks and have your real world experience to validate your experiences.

my ideal truck would be crew cab 4wd short bed. I may go down the EcoBoost path if i cant locate the diesel fitting our needs.

 

The 6.7L is a great engine, but like every diesel since 2003 has the propensity to cost LARGE dollars when it breaks out of warranty. A bad tank of fuel in a 2008 or newer diesel will set you back over $10,000 if it damages your high pressure fuel pump.

Fuel cost between diesel and gas isn't as different as some thing by the time you account for the fuel price difference and increased maintenance costs. You can't get around the fact that you're paying for the energy to push an 8,000 lb truck around. A truck that you certainly don't require to tow a 26' trailer.

If it's more about wanting a diesel you should get one, but realize this is the most expensive possible path. If it's about buying something that's the most cost effective to comfortably haul your camper and function as a DD you should get an F150.

 

R2,
I agree it is opinions at this point.
What I was saying is that the 3V V10 will pull my 8K # plus horse trailer 75 on the flat and level, and keep me at 60+ mph going up the mountains with out even stressing the motor. So stepping up to a diesel would not gain me anything over the V10 in my CURRENT situation.
Choosing a 6.0 or 6.4 Diesel over the V10 would cost me a lot more on the initial purchase and have a very good chance of high dollar repair bills.
Yes I have slightly lower mpg, slightly less low end torque, But the 3v V10 will pull my current trailer in my current area with ease, In my mind I traded the mpg and torque and gained rock solid reliability that a 6.0 or 6.4 could never give me.


Slack




[QUOTE=r2millers;15239593]I think this is an opinion we have all had as gas owners until we went to the other side.
I've pulled trailers with 5.4's, 6.8's, and 6.0 PSD's.
There's no comparison when pulling with a 6.0 PSD vs a 6.8 V-10.
Nothing wrong with the 6.8 whatsoever. There is more maintenance and potential for repairs with a diesel and you have to decide accordingly.
You just have to know the differences that only driving can substantiate.
I can't imagine the stress of pulling our 5th wheel with gas.
Lots of opinions here.[/QUOTE]

 

If you are willing and able to do your own maintenance the 6.0 is the best bang for the buck as long as you find a good one. It's relatively easy to work on and with the egr and oil cooler problem dealt with it's dependable. Drive a 7.3 then a 6.0 and you won't look at the 7.3 again.

If you need a shop to do your maintenance, stick with a gas engine or something with a warranty.

 

Slack,
I think we all understand its a personal choice and it sounds like you are very happy with that choice and I think we all appreciate that opinion.
I just wanted to point out that, testing and driving both, sure helps to make those decisions, knowing there are many factors, including maintenance, etc, to consider.
I too think the Eco Boost might be a good choice. Remember, towing will be only 10-15% of its use.

 

excellent feedback everyone I appreciate it.

 

When I was driving my truck to work, it was about 35 miles one way. The drive is fairly constant 65mph, with some city type miles (a few signal lights/stop signs each way). I averaged right about 19 mpg doing this daily driving with my 6.7L. In my 6.4L (08 diesel), I got around 16 mpg doing a very similar drive at a different job. With my 5.4L 2003, I also got about 16 mpg. These are all real world figures. I track all my fuel mileages on my iPhone. I finally got an old 2002 Toyota for my daily driver, and it gets around 33mpg. I don't put near the miles on my truck anymore.