Which one should I buy....7.3 or 6.0??

[BLK94F150]

It shares many of the same qualities as the 350 diesel. Rushed to production, massive problems with the torque to yeild head bolts, destroying the reputation of the Powerstroke like the 350 did to diesel in general. About the only thing that could make them more similar is if the 6.0 didn't have a water separator.

In this fleet we don't have anything newer. After the problems we've had, we didn't buy any more. It is seriously at least 1 problem a month with either one of these ambulances related to the engine. We just entered into a class action suit against Ford with EMS providers from across the country over this engine.

At a place where I used to volunteer, we did have an 05 in an E450. (The ones above are F450s) It has also had non stop problems, however I don't think it has lifted the heads yet. But lots of smoking and no power problems. There's a steep ramp out of the ambulance bay there and it has not been able to climb it on more than one occassion. They are considering replacing it and keeping the 96 backup that has had very few problems.

Oh and the 05 makes about 1200 runs per year and the 04 twins make about 2500 runs per year apiece.

That 6.4 though has been an awesome engine and has only had the radiator leak problem that the very early 08s had.

Mike

Edit: I know that in general the newer models have less problems but most people also say that if you have the older ones fixed then they don't have problems anymore.

I kid you not that the one 04 gets head gaskets more than tires. Five times in about 68K miles. That's unacceptable and I can not recommend this engine to anyone. That doesn't take into account new heads, turbo, injectors, etc.

[diesel_dan]

I've owned both and didn't/haven't had a problem with either, but I've got a very late 6.0 and not a lot of miles on it. The 7.3 stock feels like dog, I put a very mild programmer on it -- mostly to crisp up the shifts and it was a night and day difference (tho every intake related fitting had to be tightened after the tuner was added!). Driving my 7.3 to the dealer and test driving a 6.0 was a real experience. when I got back into my mildly tuned 7.3, it felt as if the pedal had to go half way to the floor to get the truck to move. Yes the 6.0 is that much faster and it does the same with a load -- it will dust a 7.3 in all conditions, including mileage (I've gotten as much as 2 mpg more loaded doing the exact same thing in my 6.0 as my 7.3, and up to 4 more when empty).

Nobody has menting the transmission. A torqshift trans is such a huge upgrade that even if you bough a V-10 gasser out of fear of a possible problem with a 6.0, it'd be worth it to get the TS over the 7.3's trans (I know I'm gonna' get trashed for that one!).

You asked about the '05+ front suspension and nobody has answered that one: stretch your budget and get an '05. It is another huge improvement, both in ride/offroad compliance and hardiness over the '04-. Plus the '05+ 6.0s have really been the best of the 6.0s -- sure there are complaints, but far fewer than prior years.

And back to that V-10 thang. I'd rather see you with a gasser Ford than stay in, or get another GM. I was there on the darkside ('05 LLY Dmax/ally) and it was one POS, and not just because it overheated on even a slightly warm day...

Go Ford and go Late 6.0!!!

[Benchwrench]

Haven't read much of the replies but here's what I noticed.

Coming from a 7.3 I can say this about the difference..

-best fuel economy;
I found the 7.3 with 3.55 (upgraded) gearing (4x4) to get 22 mpg.
The 6.0 with (stock) 3.73 gears (4x4) to get 20 mpg.

The 7.3 is going to feel like "blah" diesel power compared to the 6.0.
The 6.0 can do circles around the proven 444 performance wise. It is so much more of an advanced diesel engine you can't really compare the two.
Going to the 6.0 you will get a transmission that you wish you always had.
the front suspension choices are leaf spring or coil spring. The coils will give you better turning radius, ride characteristics and will accept larger tires.
If you can get a 2005 or newer you will find over 400 upgrades to suspension, frame
and other refinements over the 2004 model
My vote would be to hold out for a 6.0! in any trim level. Unless you are fine with a farm truck.

[BLK94F150]

I will say that the Torqshift is one of the best transmissions I've ever used. So far we haven't had any problems with them in a very abusive environment. Night and day difference from the 4R100. I think that it's a lot of the difference between the 6.0 and the 7.3. Personally, I wouldn't have a 7.3 without a manual trans.

Stock the 6.0 is marginally reliable at best. Tuned, it's like playing with fire in a gasoline puddle. At least the 7.3 can be chipped up to stock 6.0 power and huges amounts of torque and still be reliable.

I'm still going to say get the 7.3 or 6.4. I wanted to like the 6.0 from the moment I first heard about it. But every time I think that the problems are worked out, another one blows up around me. Every upgrade in the world won't help you if the truck is in the shop with engine problems.

Mike

[miller_feed]

Originally Posted by jinxie

Well, I have decided to get rid of my 03 GMC crew cab. It is just too problematic....
I took a few Ford F250 and F350's (2005) for a test drive and loved they way they drove. My price range is going to get me a truck in the 2002-2004 range for a Diesel crew cab 4x4 w/leather. I dont haul or pull lots, but during the summer I pull a 5th wheel camper occationally. I also pull a car trailer occasionally too for about 200 mile trips.
What should i lean towards as far as engines go? I have heard the 6.0L has injector problems. Is this true? What else should be a factor?
Usually there are concerns or bugs with a new engine. What were the issues when the 6.0 came out?
Thanks for the help!!

Why are you talking about 05' -07' 6.0 and v-10? The OP said he could only look in the 02' - 04' range for a Diesel. I say go with the 7.3 instead of the 6.0 in this year range.

[diesel_dan]

Originally Posted by miller_feed

Why are you talking about 05' -07' 6.0 and v-10? The OP said he could only look in the 02' - 04' range for a Diesel. I say go with the 7.3 instead of the 6.0 in this year range.

He also asked about the '05+ front 4x4 suspension, and there's alot more to the '05+ than just that. I still say stretch the budget and go '05+...

[scottman70]

Originally Posted by BLK94F150

It shares many of the same qualities as the 350 diesel. Rushed to production, massive problems with the torque to yeild head bolts, destroying the reputation of the Powerstroke like the 350 did to diesel in general. About the only thing that could make them more similar is if the 6.0 didn't have a water separator.

You got me thinking...........My 1983 6.2 diesel lived a long 250k mile life. My 6.2 went into the shop a total of 4 times in those ammount of miles, and 2 of those were for the tranny. Crap, I cannot believe that my 6.2 POS diesel was more reliable than my 6.0 power stroke that has only 51k on it! Pathetic!

P.S. Maybe I should not only say go with the 7.3 but maybe you should also consider a 6.2 instead of the 6.0.

[FTE/PARTS-GUY]

7.3L

Ed

[trike1946]

I was faced with the same choice. I went with the 7.3. I know what I have versus I don't know what I have. All my others are 7.3 so I am in familiar territory.

[jinxie]

The reason I asked about the 05 was becasue i was wondering if it was worth the extra dollars saved up on a suspension upgrade. I figured that any bugs with the 6.0 would have been worked out at the factory the 3rd year into production. I have to say i dont like what I hear on the 6.0!! I did like to power of the 05, can I achieve that same power with a 7.3? What is the power and torque of each engine? I believe the 05 I took out for a drive was 325hp.
Thanks

[scottman70]

Originally Posted by jinxie

The reason I asked about the 05 was becasue i was wondering if it was worth the extra dollars saved up on a suspension upgrade. I figured that any bugs with the 6.0 would have been worked out at the factory the 3rd year into production. I have to say i dont like what I hear on the 6.0!! I did like to power of the 05, can I achieve that same power with a 7.3? What is the power and torque of each engine? I believe the 05 I took out for a drive was 325hp.
Thanks

You absolutely can get the 7.3 up to 325 and 600 torque with an exhaust, air kit and programmer.

[UGA33]

But if you are doing any towing with your truck, the tow command system on the 05 and up is worth the extra money. Its the only way to tow. IMHO

[BLK94F150]

IMO the 6.0 is the only thing wrong with the 05+ trucks.

The 7.3 can achieve stock 6.0 HP and more than 600-700ft/lbs of torque and still be totally reliable. It's just that the stock auto isn't the best. But if you either get a manual or upgrade the tranny, the 7.3 trucks can't be beat.

Or spend the extra bucks for a 6.4. They are everything that the 6.0 was supposed to be and wasn't.

Mike

[Benchwrench]

what I liked about the 7.3 was it seemed bullet proof yet civilized. Unlike a tuned 6. Oh!
with the 7.3 I could run the pedal to the floor all day and it would always scoot up to speed and give me all she had. Maybe since the truck was stock except for some dealer computer upgrade giving me a tad more fuel, the engine was very predictable and the truck was solid as a rock flying down the highway.
I actually miss that ol' beast. Manual trans. and all/
however I wouldn't GO back to one after tasting the 6. Oh My!

You'll be tickled no matter what you get because it will be all yours.
-Have fun.

[RDJ184]

lot of opinions its all about what you want i have 06 6.0 love that damn truck30,000 on her now and not problem one