I'll try to make this quick. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

We have several 7.3 PSD trucks (mostly in the form of 350 or 450 box vans). Our crews typically consist of 3 or 4 guys, their stuff, and a trailer (maybe 7K or 8K lbs). These trucks run maybe 200 - 300 miles up the road at the beginning of the week, then run around to different jobs in the area during the week, then back home 200 - 300 miles.

We are soon going to be trying to outfit a new crew with a 250 pickup instead of the box van (trying to find a way to avoid the DOT hassles of the heavier truck). My business partner, who deals more with the trucks and maintenance stuff, wants to try out a gas truck vs the PSD. His argument is that #1, we are having a tough time finding reliable mechanics to work on our PSD trucks. We have access to several good 'gasser' mechanics. #2, he feels that it is much cheaper to fix or replace the motors or trannys on the gas trucks vs the PSD trucks.

My worry is that we are pretty tough on our trucks and I wonder how the gas trucks overall will holdup over time. In either case we'd be loooking at trucks in the '99 - 2003 year range.

So, what do you think? Thanks again for the advice.

 

Get a diesel, with a tuner a diesel gets better mpg and has more power. It's an easy question to answer. intake, exhaust and a tuner, that's all you need.

 

A company is not going to modify or tune their work trucks. Brings the reliability down. He said that finding good diesel mechanics is difficult, which I can understand as much time as they need to be in the shop. A gas truck will suit you well. I have seen many gas SD trucks go 300K+. You can find that year range used with around 100K or so, so you would have plently of life. The 2-valve SOHC 5.4 L Triton engine was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 1997–1998 and 2000–2002. It is a great powerplant. Not to mention it will cost FAR less to maintain, less to break, and oil changes only run $30 at the Ford dealer.

 

I know that it's easier to get some one to work on a gasser than a diesel. But diesels rarely have anything go wrong. Well except the 6.oh. but that's unique in itself. I also have a 5.4L with close to 300k miles on it. That thing sounded horrible when I bought it used. It was the tensioner at around 220k miles. It has run fine since except for the coils had to be replaced recently. Either way a super duty is a good truck.

 

In that year range, you really can't go wrong either way. The 7.3 are very good engines in that era. If the mechanics are a problem, try a V10. Anyone can work on it, but they run great and seldom need anything. I think the V10 will work great in your case. My 03 F450 V10 gets the same highway mileage as my 2000 F450 7.3 did. Try to get 02 or newer if you get the V10. Those are the improved version. I have 2 V10's and both are great!

 

And, by the way, I'm not trying to stir up some age-old debate about gas vs. diesel (thanks for your insightful remarks Kajtek). But I'm curious about which is better, for my specific application. The important components being;

Always pulling a 7K or 8K trailer. In other words, this truck will almost always be at or near its payload and towing capacities.

At least 50% of its 'travel' is over-the-road (highway) type stuff.

Regarding the mechanic issues. As I said in the OP, we have 5 other 7.3 PSD trucks and several of them have some age and mileage on them and are starting to have odd fuel or electrical issues and it has become increasingly difficult to find a reliable mechanic that can diagnose these problems other than just throwing parts at them.

Thanks again!

 

x2 on this. The earlier gas engines suffered from blowing out spark plugs.

Another problem that can crop up with the 2V motors is the manifold studs can break which can be a pain to get fixed. Nothing that will leave you stranded like a blown plug, but annoying none the less.

For that kind of weight on that regular of a basis, I would go with the V10. The 5.4L would do it but not as easily. If you do get the 5.4L be sure to get 4.10 gears.

Good luck!

 

Get a gas engine and you decide after time which is better for you. You already have a few 7.3 trucks, so get a gas and see what happens.

 

How fitting....

 

If you can find a good F-250 with the V-10 you will never look back. These are excellent engines on their own, realiable and stright foward.
Have a very strong transmission and drivetrain.
If you can find an 03 or later you will get the improved engine.
One of the smoothest engines you can buy. Loads of low end torque with good gear ratios.

 

If you have the experience you say you have, you knew the answer before asking the question. I do own gasoline engines in lawnmower, dirt bike and pressure washer, but all my heavier fleet are diesels, including 2 diesel sedans.
I bought my 7.3 PS with close to 200 k and added 40k on my own. It wasn't trouble free, since I had to replace coolant tank, water pump, clutch switch and few more gadgets, but so far I have no problem to take off in 2 minutes for 4000 miles trip in it.
7 or 8k making towing capacities? My truck and trailer are 15k empty.

 

Go with the V10! You will love the power, the fact it starts and runs every time you need it and the cost to maintain.

 

Make sure you have good quality spark wires, that will stop the plugs before they punch holes in the hood.

 

Love the irony here.

 

If you want miles per-gallon get the diesel.

If you want miles per-dollar get the V-10.