Looking at this x-cab longbed 4x4 with 115,000 miles. Price seems good (relative owned). I currently have a 1995 F250 5.8 that I work with. I have had other models with the 7.3.
The truck I am looking at is a two owner that has been maintained. its major function has been to tow an enclosed race car trailer. I plan to drive it often and use to tow my camper, etc... Whats good and whats bad about these trucks? Thanks, rick.

 

The good is that the 7.3 is probably everyones favorite and most dependable diesel engine in Fords, and the bad is some have rusting oil pan issues where the engine has to be pulled to change it and the 4R100 auto tranny is usually the weak link in the 7.3. I have to get going but im sure someone else will chime in

 

The 2001 model year had one problem that you should consider. For the first part of the year (until March of 2001) the transmission had a type of overrunning clutch called a "mechanical diode" that caused trouble (as in complete failure) under certain circumstances.

If this truck had a transmsssion overhaul already, the diode will have been replaced. If not, it is not certain that it will cause problems. My truck has 288,000 miles on a Diode, and has never been touched. Others have had them fail with fairly low mileage.

If it still has the diode, keep enough $$ reserve to replace/overhaul the transmission. If you can get it for a reasonable price, go for it!

 

appreciate the replies. Is the 2001 a candidate for the rusty oil pan or is that mostly 90's models?
Anyone know of any suspension or 4x4 problems with this model?

 

My uncle has a friend with a 2003 7.3 and he just had his oil pan replaced because it was leaking ALOT in one day. And if the 4x4 is ESOF then it will possibly have its share of problems just like ESOF in the rest of super dutys

 

There's a good chance the truck will need ball joints, and some ESOF service. You can install manual hubs, which (IMO) is the real fix for that.

Check for all the usual stuff - new batteries, check the fuel filter for neglect. In Ohio, I would particularly check the oil pan for rust and signs of a quickie-fix repair.

My '01 had a rebuilt trans, new ball joints, and new tires - I paid a bit extra, but those were key items for me in the deal.

 

The 7.3 autos are the weak link, my 7.3 has 201k miles on it, trans has never been rebuilt, but now when its cold it wont shift into 4th, it takes some decelleration and accelleration to get it to shift into 4th when cold. when it does shift into 4th it shifts harder than the rest of the gears. If the 7.3 had a torqueshift it would be golden. But there are pros and cons to every vehicle

 

As stated before, very reliable engine. Trans is definetley the week link to the 7.3

 

I would not hesitate to buy the truck, yes the trans are a weak spot but the truck is every thing you would want. i have a 2001 lariet 7.3 4x4 cab and a half with 240,000 km ( 144,000) miles original trans and it runs and looks like new , build date on the trans is july 01 as i was concerned about the trans also. but these motors and if you look after the truck will run 500,000 or even 700,000 miles for me anyway to have to spend 3500 on a trans is well spent money for the truck. i also find these older f250 to be a fairly basic truck to repair .
happy ford owner

 

Since it was family owned, and your comfortable with how it's been cared for, buy it! I love mine, and have been told by a few people to never get rid of it. I don't intend to!

Oh yeah, spend a lot of time here, and make your list of mods you want to put to it.
Good luck!

 

I'm guessing the OP has already made up his mind, post is from Febuary.

 

I don't know many details about the 2001, with that said, I know a couple people that own the 2001 7.3L powerstroke and I haven't heard a single complaint... except for some oil leakage, I own a 1999 7.3L Powerstroke and it used to leak all over, especially on long trips when pulling our trailer. I got a leak where the dipstick enters the oil pan, the inner oring was the problem, from what I have heard is that this is a pretty common problem. Other than that I have had no problems with my 7.3!

 

I think it's a good deal.

 

I have a 01 f250 with the 7.3 which is also a excab longbed....i love the truck, ride, and everything else about it. I would say the only con is the fact that it is a little long, you get used to it. I have 258,000 on mine and i recently rebuilt the motor, new bearing, bored slightly and new pistons and rings and equipped it with a ts performance 6 stage chip (plug and play). I would say its a good buy because this motor hauls some serious *** with minor upgrades. I think its a very stylish looking truck considering its 10 years old and the front end is easy to upgrade to newer components if your looking to give it a facelift to the newer headlights.

 

I'm thinking about getting a 2001 f350 with the 7.3 and the transmission has been rebuilt. The truck only has around 155000 miles on it, so do you think rebuilding it would solve the problem?