Thinking about it...
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Thinking about it...
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Ok so had issues with the past truck and gave it back. I am now looking to buy a Used Turbo Diesel just want peoples opinions.. I have read around on different setups and it looks like the 7.3 is the way to go. I am in the military and will be doing a big move here soon. Alabama to Alaska pulling a Car behind me and having my bike in the back of the truck. My 02 Explorer Eddie Bauer V8 4x4 is not going to do this too well so I am trading it in for a truck. Questions I have is 175,000 too many miles for the 7.3 PS? also for the 7.3 is the manual transmissions any good? It is a 2001 F-250 4x4 Supercab Manual transmission. I will be living in Alaska and will need to have a somewhat reliable vehicle to get around in the winter months. Here is a link of what i am looking at. Let me know what you think..
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
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Ok so had issues with the past truck and gave it back. I am now looking to buy a Used Turbo Diesel just want peoples opinions.. I have read around on different setups and it looks like the 7.3 is the way to go. I am in the military and will be doing a big move here soon. Alabama to Alaska pulling a Car behind me and having my bike in the back of the truck. My 02 Explorer Eddie Bauer V8 4x4 is not going to do this too well so I am trading it in for a truck. Questions I have is 175,000 too many miles for the 7.3 PS? also for the 7.3 is the manual transmissions any good? It is a 2001 F-250 4x4 Supercab Manual transmission. I will be living in Alaska and will need to have a somewhat reliable vehicle to get around in the winter months. Here is a link of what i am looking at. Let me know what you think..
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,383
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From: Frederick, MD
At those kind of miles I would be concerned about the front end being wore out...not the motor.
Being in the military you should be ok...just get in good terms with the mechanics at the motor pool.
Need to look closely at the hubs and tie rods..brakes.
Block heater...and maybe a winter cover.
Being in the military you should be ok...just get in good terms with the mechanics at the motor pool.
Need to look closely at the hubs and tie rods..brakes.
Block heater...and maybe a winter cover.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 111
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From: Muncie, IN
IMHO that is not too many miles for the 7.3 diesel as long as the proper maintenance has been performed. I had a 2000 7.3 6spd stick, the ZF 6spd transmission was flawless in mine. I did replace the clutch at 80K miles with a SouthBend ConOfe clutch; it was more expensive than the stock clutch but will last much longer.
If the engine has stayed stock I don't think you could hurt it if you tried; I added a Superchips tuner to mine along with a 4" diameter exhaust from the turbo back and a higher flowing air intake and the required gauges needed for a tuner; exhaust temp gauge, turbo boost gauge and I added an oil temp gauge since I did not have the auto trans. That really improved the performance for the 7.3. I very rarely drove it on highway trips without towing and I averaged a little over 10mpg pulling a 26' 5th wheel camper and 18-19 mpg highway when not towing. Mixed driving back and forth to work averaged 17 mpg.
I think they are asking too much for the truck you listed; NADA lists clean retail price at $10,950; 2001 Ford Super Duty F-250 Standard Equipment, Pricing and Information - NADAguides.com
For Alaska winters I would suggest synthetic oil and make sure the block heater is working. Mine would start fine down to 0F without the block heater if it had synthetic oil in the engine although it takes a long time for it to warm up if the block heater is not plugged in. It will need a good additive in the fuel to prevent gelling at those low temperatures if the diesel fuel in Alaska does not already have an additive in it.
Good luck on your trip and thanks for your service.
Mike
If the engine has stayed stock I don't think you could hurt it if you tried; I added a Superchips tuner to mine along with a 4" diameter exhaust from the turbo back and a higher flowing air intake and the required gauges needed for a tuner; exhaust temp gauge, turbo boost gauge and I added an oil temp gauge since I did not have the auto trans. That really improved the performance for the 7.3. I very rarely drove it on highway trips without towing and I averaged a little over 10mpg pulling a 26' 5th wheel camper and 18-19 mpg highway when not towing. Mixed driving back and forth to work averaged 17 mpg.
I think they are asking too much for the truck you listed; NADA lists clean retail price at $10,950; 2001 Ford Super Duty F-250 Standard Equipment, Pricing and Information - NADAguides.com
For Alaska winters I would suggest synthetic oil and make sure the block heater is working. Mine would start fine down to 0F without the block heater if it had synthetic oil in the engine although it takes a long time for it to warm up if the block heater is not plugged in. It will need a good additive in the fuel to prevent gelling at those low temperatures if the diesel fuel in Alaska does not already have an additive in it.
Good luck on your trip and thanks for your service.
Mike
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
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From: CA Bay Area
There is a good reason why the 7.3 liters are actually going up with the age 
I bought mine when it was 7 years old for 8 grands.
So the conclusion is that 7.3 liter coupled with 6-speed manual is the most reliable truck that left Ford in last 20 years.
I will not comment on the price, since local markets change quite a bit. You can buy those much cheaper on West Coast, but beware about Nigerian scams that target those models.
I bought mine when it was 7 years old for 8 grands.
So the conclusion is that 7.3 liter coupled with 6-speed manual is the most reliable truck that left Ford in last 20 years.
I will not comment on the price, since local markets change quite a bit. You can buy those much cheaper on West Coast, but beware about Nigerian scams that target those models.
