My husband is looking to get a 4dr 4x4 diesel... We are debating whether to spend the money to get a 7.3 or go with a less expensive ( and less mileage) 6.0. He is insistent that the 7.3 is a far better engine. Im need some convincing that its worth paying the same for a 7.3 with pushing 200k as a 6.0 with less than 100k! COuld ya'll give us some advice? The truck would probably be driven by me just to the kids school and back during the week, and used to pull trailer with 4wheelers into the woods on the wknds.
Thanks!
Amber

 

Youre going to get lots of input on this, so I'll stick to the main question 7.3vs6.0

As a general rule, the 7.3 is a more reliable motor, not without its flaws, but none are crippling that cant be easily fixed.

The 6.0 had some major issues in its early years ('03-'05) and got a bad name even though it ran until 2007. The later 2006 and 2007 model year motors were much more reliable and preformed well.

Above all it comes down to the vehicles history. Even a 7.3 can be brought to its knees by a careless owner.

 

Both motors can be great, but the 6.0 takes a lot more TLC and $$$. (Oil cooler, head studs, headgaskets, Bulletproop EGR or Delete, etc.)

The 7.3 is more reliable, but the weak point is the 4R100 transmission. As long as it's been taken care of it should be good, but if it's been beat or programmed for a while you could be rolling the dice.

Personally, I was very scared of the 6.0, didn't want to buy an engine that might blow up and need a couple grand just to fix or make it reliable. I went with the older 7.3 because of its legendary reliability, and haven't been let down yet. Course, she's barely broken in at 95,000 miles.

 

my slant on this subject. i've had an 83 6.9 an 88 73idi a 7.3 97 powerstoke, a 2000 7.3 gail banks equipped.my take on this.my 88 idi lasted till 497,000 till cavatitanol erosion got her. my best ford so far is my 2003 early 6.0.200,200 miles.1 icp sensor,ball joints,sway bar bushings and 1 alternator.

 

She dosent say what year the 7.3 is so you cant really make that statement about the trannys. True they had a mechanical diode issue early on in the 4r100`s but that was fixed by the oct 01 build date.

 

As you can see in my signature we have both. If you need a lot of quick power the 6.0 is the way to go. Yes the maintaince is much higher for the 6.0 but you'll have a very definate grin on your face when the turbo kicks in.

 

if we go with the 7.3 we wont go older than the 99 model.
thanks for all the help.

 

I didn't say it was BAD.

The 99.5-03 4R100 is not a bad transmission, but doesn't take a heavy beating well. (By heavy beating, I'm refering to lots of HEAVY towing, or high-tuned applications where they get run hard. It's not a bad tranny.)

The 5R110 is defnately much stronger.

 

mine went out about 160k but I knew it was bound to happen, no problems since new one put in.
How many miles on your`e 02? Thats with an 4r100? Didnt they switch around 04?

 

BTW
I did flush tranny hoping to save it but to no avail. Still wasnt quite 100% sure due to codes so I ended up replacing cpu first

 

I have 95K on it, all origional, but hoping to get a JW or a BTS Valve Body with a 6.0 Tranny cooler soon.

7.3 OBS had the E4OD, The 4R100 was on the 7.3 from 99.5 to 2003.

When they went to the 6.0 in 2003 it became the 5R110.

 

I have had several ford diesels. A 88 7.3 idi na with over 300,000 that we still use for work. It runs well but is gutless. I have a 2000 7.3 with 260,000 that runs great with my most expesive repair to date being the water pump. My current daily driver is a 05 6.0. It has had its share of problems over $5,000.00 worth but I lover her now. Way more power than the 7.3 stroker and much more refined.

To answer your question: It depends on how much you can afford after the purchase. History shows fewer and less expesive repairs for the 7.3 but you are looking at a +or- 10 year old truck with 200,000 miles and anything could happen. The 6.0 is a good motor but it does need more care and to make it "bullet proof" like the 7.3 will cost you some coin. If you do go with 6.0 I would get a 05 or newer just for the newer body style and coil springs up front. Also look for a 6.0 that has had studs installed and new oil & egr coolers. This would be a huge asset if you ask me....

just my 2 cents and good luck.....I was in you shoes a few years ago.

CFS

Forgot to mention I also have a 99 v-10 with just over 200,000. It is hard on gas and not as much power as the 7.3 power stroke but it has been a darn good truck. The v-10 is cheaper in every way but at the gas sation. Less weight on the front end so ball joints, tires, ect.. last longer. From my experince it will pull what ever you can hook to it just not as fast. Just another option for you.

 

Can you provide a little bit more info on the two trucks? It's really hard to give solid advice when asking such a broad question. There are guys on this forum that could go on for days about the differences, so a little bit more information would really answer some questions for you.

 

Used to run a fleet of service trucks when working in wyoming. acouple of 7.3 2002 and 2003 great truck and worked hard. Then came the f-350 6.0. had around 10+ trucks. average cost of repairs was $30,000 to $60,000 in repairs. this does not include fuel cost. 4 engines and acouple of tranny's. Mostly due to computor problems and supossed upgrades. Most engine failures were do to injector failures. Some engines failed (4) completely due to damaged pistons from injector failing open and hydraulicing of piston and breaking block/pistons. I hear a few good stories of great 6.0 but in cold weather they were a disaster. I'm a ford guy but not a ford diesel guy. Ford doesn't know how to build a diesel yet! I averaged around $15,000 in lost income per year, 2003 to 2006 due to ford 6.0 diesel truck break downs. 3 months of down time per truck or more. Ran the v-10 service truck and made good money but not a lot of power but reliable. The chevy 502 made good money service truck reliable loved the allison transmission. 460 ford service truck good money. It seems the gassers over the years made more money compared to the ford diesels. I now run a 6.7 liter dodge diesel. good truck but about $20,000 in repairs due to bad troubleshooting of injectors. Many repairs for a short while at the 113,000+ miles and have since got things squared away. No more dealerships repairs in sheridan wyoming. All my vehicles I ran over 100,000+ miles. ran 7.3 and will have to say the better/reliable diesel in my experience. some are kinda gutless.

 

This is a very broad question...the truth is both engines the potential to serve and last you a long time or put you in the poor house.

Everyone knows the rep of the 7.3 but you also have to remember a truck 200k+ or even 100k+ miles is bound to have age issues that will need to be addressed.

My thoughts on the 6.0, the more and more I read about it the more it seems the 6.0 just like any other modern emissions compliant diesel...

You can't treat an 03+ emission truck like an older truck, when they say pay attention to fuel and oil filter micron ratings they mean it. You can't neglect a 6.0...it will punish you greatly. But honestly that is not very different than what you find with Dmax and CR Cummins. The 03-07 trucks have some great features to them number one being the 5r110 a very stout trans behind a stock engine.

IMHO if you (or your husband) plan on a lot of mods...then maybe a 7.3 is better for you. If you want a stock or close to stock truck then a 6.0, a 05-07 might be a better pick, should serve you well.

Good luck in your search!