Ok, so here's the deal.. I know all about the 7.3 vs 6.0 discussions, but I know next to nothing about the newer 6.4..

I'm looking for a diesel.. my first.. I've found three trucks I'm interested in at the time, but each has their own individual quirks.. Here's the breakdown on them:

99 F250 crew cab lariat 7.3, 118k miles, 4" lift, 35" tires (I believe), has towed 28' travel trailer (presumably not a ton)... $11,800.

2003 F350 XLT 6.0, 151k miles, 4" lift, 35" tires, no idea on towing history.. Injectors were just done. Has full exhaust (cat removed) (not a problem for emissions, I can register without emissions using a friend's rural address) and needs tires and shocks. $10k

2008 F350 (not sure what trim, but LOADED), 120k miles, 4-6" lift, loaded with options, set up for a 5th wheel (which I'm guessing means it towed fairly regularly), etc. $26k (I'd be offering like $22k. There are much nicer trucks in my area for $27-28k, but that's outside of my price range)

2008 F350 XLT, 98k miles, looks to be in great condition, done little towing. According to them, it was an "executive truck" for an oil drilling company. Doesn't have towing mirrors or other heavy towing options. $22k


I'll be driving 75% of the time in the city without a load, and about 25% towing an 8500# trailer all over Utah (steep elevation changes, etc).. I prefer the leather on the lariat/limited models over the two XLT's that are cloth, but it's not a deal breaker... What I'm really concerned about is which are deals I should consider/avoid based on powertrain and reliability/maintenance issues. Also, if you would consider one of these trucks, tell me at what price you think is reasonable...

Any help?

 

7.3 hands down if you are city driving. The 6.0 and 6.4 will have problems with the EGR system if they are not worked hard. Then I would take a 6.0 over a 6.4. I have seen a few failed lifters and rockers in high mileage 6.4s. The 7.3 will be pretty much trouble free.

 

Define worked hard?

I've got no problem putting a little lead in my foot. In fact, over the past couple days, while looking into the 6.0's, I got a big grin on my face when I saw that "drive it like you stole it" is actually recommended.

 

The 6.4 has the most power, but gets terrible mileage.
The 6.0 is quick but some are known to complete lemons.
The 7.3 is more rugged, simplier, gets good mileage, but due to the lack if a VGT, its not as quick

 

How terrible is the mileage for the 6.4? That'd definitely be a big hit against it for $10k more..

 

11 to 14, I know people who get worse, and some that get a tad better, but thats about average from what I ve seen

 

I would go with the 7.3L anyday.

 

Love my 7.3, but wouldnt pass up a good 6.0 if I knew its history.

6.0 can get GREAT mileage. You just have to take care of them a little more.

 

As much as I've liked the 6.0s
I don't think I could ever suggest one over a 7.3

 

I've never driven/had much dealings with the 6.4L or even the 6.7L, not that I wouldn't want to take a 6.7L for spin With that said, I'm rather bias toward the 6.0L just for the fact that they make more power down lower in the RPM and you can squeeze more MPG of out one. But, and here is the important part. A 7.3L doesn't ask allot, just clean fuel & oil and it's pretty much happy. The 6.0L on the other hand, not only do you have to be religious (I mean RELIGIOUS) with the fluids & filters....but you still can have issues if the fuel pressure drops to low (injectors in a 6.0L are $200+), you've got to work one (get the vanes moving to keep 'em from rusting) and deal with casting sand/coolant silicate fall-out and a host of other minor EPA/EGR issues the 7.3L never had to deal with. Though that 5R1100 behind the 6.0L is pretty tough out of the box as long as you stay stock. This is how I look at the two, living with a 7.3L is like living with a country girl, she's happy to be with you; living with a 6.0L is like living with a supermodel: higher maintenance but the pride when your out on the town.Here's a couple fuel numbers that I could find quickly.

Ford F-250 Super Duty MPG Reports | Fuelly

(I know my '04 gets some of the highest MPG in it's sub-category, but I'm 2WD)

 

My company truck is a 6.4. City driving is a pain in the butt for them. You'll spend alot of time in the "Cleaning exhaust filter" mode. This will eventually fry the sensor in the cat, and will throw a check engine light.

7.3 is the best bet.

 

The 7.3 is the best diesel made by Ford, if your looking at a 6.0, with the exception of a very few, they are nothing but huge problems, you don't want to even consider an 03 or 04, 6.0 is constant egr valve, egr and oil cooler and injectors. The 6.4 loses the turbo hose constantly, not such a big deal, but seen quite a few lose injectors, and it happens pry 80% of the time atleast, if you lose one, your going to lose more, its just a matter of time, the 6.4 is it has the tendency, if it doesn't have any problems and runs great, once they hit 90k the problems start. The biggest problem with the 6.4 is the high pressure pump tends to eat itself then shoot everything through the engine and well there goes the engine. According to the techs that I worked with, when the 6.7 came in, they are comparing it to the 7.3, if that tells you anything. One thing though that is being recommended that you always want to make sure your aware of, with the 6.4 or 6.7, fuel filters at 10k, not 15k. The 6.7 with the new emissions technology has that urea in it which is always filled at oil changes, by the dealerships atleast, now that adds more to the price of maintanence. When doing the oil change and fuel filter at the dealership here, it ran about $260, now its running closer to $300 or so to do both on the 6.7. The 6.7 is cleaner and from everything I read and have seen on them, they are actually getting better fuel mileage than the 6.0 or 6.4. You will also want to remember that the diesel engine warranty on the 6.0, 6.4, and 6.7 is 5 years or 100k, warr time starts when the veh brand new leaves the lot. You can also ask your dealership when the warr expires. Sorry, hope this helps.

 

Personally, I wish ford would have just put a turbo on the 7.3 IDI and stopped right there.

 

Thats funny, most everyone knows the 03 6.0 had the best egr cooler! Also the 6.7 is the FIRST diesel made by Ford put into the superduty trucks.

 

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about my early '04. I still say the '03/'04 models got a bad rap because when they came out there apparently wasn't enough training at the tech level to support some of their minor teething issues. My only complaint about the 6.0L is the price of the injectors; it ain't fair when your shelling out $200+ for just one. But I guess it goes back to the old hot-rod motto...speed/power cost money; how fast do you want to go or how much power do you want?