I'm a big fan of the 5.4, but to me, it sounds like you'd be better off putting your effort into keeping the diesel truck warm.

Oil pan heater, battery heater, possibly a battery charger if you have to cycle the glow plugs a few times to make it start.

Lots of folks run diesels in the cold, it's not rocket science.

 

Best thing you can do to make those diesels start easier is to switch to a full synthetic oil, with a 5Winter rating.

 

true

but my way the cab is a nice toasty 50-60F. especially on those days in the single or sub-zero digits. Might even keep the wifey from whining alot about frozen butt syndrone

 

I run Rotella T6 5W-40 year round.

It gets cold in Hawaii?

That is what the high idle switch and walking back inside is for. lol

 

If your that used to diesels any gasser will be a let down. Pony up the $ and get what you need, another diesel. Being cheap isnt the truck or engine's fault.

 

Well I can find a ext cab, long box, manual, 7.3 with 86,000 miles for 7900 so I think I'll go that route. I've had 7.3's before though and I would run 5w-40 schaeffers, garage it, and plug it in and it would start, but just barely. While on the other side of the coin my 05 6.0 starts easy and I just leave it outside unplugged. So any other tips related to the 7.3 are appreciated

 

Huh? You lost me. I thought you said you already owned 3 diesels and one gasser.

 

I do, but it looks like I'm going to have to get another. I raise and sell show cattle so I truck cattle all across the US for deliveries (put 84,000 miles on the 6.4 within the first year). I have a hired hand who does nothing but deliveries year round so that takes at least one of my trucks all the time, and depending on the time of year I can have my two other trucks on the road at the same time. So that left me to take care of the place with a 5.4 and it just isn't enough truck, so I think this one will stay at home and take care of the jobs here on the ranch.

 

Where abouts are you located Silver24?

 

Ah, I see. In that case, the diesel makes all the more sense for you with that kind of mileage.

 

I picked up a 118k mile 01 v10 with 4.30s for 4600 bucks. Was a work truck so the interior was relatively beat up; but for 7500 you should be able to find a decent one. I sold my excursion for that much, with 125k miles, however, it was in much better shape and better equipped than the work truck (leather, heated seats, etc).

And i can tell you the V10 will start in 20 below after sitting for 6 months without a problem. I know this because 2 winters ago my tdi jetta didn't want to start on one occasion - and that's one of those diesels that starts unplugged no matter what. I used the X to jump start it and it did finally go.

 

I understand your situation. That 5.4 will do the work. Yea it seems like it doesn't have enough power to pull a bale of hay. I assure you it can. Regearing doesn't change the power of the engine it changes the power put to ground. So yea regearing will make all the difference in the world.
$7500 between all 3 brands of trucks is going to leave you in about the same situation does it not? I've yet found a reason to go to the other sides yet.
Is that $7500 plus the 99 sd on trade? If yoir planning on keeping it anyway I'd say spend the money on up grading it. But blueprint it. Have an idea what you want and build on that. If pi heads and intakes is out of reach after market heads. And intakes help a lot also.
My last thought would be to transplanet a 6.8 into your truck.

 

True, that would simply not be worth it; seeing as there are plenty of 6.8s available if you look around .

With the manual, it would be a great truck for a 12v cummins swap though

 

That is what i am going to do

 

You should have gotten the dizzle...