i'm thinking about buying a diesel truck would you buy a 03 with a 7.3 with high miles or a 06 or 07 with a 6.0 did they fix the problems by then? thanks

 

Define high mileage?? 150,000 I would go with the 7.3. 300,000 I would go with the 07 6.0. They had the bugs worked out by then, just make sure you realize the 6.0 is a very maintaence oriented engine. You need to follow the maintaence schedule closely to avoid issues. The 7.3 is tried and true and has very little to none emissions crap of the newer motors, but they are getting old and harder to find with low mileage, plus interiors look ancient compared to newer trucks. Also what do you plan on using this truck for? Daily driver, towing?

 

both i have a 2004 F150 with a 5.4 that i will trade in i tow 8,000 with it i would to tow a 12'000 pounds trailer to tractor shows i see a 2003 with a little over a hundred thousand miles on it that has 7.3

 

this is just my opinion here, any vehicles longevity is based on its maintenance, and you can normally tell by the condition of the truck itself, if the previous owner took care of it or not. im thinking about a 7.3, or a late 6.0 (06-07) as well as a 6.4. but thats a ways away for me, so im tellin you from what i know is that the 7.3 can go abused for a long time, but youll have your oil leaks and whatnot, its just the nature of the beast. 7.3is a good engine, damn near bulletproof if you stay away from PMRs (powder metal rods) as opposed to forged rods,which are prior to 02 i believe. the 7.3 is backed by the 4r110 i think or 4r100, im not sure of the number, all i know is that its a good trans, but like all autos, it will go at some point, while the 6.0 trans is the 5r110, or 5r100, somethin like that, the torqshift in the 05+ i think, dont quote me on this, im just speakin out of memory here. but however, the 6.0 is a hell of an engine, so long as it was maintained. there reallllll maintenance oriented, but by 06-07 ford had many of the bugs worked out with the 6.0. the 6.0 in 06-07 had the least amount of issues at ford, or warranty repairs from any other ford product ever. that should say something right there. if you need power, a 6.0 is the way to go. if you need one that wont win you a race but itll keep on tickin through the apocolypse, 7.3 all day.

 

I've had my 2007 6.0L since it was new. I've had all the recommended service work done by the dealer and on schedule. Here are the only issues I've had:

Front wheel seals - replaced once under warranty and once outside of warranty

Fuel Injector Control Module (FICM) - Replaced under warranty

Oil leak - Repaired under warranty

Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor - Replaced it myself

Turbo Charger Unison Ring - Rebuilt turbo out of warranty

I just reached the 60,000 mile mark at just over 5 years of ownership. It's just getting broken in! I expect to drive this truck for another ten years or until I can't afford to fill it up with diesel. Despite the issues listed above, this is by far the best truck I've ever owned. I've had two new F-150's as well as a new Ram 1500 and a used Ranger and a used Mazda. By the way, I sold my Ranger to a friend. It had 135,000 miles on it when I sold it to him in 1998. He still has the truck and drives it daily with over 250,000 miles on it. Of all the trucks I've owned, the Ram was the worst mechanically.

 

7.3 with a little over 100,000 may as well still be on the lot, not even broke in yet. I love mine that is for sure.

 

thanks for all your info

 

In last weeks with diesel prices coming back to normal below gasoline prices I like ALL my diesels even better.
If anyone will tell you gasoline engine makes economical sense - he is trying to brainwash you or you know what might be the other option.

 

Yep, I think it might all come down to maintenance. I bought an '00 7.3 last month with 113,000. I don't have all the maintenance records but by looking at the condition of the truck, the engine and by the way it runs, you can tell it's been taken care of. At first I was skeptical of the mileage but after researching the 7.3, I took the plunge.

Of course I expect things to wear out and break. One of the joys of ownership....

Think you'll be good with either choice.......it's a FORD SD!!

 

There is certainly some logic in the higher mileage being better. A better bet in that the bugs have been worked out or it was a better truck to start with since it lasted that long. Low mileage isn't necessarily good without warranty.

My brother's relatively low mile '07 6.0 had the FICM crap out about 4 weeks outside of warranty. $3200 for the FICM and 4 injectors.

 

What is the price difference there? Here in upstate NY it is consistently 40-60 cents more for diesel. My diesel truck burns less fuel than my gas truck but usually costs as much or more to fill the diesel due to high fuel price.

 

At CA truck stop regular is about 4.29, premium 4.59 and diesel 4.49
In the city I see diesel prices go all over the chart. In one location it is 4.19 in another 4.79
Where I fill up diesel and regular is the same 4.19

 

It's the same situation here in metro NY.