In a few months I will be looking for a Crew cab long box diesel. And im having a hard time deciding what to get.

I will be using it mainly as a weekend driver (I have a company vehicle during the week) and to haul my polaris rzr around in the bed (need the long box) and tow a older camper that will be bought after I find a truck. In a few years id like to pick up a 35' or so fith wheel toy hauler instead of hauling rzr in truck and a normal camper.

I have 3 different trucks in mind.

1: 96-97 f350 cc lb 4x4 7.3l powerstroke.

2: 06-07 f350 cc lb 4x4 6.0l powerstroke

3: 08-09 f350 cc lb 4x4 6.4l powerstroke.

The 96-97 is my favorite body out of all 3. (Currently have 2 95 f150s) but is very hard to find a cclb that is I decent shape up here in canada. they are User friendly for working on compared to the other options. How limited would I be with the toyhauler size with this year truck?
Any places you would recommend to look? (Would be willing to go into the states if I HAD to) nothing locally on kijiji.
The 06-07 has the darn 6.0 with known issues.

The 08-09 is not user friendly for workingn on them and would be removing the dpf right off the bat.

 

Had a '96 F350 460 SC dually and pulled my 40ft Haulmark without issue(14K trailer). The pre powerstrokes were great, but put a Banks kit and they run well. Friend with GitKit pulled his 50ft Haulmark fine.

Still my favorite bodystyle also.

 

I like the 7.3L, simplicity is where its at. Problem is its very hard to find a good one.

6.0 is ok but can still blow, 6.4L is too new to realyl say much.

 

The 6.4 isnt really backyard mechanic friendly. Need to lift cab for any motor work really.
Im even considering a 99-03 7.3l

I refuse to lay someone to work on my vehicles when i can do it myself. Which is kindof the deal breaker on the 6.4

I need something that I can tow with on the highway that will pull better then my f150 does.

I might have to cross the border to find a 95-97in decent shape not asking $15k +

 

If you want something that is DIY-friendly, how about building your own with a 4BT?
Cummins 4BT & Diesel Conversions Forums

Or better yet, here's a '93 with one already installed...
Cummins 4BT & Diesel Conversions Forums

 

You missed the crew cab long box 4x4 part on that one brad lol

This ones local but will probably be gone by the time I get out of school in June
1995 f350 crew cab with cummins diesel, 5 speed, 4x4 - Edmonton Cars For Sale - Kijiji Edmonton Canada.

 

Yep, I ignored those details entirely!

Ironically, that one I found is near me. Given the quality of the build, $10K seems fair, but I don't need another truck.

 

I watched a stock 6.4 compete in a truck/tractor pull in town last summer, and it was impressive. The tool mfgs (Snap-On, Matco, Mac, etc) have developed specialty tools to work on these trucks without jacking up the cab. Otherwise a 7.3 Super Duty would be a great choice.

 

Personally Id'e go with the 99-03 7.3L. Ford made a good motor those years and they seem to last forever. I'm looking into buying one now for myself. /however you will most likely have to spend a bit more because, of course, they're newer. ($8-12K)

I don't know what trucks are going for in Canada, but that seems high for the shape of the truck. I wouldn't go for it....Butt thats me.

 

The problem here is finding a 7.3 with under 300,000km on it that they don't want an arm and a leg and first born for it

 

Yea.... If it's well taken care of, it should be fine with 300,000 miles. The 7.3L is a strong motor and hard to ruin. I say IF for a reason...

 

Personally, I'd go with either the OBS powerstroke 7.3, or a Superduty with a 7.3 (99 to 03). I do not like the 6.0, and believe they are absolutely garbage. anything with the 6.4 is going to be an absolute powerhouse and be much more expensive.
A 7.3 truck should be much cheaper, and (hopefully) just as reliable. I wouldn't buy one with much more than 200k on it though.

 

I'm dealing in km up here not miles too

 

Well then 200k miles would be 322k kilometers.