Hey guys I'm new here on the forum, and I'm not a diesel mechanic by any means, but I would like some opinions on which truck I should go with. It will be daily driven and will pull my buddy's jeep and possibly Samurai at least once or twice a month and other stuff. F250's and F350 or even Excursions 4x4's are my choices, but I need opinions on year and engines. The 7.3 powerstroke is my first choice with a manual 4x4 shifter. They come with solid front axles, correct? Truck will be used for trail riding and up and down a very mild mountain few smaller rocks trees ect to crawl over and also as a daily driver, no mud holes at all. which truck and engine option should I go with?? Price range is around $9k give or take thanks before hand guys!

 

All really depends on your choice of rather having a SUV or a pickup. They will all have solid fronts from 99+ before that 250's will have a TTB unless its had a SAS.

As far as suspension a excursion or a 250/350 will do fine with a 20' trailer an vehicle. So again all about your preference.

Engine depending on year you want id stay away from a 5.4 in any of them, just to much truck not enough engine. The V10 or 7.3 would both be good choices. If its like around here you will be hard pressed to find anything newer than a 02-03 for 9k. Hell some OBS PSD still go for 8-9k.

 

pretty much what Larry said.

 

I have a 5.4 in my 03 F150, good engine just like you said, "not enough engine " and I'm pretty set on a diesel because I've always wanted one, and have found a few 250's and 350's 7.3's and 6.0's with sub 250k miles for <10k, just gonna have to look at them in depth. And thanks for the info on the axles!

 

a 6.0 is a good engine if it has had a lot of money put into it.

personally i would stay away from a 6.0 and stick with a 7.3.

 

Seems like the 6.0 you either leave bone stock and do nothing more than change the oil in, or you go all out a bullet proof it.

My uncle has a 03 6.0 and with exception of a turbo at 300k and a few injectors has been fine. I know a guy with a 04 250k on it and never done anything but change the oil. On the same hand I have a buddy who had one did a few mods and blew the head gaskets, he did studs gaskets and a few other mods and has been fine ever since.

the 6.0 has more get up and go, the 7.3 has more of a proven reliability behind it.

 

Thanks guys! I found an 01 F250 7.3 4x4 6 speed that's in decent shape... Just has 334k miles. But for $4500 I can't complain that much, going to go look at it soon with my old Auto mechanics teacher

 

My 95 has 360k an is running fine. Just look for oil leaks. Pop the intake off look at the filter and then look at the fins on the turbo to make sure everything there looks good.

 

Awesome, thanks 77mud, you've been great help!

 

No problem

 

I agree with larry, 6.0s you either gotta leave em stock or spend $$$ to soup em up.

Working in a shop, I've seen so many blow up its ridiculous. I don't care for the heuis at all, but if youre going to get one id say go with a 7.3.

Good luck with the one you're looking at