Looking for pros and cons of a 7.3 powerstroke

 

Need more info. As the title states "first diesel" are you looking to purchase a 7.3 and you want more info on them or, you are looking at various diesel engines and would like to compare a 7.3 to others. JMHO, biggest pro's are their reliability and you can still work on them to fix most issues you will encounter. Con's would be that the engine platform is no longer made and many after-market parts are no longer being made to support the engine. As an example, I needed an alternator bracket that Ford sold for 91 dollars. The part is obsolete and I had to pay almost three times that much as every salvage yard knows that part is hard to find.

 

Regarding the 7.3:
1. Quality replacement parts are expensive. There are cheap options out there but they tend not to last or in the case of sensors, they tend to create other problems. 2. In general maintenance costs are higher ($100 or more for an oil change) but it has been proven that over the life of the vehicle the 7.3 pays you back.
3. Once you learn about them they are much easier to work on than just about any vehicle you can pick.
4.Cold starts are an issue unless you plug in when the temp drops. I know many have poured a bunch of money into their trucks to over come this but for most of us the reality is that when it gets cold (below freezing) you will need to consider plugging the block heater in.
5. It is a noisy engine. Not a huge deal to me but make sure you are okay with it before you commit. My wife hates the noise but loves to drive it anyway!
6. Although it is fun to drive the 7.3 is more of a tank than a sports car. I owned a Dodge 3/4 ton with the 360cc and it felt like a sports car compared to the 7.3 until you put a trailer behind it.
7. For whatever reason Diesel prices have gone up and don't seem to fluctuate like gas. For me the higher fuel prices have pretty much eaten up the improved mpg except when towing. I notice only a marginal drop in mpg when towing with the 7.3 but a huge drop in mpg with the gas powered trucks I have driven.
8. Diesel engines seem to last two or three times longer but unfortunately the truck itself tends to fall apart around it. Not a plus or negative just something you have to be aware of when you buy.

 

Just info on them. But would you suggest a newer 6.0 or 6.2 powerstroke? Or is it worth seeking out. A 99'-03' I just want some info on them and comparisons to other diesels

 

Not true on the cold starts. If you have good injectors, compression, glow plugs and relay, these trucks will start without being plugged in below 0 degrees F all day long. If you are having trouble starting at 32 degrees, you have a problem.

 

If you were to ask the same question in the 6.0, 6.4, or 6.7 sub forums, you're highly likely to get a whole different set of opinions and answers. (BTW, they never made a 6.2 powerstroke). As I pointed out in your other thread, do yourself a favor and read the sticky at the top of the forum.

 

I could spend all night responding to this post...
The best advice I can give is: research, research, research.
Take time; look at all the options and dig up every bit of info about ALL the light duty diesels you're considering. Specs, failure points, towing capacity, others' experiences and the reputation of the motor and truck built around it.
The info is readily available..

Personally, I will drive a 7.3L until I can't find another, or I die.

I won't buy a 6.4 or 6.7. I'm intimidated by the mess I see under the hood. As a moderately skilled mechanic at best, I'm not confident I could repair or work on anything if necessary. And no one else touches my truck...
6.0's have a great base compared to a similarly equipped 7.3, but require costly modifications off the line to even have a chance of reaching the longevity of a 7.3.

I don't know enough about Dodge/Cummins to give an opinion there.
GM/Duramax- we won't go there...

 

I mean I live in. FL right now and moving to MA in June. I lived up there all my life so the two biggest factors are frame damage from plowing and body or frame rust from the salt. Is it worth finding something down here that hasn't seen any mud? Id love to get a 00'-03' 7.3 crew can that's nice and luxurious because I'll be driving a lot in it. Plus I wanna make it ride high so what are the pros and cons of just getting a leveling kit and throwing 33" tires on. And do you have any experience on changing the exhaust and does that help gas millage-wise at all

 

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There aren't a whole lot of things I know of to increase fuel mileage dramatically in these trucks. Driving with self control and a light foot work best. Bigger tires definitely won't help though.
I do have an aftermarket exhaust and I feel that it is a good thing performance wise, especially paired with a good air intake.
As far as rust goes, you're probably better off finding something down there, generally speaking. If that's possible for you. These trucks don't have a ton of creature comforts like the new ones have without spending money upgrading or going aftermarket. They are comfortable though, and have about 50 less electronic systems to malfunction.

 

Definitely buy one in Florida if you can. If you have to move yourself -You'll easily tow whatever trailer you use to move and save buckets of $ compared to renting a Ryder or U-Haul.

Plus you"ll have better luck finding one that hasn't been coated with road salt every winter.

And you will enjoy the ride to MA so much more....

 

Many assume that trucks in snowy areas are the only ones that rust. I lived just off the beach for years in CA and the salt air would rust vehicles in no time. Look in areas across the sun belt that are away from the ocean and you should be able to find one that is relatively rust free for the most part. If you do find it, undercoat the heck out of it before it is exposed to snow and salt. Leveling kits are a cheap and easy way to add a few inches. Some people like them while others may not. Not sure I would get something too fancy (kings ranch or the like) if you intend to use it as a full time work truck. JMHO. When you make one specific change, like exhaust, you need to plan on other mods to upgrade the entire system. In other words, bigger exhaust is nice but you need to address intake as well. Once you start changing things you are going to like the rest of us that never seem to be content and are always looking for the next upgrade. If you do get a 7.3, I recommend the very first purchase before anything else should be an AE. Wish they had that years ago when I bought mine and it would have paid for itself the first time I needed it.

 

Good point - forgot about the beach. My 69 Chevelle rusted to hell by the beach.